I would recommend the spyder vs1 over that gun. The spyder is physically as capable as th ion, is much simpler to fix, and will run properly off less expensive gear.
The ion is going to need a HPA tank(please see sticky in this forum for info) to last worth anything. The VS1 will run on air. Both guns really could use an upgraded feedneck. The Ion asa is pretty crappy imo, the VS1 is a little nicer.
If it was me I would get:
VS1- this is a factory refurbished(ie it came form the factory with issues, was shipped back and fixed, now is being resold.) VS1. It has eyes, it will shoot much fast than you can pull the trigger, and from the many I have seen come through our shop, is a very durable marker. 94.95$
CCM VS feedneck- I recommend that feedneck over the SP necks....ccm is top shelf gear, you pay a bit more for a MUCH nicer neck. 29.95$
SP A/S CO2 tank The gun will run fine with a non anti-siphon tank, but for a few dollars more you get an on/off and A/S tank. Great little value. 44.95$
Vlocity Jr. What can I say, the velocity is a tried and true design, and the junior is probably the least expensive high-end loader on the market. This one will last you through any gun you buy. 97$
V-force profilersYour mask is one place you don't want to cheap out. I've linked the profilers because they're an average price and a GREAT mask. Coming from someone who wears a mask to work every weekend, there not a bad deal
. Many other options though. 59.95
There's a basic mid-range beginner setup. the total cost would be 326.80+ shipping from actionvillage. The same setup with an ion would be a
MINIMUM of 480$ with the same hopper, mask, feedneck(which again....I deal with them in an airsmith role every weekend, the feedneck is darn near mandatory, either way it's the same price..) and a VERY heavy, VERY small 48ci steel HPA tank. The setup I listed for you is one that will be extremely versatile for a first rig. The gun will run off any CO2 tank, so if you and your buddies go out in the woods, grab a couple extra tanks from walmart, have the hardware store fill them, and have all-day fun. At the same time, I've played with that gun on the same field as most other high end electros- I never felt outmatched. Properly setup, the trigger is walkable, and actually not half bad...
The mask is one that you can use for a long time, is comfortable, and even is repairable(ie, the lens cracks a new one is cheap), and the hopper is going to be usable on any gun you want to play with, from a pump to the fastest electro's.
At the same time, the investment on the gun is kept to a minimum. Remember that Ion resale value is horrible, and you will never see half of what you drop on that gun.
Save yourself the 160$ for 3 or 4 cases of paint, or spend it on gear you will use. Remember, it's not about the gun, it's about having fun as a player....that setup, or one similar to it, will get you where you need to be to have fun for a very long time. Don't buy into the hype about "sears" and the other "agg kiddie" nonsense that's being spewed about the internet like gospel....it's ego(and not the gun) massaging from people who have, for the most part, not been in the sport long enough to remember when value was actually an issue. I'm not made out of money, I don't know about you.
If you MUST get the ion, the hopper recomendation remains the same, and for a tank I would do
this. Don't be seduced by cheap steel tanks....that 70ci steely you see floating around weighs two or three times what most fiber tanks do..
