Getting a friend into paintball

[black_angus1]

I've been trying to get my friend out of airsoft and into paintball for a couple months now. Finally, I convinced him to buy a painball gun. Only problem is that he wants to get the new VS1 for $150.00. I'm sure it would be fine, its just that I think he should get the Pilot ACS either new for about $100.00, or refurb for around $85.00.
I guess the only real difference between the two is that the VS1 has eyes instead of the acs, and that the Pilot has more firing modes. So I guess my question is, exactly how much better is eyes than the ACS bolt? Is it worth the extra money?
My other question is if it would be safe to go with a brand new model or if it would be better to go with the model thats been around a while.

[xXBloodLustACXx]

Does he have HPA? Because VS2 is way better than VS1 for like 30 dollars more. If not, then meh... the VS1 is probably nicer and eyes are way better than any ACS bolt, but it's alsoa whole lot more than the Pilot.

[JChan819]

Definitely the VS2 if he's got HPA.

As stated by Blood, the VS1 will be better, IMO, because of the eyes. It's an updated version of the Pilot, really.

[black_angus1]

no hpa, lets not even talk about that...as far as this thread is concerened, hpa doesn't exist.
but anyway, im not talking about if the vs1 is better, im sure it is. but im wondering if its worth the extra money, and how much better eyes are compared to acs.

[babustos]

I really don't think so, you could get a refurbished Pilot and a T-board with eyes for the same price as the VS1, and the Pilot would blow out the VS1 anyday. I would have to suggest either a mechanical Spyder or EVO SE as a first gun, mechanical Spyders are too easy to work with and lets anybody know the basics of guns. If you wanted to pass that up, you could go with the EVO SE. Its better than both the VS1 and Pilot, the price is in between the two, its got eyes, a nice regulator, and is LP.

[METALLICAT]

Ill have to agree with Babustos on this one. Spyder Mech. markers are a great way to get used to the maintaince of markers, and they wont break on you. But if he had the choice of getting the Pilot of the Vs1 I would say the Pilot.
Figureing, that hell prolly spend over 200 bucks after buying the Vs1 once he gets more into the sport, buying an HPA tank and a better hopper and what not. Hes better off getting the less expensive Pilot, and upgradeing to the cost of the Vs1 saving alot of money.

[xXBloodLustACXx]

I agree with Babustos to an extent, because even thought the Pilot is cheap and you technically could get a T-board and eyes, not too many people are willing to do the eye install themselves. In that case i think it's worth it to just get the gun with eyes already, but if you are confident that you could put eyes in.. it would be a hassle, but yeah technically more worth it.

I like his suggestion about the EVO though, there's one with eyes and a Detonator reg that could be pretty sweet. There are a few guns around that price with eyes, so there are options. In fact, won't Wraths work pretty well on co2? You could get an AR-1, which is basically a Wrath, for like $130.

[protofreak]

i have helid and shoot a vs1 and id rather have a dam mech over it its slow like an imagine it can barely reach 9 bps who needs eyes when its that slow

[misfit0022]

A VS1 is a pilot, a pilot ACS is just an upped VS1 w/ a new name, get him a VS2 or a Refurbished Ion for 160, its as good as a new one.

[JChan819]

^^^^
It's actually the other way around. The VS1 is an upped version of the Pilot because it has eyes, not an ACS.

[babustos]

I agree with Babustos to an extent, because even thought the Pilot is cheap and you technically could get a T-board and eyes, not too many people are willing to do the eye install themselves. In that case i think it's worth it to just get the gun with eyes already, but if you are confident that you could put eyes in.. it would be a hassle, but yeah technically more worth it.

I wasn't really suggesting he actually does get a refurbished Pilot with a T-board, I'm just saying its a better route to go than a VS-1.

The best guns to get would be:
1. EVO SE with T-board for $120 (check eBay)
2. Refurbished Pilot with T-board for $150ish after everything
3. VS-1 for $150

And ironically it goes from best to worst, lowest to highest price.

[black_angus1]

hmm...does the Evo SE require hpa? no marker that requires hpa will be any use to us.
how much better is eyes compared to acs?

[JChan819]

The Evo should be fine with CO2. It's just that it'll run better with HPA, as would any marker.

Eyes are so much better than ACS, IMO. It doesn't have as much blowback, doesn't uncock when you're about to chop, and is more reliable.

[babustos]

The Evo should be fine with CO2. It's just that it'll run better with HPA, as would any marker.

Eyes are so much better than ACS, IMO. It doesn't have as much blowback, doesn't uncock when you're about to chop, and is more reliable.

QFT.

[shanosalami]

eyes are much better, the eyes for the extra cash is worth it, its really a pain in the bum to chop balls and the eyes will prevent that, anyway the extra firirng dont really matter, i have a vs3 that goes on two modes semi or 3 burst and ive never even though of having it on 3 burst during a match u dont need extra modes but you do need eyes