Compressed Air vs Nitrogen

[MuckRaker]

I'm thinking about switching away from CO2 soon. Is there any difference between Nitrogen and Compressed Air? Is one better than the other? What about the tanks, Is there a difference in how they're made?

Thanks.

[felixthecat]

I had the exact same problem come over me at a point in time but I think if you like sniping and don't like a lot of noise coming out of your barrel then I think nitro would be best but if you prefer compresed air then go right ahead and use it but from what I have heard peolpe say that nitro is the best way to go....

[MuckRaker]

I've heard that CA and Nitrogen eliminate "smoking barrel" and that they are more accurate than CO2: Also, that they don't freeze up like CO2, but are there any other differences? Is one better than the other? And what about those tanks; can you use the same tank for Nitrogen and CA?

[PiRaNhA69]

compressed air and nitrogen are the same.

[MuckRaker]

Is there a difference in the price of filling Nitrgen vs. CA, and which one gives you more shots? I've got a 24 ounce CO2 tank now, and usually can play all day with it without getting it refilled.

[ElectricHead]

um air is like 90 percent nitrogen isnt it?

[MuckRaker]

That might count as a likeness (CA and Nitrogen have same makeup) but it doesn't really answer my question. Thanks anyway.

[Paintball Monkey]

The main reason Nitrogen got its name into paintball is because early fills to HPA tanks were made from large air cylinders that were filled with nitrogen by the supplier. These large vessels were either purchased or leased from welding supply (and similar) companies. The tanks would be filled by the company and dropped off at the paintball retailer. When megaboosters (and like products) came aboard, fields were able to compress air and fill their own tanks. Just like mentioned earlier, the air you breathe is manily nitrogen. There is no difference in sound, consistency, or other performance between compressed air and nitro.

The advantages of HPA over co2 are great. With HPA you can top your tank off without having to empty what is already in the bottle. The pressure in your HPA bottle will not change like co2 does with weather and temperature changes. Believe it or not, HPA is safer than CO2. You will have longer o-ring life on your marker with HPA. Your marker will overall be more consistant with HPA over CO2 (minimal spikes in velocity).

The disadvantage with HPA is that the fiber wrapped tanks have a short shelf life of 15 years and have to be hydrostatically tested every 3 years vs the 7 years for a co2 bottle. The fiber wrapped bottles aren't as durable as steel & aluminum tanks (though crossfire does have a steel 68ci 3000psi HPA tank). They are expensive. Lastly, you might find fields that have not stayed with the times and do not have fills available for HPA.

Overall, though, HPA is a dream come true and makes paintball a lot easier and more fun...Just my opinion though ;)

[MuckRaker]

Thanks for the info PaintMonkey. In terms of the tanks, is there a best tank for the money?

[Paintball Monkey]

It really all depends on what you are looking for. If you want an adjustable output pressure, more consistencey, then you will pay more (around $400). If you want just a preset tank then you can go as cheap as $130 for a tank.

[MuckRaker]

When you say Adjustable output in more consistent: What does that mean? Does mean no more annoying velocity spikes?

I take it that a preset tank releases a set amount of air/nitrogen into the gun everytime you pull the trigger. Are all preset tanks set at the same PSI, or can you get them set at different levels? If I were to go with a preset tank, is there a certain PSI I should go for?

Sorry to ask so many questions on this topic, but I'm very unfamiliar with CA/Nitrogen systems.

[elTwitcho]

Yeah, air and nitrogen are the same thing and thus the tanks are the same as well. You could go to a field and ask for nitro and they may put in compressed air but it really makes no difference whatsoever to you or your tank. Fiber tanks are also substantially lighter than CO2 steel tanks, and alot of the higher end guns dont like CO2. Co2 also forms ice crystals which are physically abrassive to your gun. IMO it's better to get a preset than an adjustable because with the preset you can run it through an inline and get better consitency. But, on the flipside of this, if you run it through an inline you are running through 2 regs and you might not have the same recharge rate. Of course you can run an adjustable through an inline as well, but what good would it be to buy an adjustable at that point? Personally, I'd say go with the preset, but that's just me. Also, most presets are set around 700-800 so most guns can run off of them just screwed directly into the gun. Hope this helps

[lpsto]

In most cases a preset will do(depending on the manufacture of the regulator).If your gun is made to work on a higher pressure(like an RT)or a lower pressure(like a shocker,lp cocker,excalibur)then an adjustable is the way to go.What you really want is one that recharges fast.

[elTwitcho]

Yeah, what I was gettin at is that if you want a pressure lower than 750, it's better to get a preset and run it through an inline rather than adjustable, but that's me. Some people think that way and others dont.

[MuckRaker]

OK, y'all dropped a lot of good info on me, so let's see if I've got this straight. If I go with an adjustable HPA tank, I don't need a regulator, cause one comes with the tank, but I'll need a regulator if I go with a preset?

[elTwitcho]

Sorry, I think my long winded rant may have confused just about everyone, so here it is.

