[DarkTamer]

* Work in Progress - UNFINISHED *

Hey everyone, here's the somewhat overdue V3. If you're interested in V1 and V2, they can be found here:
V1- http://www.paintballforum.com/showth...16#post1832316
V2- -Master "What gun to choose" Thread 2

PLEASE READ THESE TWO PARAGRAPHS FIRST:

This is a quick guide for anyone wondering what gun to buy. It is by no means all encompassing, so still feel free to post your own thread asking people what they think of your choices, this is just to help narrow the choices. I will not cover every single gun, that would take too much time and be pointless. I will try to be as unbiased as possible. Keep in mind, these suggestions are all geared towards functionality/tournament play, I do not include guns designed to look cool for scenario games; for such guns, feel free to post a thread in the appropriate section, or ask any of our knowledgeable members about it and we'll give you the run down on what we think of it.

I have only covered guns still being produced/sold (as of today, 12/03/07), older guns are not included. This is for guns sold being new from the retailer, not used. Some retailers have different prices, have sales, prices change etc. so you may find you can’t find the gun in some category in that price range, or perhaps you’ll find it cheaper; I can’t control this, I’ve tried to be as accurate as possible with prices. Please note, the markers are not listed in any particular order within their price categories.

I may decide to update or create newer versions of this thread in the future.

This thread was inspired by 98customplayer1's thread in the new player section, essentially the same idea but focuses only on lower end guns for new players looking for their first gun. Check it out if you're in that situation:
http://www.paintballforum.com/forum/...d.php?t=126182


[Note to Readers: I'm an opiniated human being, and while I try to be as accurate as possible with my info this thread also has a healthy dose of my own personal bias. Take that into account when reading this please.]

$1-100 Category
This section is the cheapest of the cheap, so naturally guns in here are not the cream of the crop. Guns in the price range will get the job done, but not particularly well. For someone who does not play often, maybe just an occasional get together with some close friends, these will do fine. For anyone who wants to play seriously, I'd suggest saving up a bit more.

-Spyder Sonix 07
Spyder.tv - Spyder Electronic & Semi-Auto Paintball Markers, Gear, Apparel, and Accessories

One of the most basic Spyders, it has everything you need to get started. The design is simple, being all mechanical and CO2 compatible. My gripe with Spyders is how most of them, this one included, require the use of that annoying plastic feedneck.
*Stacked tube blowback
*Spyder threaded barrel
*Works on either co2 or HPA (must be a High Pressure tank, LP will not work)
*Clamping feedneck (Plastic)


-Piranha GTI 2007
Pursuit Marketing Inc.

Similar in design and performance to the Sonix, although with some more... futuristic looks. I personally am not a fan of the looks, but from my experience guns built by PMI have traditionally have a leg up Spyders in the quality department. Either choice would be fine.
*Stacked tube blowback
*Spyder threaded barrel
*Works on either co2 or HPA (must be a High Pressure tank, LP will not work)

[DarkTamer]

$101-200 Category
Here is where you actually start getting your moneys worth in my opinion. Markers in this price range are still far from spectacular, but you are getting quite a bit of bang for your buck, as well as a massive selection to choose from.

-Spyder VS1
Spyder.tv - Spyder Electronic & Semi-Auto Paintball Markers, Gear, Apparel, and Accessories

The VS1 is the most basic version of the VS line Spyder recently released. New features include a new style of electric frame, and more importantly, break beam eye sensors in the breech to reduce chopping; this is much better than any ACS bolt thing.
*Stacked tube blowback
*Spyder threaded barrel
*Works on either co2 or HPA (must be a High Pressure tank, LP will not work)
*Clamping feedneck (plastic)
*Break beam eyes


-Spyder VS2
Spyder.tv - Spyder Electronic & Semi-Auto Paintball Markers, Gear, Apparel, and Accessories

The big brother to the VS1. It too has the same break beam eyes, along with a clamping feedneck, better trigger, and a new valve/hammer setup with a regulator built into the ASA to run LP (Low Pressure). This helps reduce chopping somewhat, as well makes the shooting cycle much smoother. Due to this LP operation, it's highly recommended you do not use CO2, but HPA instead which can be expensive. If you must use CO2, anti-siphoned is pretty much required.
*Stacked tube blowback (new LP operation)
*Spyder threaded barrel
*Break Beam eyes
*Clamping feedneck
*On/off ASA


