Advice for a beginner.What marker is best?

[flankandfire]

I am a newbie at paintball but am extremely interested in becoming a "pro". Where I am finding a stumbling block is finding the correct marker. I consider myself at strategist, I am very calm, patient, and cool-headed. I would love to be a squad leader of a paintball team, whether that be an official or unofficial team. I would prefer my marker to not be confined to close-quarter combat and be slanted to the sniper role. I know that a squad leader would do well to not use a sniper rifle, as he is needed to lead and direct flanking actions. I would feel it necessary to own a marker that can deliver accurate fire, from a far range, while I am still able to survey the battle before deciding on tactical maneuvers. However...I still it to be effective in, clearing trenches, defensive positions and close combat situations. I will be using it for woodsball and normal out-door field battles. Because I am 16, a beginner and am by no means wealthy I have been looking at paintball guns in the range of $150 to $200, so far. I am very interested in the Tippmann models. I can't decide on the A-5, Pro-Carbine or Custom 98. Can I please have some ideas on what a good choice would be? Is the Pro-Carbine too slow firing? Is the 98 with an in-line barrel more effective, although less accurate, than the Pro-Carbine with a sniper barrel? I could really use some advice. Thanks a lot!

[PaintBaller1818]

If you like little or no maintenance, than the 98 is the way to go. THey are very upgradable and can become a respectable marker if you upgrade them right. If you spring for the A-5 it will be faster at first, but there are less options to upgrade it with(ie. cant get a new hopper). The Pro_carbine seems like a edcent choice for a beginner just because it is a pump gun and you won't waste as much paint, but I like the other two over it. Hope this helps.

[Imagine24]

Get the A-5 with no question of the other two..

Read my review at the A5OG.net..:

http://www.a5og.net/vforum/showthread.php?t=5293


The A-5, is only a little bit more expensive then the Custom 98, but the Custom 98 is nothing compared to the A-5. The A-5 I can drop it do anything harmful (even through I wouldnt) and it will not break at all. The Cyclone Feed system in my honest opinion I think is amazing, it works as fast as you can pull the trigger, so it can adjust to your current style of play. The A-5 is much better than the other two. Also the Custom 98 is suppose to be a pain to take apart and clean.
The A-5 after reading the manual and taking it apart it is so easy.. it is suppose to be for the A-5 you can take it apart less than a min and it is true.. sometimes I find myself for fun taking it apart 5 times then putting it back together.

http://www.a5og.net is one of the greatest forums if you own a A-5 if you ever have any problems, or anything this place you will get multiple help with people, and any problems on your A-5.. So it has its own good support to the gun. :laugh:

My A-5 has very little upgrades, I am even going to be using it in Touraments and Speedball, even through it isnt considered a speedball or tourney gun, I think its fine.

Not the mention the A-5 looks amazing I love mine. :love: :love:

Get it you wont regret the purchase!

[flankandfire]

Originally posted by PaintBaller1818
If you like little or no maintenance, than the 98 is the way to go. THey are very upgradable and can become a respectable marker if you upgrade them right. If you spring for the A-5 it will be faster at first, but there are less options to upgrade it with(ie. cant get a new hopper). The Pro_carbine seems like a edcent choice for a beginner just because it is a pump gun and you won't waste as much paint, but I like the other two over it. Hope this helps.

Perhaps you made a mistake...it's my understanding that the Pro/Carbine is semi-automatic, not a pump. Here's the link for the Tippmann website http://tippmann.com/markers/pc.asp.

[Imagine24]

Yeah I was going to say something about that, I believe he made a mistake, because Pro Carbine is not a pump. :)

[flankandfire]

Is there a significant difference in the accuracy of the Tippmanns? With barrel upgrades taken in to concideration is the Pro/Carbine easier to aim or does it have an actual difference in paintball patterning? Many players tend to confuse increased accuracy with increased controlability. So with that concidered what would have to be the most effective for long-range firing?

