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**Gandhi** · October 23rd, 05:22 PM

There are a lot of questions about the Flatline barrel popping up from time to time, so I created this thread to help answer some.

So you have bought a Tippmann because you wanted a reliable marker you can count on. Now everyone is telling you that the first upgrade on a Tippmann is the barrel because the stock barrels are garbage.

You have heard about the Flatline which is unique (well almost) to Tippmanns. You will hear people saying its amazing and others saying that the stock barrel is better.

First you must decide what kind of paintball you will be playing. If you plan on playing speedball, stop reading now and don't consider a Flatline. However, if you plan on Playing Woods/Scenario ball you will probably like the Flatline.

What does the Flatline do that other barrels do not?

The Flatline is loved because it puts a backspin on the ball which results in a flat trajectory. This effect is known as the magnus effect. This makes the paintball act more like a bullet as it flies in a straight line. For those of you who have paintballed before, you know that if your target is much than 50ft away from you, you have to start aiming above your target resulting in a lobbing effect.

The straight trajectory can be seen below:

Note: This diagram is from the Tippmann website, so it is probably a little biased.

Does the Flatline shoot way farther than other barrels?

Not really. If you look at the Tippman sight for the Flatline It says, "The Flatline Barrel System adds 100 feet of flat trajectory GUARANTEED" Note that it says flat trajectory meaning if both guns are horizontal, like in the diagram. But the gun with the conventional barrel can be raised to lob paint almost as far as a Flatline. You will be able to shoot farther with a Flatline, but not tons farther.

So if there’s not a huge distance difference, why should I get a Flatline?

One main advantage is that aftermarket sights become extremely useful. Because the flat trajectory and the ball acting more like a bullet, sights can be used like those from real guns. Your best bet is an electronic red dot sight, like Smitty has. This will allow you to keep both eyes open and a red dot will be in your vision which shows you where the ball will go. It is important to note that scopes are a waste of space as even with the Flatline, the ball doesn't far enough for the magnification to be really useful.

Another advantage is you can shoot through brush a lot easier. When you see a target 125ft away you can aim straight at it and fire, with chance of your first shot hitting. With a conventional barrel you have to lob at that distance. Even though you can see your target, you have to worry about your ball hitting branches and stuff as it arcs. It is also harder to hit stuff when lobbing, and you basically have to walk your fire up and down to get the distance right.

So you can basically say that the Flatline has much longer range in dense forest situations, as lobbing becomes impossible.

Is the Flatline for me?

Flatlines are not cheap, they cost pretty much the same as a 98 Custom! So it’s a pretty big investment. I would defiantly recommend trying one out first to see if you like it. They are big, heavy, and take some time to get used to, so it’s a personal decision.

Are they hard to clean?

You may hear people claim that the Flatline is nearly impossible to clean. This is really untrue with a 98 custom. The fold down elbow allows instant access to your chamber in seconds. Then you just need to feed a pull through squeegee through the barrel, and pull it out the other side. And it’s clean.

Are they a challenge to install?

You may hear a lot of people saying that they a challenge to install. With a conventional barrel, you just screw it in and go nuts. A Flatline requires a little more work, but it is not too hard. Just read the manual carefully, and be sure to adjust your velocity screw to optimize the Flatline. If your velocity is too high the balls will actually fly up.

I decided to get one

Good choice, you have picked arguably the best upgrade for a woods/scenario Tippmann, good luck!

Please notify me if I gave any incorrect information.

**Smitty** · October 23rd, 08:35 PM

Nice going Ghandi! I stickeyed this because I always thought there should be a flatline stickey. I would have written one but Im too lazy and this gave me the opportunity to give the author a rep point. Now Im gonna have my eye on this and see how it goes. I want this thread to be as informational as possible. Flatline flamers in this thread WILL recieve a negative rep point and have their posts edited for cleanliness or deleted whichever I see fit. Also I dont want any myth generating in here either, so none of this "I hear the flatline does this or that" crap. Just solid rock hard truth is to be posted, being a flatline owner and self proclaimed 98 Flatline professional I know if its a true or false statement. From here on out all flatline threads will be deleted. Keep all flatline posts in this thread. That way we can build a nice source of information for flatline owners and those interesed in making a great purchase for their beloved Tippy.

