Splatmasters, Nelspots, Tippmanns, 'Mags, 'Cockers, Phantom Express, Sniper II, .... that's all I can think of, for now.
Every other marker is "mass produced" compared to the Air Power Vector. Less than 2000 of them were hand made out of aluminum blocks. They are quite possible the finest, highest quality markers ever made. Designed to simulate the handling and feel of the Heckler & Koch family of submachine guns. Heavy duty!
Marker Setup:
I have 3 of these puppies right now (Thanks Avery McFall!) and they each have slightly different attributes.
I run them with a back bottle setup using 20-24oz CO2 or 68ci Crossfire Stubbies. One is stock, one has a Sheridan RG-1 in-line reg and my lefty stays in the house.
No need for upgrade barrels or whatnot.
Any tune-ups or slight internal upgrades can be best described by Justin Beard at classicpaintball@hotmail.com. He rules!
Recommended Upgrades:
Justin's trigger job did for me gave my Vec a "mouse click" trigger that is sorta like an electro trigger. Really fast! He also does a mean cup seal upgrade which makes the Vectors ALOT more gas efficient. Drop him a line at classicpaintball@hotmail.com (No, I don't work for him... I am just really impressed!
Strengths:
LOUD!!LOUD!!LOUD!!LOUD!!LOUD!!!!!
Compared to my Sniper, it is such a wonderful change of pace.
It is easily as accurate as my Sniper, right out of the box. The stock barrel doesn't care about paintball size or weather and just fires tack driving paintballs one after another into tiny bunker windows!
It is uniques and quite terrifying to the uninitiated (I am regularly asked about the legality of my "full-auto electro"!)
It's also fun to be asked to re-chrono because it is SO consistent that ball after ball fly at exactly the same fps.
It eats liquid CO2 without complaint and NEVER breaks balls. (seriously)
The ball break feature is beyond me, but if you put your finger in the feed tube and pull the trigger (sounds nutty, I know) to simulate a misfed ball, you barely feel the bolt hit. A simple flip of the safety resets the bolt and the "jammed ball" can roll freely into the chamber.
Neat-o!
Weaknesses:
Nothing "bad".
It is a tad gas hungry, but tuned up, it rocks just as long as any other.
It balances very nicely with a 20oz. in the back bottle. That'll last all day.
I don't see a "lack" of upgrades as a bad thing... I spend enough $ on paintballs!
Conclusion:
If you see one, get one. It's a collectors item that rocks the Angel world nearly ten years after it was introduced!
Simply the best semi-auto paintball marker I have ever used. Bar none.
Look mom, they do breed... I love the 98's, but out of the box the Vectors are much better all around, with the exception of the gas consumption. They won't even chop BE.
