New [and First] Gun

[aldend123]

I am new to paintballing, and am looking to buy a gun. I have seen so many different guns out there and am so lost on what gun is good for me.

I had figured it made sense to buy a "package" or "kit" which included a mask, tank, and hopper, and any other goods it may include, as I have none of the above.

My price range includes a limit of around $150. I can spend more, if theres a good reason and it is worth it, but no, I have no intention of going out and getting some $500 pro-level gun.

My original thoughts were to get the Tippman 98 Custom Power Pack which I had found for $166. It had all the stuff I'd need, and from what I have heard, is a very durable gun. I need durablilty because I am new, and dont want to have to be ripping apart any guns. Also the Tippmann 98 Custom seems pretty popular, and I figure, it's gotta be popular for a reason, cause people aren't gonna buy crap, repeatidly, right? Also, many fields use the 98's for rentals, and again, I figure, people aren't gonna spend money on a piece of crap,right?

So is the Tippmann 98 Custom Power Pack a good deal? Is it a good gun?
Also, are there any other guns you would recommend. If they are not part of a package, then please remember the price must be low enough so I'll still have money to buy the equipment and be within the $150 area.

[Rancid Coleslaw]

Sounds pretty good to me. Do you have any local stores around you to buy your equipment from? Not like walmart or oshmans but i mean a real pro shop.
My first was a spyder compact starter package with marker, tank, hopper, mask, etc. for around $130. But if you dont have a shop around you you could order online and that tippman pack doesnt sound like a bad deal.
What mask does it come with?

[aldend123]

it comes with a Scott Mask with Scott Hotshot goggles. i think thats correct.
I at least know they are Scott somethings.

EDIT:
or they are
Scott Extreme Stalker Single Lens Goggles
not sure. found this on different site.

[HurleyHero67]

The first piece of advice I am going to give you is get yourself a thermal goggle system, or just get the goggle system that comes with the package and buy a new thermal lens seperate and replace the old ones. I cannot stress enough how much this helps, I was glad I went out and spent the extra 20 dollars back when I was a new player.

But as for the marker, I have a few questions for you. Do you plan on playing at any local fields? If so, how often? Do you plan on playing more woods/outlaw ball with your friends, or more speedball type games at fields? Are you willing to at least oil your marker every once in a while? Answer some of these questions, then i'll give you my advice.

[aldend123]

Originally posted by HurleyHero67
The first piece of advice I am going to give you is get yourself a thermal goggle system, or just get the goggle system that comes with the package and buy a new thermal lens seperate and replace the old ones. I cannot stress enough how much this helps, I was glad I went out and spent the extra 20 dollars back when I was a new player.

But as for the marker, I have a few questions for you. Do you plan on playing at any local fields? If so, how often? Do you plan on playing more woods/outlaw ball with your friends, or more speedball type games at fields? Are you willing to at least oil your marker every once in a while? Answer some of these questions, then i'll give you my advice.

well, I will remember the thing about the Thermal lenses. thanks.

as for playing.....
I dont have a clue what I will be playing, or how much of it. The woods/outlaw, probably not much, as none of my friends have their own guns. but I do have plenty of area to play in. If my friends bought guns too, then probably mostly woods/outlaw.

speedball, not sure what it is. sounds fun though!

fields was what i figured I would be playing mostly.

And yes, once I read the little manuel, and learn about the gun I purchase, I would oil the gun as much as needed, to make sure it was in perfect, like new condition, and to make sure it didnt run into any unwanted problems.

EDIT:
acctually, whats the benifit of the thermal goggles? do they prevent fogging?

[Rancid Coleslaw]

Yes thermal lenses prevent fogging.

Originally posted by UTLadiesMan
Thermal lenses are usually just a lens with a sheet of plastic held slightly away from it, sealed on all sides. Think of like double pane glass. That little pocket of air changes much more slowly because it's getting head from your head side, and cool from the outside, and splits the difference. Since the difference between the pocket air and either side is minimal, neither side fogs up nearly as quickly or often. It would have to be really cold outside and you would have to be really hot for it to fog. Of course, if it's that cold outside there won't be any moisture in the air, so the only way it could fog is if you sweated like a mad man for a few minutes, which you probably wouldn't when it's cold.

[Kowz_76]

I think the powerpack is a ripoff, here's what I'd get if I were you:
Spyder Xtra: $80
16oz CO2: $24
JT Mask: $40 (or you could go a little cheaper like $30)
Hopper: $5

That's $150 for an equal gun, nicer mask and bigger CO2.

[aldend123]

Originally posted by Kowz_76
I think the powerpack is a ripoff, here's what I'd get if I were you:
Spyder Xtra: $80
16oz CO2: $24
JT Mask: $40 (or you could go a little cheaper like $30)
Hopper: $5

That's $150 for an equal gun, nicer mask and bigger CO2.

well its mainly the gun I am concerned about. so in your opinion, which is the better gun? Also, one thing I liked about the Tippmann was that it had a lot of customizations availble.

[Rancid Coleslaw]

I would take the spyder over the tippman any day. But thats just me. I started out on a spyder and never had any problems with it. And there are tons of spyder upgrades out there, so you dont need to worry abou that. Spyders always looked and felt better to me too.

[aldend123]

many of the reviews here said the quality of the Xtra was not that great, and most said to spend a little extra and get a dif. gun. the LAST thing I want is for my first gun to break.

[Rancid Coleslaw]

Well, do you have a local store near you where you could try out markers to see which you like best? I've heard stories that kingman's quality has gone down some which is too bad.

