PMI Eforce SRT & GTi vs. E-99 Avant and Imagine

[Everlight389]

Sorry, I hate these "versus" threads, and have read virtually all of them, but haven't had much success answering my questions. I have read pretty much all of the reviews for all of the above guns, and the performance seems just about the same from both.

The SRT & GTi are virtually the same gun (if you open both the diagrams on the PMI site (http://www.blackmaxx.com), and line them up they are virtually identical, with the exception of the SRT having the removeable feed neck.

The E-99 Avant and Imagine are also virtually identical, except that the Avant has a drop forward and a "see thru feedneck" (which apparently has been discontinued).

On PBgear the Eforce GTi (in solid) is $105, the Imagine is $120, the Avant $135, and the Eforce SRT $150 (in titanium). The price isn't much of an issue for me ($150 is my max though).

Is there really any advantage one over the other (Spyder versus PMI)? Some people say that PMI makes "plastic guns", other people say "spyders are made with cheap parts".

Really, my question is: PMI Eforce guns in my price range > Spyder guns in my price range? I plan on upgrading to a regulator and new valve, possibly a new bolt, but that is it.

My research shows that the Piranha "turbo valve" and the "New DesignZ Spyder HP valve" are virtually the same, along with the bolts from shocktech being delrin and being availible in all the guns.

The only dillema in getting a GTi is that it has no removeable feed neck (in return it looks smaller though). Does anyone know if empire reloaders fit well in them? I can sand it down, but would prefer not to have to.

Does it matter which one I get? Or is it more of a preference towards one company or the other?


Thanks again guys

[STO Balla 22]

Just go with an Imagine. Then you can get a barrel (CP 1 Piece), Reg (Bob Long Torpedo), and T-board.

[Everlight389]

Yes, I realize that... but why a spyder over a piranha?

[War Penguin]

I'm gonna go with sto on this one. My e-fish has broken countless times. My friend has an Imagine, and hasn't had any problems with it, aside from the occasional o-rings.

[Everlight389]

Ironically, the Avant and Imagine are the same gun, except that the Avant comes with a drop forward and "redesigned anti double feed". I'll take your word that the Phishes are a little more fragile than Spyders, along with having shot a Rodeo that works well.

My future setup:

Spyder E-99 Avant (Green/Black)
Empire Reloader
68ci 3000psi Crossfire Steel HPA
Custom Products Regulator w/ gauge
New Designz Spyder HP Valve
Shocktech Superfly Delrin Long Bolt
Shocktech LPC (if needed)

My 68ci tank will probably last about 1000 shots+ low pressure.

After awhile I will probably buy a cocker or BKO if I need one, but I doubt I will.

[OWNAGE]

Originally posted by Everlight389
Ironically, the Avant and Imagine are the same gun, except that the Avant comes with a drop forward and "redesigned anti double feed". I'll take your word that the Phishes are a little more fragile than Spyders, along with having shot a Rodeo that works well.

My future setup:

Spyder E-99 Avant (Green/Black) i like my black avant:)
Empire Reloader :tup:
68ci 3000psi Crossfire Steel HPA get carbon fiber wrapped....trust me, it's way lighter
Custom Products Regulator w/ gauge only get if your going to get your HPA at the same time because CP regs are not co2 friendly
New Designz Spyder HP Valve never heard about someone using them so i can't comment
Shocktech Superfly Delrin Long Bolt there are other bolts made of the same quality delrin for cheaper
Shocktech LPC (if needed) not needed
Also, get a Check-It Assault Block

My 68ci tank will probably last about 1000 shots+ low pressure.

After awhile I will probably buy a cocker or BKO if I need one, but I doubt I will.

[Everlight389]

$54 more though for a carbon fiber... and the steel one is tougher. All the times I've played I've used 20 oz co2 tanks, so it will weigh a little bit more, but not a whole lot.

The New designz Spyder HP valve is rated very high (9.4/10 or so), and is pretty cheap too. Like $23 or something.

co2 will never be shot thru my gun :)

The APM Tigershark bolt is probably the one I'll upgrade to. Cheap, but gotta pay canadians for it.

Whats the point of an assault block? I know it increases airflow, but where does it go on the gun?

[clown_13_2001]

Originally posted by Everlight389

Whats the point of an assault block? I know it increases airflow, but where does it go on the gun?

Increases airflow and puts the reg at a 15 degree angle. It goes below the barrel, where the lpc screws in.

[Everlight389]

Ah, I see now... thanks

[penguins_r_kewl]

Get a T.E.S. They're $160 at paintball gateway.

[Everlight389]

The T.E.S. is a very nice gun, advantages being that it already is low pressure and has an optical eye. However, there is a pretty big lack of support at this current time, and since none of my friends have Dragun markers, I'm not so sure that I want to have something completely different.

Also, none of my local shops have Dragun markers, so it would be unlikely that they would have parts to fix them, and apparently they are somewhat "fragile".

I can get a T-board w/optical eye, make my gun LP, and just would like to own one for awhile to get some experience with them.

Thanks for your input

[STO Balla 22]

TES's are overpriced in my opinion. Getting an Imagine and T-board would be a better option.

[pbdan9190]

^^^Agreed, and from what I've seen, the eyes in the TES aren't the greatest.

[Everlight389]

For $15 more I get the Avant with a drop forward... lol

And it looks cooler :P

[clown_13_2001]

Originally posted by Everlight389
For $15 more I get the Avant with a drop forward... lol

And it looks cooler :P

The drop forward is there for people like you. All it does is put the tank further down, and barely at all forward. And I don't think it looks cooler. And the e99 cocking system sucks.

[pb_fool]

Doesn't the new PMI marker come w/ eyes?

Or maybe thats a higher priced one?

[OWNAGE]

Originally posted by clown_13_2001
And the e99 cocking system sucks.
:nod:

which is why most people with rear-cocking guns make them top cocking

I'm too lazy to go to a hardware store to buy a top-cocking rod piece right now though:|

Originally posted by pb_fool
Doesn't the new PMI marker come w/ eyes?

Or maybe thats a higher priced one?
That's the Evo.

[Everlight389]

D'oh! You have an imagine :)

The tigershark bolt > all

[pb_fool]

The new PMI gun comes w/ breakbeam eyes.

Breakbeam>all

[clown_13_2001]

Originally posted by pb_fool
The new PMI gun comes w/ breakbeam eyes.

Breakbeam>all

But that cute little pmi gun is 250 bucks.:D