Stock valve
ANS valve
Red Valve
Palmer's vavlve
Powerlyte
STO
Marker Setup:
2004 WGP Karnivor with stock pneumatics and Planet Eclipse E2 Eblade upgrade.
1999 Right Feed WGP 'cocker with Bomb, Planet Hinge, Palmer's Ram/LPR, AKA Sidewinder, AKA Tornado Valve, AKA Lightining Bolt
Strengths:
Flow
Build Quality
Reliability
Weaknesses:
Price
Review:
I've used AKA's Tornado Valve on all the 'cockers I've built or upgraded. I don't use any other, as this one is the best I've found (when I find a product that tops the competition, I stick with it). My impressions are:
I. STRENGTHS
Fit & Finish
The Tornado is well-made, with no milling marks. The interior of the valve body is smooth and polished, and the piston has no burrs and the seat seals well. It is clearly high-flow, as it is bored extremely wide.
Flow
The Tornado's flow is astounding. I dropped an old '99 right feed from needing 600psi minimum input down to about 250psi input from an adjustable HPA tank. The higher flow and reduced psi input dropped the sound signature in both volume and tone, as well. The marker is now low pressure AND significantly quieter - perfect for woodsball. I have noticed no drop-off or shootdown at high rates of fire. The front pneumatics appear to be more consistent, as well.
Reliability
I've had this valve since early 2002; never needed to replace the seat or troubleshoot the valve. It's worked perfectly, and consistently, since it was installed.
II. WEAKNESSES
Price
The Tornado is one of the most expensive valves out there - like most AKA products, it ain't cheap. However, I have found it to be the best, bar none, and worth the price.
Conclusion:
The Tornado, especially when coupled with a Tornado bolt, Palmer LPR, Sidewinder reg, and Bomb 3-way, produces the lowest pressure, most reiable and fastest mech 'cockers I've ever used. Can't be beat on specs. However, if you are low on cash, and only need a valve that works and don't need low pressure,, you may want to look elsewhere.
