[ethanxxx]

Hi!

So, I've been playing paintball for quite a while now and I think I know a lot about the sport as well as the equipment, but my knowledge is based on theory, so that's why I want you guys to help me decide what to buy. I've done a lot of research and made a list with all the things that I want with links to the details pages. Now, in some areas I have no idea what to buy, but in some others I do have a faint idea of what I want, but I still got options, so I want you to help me chose between those options or suggest a new thing that's not in the options.

NOTE: OK, so I made a little .txt file to make it easier for you to help me. Here's the link:

DOWNLOAD NOW!

OK so, here's the list:

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Marker Related

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Marker

- Redz Ion

- Dynasty Ion

- Ion PRO

Yeah, I know, many Ions here... It's just that I like Ions because I know (or have been told) that if you buy all the upgrades for it, it can be a great marker, almost pro-level.

- EOS

- Epiphany

- Proto Rail

QEV

- Ion QEVs (What's the difference between those 3?)

Are there QEVs for the other markers I put as my options?

Board

I have no idea what the difference between all the boards is. All I know is that there are some top brands, which are:

- Virtue (I've been told that this is the best one)
- Tadeo
- Blackheart
- APE

Loader

Again, all my options look similar...

- Empire B2
- Empire Magna
- Halo B
- Viewloader Dynasty
- Viewloader VLocity

Tank

OK, so I want a 4500psi tank and it can be either 68i or 45i. I'm a front-middle player, so I'm not really sure what I want.

Now, I don't know which is the best brand. I've been told that Crossfire is pretty good, but I want your opinion. Also, what's the difference between high and low preassure and which one should I use for every one of the markers I listed?

Other

I want to know if I need the things I'm gonna list now:

- Regulator
- ASA On/Off
- Trigger
- Barrel
- Bolt
- S-Rail

[ethanxxx]

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Apparel

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Pants

- WDP Airtime 08
- Dye C7
- Dye C8
- JT Pro 08
- JT Team 08
- Proto 08
- Eclipse Distortion 08
- Eclipse ETek 07

Gloves

- Dye C7
- Empire LTD SE
- JT Pro 08
- Proto 07
- Smart Parts 07

Harness

- Smart Parts Sprint Paintball Harness - 3+2
- Dye Assault 08
- Dye Attack Pack Pro
- Empire Action Pack
- Empire Action Pack
- JT 4+3
- NXE Elevation Avalanche Pro
- Proto 07 3+2

Elbow Pads

- Dye 08
- Eclipse Distortion 07
- Eclipse Distortion 08
- Empire Ventz SE
- Proto 07

Knee Pads

- Dye 08
- Empire Ground
- Empire Ventz
- Empire Ventz SS
- Proto
- WDP Angel

Other

There are some other things that I want to know if I should buy or not, which are:

- Shirt Protector
- Slider Short
- Dye Invision Turbine Fan

OK, so I know the post is kinda long, but I would really appreciate your help!

[Crawdaddy]

WTH?! Alright I guess I will tackle this well I'll try anyway...

Your marker suggestions are all about the same level of performance. Upping an Ion will not give you a pro level marker it will give you an empty wallet and leave you shopping for something better. If you must have an Ion you can buy fully upped used Ions for the price of a new stock Ion. Go to PBnation and post a want ad for an Ion and you will have more options than you know what to do with. Of the listed options I'm partial to the Proto.


Ion Qevs: I don't use Ions so flip a coin.

Gloves: Gloves are gloves try a few on for yourself I can't tell you how you will like one pair over another. I don't even use gloves because that is just how I roll.

Harness: I love the NXE that's the one I use it is very comfortable and stays where you put it and that is really all you need a harness to do.

Elbow pads: See the above glove comment.

Knee pads: See the above elbow pad comment.

Slider shorts: Your junk is your business

Mask Fan: annoying.

Boards: If you aren't aware of the difference between the boards why are you even shopping for one? If you are buying a Smart Parts marker any after market board will be fine. If you are buying a marker from a decent manufacturer you shouldn't even need an after market board.

Loader: I like Vlocitys they have always worked well for me. If your board will work with the Magna's RF feature the Magna would be an awesome buy.

Tank: This is another personal preference and all has to do with how much you shoot in a game and how small a profile you want. Crossfire makes a very nice tank as does DXS. In general all markers except Angels will work better on high pressure tanks. A low pressure tank will work but can lead to shootdown at high rates of fire. The regulator(s) on your marker will reduce the output pressure of your tank to the pressure needed by your marker.

The misc pile: None of those things you need right off the bat play with your marker stock and see how it works for you and then improve what you don't like.


That was exhausting.

[tlmiller]

Ions CAN be made to shoot almost as well as any other gun...they just cost more than it's worth spending to MAKE them shoot that well. If you get one, QEV is a MUST HAVE, should be your first purchase after a clamping feedneck and on/off. Just get the smart parts 360, it's made for the Ion. But all QEV's do the exact same thing, so any will work, some just might not fit as well.
The board, play with the stock before wasting money, errrr....upgrading. Most likely, there is nothing on the upgraded boards you'd NEED.
I like knee pads. I've played on some fields that seem to think having rocks on the airball field is a good idea. After messing up my knee sliding over said rocks, I now use knee pads. If they fit, they'll work.
I'm with Crawdaddy on elbow pads and gloves. Don't use them, never will.
Pants, I love my DYE, but I only got them because they were the only ones in stock my size. They're expensive, and I'd rather not spend that kind of money.

[Crawdaddy]

I use Empire Contact pants they flex nice and ventilate well but they are expensive. I'm not recommending that you spend that much on a pair of pants but make sure you at least buy paintball pants regular pants will not hold up to paintball.

[Trbo323]

id go with the pmr out of the markers you listed, any of the hoppers can keep up with it, id go with the empire line, doesnt really matter which but the magna is kinda overkill for really any of the markers you listed, all the clothing is personal preference, but i agree with what has already been stated, get it stock and then worry about upgrading, not the other way around, but the prm is pretty solid stock you will have to do a lot of mods to a ion to get it to the level of a pmr.

btw, this is probably the most work i have ever seen anyone do to get peoples opinions, not that thats bad just, wow.

[JeSTeR_1269]

Alright then.

Marker: PMR
Board: stock
Loader: B2 or Vlo
Tank: If you're small, 45, otherwise 68
MASK (which is the most important thing, that you didnt ask about): whatever fits best, I recommend I3, Events (or avatars), proflex, or profiler
pants, gloves, jersey, ect: whatever fits you best. theres not THAT much difference.

I recommend you buy used...

/shameless plug.

[ethanxxx]

I have an I3 mask, that's why I didn't ask But I'm thinking of new options now...

My new options are:

- G3
- F8 (I actually like this one a lot!)
- PMR (Special edition or normal one?)
- SLG

What do you guys think? better?

[tlmiller]

I'd take a PMR over any of those.

I have the G3...nice gun, INCREDIBLY light, BEST on/off in paintball, great feedneck. Crappy efficiency though, and doesn't shoot any better than a properly set up PMR for $150 more.
The F8 gets great efficiency, but I'm not big on them. Nothing wrong with them mind you, they're just not my kinda gun. And more expensive than the G3, which I prefer to the F8.
SLG < PMR.