[YoBoneDaddy]

If you're interesting in becoming "pro" you should move to a different thread. Something as simple as an Imagine will be on par with a fully upgraded (very expensive) Tippmann. Don't get me wrong Tippmanns are great/reliable guns but if you mean "pro" as in speedball none of their markers will be able to keep up without an huge amount of upgrading. Look into an Ion, Wrath, BKO, Impulse or a used Matrix, Angel or Shocker. Although most people will probably flame me for saying so.

[igota98custom]

Go with the 98 Custom. Cheapest of the three, upgradable, and reliable.

[PaintBaller1818]

Originally posted by Imagine24
Yeah I was going to say something about that, I believe he made a mistake, because Pro Carbine is not a pump. :)

Whoops my bad. Inever knew that. I just assumed because of the weird looking handle. Sorry.

[igota98custom]

Originally posted by PaintBaller1818


Whoops my bad. Inever knew that. I just assumed because of the weird looking handle. Sorry.



Maybe you got it confused with the SL-68 II?

[PaintBaller1818]

Maybe I was pretty sure Tippmann made a pump but I guess I wasn't sure which gun it was.

[TippyClassic]

The Pro/Carbine is an excellent marker. They are durable and rugged as hell, it will never break on you no matter what you do to it. I have had expeirence with a very nice 98 custom, a pro/carbine, and a b2k4. Out of these, i found my pro/carbine to be my favorite. It is very very accurate and that is with the stock barrel. Yes, it is a little bit slow, but im guessing you dont need to shoot 20bps. But it might to your advantage that is is slow, because you said you were low on cash, so if you shoot a lot less balls per game than it will save you hundreds and hundreds of dollars on the long run. Some say that is is not upgradable at all, this is very false. They have just as many upgrades as the other tippmanns, they are just harder to find, but trust me they are there. Also one of my personal favorite things about this gun is that it feels like you are holding a real rifle, and i am guessing you would like that beccause i think you said something about wanting something on the sniper side.

If you do decide on the pro/carbine, you can buy it from me. It in in perfect condition and works flawlessy. I bought this gun as a back up and only used it in 1 game. I am selling it for a very reasonable price so you will be able to buy this for a lot less money than at a store, and it is in the same condition.

[PaintBaller1818]

Originally posted by TippyClassic
The Pro/Carbine is an excellent marker. They are durable and rugged as hell, it will never break on you no matter what you do to it. I have had expeirence with a very nice 98 custom, a pro/carbine, and a b2k4. Out of these, i found my pro/carbine to be my favorite. It is very very accurate and that is with the stock barrel. Yes, it is a little bit slow, but im guessing you dont need to shoot 20bps. But it might to your advantage that is is slow, because you said you were low on cash, so if you shoot a lot less balls per game than it will save you hundreds and hundreds of dollars on the long run. Some say that is is not upgradable at all, this is very false. They have just as many upgrades as the other tippmanns, they are just harder to find, but trust me they are there. Also one of my personal favorite things about this gun is that it feels like you are holding a real rifle, and i am guessing you would like that beccause i think you said something about wanting something on the sniper side.

If you do decide on the pro/carbine, you can buy it from me. It in in perfect condition and works flawlessy. I bought this gun as a back up and only used it in 1 game. I am selling it for a very reasonable price so you will be able to buy this for a lot less money than at a store, and it is in the same condition.

You did a nice job of making it seem like the DMC of the Tippmann world so that he would buy yours:rolleyes:

[igota98custom]

Originally posted by PaintBaller1818


You did a nice job of making it seem like the DMC of the Tippmann world so that he would buy yours:rolleyes:




A guy's gotta' make money somehow :P

[John Sullivan]

98 or a5

i have both and love them.i like my a5 better so i uped it more but it is personal preference.

pro carbs are good dont get me wrong but they are to hard for a noobie to upgrade.

[TippyClassic]

Like he said, i gotta get some money. And what a better way to make money then helping someone else up by hooking them up with an amazing gun and getting some cash out of it? :D

[SuperTrooper_OT]

I would go with the 98 or A5. You CAN get an aftermarket hopper for the A5, and the cyclone is quite good. On another note, i would like to see how many 98 owners get the cyclone when it comes out(if it comes out). The cyclone is reliable at higer speeds. Those who say its not needs to try the hopper first...

