Compare and Contrast - Spyder Xtra & Enigma EXC, plus other ?s

[Friday]

Heh, compare and contrast, how’s that for another way of saying “versus”? :) Didn't want to scare away people from a "versus" thread. This is my first time posting and I played paintball only once. That more than a year ago. So pardon my newbieness. But I have spent months of reading and researching on different markers, looking through online and local shops, and occasional daydreaming.

I’ve considered all the other low-mid ranged priced markers and now I’m thinking of the Xtra or Enigma EXC. The only difference I see between them is the different feed. Xtra= vertical, Enigma= powerfeed (I think). The Enigma has a longer LP chamber while the Xtra has a drop forward. Not sure exactly if the Enigma has a longer barrel. The Enigma isn’t made by a name brand company so click here (http://www.bargainpaintball.com/68ENIGMA.html) to find about the marker.

Enigma claims to be easy to maintain and field strip. Judging from the stripping info (http://www.bargainpaintball.com/fieldstrip.html) shown in the website it does look very easy. Is that exactly how you strip the Xtra?

Any Enigma owners know if Spyder parts are 100% compatible with the Enigma? I’m really interested in getting a Powerlyte grip frame (http://www.powerlyte.com/).

As for my other questions, I’m wondering why people recommend the Autococker to a newbie who has and is willing to spend the money? I understand that the Autococker is a top-notch marker, but I also hear the maintenance is higher too. It’s cool if a newbie is willing to care for the cocker, but are most newbies up for it? I’m not putting down the Autococker, I’m just wondering.

Also does anyone know about Cooper-T Products bolts (http://www.cooper-t.com/coopertbolts.html)? It says that the bolt gives the ball a back spin so it’ll travel farther, kinda like what the Flatline barrel does. Has anyone tried this bolt and does it seriously “add approximately 100ft”? It sounds too good to be true. If no one has I guess I’ll have to try it out and let everyone know.

That’s all I have to ask. Thanks in advance.

[Codestar20]

Ok, let me try to break some of that down for you. I have a Spyder Xtra and it is a great marker. The vertical feed on the Xtra is great. I have only broken 3 or 4 paintballs out of 10,000+. Those breaks were before I got my 12 vt revy. It is just as easy to field strip the Xtra as it is the EXC. All low pressure chambers do the same thing. Some are longer, some are shorter, some are weird shaped (the Twisted ones). I find the Xtra's drop forward very comfortable with my 20 oz CO2 tank. It fits just right. I am pretty sure the EXC and the Xtra take the same parts. However the grip frames might be different. The Spyder grip frame is curved where it joins the body. Most people think cockers are better than Spyders. That is why when a newbie comes along that has $400 to spend on a marker, that is probably the one most metioned to buy. Autocockers are great, but some require a lot of maintenance to keep working properly. I do not know anything about that Cooper-T bolt. Like you said it sounds too good to be true. A 100ft increase in range just from a bolt seems a little strange. Try it if you want to and tell me how it works out;)

If you want to know some upgrades for either marker go to the Kingman forum and look at the upgrade sticky. It will give you lots of ideas on what to do.