You asked it, you waited for it, here it is. This will be in 2 parts, home test and field test.
Finally got my brand new Spyder Electra '09 this week. This is my first marker in the last 2 years, because I quitted. Now that I want to make a comeback, I needed a marker that perform just as well as my old VS2, and that can be used with Co2, because I moved and now it is more complicated to get a 68/4500 tank filled (got to do 35 minutes in car to reach a place where it can be filled). So I sold my VS2, and now here's the new black Electra '09.
First part - home test Feel it
The new Electra feel anything but cheap. It's very solid, all metal, and everything was tight out of the box. It's smaller and lighter than ever (and that is noticable). I really feel that I will be able to move around fast, and in some tight place with this marker.
This marker is small, and personally, I'll have to learn to play with a marker that small. My hands get really close together, but since I have small hands, I'll be fine. What is nice is that there's alot of place for my fingers to move and walk the trigger, even with gloves on.
I was used to my infinity trigger on my VS2, and moving to the Electra trigger feels unnatural to me. It's a blade style trigger, I have never tried this before. However I think I'll be able to learn to walk it just as fast as my VS2. It is not as comfy as the VS2, but it's lighter and smaller, so I think things got eqal here.
Test it
Got some old paintballs, Co2 tank on, Vl eye force. I think this is really representative of a popular set up that tend to be right now. First I heard a little issssshh near the ASA, when I realized that my tank o-ring has been pinched (even if it's brand new). Got another one, and everything is fine.
The only word I found is WOW. This marker is really nice to shoot, nicely balanced. I got used to the trigger really fast, and the LEAP board is so easy to use, with really clear info in the mode you currently use. By the way, there's 3 modes available on the Electra : Semi-auto, PSP ramping, Millenium ramping. All of them just work perfectly, even with Co2. I've been able to shoot in semi just as fast as I shoot in ramping mode.
The stock 2 pieces barrel shoots fine, I don't plan to get another one. Actually, it is prolly the best stock barrel I've ever tried on a spyder (exept the VS2).
The Electra and Pilot are the first spyders that can be use with a regular 9V (since 2008). However, I really recommend to get a charger and recharchable 9.6V battery. And there's a problem here : why Kingman did not supply this with the marker ? I really think this is a mistake from them, and I hope they will fix this next year with new models.
The Electra comes with a clamping feedneck, that hold my VL eye force (heavier than Vlo JR) very solid. However you will need an allen key to tighten your loader. This is more solid, but less convinient to use.
The ON/OFF ASA is really nice to use, nicer than the VS2. I can turn it on or off with a tank on, which is something I was not able to do with the VS2. It's also doing is job pretty well, releasing pressure before I removed the tank.
Clean it
As usual, this spyder is just as easy to clean as any other spyders I've ever used. The bolt is delrin (no lub needed), and there's only one moving o-ring to take care on the striker. That means this marker is really easy to clean, everything can be done under 10 minutes. Eyes plates are in aluminium, which is great, and screws will be hard to break, just use the right allen key and you'll have no problem.
The grip is easy to open. However, the grip is not wrapped around : both side are plastic, with rubber on it, they feels really comfy to me, but routing the wires becomes really important if you don't want to get water in grip. Happily, this job is really easy to do. I had absolutely no problems routing the cables, and everythings just feel fine inside.
This marker is really easy to use and clean. I will not have problems to recommend it to new players, as well as for mid players, because it performes really well. I think I'll love it, and I'll forget my VS2 really fast .
That's it for now, I'll edit this post to add the Second part - on the field. Overall, I give it a 9/10. In that range of price, I really think it's one of the best. I will adjust theses notes depending how it will perform on the field.
Edit #1 : I just noticed that I forgot talking about operating pressure. Kingman advertise this marker to be able to run at 300 PSI, but it is set stock at 350 PSI, but there's no gauge on the marker. It is easy to raise or lower the operating pressure, but how should I know the current pressure ? Kingman, I think you miss something there...
hehe thx, but I'll get used to it. After some shoots backward, I found myself shooting just as fast as I did with my VS2. But hey thanks for this offer !
Update #1 : I just noticed that I forgot talking about operating pressure. Kingman advertise this marker to be able to run at 300 PSI, but it is set stock at 350 PSI, but there's no gauge on the marker. It is easy to raise or lower the operating pressure, but how should I know the current pressure ? Kingman, I think you miss something there...
I was pretty confident with the field test. I got almost 10 years in paintball now, everyone around me got tippmanns 98c modified and A-5. My Electra is being look and test by everyone, I felt like a kid with a new car
Before the first game, I aired it on, put my vl eye force, add some x-balls. Test on tree to check, everything is just fine. That's just too bad I had not a chrony to check my FPS, but it looks fine. I'm ready to get some kills
First game : I ran into woods with a friend by my side. We met the enemies, shot and win this fight. And I stayed alive for my first game. I got the guy right in the mask and chest. I said myself this would be a great day.
And that's been my only kill
No trouble with the marker, shoots pretty straight, light and easy to move around, but I terribly sucks all day long. No vision, no luck, just not in the mind. I have to say that is my first day of paintball in the last 2 years, it's been tough.
However I still had a great day. Everyone was fine with me, we had fun, everyone, and I had absolutely no problem with my marker. It turns heads, shoot great, and very dangerous in the right hands (not mine today).
I feel that I really make the right choices with this Electra. Now I have to work on my game
Hope you liked this field test
PS : I wanted to include this in the original thread, but the forum told me I had too much IMG code, even if I didn't had any...
Spyder Electra '09 Review
Spyder Electra '09 Review
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