-Smart Parts Ion

SMART PARTS
When it was first released, sales were through the roof as was disdain for it. Whether you hate it or like it, it offered very good bang for your buck and still is a pretty good deal, especially as the price to continues to fall. The biggest problem with the Ion is that it requires you to take apart most of the gun, forcing you to handle delicate electronics, hoses, etc. fairly regularly. Because of this, I'd recommend investing a little more money in the Ion XE, as it's BOB body gets rid of this problem.
*Blowforward (Similar to spool valve but simplified)
*Impulse/Ion Barrel threads
*Break beam eyes
*HPA preferred

-Smart Parts Vibe
SMART PARTS

Built on the same platform as the Ion, the Vibe works on the same blow-forward/spool valve concept. To make it so cheap, they've taken away the break beam eyes (they can be added as an upgrade); however, they have included a clamping feedneck and a BOB (Bolt out Back) style body, neither of which the standard Ion has.
*Blowforward (Similar to spool valve but simplified)
*Impulse/Ion Barrel threads
*Clamping feedneck
*CO2 compatible


-Smart Parts SP1
SMART PARTS

The SP1 is exactly the same as the Vibe internally. Ion platform without break beam eyes. The only difference are the external parts, such as body, trigger, and barrel. They will perform pretty much the same.
*Blowforward (Similar to spool valve but simplified)
*Impulse/Ion Barrel threads
*Clamping feedneck
*CO2 compatible

-ICD Promaster
[url=http://www.paintballtrader.com/Xcart2k7/home.php[/url]

It's light and efficient, as well fast. However ICD has recently gone out of business, and finding these new will soon be impossible (if it isn't already). Customer support for ICD products has been taken over by VaporWorks.[/size]
*Stacked tube air ram
*Autococker barrel threads
*Break beam eyes
*HPA required

-Tippmann 98C

Tippmann
It's not fast, or light, or even particularly efficient, but it always works. It’s been described as the “AK47 of paintball”. What makes it such a good choice is it's near indestructibility. So long as you put a bit of oil through it once in a while, the only thing that will ever break on this gun is the feedneck when is something like a $10 replacement. It is mechanical, so there are no electronics to screw up. [/size]
*Single tube blowback
*Tippman 98 barrel threads
*Works on either co2 or HPA (must be a High Pressure tank, LP will not work)

-BT4 Combat
BT Paintball

It runs on the same inline blow-back design as the Tippmann line, with some slight changes. It matches the 98C in durability and performance.
*Single tube blowback
*98/BT barrel threads
*Works on either co2 or HPA (must be a High Pressure tank, LP will not work)


-WGP Synergy Equalizer
Worr Game Products - WGP paintball markers and accessories

A new and rather unknown gun from WGP. I have not personally had the chance to hold one yet, but I've researched them: They're a blowback, but low pressure and "HPA preferred". This makes me guess that the design is somewhat reminiscent of a VS2/3. It also includes break beam eyes (Be sure to get the "Equalizer" version if you want eyes; the regular Synergy has eye covers but no eyes).
*Stacked tube blowback (LP operation)
*Cocker barrel threads
*Clamping feedneck (plastic)
*Break beam eyes
*HPA preferred


-WGP MG-7
Worr Game Products - WGP paintball markers and accessories

The other attempt by WGP to capture the low end market. Once again, it's too new and unknown, so I've yet to see one myself. From the looks of it, they're paying SP to use the Ion design more or less. Could be just as good as an Ion but a bit cheaper, or could be crap... buyer beware.
*Blowforward (Similar to spool valve but simplified) [Unconfirmed]
*Cocker barrel threads
*Break beam eyes
*HPA preferred [CO2 compatibility unconfirmed]

[DarkTamer]

$201-300 Category
Guns in this category are somewhat similar in performance and even function to those in the previous, but have some extra perks. This is a pretty good price range to be looking into for those looking to play their first tournament and step into the world of competitive paintball.

