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Nebcron · January 7th, 2013, 12:12 PM

Hi all,

I'm brand new to the forums and the sport. Shopping around for gear currently. The sticky post for gear is very helpful.

Couple of questions. The US Army type markers are basically the Tippman 98? Is using one of those frowned upon? Don't want to be the guy who pulls up blaring Whitesnake while everyone laughs!

Second, do chest protectors get used? I haven't seen them, which I'm glad for, but figured I'd ask.

Thanks all and I'm glad to be on board!

***martix_agent*** · January 7th, 2013, 12:14 PM

yep they're pretty much a tippman with some plastic parts bolted on. They're neat to hold and look great, but I don't find them very piratical; they're very long and heavy in comparison to other markers.

Chest protectors are used by renters and first time player,s until they get used to being hit. They didn't have them when I started, and I turned out just fine. Wear some loose fitting clothing and you'll be fine.

Nebcron · January 7th, 2013, 12:21 PM

Cheers Martix!

Nebcron · January 7th, 2013, 12:56 PM

Is there a standard noob gun I should use or one to avoid?

***dprimmy*** · January 7th, 2013, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nebcron

Hi all,

I'm brand new to the forums and the sport. Shopping around for gear currently. The sticky post for gear is very helpful.

Couple of questions. The US Army type markers are basically the Tippman 98? Is using one of those frowned upon? Don't want to be the guy who pulls up blaring Whitesnake while everyone laughs!

Second, do chest protectors get used? I haven't seen them, which I'm glad for, but figured I'd ask.

Thanks all and I'm glad to be on board!

Confirming what Martix said - The concept behind how the marker works is consistent. You can take Mercedes body panels, and throw it on a Ford Fiesta...and its still going to be a Ford Fiesta. Yes - the car works..but it sure as hell isn't an AMG Mercedes.

Honestly, use of them depends on the look you're headed towards. Some people thrive on making these markers look as real as possible...despite being at a disadvantage due to size, shape, bulk, weight, positioning. BUT...if being Captain TactiCOOL is something you enjoy doing - I sure as Hades won't stop you...because it keeps you coming out to the field.

If you're worried about looking cool - or looking a certain way - go to the field and rent one weekend. You don't have gear..and you may as well see what others are shooting. I've been made fun of for playing with a Halo Gun... and then eliminated the guy 3 consecutive matches in airball. I've also not taken a guy using an Alpha Black or similar seriously - and been eliminated outdoors. Its all in how you use it. They all do the same thing...and from the perspective of locking the marker into a vice and shooting it at 75 feet distance from the breech - they all do it about as well as each other too.

Advantages are to be had in form factor, weight, smoothness of shot, balance, positioning, center of gravity, positioning, ergonomics, etc... so its more "player preference" than "you gotta have a DM13 with a Spire and a Ninja 77/45 duratank." Spending more will generally get you efficiency, smoother shot, lighter markers, and better ergonomics. Spending less...you get a mixed bag

.

Chest guards - how they're handled is up to the field mentality. If I see a T98 and a chest guard, I'm going to be intending to put it on his chest protector. Dude obviously doesn't want to get hurt, and I'm not going to be the guy who domes him. I've heard others intentionally shoot for his underarms and ankles/groin after seeing the guard. It does make you stand out - but that..like all else..is subject to the guy pulling the trigger. Bounce pads...on the other hand... are something I see as being used to gain an advantage - and I will light up a bounce pad wearing guy. Why? Because I don't know which of my shots are going to bounce against him - and I don't like getting hit.

T shirt close to the skin. Sweat shirt over it- and you'll be fine. It'll sting a bit - but its momentary.

Starter Marker? Azodin Blitz/Spyder Fenix. I say avoid Tippmans just due to the clam shell design, the unnecessary weight, and the overall length of a marker with a 14" barrel and a 68/45 on the back of it. It is hard enough switching hands behind a bunker with a 3 foot by 2 foot marker in my hands...why would i want to make those dimensions any larger?

14+16 = 30 inches (marker + barrel) and then the tank ASA cuts off right at the back of the marker. Add a foot for the tank... 42 inches. Then the marker body is about on par with most on a standard frame... not to mention the offset feed neck, so left handed shooting vision is obscured.

Yeah... I own a T98. I used the heck out of it. It hasn't seen much love since I found electros.

**huckduck** · January 7th, 2013, 07:15 PM

read the link in my sig.

kyhillbilly · January 8th, 2013, 08:10 AM

Stay away from chest protectors if your not female or under the age of 13 then I think they are pretty weak.

And even then your better off going with a jersey. You can get a long sleeve jersey that has some built in padding for $10.

**snowboarder599** · January 8th, 2013, 08:19 AM

I've seen people wear some chest protectors in tourneys under their jerseys, but most of the time it is little kids and women using them.

**Trbo323** · January 9th, 2013, 02:30 PM

once you get some experience you will have a lot more hits on your arms and head anyway (the only things sticking out from cover) so chest protectors become rather useless. last time out i think i took 3 hits on my torso overall (two thanks to huckduck on a run through) and the rest were head, hands and i think 1 on each leg

***dprimmy*** · January 9th, 2013, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trbo323

once you get some experience you will have a lot more hits on your arms and head anyway (the only things sticking out from cover) so chest protectors become rather useless. last time out i think i took 3 hits on my torso overall (two thanks to huckduck on a run through) and the rest were head, hands and i think 1 on each leg

Agreeing with above - My suggestion for you would be to invest in full coverage elbow pads. Not only are you a lot more secure with falling on your elbows - you'll catch bounces and you won't get marked up as badly.

**Trbo323** · January 9th, 2013, 02:43 PM

besides some loose clothing that i am assuming you already have around here is the order i would get things in

1) sandana or some form of a head pad, really helps with impacts to the head and back of the neck

2) starting off i would actually skip the elbow pads and get a paintball jersey, they are actually built quite well to help absorb impacts and will cover more than just your elbows and for arms

3) paintball pants, usually padded quite well now a days

4) elbow/knee pads, really these are more designed to help with slides than anything else

**snowboarder599** · January 9th, 2013, 03:01 PM

the sandanas also work to keep your neck from getting sunburned.

I actually disagree with buying a Jersey first. For the same price you can get elbow and knee pads. Those will protect you from hard falls, slides, and they provide much better bounce percentages. 90% of the time I play without a Jersey, and just wear a tee-shirt with my elbow pads

kyhillbilly · January 9th, 2013, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowboarder599

the sandanas also work to keep your neck from getting sunburned.

I actually disagree with buying a Jersey first. For the same price you can get elbow and knee pads. Those will protect you from hard falls, slides, and they provide much better bounce percentages. 90% of the time I play without a Jersey, and just wear a tee-shirt with my elbow pads

You can get a jersey for $10 off ansgear. I havent seen any decent knee or elbow pads for that price.

You can get knee pads cheaper than pants but your pants can still get tore up, thats the issue with just wearing knee pads.

**huckduck** · January 9th, 2013, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trbo323

once you get some experience you will have a lot more hits on your arms and head anyway (the only things sticking out from cover) so chest protectors become rather useless. last time out i think i took 3 hits on my torso overall (two thanks to huckduck on a run through) and the rest were head, hands and i think 1 on each leg

^.^ did they welt?

***martix_agent*** · January 9th, 2013, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huckduck

^.^ did they welt?

lets hope so. Dod you two have fun? Any pics?

Remember when Azn got me in the throat? He hates when I bring that up

**huckduck** · January 9th, 2013, 11:09 PM

nah. i didn't bring a camera that day. and i JUST bought my contour. next time.

as for fun... a bit i guess. not too many owners that day. i felt bad for most of the guys playing.

**Trbo323** · January 14th, 2013, 07:01 PM

it was fun, better that being outside in the cold and wet anyway but ya lots of renters. No, no welts huck, idk why but i really do not welt anymore, not sure if its something i wear or what but i just dont welt anymore. bruise sure but welts, cant remember the last time i had them...