[galvatron]

Hi, I just got into paintball and am officially hooked. I'm looking to get a marker. I've been searching around a little but wanted some input. I was looking for something around the $300 range. I'm willing to spend a little more if there's something you guys would suggest. So far I was looking at the tippman a5, dangerous power g3 and the smart parts eos. Again I don't know anything about markers except from what i've read from websites and none of my friends are into it...Yet! haha

[Shiner74]

Is the 300 just for the marker or are you including hopper/HPA? Also out of that list, throw out the A5.

[Affishu]

Yeah, you might want to invest in a good hpa tank (100$), hopper (60$), Mask (30$) then gun. Also if you want a G3 get the SE version.

[galvatron]

hey guys, the price range i mentioned earlier was just for the marker. I'd love suggestions on what hopper, mask to get too. thanks

[paintballbud]

For the marker , invert mini, - 324
mask vforce pro vantage - 30 bucks
stratos hpa tank (68/4500) (action village) - 100 bucks
invert too hopper - 60 bucks

You wont have to upgrade ever if you dont want too. This setup is good enough for anything pretty much, except the mask, if your willing to spend more you should get the empire events (100)

[txaggie08]

Bleah on the vantage. For me it's profilers that are the most comfortable, other like flexes, morphs, and the I3's.

Don't cheap on a mask, it's the only ESSENTIAL peace of gear you will ever buy. Go ref a few times in 100+ weather, and you'll know exactly why to...

[Weever]

Right, I would not buy a cheap mask again, like txaggie said. But if I had too because I was on a really tight budget, the vantage would be my choice again. I had one in past, and it's still the very best low-end mask I found and wear.

Now I owned a grill, they are really comfy and fits me pretty well.

To choose a mask, just go to your field and try some. You will know which one fits you best.

[TheAznInvazn]

Invert Mini, EOS if you can get for $325 or less, F7/F8, Quest, G3 SE

[Trbo323]

i agree with the mini idea, but go to your local shop and hold one first, some people dont find them very comforatable to hold because of their small size. also try on different masks and see which one fits you best while you are there

[galvatron]

hey guys, thanks for the input. i went to my local shop and checked out the mini, eos and G3 SE. I like all 3! haha. I'm thinking of going w/ the mini unless anyone else has any last minute objections. And I'm def. not going to go cheap on a mask

[Trbo323]

nope id say go with the mini it will serve you well

one thing i would make sure of though, the mini has generation 1 minis and generation 2 minis, now its a pretty safe bet that the new one at the shop is a gen 2 but if the shop does not get tons of buisness theres a chance its a gen1. the gen 1 minis had some issues so id ask the shopkeep if it is a gen 1 or gen 2, if he knows thats great if he doesnt look at the pressure guage on the marker, if it only goes up to 300 psi its a gen 2 mini and thats what you want

also if he doesnt know if its a gen 1 or gen 2 mini dont count on getting much info from him about the marker in the future

[martix_agent]

yeah you do NOT want a gen1 mini; they had all sorts of problems.

[galvatron]

hey guys, thanks for all the input in helping me get my first marker. I decided to go w/ the mini and I got a used one from a friend of a friend. I know you guys said not to get a Gen 1 mini but he gave me a good price and said I could get my money back if there was anything wrong. I tried it out a little in my backyard but am planning to take it to a park this weekend. Is there anything I should watch out for in evaluating my mini? Sorry for the newbie questions.

[the_real_kaz]

Well if your mini is a gen 1, you'll have trouble telling untill one of the parts break. The solonoids are known to go out on them. I have a friend who had so much trouble with the bolt actually breaking paint as well.

So if you're testing it starts leaking out the grip, get your money back but i doubt that will happen right away.

[Trbo323]

i was also hearing not to shoot your tank dry because those last few shots when there is not enough pressure in the marker is when the poppet valve gets messed up

just some hearsay, im not sure if its solid or not

[galvatron]

Thanks for the heads up guys. I'm def. thinking of just getting my money back and shelling out the extra $100 for a new one. But I'm still give it a go this weekend.

[galvatron]

Alright guys, so I took the marker to the park today and I didn't break one ball with 1000 rounds. I even tried shooting with low pressure but nothing went wrong. I also found out from my friend that it has a virtue board in it. I know I said I was going to get my money back but is it worth it to keep this marker for $200? Even though there's a chance it could crap out cuz it's a Gen 1? Also how much would it cost to replace a poppet?

Sorry for all the flip flopping.

Originally Posted by Trbo323

i was also hearing not to shoot your tank dry because those last few shots when there is not enough pressure in the marker is when the poppet valve gets messed up

just some hearsay, im not sure if its solid or not

[tlmiller]

If it's one that didn't have issues, then yeah, definitely worth it. I had a gen 1 mini that was fabulous. My nephew also has one.