Should I get a FLatline for my Tippmann 98 Custom?

[Marinedog]

I've been hearing a lot about the Flatline Barrel but all it has done is confuse me a whole lot. So now i'm not sure if I should get it.
I understand that the barrel is a bit shaped like a banana? Would this mean that if I wanted to shoot at someone from close range (like 20 something feet) I would have to point the gun down a bit? At their site they state that the ball travels virtually flat for quit a while. Is this true, I mean with having a banana shaped barrel and all?
I've heard some people saying that you can use the curve to their advantage. What curve? Does this "curve" get annoying and does it limit the different kinds of shots that you are able to make?
Also does the backspin slow down that ball any? Like I don't want to shoot at someone from really really far away and have the paintball just bounce off of them.
I also heard that it is pretty loud. But how loud? Loud enough to discourge someone from using it often?
Some people have also reported some flaws in it like the balls breaking more often than normal. Is this just because they did not install the barrel right? How hard can it be anyway?

I'm sorry for the long post, I know I have a lot of questions, it's just that I needed to get these things cleared up before I went on and spent $100 + on this barrel. Thanks for your time!

[GarthVader]

I have played for a year now with a spyder for forward play (assult) and tippman 98 c with flatline for back play (cover / sniping)

Yes you will shoot farther with a flatline.

You will not get any more accurate with flatline than normal barrel at distance. This is due to the variance of balls and windage.

The barrel induces backspin on the ball thus giving lift thus countering gravity thus flat line. this improves accuracy in mid distance 30 - 70 yards. You cant expect to shoot 1.6 to 2.0 times farther with the same accuracy. (Some people expect too much. If you cant hit a barn door you will be able to not hit the dang thing twice as far)

After this the ball will then drop in a reduced sink rate and start to curve (depening on ball and windage)

velosity plays a great deal with the performance of the barrel (270 - 280 fps) more than this will cause the ball to rise and then wonder. The speed is a bit like a balance get it right and balls float along.

windage: this effects path of the ball too. Like a mortar round th ball will bank into the wind.

Once the ball starts to wonder it can go anywhere as the spin changes


Up keep of the barrel is important: It needs to be kept centerd and cleaned. There seems to be a build up of paint shell rubbed of in the barrel. this will aslo affect the barrel performance if not removed (gunk) after every game.

At the field i play at the shooting range is about 70 yards. with my spyder i need to lead at about 40 degrees to hit back wall and at that point im guessing where I will hit. With the tippman i will aim and hit back wall about 4-6" below where im aiming.


This will work well in woods due to flat line through branches.
You can stand in the open and shoot at players who's paint bounces at your feet or lobed balls which bounce of you.
I some times get a break on me but it thens to be 1/10 hits



Thus it depends on you're style, If you play assult then dont get one. If you play back and like to snipe / cover your team then get one.