-Smart Parts Ion XE
http://www.smartparts.com/

[Description to come]
*Blowforward (Similar to spool valve but simplified)
*Impulse/Ion Barrel threads
*Break beam eyes
*HPA preferred

-Smart Parts Epiphany
http://www.smartparts.com/

[Description to come]
*Blowforward (Similar to spool valve but simplified)
*Impulse/Ion Barrel threads
*Break beam eyes
*On/off ASA
*HPA preferred

-Proto SLG
http://www.protopaintball.com/

One of the most interesting new guns to come out this year, the SLG is designed to give spool-valve-like performance, but it is not a true spool valve. It is a sear tripper, and operates somewhat similarly to the way Automags work. The result is a simple design that offers decent performance.
*Sear tripper spool valve
*Cocker threads
*Break beam eyes
*HPA preferred [CO2 compatibility unconfirmed]

-Proto Rail
http://www.protopaintball.com/

[Description to come]
*Spool valve
*Autococker barrel threads
*Break Beam eyes
*Clamping feedneck
*HPA required

$301-400 Category
The markers in here are not a huge step up from the last, but you do get your moneys worth. Here is where you're just starting to have a marker that could hold its own in regional and even national tournaments. Certainly not the best, but pretty good, especially for the money.

-Smart Parts EOS
http://www.smartparts.com/

The EOS is what the Epiphany should have been. It's been given a BOB body (which makes the firing chamber inserts far easier to use) as well as a clamping feedneck. It's also been made a bit lighter, and the rubber webbing has been taken away; overall, it looks a lot less like something you'd find in Toys "R" Us.
*Blowforward (Similar to spool valve but simplified)
*Impulse/Ion Barrel threads
*Break beam eyes
*On/off ASA
*CO2 compatible


-Invert Mini
http://www.invertpaintball.com/

Probably the smallest and lightest low/mid end gun available, the Mini works on a unique inline poppet valve system. It also has switched the locations of some key components, namely the regulator, bottom line, and electronics. The regulator is built into the ASA, and the bottomline is completely gone, with the air traveling directly up through the grip frame (without any hoses, air travels throughout the gun via machined paths and manifolds); the circuit board has been moved into the fore-grip. A nice little gun, but rather awkward for some people; I strongly suggest at least holding one before buying to make sure you don't hate it.
*Inline Pressure controlled poppet valve (poppet valve is not stationary, unique design)
*Autococker barrel threads
*Break Beam eyes
*Clamping feedneck
*HPA required


-Alien Interceptor
http://www.alienpb.com/

Built by a very small company, the Interceptor is the basic gun of Alien PB. It offers a interesting body design that's supposed to make maintenence easier, and their patented "Sweep valve" and "Sweep bolt" that's supposed to give it a flatter trajectory. Fans claim Ego-like performance; I'd suggest that buyer be wary, there's always a reason a product remains cheap and relatively unpopular.
*Stacked tube air ram
*Autococker barrel threads
*Break beam eyes
*Clamping feedneck
*On/off ASA
*HPA required



$401-500 Category
There's a bit of a black hole here, not too many guns in this price range, even fewer that are worth buying.

-Dangerous Power F8
http://www.dangerouspower.com/orig/home.php

Dangerous Power sort of snuck onto the scene last year, starting with their Fusion which gained popularity quickly thanks to it's simple design, good performance, and reasonable price. The F8 is the 2nd version of the Fusion, designed to be lighter and with few changes in the internals for better performance.
*Stacked tube FASOR (Forward Air Spring Operated Return)
*Cocker barrel threads
*Break beam eyes
*Clamping feedneck
*On/off ASA
*HPA required

-FEP Quest
http://www.firstendeavorpaintball.com/

FEP is a pretty new company with a fairly strong fanbase. The Quest offers a simplified spool valve design, that makes for much easier maintenence than similar guns and better efficiency. Many users have had various problems though, possibly all user-error, I'm not sure. Either way, it's a good buy, but as with all small companies, be cautious.
*Spool valve
*Autococker barrel threads
*Break beam eyes
*Clamping feedneck
*HPA required

[DarkTamer]

$501-600 Category
An even bigger black hole, I can find absolutely zero guns in this price range that are worth including here.

