In a recent test of the eVLution II, I compared it to it's older brother, the revolution. Here's how it went...
Both hoppers were filled with exactly 180 balls, and shared the same fresh duracell ultras. The eVLution II can fit about 15-20 more rounds than the revolution.
The revolution started. Note that this revolution has a 6 blade impeller and the x-board. It took a little over 15 seconds to empty 180 balls.
The eVLution II, with the same batteries and paint used by the revy, emptied the paint in a little over 10 seconds.
What does this mean? The eVLution is capable of over 17 balls a second, while the revolution falls short at a little less than 12.
So the eVLution can feed abou 35% faster. So what other advantages does it offer?
For starters it has an adjustable feed rate, though I don't see why you'd ever want to set it for less than 17bps. The hopper can carry more paint, and won't break off at the neck like revolution hoppers. How do I know this? Because I tried to do it, and instead of the hopper breaking, the feed neck stripped out which was being held in by red loctite. What does that mean? It's super tough.
Flaws include a pain in the rear battery compartment that requires a battery spacer. The profile of this hopper is extremely big, so a low rise is recommended for those who can use them. Also, because of it's shape, barrel condoms/jimmies are very difficult to put over and around the hopper.
It's complex design also makes cleaning it extremely annoying.
In addition, the lid has been made semi spherical, and the lid opens downward. This has several problems:
The hopper can't be filled full without being very careful.
The lid has the very easy ability to crush paint when being opened (especially when full)
Since the lid goes down and isn't spring loaded, you have to jank it down until it locks. When you've reloaded, the lid can spring back up but still requires force to close
Because the lid is so low, the marker must be tilted considerably forward to actually keep all the paint inside the hopper.
Unless you force the lid down and back up into it's locked position, paint can easily spill or be broken by the lid. This also slows down reloading time.
Conclusion:
There are some actual design issues to be delt with, but the hopper feeds amazingly fast without jamming. Getting used to it's high profile and reloading with it takes some getting used to, but for the additional $20 over a revy, you get a 35% increase in loader speed, assuming you're using the 6 blade impeller and the x-board.
FINALLY some one with real substance in a review!!! an 8 is perfect!! ty!!! finally an end to all of these 10's!!! but it isnt that hard to clean..n stuff. but ty!! finally! GOD i wish all reviews were like this!!
Last edited on Sunday, January 9th, 2005 at 8:07 pm PST
i personally like the lid on the egg, it acts as a funnel when i must load fast using pods.... besides if your loading your hopper completely wouldnt that be before a game? hence you can take an extra minute to fill it up
you turn the speed down on a low end mech or a mech cocker to a little more then what you shoot because on a cocker it might force the ball past detent. i dont know but thats the only reason i can think of
