2005 Spyder Imagine LED
14" CP barrel
Pure Energy 68/3000 fiber wrapped tank
Revolution 12v hopper
Recommended Paintballs:
Any that fit the bore size well
Strengths:
Accurate
Looks sexy
Weaknesses:
Loud
Review:
When I was looking at getting a new barrel, for my budget it was really between the CP barrel and the Progressive barrel. I figured that a barrel is a really important part of my setup, so I went with the mor expensive CP barrel. (in 14".)
Upon testing in my backyard, the CP barrel had a deffinate advange over the stock barrel. At about 20-25 YARDS, I was landing all my paint in about a 5" diameter circle (give or take.) At the same range, the stock barrel consistantly landed them in about a 10" diameter circle, with the occasional ball going astray. There was a deffinate noise difference, but I wouldn't say HUGE. It was there though.
Taking my barrel to the field, I enjoyed it very much. It IS pretty accurate. My buddy has a Tippman 98 custom with a Flatline barrel, and we were shooting at a small square board of wood maybe 8" x 8", at about 25 yards. He hit once out of 3 shots; all 3 of mine landed on the board (in an almost perfect triangle, as a matter of fact.) I would say that my barrel seemed more accurate within its range than the flatline... the flatline just had farther range (but at that range it didn't seem to matter too much because the paint had broken on some brush or something by then.)
The biggest disappointment about the barrel was that I thought the impressive-looking porting would keep the gun relatively quiet. The only barrels that were'nt quieter than mine were the Flatlines (they don't have porting) and the stock barrel. Kinda a bummer.
Conclusion:
If accuracy is your top concern, this is a good buy for the money. I wish I had purchased the 16" instead, I don't think the extra length would have made a mobility issue but it probably would have improved range and accuracy a noticible amount (slight, but noticible.) I was looking for a quiet barrel, and this one wasn't eally that quiet, so I'm giving it an 8. Overall, happy with its performance (when looking strictly at range and accuracy) but disappointed with the comparitively high noise level, as compared to other aftermarket barrels that I've seen on the field (especially agaisnt autocockers!! Man those things are quiet.)
Yeh, I agree with reneirwolf878, not only is a cocker specifically designed to be silent, a spyder is not. Spyders are the High, Low-End markers for us poor people, who love to play paintball.
Also, let me tell you all a little bit about the 16" barrel.
The 16" barrel was designed by ALL companies with one thing in mind : MONEY
All these stupid kids who think they are snipers, think that the longer the barrel you have, the more accuracy, and range you get... Well, these are the same stupid kids who didn't pass their science classes and obviously know NOTHING about PHYICS!!!!
More barrel length = more friction
More friction = less range
If your paintballs spend extra time leaving your marker, because of the longer barrel, they are losing speed, and range due to the rubbing up against the barrel. Its PHYSICS MAN, PHYSICS.
Again, the 16" barrel, will ALWAYS have the exact range and accuracy as a 14", or less. No matter what company makes it!!!!!!
FRICTION = Loss of power , loss of range, loss of speed.
The paintball companies know this, if you ask non-newb or tournament player, they will tell you the same. Ask your science teacher!!
The absolute best size is 12" and 14". Neither of these are "Better" than the other, but in general, you might see better accuracy from the 14" but better speed from a 12" along with 2" of extra mobility and 2" of less weight.
I have a question. I am a newb, I admit it! And I am just asking because I am also not a physics professor. So please don't attack me, I am just asking for my own knowledge and not trying to dispute any comments that were made. But, if you chrono your 14 inch barrel at 300 fps and somebody else chrono's their 16 inch barrel at 300 fps, wouldn't that mean that a 16 inch barrel has the same power and speed of a 14 inch? I don't know if the extra 2 inches provide additional accuracy or not, but maybe. Just a question.