An adjustable allows you to set your output pressure without the use of an inline regulator

A preset has an output pressure of 750 psi. If your gun runs fine on CO2 without any regulator then your gun runs at about 700 psi and this is all you will need

If you plan to use a lower pressure than 750 and you have a preset tank, you'll need to buy an inline regulator

Hope this helps you out, and my apologies for being confusing as hell with the other post. That said, welcome to the nitro family, it makes a world of difference, and your gun will just look that much more expensive with a fiber tank screwed into it :)

[elTwitcho]

A suggestion on tanks would be to get the Pure energy from PMI. It's relatively inespensive for a fiber tank, it's screw in (Which is easier to get on your gun right now, rather than deal with mounting and putting on new hose fittings) and the recharge rate is fantastic. I can do long bursts of Full auto at 14 bps and not see any shootdown in my velocity. Just so you all know I'm not a lame *** that uses full auto in games, I just wanted to test the reg :) . Had to say it before someone flames me, hehe. Also, go with a neaprene cover for your tank if you are getting a fiber wrapped. The last thing in the world you want to do is scratch up a fiber tank and have to get rid of it.

[MuckRaker]

Thanks for clearing that up elTwictho, I've been considering a PMI Pure Energy tank when I make the change, Just want to make sure that I get one that wasn't in their recall. Some were made with a faulty valve. How big a tank did you get and how much did it cost?

[Brazen]

no HPA nitro compressed air its all the same

[MuckRaker]

Also, what size HPA tank would I need to get to be able to shoot about 600 rounds?

[Dman]

That would depend on your gun, and what pressure you are shooting at. At least a 68ci. I get between 400-600 out of mine with a cocker2k.

[elTwitcho]

I got the Pure Energy 68/3000 fiber tank. I get about 800 shots out of my Intimidator, and it cost me 180. There is also a stainless steel model that is a fair bit cheaper and because it is steel you can bang it around a little and not worry about wrecking your tank (but only a little, I wouldnt bang around anything with that much pressure in it). The steel is unfortunately a bit heavier. If I were you, I'd stick with around 68 cubic inches, it's the most popular, and although 88s and 114s will give you more shots, they are a bit big for most people's tastes. Though gas effieciency depends on the gun, I'm sure you can get the amount of shots you listed out of a 68 with any gun. Welcome to the HPA family :)

[Dman]

I've got the same tank as eltwicho. I will admit that I need to make some adjustments on my 2k. I advise using a remote with the steel tanks. I personally didn't like the balance of my gun with the steel tank on my gun.

[elTwitcho]

Nah, screw that bad boy into your gun and not only do you get to improve your paintball skills, but you can build upper body strength at the same time!! hehe, if you dont already own a remote setup and a harness that'll hold it, you may want to go right to the fiber tank for the same money and keep it on gun. Then again, some people like remote, myself having previously had a 20 oz CO2 on bottomline, I need at least some weight or my gun just doesnt feel right at all :)

[MuckRaker]

I agree with you there Twitcho ... the markers are already so light they feel like nothing in your hands. and a seven or nine oz CO2 thank doesn't make that much difference. I've got a 24 oz CO2 tank now on bottom line, and it feels right. Just got a drop forward for it, and am getting a microline kit today cause the balance is off. When I go HPA I'll probably seriously consider a stainless steel tank cause I need the weight to make it feel real.

[Dman]

I just didn't like the balance when I had a steel tank... the 68ci are short and fat. It's not like my arm was falling off. I just didn't like the feel. To each their own I guess. If you like the feel with the tank on the gun...go for it. I just personally didn't like the feel.

[MuckRaker]

I know several people who feel the same way about having a heavy tank. They've gone to a remote line because it makes the gun lighter and they say they are able to maneuver it and themselves better because of it. I've thought about going remote myself, but I'm paranoid I'd trip or snag something and rip the hose out of the tank. Wouldn't that give your position away real fast? :eek:

[Auctionjunkie!]

There is a difference between Compressed Air and Nitrogen. Air is comprised of 90% nitrogen. Most paintball stores fill nitrogen only. I personally prefer CA. It's more efficient and seems to last longer. As far as the tanks they are one and the same.
Dan
Manager, Team Wiseguys

[Dman]

Never had it happen? I guess it is a risk if you were running really fast or something. Odds are, if you are running that fast that you don't notice yourself getting caught..stealth is the least of you problems......:-) If you have a good remote you probably would pull off of the gun before you ripped it off of the tank, but I have never seen it happen in 8 years. Now watch. I'm going out this weekend...and it will come off an smack me in the face.....:)

[Paintball Monkey]

I ran a remote a few years ago... The biggest problems I found with remotes is that you have an umbilical cord running to your back. If you want to set your gun down for a second (without disconnecting the air flow) then you have the hinderance of dragging your gun around. I also had my remote line get stuck on an assortment of things from branches to other players. The biggest thing I hated was the extra weight and bouncing that it added to the pack. In my opinion it made it a lot harder to run with a big *** tank bouncing around. Lastly, if your remote isn't long enough, it makes it a pain to switch up firing hands while playing. I tend to toss my gun from left to right hand shooting a lot and the remote always got in the way.

[elTwitcho]

Never tried remote, but when I switch and fire offhand, I dont switch hands, just move the tank to the other shoulder. I've gotten it down so that I'm just as compact left or right even though 've got a weird grip for left handed shooting. Though I've never tried it, I'd think it'd get tangled up a bit when you're offhand shooting.