Post by Drekmore on Apr 11, 2010 23:18:43 GMT -6
Lassiter's Lancers is big on recruiting new players to the sport of paintball, and we want our boys to have good gear, so I think we should make a little buyers guide to help get them started. Vet Lancers, feel free to add input.
There are only four things really necessary to get started in scenario paintball and woodsball (five if you count the paintballs).
Marker: One word—Tippmann. We almost all run Tippmann (Tippy) markers. While not the most expensive or elegant, Tippies are simply the most durable and forgiving markers on the market. You can't go wrong with the Tippmann 98 Custom. It's inexpensive new and usually a steal on Craig's List.
The Tippmann 98 Custom can be found in various generations. I have seen three generations available. The oldest is simply know as the Tippmann 98 Custom. The word "Custom" is important because there was a "Tippmann 98" before it. The Tippmann 98 Custom is a good marker, just know that there are two newer, better versions, so that affects its value.
The next version was the Tippmann 98 Custom with ACT. ACT is "Anti-Chop Technology". The Tippmann 98 Custom had a tendency to chop paintballs as they dropped into the marker. ACT addressed this and works. The only real way to tell if a 98 Custom has ACT (unless you buy it new or take it apart) is by the ACT logo in the grip.
The newest is know as the Tippmann 98 Custom Platinum Series (PS). The Platinum Series took all the suggestions of thousands of Tippmann 98 Custom users, plus technologies developed for Tippmann's higher-end markers and improved an already brilliant gun. These just came out in 2009 (Edit: For some reason [probably price point] they sell a version without ACT. Don't buy that one - you want ACT).
If you want to spend a little more money, or find a real deal on Craig's List, Tippmann's next step up, the A-5 is an outstanding marker. You can't go wrong with an A-5 either. The Tippmann X-7 is the next step up from that. I don't have much experience with it. I've heard it's great, but I have also heard that is the just a fancy-looking A-5. Though the Tippmann X-7 Phenom is a beast. BT also makes great markers.
Mask: Mask is so much personal preference. For starting off, any paintball mask will do. Make sure you get a paintball mask and not an airsoft mask - they are different. Many of us really like V-Force masks. The lenses are really easy to remove and clean. One word of advice on any expensive advanced mask purchase - go to a paintball shop and try it on. Everybody's head is different and you need to make sure you have good coverage.
Air Tank: I will not argue CO2 vs Compressed Air here. Plus, Tippmanns are designed to work on both, and I already told you to buy a Tippmann. Though I will note, the 98 Custom was designed with CO2 in mind. It's all about what you want to spend. CO2 tanks are cheap. Compressed Air tanks are expensive. I use CO2, I have 4 tanks I got for about 20 bucks each. Fills cost 3.99 at Dick's Sporting goods and the 5th fill is free.
A Pod Belt, Vest or Harness: You need some way to haul ammo around. Paintballers use "pods" - pop open plastic tubes. Pod belts are cheap and usually come with pods. It's a good starter ball hauler. If you are serious, look into getting a paintball vest or harness. It distributes weight better and usually has extra pockets for other gear. Vest and harness types and styles are so much personal preference, I always recommend seeing what other people have and trying them on before committing to the expense. A lot of us run used to run with SpecOps vests, but Tippmann makes their vests now. Tippmann, Full Clip and RAP4 all make good vests. I have heard mixed reviews about Valken vests.
There are only four things really necessary to get started in scenario paintball and woodsball (five if you count the paintballs).
- A Marker (aka Paintball Gun)
- A Mask (aka Goggles)
- An Air Tank
- A Pod Belt, Vest or Harness
Marker: One word—Tippmann. We almost all run Tippmann (Tippy) markers. While not the most expensive or elegant, Tippies are simply the most durable and forgiving markers on the market. You can't go wrong with the Tippmann 98 Custom. It's inexpensive new and usually a steal on Craig's List.
The Tippmann 98 Custom can be found in various generations. I have seen three generations available. The oldest is simply know as the Tippmann 98 Custom. The word "Custom" is important because there was a "Tippmann 98" before it. The Tippmann 98 Custom is a good marker, just know that there are two newer, better versions, so that affects its value.
The next version was the Tippmann 98 Custom with ACT. ACT is "Anti-Chop Technology". The Tippmann 98 Custom had a tendency to chop paintballs as they dropped into the marker. ACT addressed this and works. The only real way to tell if a 98 Custom has ACT (unless you buy it new or take it apart) is by the ACT logo in the grip.
The newest is know as the Tippmann 98 Custom Platinum Series (PS). The Platinum Series took all the suggestions of thousands of Tippmann 98 Custom users, plus technologies developed for Tippmann's higher-end markers and improved an already brilliant gun. These just came out in 2009 (Edit: For some reason [probably price point] they sell a version without ACT. Don't buy that one - you want ACT).
If you want to spend a little more money, or find a real deal on Craig's List, Tippmann's next step up, the A-5 is an outstanding marker. You can't go wrong with an A-5 either. The Tippmann X-7 is the next step up from that. I don't have much experience with it. I've heard it's great, but I have also heard that is the just a fancy-looking A-5. Though the Tippmann X-7 Phenom is a beast. BT also makes great markers.
Mask: Mask is so much personal preference. For starting off, any paintball mask will do. Make sure you get a paintball mask and not an airsoft mask - they are different. Many of us really like V-Force masks. The lenses are really easy to remove and clean. One word of advice on any expensive advanced mask purchase - go to a paintball shop and try it on. Everybody's head is different and you need to make sure you have good coverage.
Air Tank: I will not argue CO2 vs Compressed Air here. Plus, Tippmanns are designed to work on both, and I already told you to buy a Tippmann. Though I will note, the 98 Custom was designed with CO2 in mind. It's all about what you want to spend. CO2 tanks are cheap. Compressed Air tanks are expensive. I use CO2, I have 4 tanks I got for about 20 bucks each. Fills cost 3.99 at Dick's Sporting goods and the 5th fill is free.
A Pod Belt, Vest or Harness: You need some way to haul ammo around. Paintballers use "pods" - pop open plastic tubes. Pod belts are cheap and usually come with pods. It's a good starter ball hauler. If you are serious, look into getting a paintball vest or harness. It distributes weight better and usually has extra pockets for other gear. Vest and harness types and styles are so much personal preference, I always recommend seeing what other people have and trying them on before committing to the expense. A lot of us run used to run with SpecOps vests, but Tippmann makes their vests now. Tippmann, Full Clip and RAP4 all make good vests. I have heard mixed reviews about Valken vests.