[The Mafia]

I highly reccomend a 98 custom to anyone just starting out. Personally I feel it to be the best first marker available. My first marker was a 98c. There are tons of upgrades for it, but it will work fine out of the box (it really needs a new barrel though, but this is true of just about every marker). It is durable as tank. Mine has been dropped, kicked, thrown, submerged in a river, covered in mud and it never once failed on me. I still have it, though I never personally use it. Every time I go out with my friends, there's always at least one person who doesn't have their own marker so they use my ol 98c.

Definitely get thermal lens goggles, unless you like the added challenge of playing blind. And your first upgrade should be a new barrel. I think the Lapco Bigshot is the best choice for the 98c, or any marker for that matter.

[Doughnut::x::]

Well in my opinion (if it matters), I would go for the Piranha... I've played with 98's and all so I do have comparison. The thing about the Piranha is that you get the look and style of the Spyder with the durability and customization of the 98. That's just what I've noticed and you can get a decent Piranha for $150 with all the stuff you need.

Also, the best looking/performing goggles that are the cheapest are the JT spectra's... just to let you know. You can go onto internet sites and customize a kit how you want it too.

[aldend123]

Originally posted by Rancid Coleslaw
Well, do you have a local store near you where you could try out markers to see which you like best? I've heard stories that kingman's quality has gone down some which is too bad.
yes, i have one local store [a sports authority], but it only carries a few guns. It does have the tippmann, and it had several spyders, so I will deff. being making another trip down there to examine quality.

Originally posted by The Mafia
I highly reccomend a 98 custom to anyone just starting out. Personally I feel it to be the best first marker available. My first marker was a 98c. There are tons of upgrades for it, but it will work fine out of the box (it really needs a new barrel though, but this is true of just about every marker). It is durable as tank. Mine has been dropped, kicked, thrown, submerged in a river, covered in mud and it never once failed on me. I still have it, though I never personally use it. Every time I go out with my friends, there's always at least one person who doesn't have their own marker so they use my ol 98c.

Definitely get thermal lens goggles, unless you like the added challenge of playing blind. And your first upgrade should be a new barrel. I think the Lapco Bigshot is the best choice for the 98c, or any marker for that matter.
well I see from your experience, the Tippmann 98C has proved to be the Glock of the paintball guns. And I will be getting thermal goggles, as I will have enough trouble trying to play that I dont need the extra challenge of being blind. Although that could make for some pretty challenging gameplay when I get better at it.
Might I ask why you replaced your Tippmann, and what you replaced it with?

Originally posted by Doughnut::x::
[B]Well in my opinion (if it matters), I would go for the Piranha... I've played with 98's and all so I do have comparison. The thing about the Piranha is that you get the look and style of the Spyder with the durability and customization of the 98. That's just what I've noticed and you can get a decent Piranha for $150 with all the stuff you need.

Also, the best looking/performing goggles that are the cheapest are the JT spectra's... just to let you know. You can go onto internet sites and customize a kit how you want it too.
theres so many Piranha's out there. which model do you recommend in my price range?


now, to all:
i have noticed some have mentioned about looks and styling, mostly in favor of the tradition paintball gun design, however IMO, i like the tippmann design better. however let me say, looks are not what is important to me. [as cheesy as this may sound, its true] its whats on the inside that counts. I dont care what it looks like as long as it works, will work for a very long time, didnt cost me too much, and is a good deal.

[Doughnut::x::]

Ok then, if looks don't count go for the tippmann

[aldend123]

ok...so Tippmann...anyone have anything BAD to say about it? anyone have any reasons as to why I should not buy this gun?

[HurleyHero67]

I'm glad to see you have taken my advice about the thermal lenses, you will not regret spending the money.

As for your marker, since you are going to be playing at your field, most likely you are going to be playing more speedball. Because of this, my reccomendation is to steer clear of the 98c, only because I personally do not like the feel of it. It is very bulky, you have to stretch your hand out far to the foregrip, it's kind of hard to explain. It is just not a very comfortable marker for playing speedball, its not very compact at all. You just have to get a feel for both the Spyder and the 98c and see which you like better as far as comfort goes. But the Spyder will be more compact, no question.

However, I highly suggest finding yourself a good deal on a used automag on ebay.com or automags.org. Save up if you need too, it would be worth it. Check out the stickies in the Airgun Designs forum.

[Dancing racoon]

Well heres reasons to get tippmanns
-Very Durable
-can be customized to fit your needs
-Has alot of after market parts
-Shoots well right out of the box
-Is in your price range and the package is too

[Inverse]

i usually would never recommend a tippmann cuz i personally dont like them to much, but for that price range i would agree with everyone

[aldend123]

tippmann appears to be the gun i will be going with. please though, any comments are still apprieciated as I will probably wait until I get to a field and tryout a Tippmann first, before I buy it. Plus I'll ask around at the field, get some more opinions there.

HurleyHero67: i wont be playing much speedball at all, because as far as I know niether of the local fields offer a speedball course. they are both in a forest.

[HurleyHero67]

Originally posted by aldend123
tippmann appears to be the gun i will be going with. please though, any comments are still apprieciated as I will probably wait until I get to a field and tryout a Tippmann first, before I buy it. Plus I'll ask around at the field, get some more opinions there.

HurleyHero67: i wont be playing much speedball at all, because as far as I know niether of the local fields offer a speedball course. they are both in a forest.
Ok, im glad to see you are going to test out the 98c before you buy it. Dont get me wrong, it will be a fine marker for you. But I still strongly suggest finding yourself a good deal on a used automag. If you get to try one out, you will know what i'm saying.

They are rather easy to maintain, you just have to oil them after a day of play, not that hard. They wont break down on you, and Airgun Designs has excellent customer service. It is both a great beginners marker, but it can also be a high level marker if upgraded right. Automag/Minimag is the way to go.