[flankandfire]

To be brutally honest with you all...it's not as much that I don't have the money...it's that I'm not willing to spend it.:D My brother says I'm being cheap. It's just that where I live there aren't a lot of fields and I don't want to buy a really expensive marker when I'm not exactly sure just how crazy about the sport I'm going to be. So I figured that I'd buy a very reliable marker that gives moderate firing speed with importance to accuracy. I really like Tippmann markers ability to upgrade so if I get even more serious the gun can grow with me. I am torn between all three models. My brother, which has much more experience than I, is encouraging me to buy the A-5. However he's really immature and the only reason why he likes it is because of the way it looks. Don't get me wrong I practically refuse to buy a gun that isn't attractive, but it isn't the main thing I look for in a gun.

Thanks for all of the help so far.

[Hmmm Donut]

The only tippmann worth buying now is the custom pro.

The A-5 price makes it the worst deal available from tippmann.

[TippmannPhreak]

Just buy the CP or 98c, then get the Cyclone for it when it comes out.

[R.A.T.M._JLD]

Originally posted by PaintBaller1818
but there are less options to upgrade it with(ie. cant get a new hopper).

You can get new hopers http://www.pbreview.com/products/cat/138/ and thers lots of ups for the A-5.

www.opsgear.com
http://www.specialopspaintball.com/

And if you like the tac looking. You might went to look at Armotech/warsensor but I would go with the Tippmann.

[cogs759]

It's all a matter of personal preference...

To me the A-5 and '98 feel the same, so i went with a '98.

Some people really like the A-5 (i have a pair of friends with them.)

Still others prefer the carbine (i have a buddy with one of these, also)

Oh, and new this month.. A custom pro in our midst.. I really like this one. they took the most common things a '98 owner gripes about, and attempted to fix it. If i were you you, i would look into it.

In any case, just try to try out all of them, find which one you feel most comfortable with, and buy that one.

(note: pihranas and spyders are also good guns, but it sounds like you're not into the whole speedball thing. If you are, you might want to check them out too.)

[brod]

The only tippmann worth buying now is the custom pro.

The A-5 price makes it the worst deal available from tippmann.




the dude who typed dat is a f***in retard. he dont no s***. the A-5 kicks a** and fer how good it is u get a f***in awesome deal. dont listen ta dat stupid pot head. i have an A-5.... trust me.

[YoBoneDaddy]

I could see where that guy is coming from. The A-5 and the Pro-E are like the exact same price up here (Canada) and I'd imagine the performance of the E dwarfs that of the A-5. The only reason to invest in the A-5 is the look and the Cyclone Feed. And my buddy's Cyclone feed died on him once already so I don't know if it's as great as everyone says.

[TippmannPhreak]

Originally posted by YoBoneDaddy
I could see where that guy is coming from. The A-5 and the Pro-E are like the exact same price up here (Canada) and I'd imagine the performance of the E dwarfs that of the A-5. The only reason to invest in the A-5 is the look and the Cyclone Feed. And my buddy's Cyclone feed died on him once already so I don't know if it's as great as everyone says.

He probably had one of the older Cyclones.

[YoBoneDaddy]

He got it two years ago so maybe

[Raleigh Allen]

Originally posted by brod
The only tippmann worth buying now is the custom pro.

The A-5 price makes it the worst deal available from tippmann.




the dude who typed dat is a f***in retard. he dont no s***. the A-5 kicks a** and fer how good it is u get a f***in awesome deal. dont listen ta dat stupid pot head. i have an A-5.... trust me.

Someone has a temper. Either get the 98c or the custom pro.The custom pro already has a couple of good ups on it and the 98c is cheap and upgradeable.

[John Sullivan]

Originally posted by brod
The only tippmann worth buying now is the custom pro.

The A-5 price makes it the worst deal available from tippmann.





the dude who typed dat is a f***in retard. he dont no s***. the A-5 kicks a** and fer how good it is u get a f***in awesome deal. dont listen ta dat stupid pot head. i have an A-5.... trust me.


shut up noob