Smart parts

[anarchyintheua]

I've noticed that all of the smart parts guns have gone down in price, could they be going out of business.

[TiPpYsGaLoRe]

No. Not even close.

[Minkus962]

No. Not even close.

[Lopez17]

Doubtful. More than likely they're dropping prices as a result of settled litigation and to price competitors out of the market.

[spydadude]

Doubtful. More than likely they're dropping prices as a result of settled litigation and to price competitors out of the market.
SP Mission Status: Accomplished.

They seriously put it out of competition. For that price, it's pretty much unbeatable.

[iplaynaked]

Know how many teams are sponsored by SP? That lone is evidence enough to show they're alive and kicking much ***.

[CountyPaintball]

Smart Parts is one of the few companies that had a nice profit this year. For most paintball businesses, 2005 was a bad year. SP was up, along with Redz and probably only a couple others.

[th3man]

extremely low prices are the reason smart parts is pummeling everyone else...Go to your local field and tell me how many kids with brand new ions you found.

[smrtprts]

They are coming out with anyother gun soon. 2007 Ion. It has a new ASA, barrel, reg and feedneck. Im not sure if this is true but I was told this by a freind? can anyone verify?

[Lopez17]

Somewhat. I know some of the people that offered up some advice/suggestions after the initial release of ions. I know of at least one case where the production line was shut down soon after the first batches came out after an issue with the ASA's was discovered by the same people.

I don't know how "soon" a release would be for a next gen marker though. SP does most of their work in house. They use in house labor, machines, and uses lots of domestic parts. Their ability to do things in bulk and in house (in a relatively inexpensive labor market in Latrobe with a lower cost of living than other metro areas) enables them to save some $$.

[spydadude]

I doubt that there'll be much of a change.

I think that when I bought my gun, the owner of the shop said, "The only real difference for the Ion this year is in the Ion Pro. It dosen't have a Twister highrise, it has a Q-Lock lowrise."

Lopez, do you know if the body on the Ion this year is the composite or just regular plastic? I've heard conflicting info.

[United Idiots]

and to price competitors out of the market.

Including the people in the BST forums...

[Zofarr]

SP Mission Status: Accomplished.

They seriously put it out of competition. For that price, it's pretty much unbeatable.



QFT.

Dead Competition> Alive Competition

[Lopez17]

I doubt that there'll be much of a change.

I think that when I bought my gun, the owner of the shop said, "The only real difference for the Ion this year is in the Ion Pro. It dosen't have a Twister highrise, it has a Q-Lock lowrise."

Lopez, do you know if the body on the Ion this year is the composite or just regular plastic? I've heard conflicting info.

My understanding is that it's not plastic and that it's made from a composite so it's not molded utilizing standard plastic injection molding where you have issues with air. That's why it's more pliable. I'm not 100% sure if it's still done this way. Let me ask a buddy of mine later in the week he's been up to their shop on several occasions and will know for sure. I'm 90% sure that it's still composite just for the fact that an injeciton molded plastic body would be prone to cracking and breaking (ala Halo Shells or Revvy's) due to the air that mixes in there causing the brittleness. That being said, I don't think it's the same material as the composite used in a DMC but it's close.

My $.02 is that the Ion bodies are pretty darn sturdy for what they do. People knock them for the "plastic" feel but they protect the internals, don't crack and serve their purpose well. There are now several aftermarket metal bodies which makes the Ions even more appealing. For what you get, they're a great marker. They're still at the low end of EP markers, but bridged a significant gap in the cost range and capabilities of markers.

[spydadude]

Thanks. While I was at my shop, my dad tapped on the gun and said, "Is this plastic?" I said, "No, it's composite, actually." Then the owner said, "Well, actually, it is plastic. They found it to be more cost effective to just make them plastic and sell the other colors seperately."

[GranDream]

I wonder how much refurbed Ions will cost. They could all but phase out blowbacks.

[Dansport4600]

Smart Parts and Tippmann Pneumetics are the only smart companies.

[Crede777]

Other than Planet Eclipse which owns everyone.

Seriously, they are the kindest guys you will meet in the business. I know I know they're still out for a profit first and foremost. But seriously, when they don't have an Ego in the color you want at a tournament vending site, they'll ship it to you, or go to the factory and get one if it's in the UK.

[United Idiots]

Other than Planet Eclipse which owns everyone.

Seriously, they are the kindest guys you will meet in the business. I know I know they're still out for a profit first and foremost. But seriously, when they don't have an Ego in the color you want at a tournament vending site, they'll ship it to you, or go to the factory and get one if it's in the UK.

Didn't all the PE people send the guy whose dad burnt the shed with his gear in it a knew Ego to replace the damaged one?

[..SilentAngel..]

Didn't all the PE people send the guy whose dad burnt the shed with his gear in it a knew Ego to replace the damaged one?

Yep, it was green with red parts, since it was Christmas time.

[iplaynaked]

Other than Planet Eclipse which owns everyone.

Seriously, they are the kindest guys you will meet in the business. I know I know they're still out for a profit first and foremost. But seriously, when they don't have an Ego in the color you want at a tournament vending site, they'll ship it to you, or go to the factory and get one if it's in the UK.
PE will always be first in my mind for customer service and support. They sent a tech to a local (well biggest circuit in new england, but definatly not national sized or anything). The first game my ego was having problems, I went over to the booth, and he put in a new noid, eyes and tune up for nothing. I was on the field for the second game with the ego shooting like a dream :tup: