A little background, I've played play woods/rec about 3 times a year for the past 4 years or so, I always rent at the field but I am a pretty competent player.
I'm thinking of buying my own marker soon, looking to spend maybe a bit over $300 CAN on gear in total (so about 200 on the marker itself). Now, I had always had my eye set on an A5, since I know It's a simple, reliable point-and-shoot, all-mechanical marker that can take CO2 without complaint.
Only problem is, I'm a small-framed guy with a quick (well, for woods anyways) playing style; I like to move a lot, stay low, and have my gun pointed where it needs to be, when it needs to be. In my experience with the 98Cs I've been using, they just tend to be long, heavy, and just awkward to keep tight with, and I dont see how an A5, for all its perks would be much different. Basically, like everything about Tippmans except their shape.
So can anyone namedrop any markers in my price range that might be a better bet than the A5? Stuff in the same price range that sort of has the same perks as the Tippmann, just in a tighter shape?
Haha, you said Long, Heavy just awkward to keep tight with, the A5 is gonna be no different, if not WORSE because of its bulkiness.
There are a lot of markers that are better than an A5. CO2 Compatible - SP Vibe, SP SP1, Spyder VS1 are electronic markers. If you go with an electronic marker then your going to need a hopper. Vlocity Eye Force, Halo B, ect ect you can buy used for cheap, try Ebay, PBN, or our B/S/T Sections. HPA would be the best upgrade as in terms of consistency. Its not a liquid like CO2 so you wont have huge velocity spikes, and its quite obvious that since CO2 is a liquid it can freeze o-rings and your marker can have malfunctions.. If the gun is required to have HPA, dont try to use CO2. CO2 with blow the solenoid.
If your going for the regular Semi-Auto markers, look into spyders since you wont be playing often. They are easy to clean/maintain markers, low profile, light weight, and performs like any other semi auto marker.
hahah bro well i felt the same as you, but i did go through and get the A5, i have played with it for the first time at a field, its great. shoots well, i spent the exact same as you wanted to on gun mask barrel tank etc. i like it, although i know there are some spiders for cheaper, i think tippmanns are very reliable.
if your still debating which to get, the smart parts SP1 for sure. i may be biased as its mine but its very quick, accurate, reliable, efficient, and fairly cheap; about 150. and not to mention probably the easiest gun out there to maintain. from my experience the tippmann is too expensive and just ok unless you are willing to spend some serious $$$ on upgrades. and the sp1 is sexy and just great as a stock gun.
__________________
Marker Setup:
Smart Parts SP1
freak back, tactical front
Evolution III Egg
4500 HPA
m4 stock
Remote Coil
A5 substitute?