$601-700 Category
This is really where guns can start to be considered “high-end”; if you want to be truly competitive and play in nationals or regionals, you should be reserving at least this much money just for the gun alone.

-Planet Eclipse Etek2
Planeteclipse.com - Official Home of Ego8 and Eclipse Paintball Products

The original Etek was popular among intermediate players and even scenario players for it's good performance at a fraction of the price of a "real" Ego. The performance difference between the Ego5/6 and Etek wasn't very discernible. However the Ego7/8 has had some relatively drastic changes to it, while the Etek2 is essentially the same gun internally, meaning it won't perform much different from the original Etek. If you don't mind buying used, getting the "old" Etek will serve you just as well.
*Stacked tube air ram
*Break beam eyes
*Clamping feedneck
*On/off ASA
*HPA required


-Smart Parts Shocker NXT
SMART PARTS

[Description to come]
*Spool valve
*Impulse/Ion barrel threads
*Break Beam eyes
*On/off ASA
*HPA required




$701-800 Category
Once again, very few guns in this range. The two that are here are worth checking out though.

-Proto M8
www.protopaintball.com/

Similar performance to the PM7, or even PM6. However, a self-cleaning eyes system has been added along with a UL frame. Great deal as far as high-ends go.
*Spool valve
*Autococker barrel threads
*Break beam eyes
*Clamping feedneck
*On/off ASA
*HPA required


-Alien Independence
ALIEN PAINTBALL - Light Years Ahead!

The latest gun from Alien PB. Includes the standard Alien stuff like sweep valve etc. Differences include new lighter body, integrated feedneck, and CP 2pc barrel standard (you can also get their new "Mayday" barrel kit for extra.
*Stacked tube air ram
*Autococker barrel threads
*Break beam eyes
*Clamping feedneck
*HPA required


$801-900 Category


-Bob Long Marq
Bob Long Technologies

Operating on an inline poppet valve design, the Marq attempted to be super revolutionary. It did a decent job of it too, with the built in feedneck and the 4 eyes option. Maintenence is said to be a little bit of a hassle, but with the optional 4 eyes and pillow bolt people say they perform great. Take note, all the different Marq guns are the same besides milling and possibly a trigger. I believe the Closer version comes with all the options standards, while others must be purchased separately.
*Inline poppet valve
*Autococker barrel threads
*Break beam eyes (dual sets an upgrade option)
*Clamping feedneck
*HPA required

[DarkTamer]

$901-1000 Category
Nothing here worth noting

$1001-1100 Category
Congratulations on breaking the $1000 mark. Some may call you crazy, others might describe it as "dedicated"...

-Macdev Droid

http://www.macdev.net/

-Macdev Cyborg

[Note: Pictured here is the '07 borg as the '08 is unreleased]
http://www.macdev.net/

$1101-1200 Category
Nothing worth noting

$1201-1300 Category

-Planet Eclipse Ego8

http://www.planeteclipse.com/

$1301-1400 Category
The most expensive echelon I can in good conscience include here. Anything more expensive than this is not worth it in my opinion in terms of pure performance. Anything more expensive than this will simply be a private label or limited edition version of an already great gun.

-Dye M8

www.dyeprecision.com/

[DarkTamer]

$1201-$1300 Category


$1301-1400 Category

I will be adding, moving, editing this thread throughout today/tonight. I'll let you all know when I've finished in this post.

[M4Maniac]

Dark I can do some write ups of the guns I've had experience with (Tippys and SP guns) if you'd like... just a couple sentences on each and PM you.

[DarkTamer]

Sure, go for it

[M4Maniac]

I can do the A5, 98c, Ion, Epiphany, Rail, Promaster, Ion XE, and NXT... I'll have them done by wed, time permitting.

[DarkTamer]

Sounds good, although I'm excluding the A5 in this version, you can skip it.

[M4Maniac]

por qué?

dunno how to do the upside-down ? mark

[DarkTamer]

Because I don't consider them worth the extra $80 over a 98c, especially since the cyclone feed attachment can be bought separately for $60.

[underoath777]

what about the custom pro, MR series or angels jw

[martix_agent]

¿like this?