[Psychonaut]

I posted a threat like this on the Comparisions forum, but I've also done a bit more research, and looked around more, and wanted some more opinions on this.

I'm looking for a fairly easy marker. I don't want something that is hard to maintain, and atleast somewhat upgradeable.

My price range is around 350-450, and this includes a mask, tank, and hopper. I was given a recommendation of the Spyder VS2, Profiler mask, and the Eye-Force loader, and I just randomly chose a HPA 48ci tank. What are some other guns that are in this price range, and what are the pros and cons of each?

I like the Profiler, and the Eye-Force, so that already puts me at 130.

I've heard alot about the SP-1, the VS2, Ion XE, Vibe, SLG, PMR, and the Epiphany. Can you guys recomend one or the other of these, and what their pros and cons are? What would I really need to upgrade to make it good/decent? Thanks for any help.

Also, I don't quite understand the HPA thing. What's the difference between the 48 and 68ci, and then the 3000, and 4500 parts?

One more thing, what are widely considered the best sites for paintball shopping?

[TheAznInvazn]

Just get the VS2, it's probably going to be the simplest and most reliable out of all of those, and it can still keep up with the "big boys."

48, 68, etc ci or cu is the tank size. the ci or cu stands for Cubic Inch, so thats the inside volume of the tank.
The 4500 or 3000 is the psi, Pounds per Square Inch, how much air can be forced into the tank.

So the higher the PSI, and bigger the CI, the more shots you will get from the tank.

[Psychonaut]

Okay. So I can reasonably assume the larger the number, the heavier and larger the tank. I have a problem with that, as it kinda feels like it'd unbalance the gun, but I don't know.

Do you have any recomended upgrades?

[txaggie08]

Read the HPA sticky to understand the numbers.


The tank depends on quality. A draxxus 68 probably doesn't weigh any more than a steal 48ci tank. Get a carbon tank and a 68 will balance just fine.

Recommended upgrades- I new regulator and feedneck.

[TheAznInvazn]

For a reg, get an AKA SideWinder or 2Liter if you can, they're amazing with consistancy

[Psychonaut]

Txaggie, yeah, I didn't see it till later. =/ Sorry.

[Psychonaut]

48ci 3000PSI HPA NITRO Paintball Tank: 48ci-paintball-nitro-tank Paintball Guns Store - Tippmann Spyder Ultimate Ion Paintball Guns

The Draxxus HPA tanks are 45 and 68ci/4500, but like 175 dollars. Why is this one so much cheaper? Even the Draxxus 45/4500 is 175. It never mentions the company name, which is weird, but it's 125 less. =/

What does a regulator do?

[2.0]

The regulator on the tank controls the output pressure on the tank. The air inside the tank is at 3000psi or 4500psi, the reg gives a much lower psi controlled output.

3000psi tanks are much cheaper than 4500psi tanks. Fact of life. 4500psi tanks can hold more air so a whole lot more shots can be fired from a 48/4500 than with a 48/3000 tank.

[Psychonaut]

Okay. I didn't think it'd be THAT much a price jump though. On average, how many shots will a 3000 psi tank hold, for a 48ci and a 68ci, do you know?

[2.0]

Not sure, i havent used HPA often and it's been a while since i used it last. From doing a little research on some tanks actionvillage has, they say a 48ci/3000 will get you about 400 to 600, but that'll depend a lot on the efficiency and condition of the marker. It also seems you can get almost twice as many shots with a 4500psi tank.

[Psychonaut]

Hm. I'd probably stick with the 3000 for now, because the VS2 needs HPA, but I can't afford everything. =/

[TheAznInvazn]

I would strongly reccomend you not get a 3000 psi tank. They're really a waste of money IMO.
If you've ever played a long game with one (like I have), you would be very dissapointed in it. They really don't last long.

If I were you, I'd just save up more money till I could get the 4500 psi tank.

[Psychonaut]

Okay. Yikes, the price really isn't getting any better. =P

I'm kinda tempted to go with the VS1 then, keep the price alot lower for my first gun. I can use CO2 then.

Is there any change in gun that you'd offer me then, if I decided to drop down to a bit lower price range with CO2 use?

[2.0]

The VS1 i would dare say is better than the VS2, just given its ability to use both sources of air. A 20oz tank costs like $20 bucks at the cheapest and that 20oz will give you about 900 shots with the VS1 (a friend's VS1 anyway, but he put this inline reg on it and I'm pretty sure if he adjusted it he could get more shots than that).

Also, save up for your next marker, when you have enough just sell the VS1 for a few bucks and get whatever next marker you want and the HPA tank you would need for it.

[Psychonaut]

Hm. Okay. I'm looking at something like this.

White V FORCE PROFILER SE Thermal Paintball Mask: 678559362 Paintball Guns Store - Tippmann Spyder Ultimate Ion Paintball Guns

Paintball Pack - Black 4+1 Harness & Pods, Coiled Remote, & 20oz Tank: 61309516 Paintball Guns Store - Tippmann Spyder Ultimate Ion Paintball Guns

Viewloader Revolution FORCE EYE Paintball Loader Smoke: viewloader-force-eye-smoke Paintball Guns Store - Tippmann Spyder Ultimate Ion Paintball Guns

Spyder VS1 VS 1 Paintball Gun w/ Eyes - Black: spyder-vs1-paintball-gun-black Paintball Guns Store - Tippmann Spyder Ultimate Ion Paintball Guns

Of course, I could get the SP1 for the exact same price as the VS1, A5 for a bit more, 98 Custom for a bit less.

[TheAznInvazn]

The VS2 is far superior to the VS1.

VS1 uses the same old spyder valve technology, while proven, it's clanky and inefficient. hat's why it can use CO2.
The VS2 uses the new balance valve makes everything as smooth as silk. It's quite ingenius.

Simply put, the VS1 is an old spyder with eyes' while the VS2 is a whole new animal.

[Psychonaut]

It sounds good, Azn, but it kind of becomes irrelevant as I simply can't afford all the Nitrogren, the gun, and everything.

[TheAznInvazn]

If thats the case than, the VS1 is still a great marker, just, when compared to the VS2, there really is no comparison.

And there are numerous mods out there to help you gain efficiency and such (many which I can do )

[Psychonaut]

Honestly, I wish I could do the VS2. I just browsed Ebay, and the VS2 is going as low as 105ish, I think new.

But again, it's the Nitro that's the problem. The 48ci/4500 is always like 175, though I did see some lower priced 68ci/4500, but I think that may be worse brands? Don't know.

What do you mean for the mods with efficiency? For the VS2 or 1?

[TheAznInvazn]

For the 1, and a little bit for the 2.

Check PBNation's BST section for used 4500 tanks that are still in hydro