**Gandhi** · October 23rd, 08:38 PM

thanks smitty, i thought the same thing

**lbreevesii** · October 29th, 07:31 AM

very nice smitty.

for all those who would love to have a flatline but don't think you can afford it on your budget:

flatlines are very expensive compared to most other barrels(freaks, boomies, pipes, etc excepted).

if you are considering getting a flatline weigh the pros and the cons of it as compared to your play type and your budget. if you can, try other barrels becides the stock barrel just to see how you like other, cheaper barrels. if possible, also try the flatline to see how you like it before you commit your wad of cash to one.

so, you've decided on the flatline. remember now. you have a choice here. you DON'T HAVE to buy new. there are always people out there that either didn't set it up right, or it just didn't fit their style that are just dying to get some cash back out of their investment because they're not satisfied with it. so shop around, if you aren't in a rush you can find great deals in used flatlines, and once in a while even new ones.

have fun with your new flatline!

**DayoftheGreek** · November 4th, 10:42 PM

Quote:

What does the Flatline do that other barrels do not?

The Flatline is loved because it puts a backspin on the ball which results in a flat trajectory. This effect is known as the magnus effect. This makes the paintball act more like a bullet as it flies in a straight line. For those of you who have paintballed before, you know that if your target is much than 50ft away from you, you have to start aiming above your target resulting in a lobbing effect.

Well alpha, maybe you should read the thread.

/sarcasm

Alpha · November 5th, 02:09 PM

It can't be the magnus effect. You'd need to spin it way faster. You'd need tens of thousands of rpms to create any sort of gyroscopic stability.

**SEFishy** · November 5th, 03:26 PM

simple really. as the ball spends backwards it is allowing air to pass over top of it without no resistence sence that is the way it is spining, normaly a ball spends forward, making wind resistance only on top the ball, there for it is pushed down.

this states that the ball would curve up when spinning backwards right? but take into affect gravity. the backspend provides just enough to force to equal that of gravity's push downwards. as the ball slows do to the resistence on teh bottom part of the ball, the spin will slow down in create less upward force, causing it to sink to the ground. thus is also teh reason y the flatline doesnt work at 300fps. to much upward force causes the balls to curve cause they are not round, odd wind direction, and other reasons

**Gandhi** · November 5th, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpha

It can't be the magnus effect. You'd need to spin it way faster. You'd need tens of thousands of rpms to create any sort of gyroscopic stability.

it doesn't have to spin that fast, the magnus effect is also why curve balls curve.

**Smitty** · November 5th, 05:51 PM

When it comes to the flatline I just sit back and let the physicists do all the work then I just dish out a $100 for the flatline and press the "I believe" button. Its works, thats all that matters right guys.

**Smitty** · November 6th, 08:03 PM

Lets get back on topic, This is the Flatline stickey so lets respect that. Sorry but I went back and deleted the past few off topic posts just to keep this stickey clean. Im sure you all understand

Wanna chat catch me on AIM or drop me a PM.

**lbreevesii** · November 6th, 08:46 PM

good point smitty. was gettin cluttered w/ me and alpha talkin about u...lol. your eye still scares me....lol i have yet to try a flatline for myslef. mabye i'll get to soon. i'll probably fall in love w/ it...lol

**98customman13** · November 14th, 07:56 PM

is this the most accurate barrell for tippmann's?

**Smitty** · November 14th, 09:38 PM

no its not the most accurate but it is very accurate and the flat trajectory makes it a very formidable barrel.

**Rig15** · December 15th, 02:59 PM

What is the most accurate barrel for A tippy.

Lord Headley · December 15th, 03:09 PM

Something that costs almost as much as a tippy

There is no cheap answer to it. Barrels are something you cannot afford to go cheap on.

- Brian

**Nafunu32** · December 15th, 03:50 PM

Ceramic is pretty accurate isn't it? It's only 40 bucks.

**Smitty** · December 15th, 03:56 PM

Kat has a J&J ceramicon hers but I was looking down it the other day and it looks like maybe some of the ceramic has flaked off inside the barrel in a few patches but it still seems to shoot fine.

**TippTone** · December 18th, 03:49 PM

What kind of paint do you guys find works the best with your flatlines? I know using cheap paint you will just chop/break all day long, but was wondering what you guys mostly used. I'm not even sure what my field has, i need to check because they only let you bring your own paint one day a month!

**Smitty** · December 19th, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TippTone

I know using cheap paint you will just chop/break all day long

Not true really I usually use BE afterburners in mine and they shoot great. I have even stooped as low as Wild streak paintballs with no ill effects. Actually I was pleasantly surprised with the performance of the wild streaks in the flatline. Only reason I choose to avoid the wild streaks is the fact that their fill is thin and watery.