Still thinking about paintball

[WillBrayJr]

I have all Winter to buy my gear. I'm still going with Tippmann products as I'm a woodsball kind of guy. I've also decided to order my gear one piece at a time at Tippmann Parts. The only problem is I don't like the paint they sell.

[drunkenMonkey]

then order from somewhere else. there are plenty of online stores, with a good reputation, that sell paint.

[WillBrayJr]

It seems that Karnage Tear paint is high quality stuff so I'll be getting all of my gear at Tippmann Parts.

What I'm looking at:

Tippmnn 98C Ultra Basic
View Loader Hopper
Pure Energy 16oz bottle
Pro Team Teflon treatment
Tippmann Sports Gun Case
Tech-T Grease
Karnage Tear paintballs
Scott Vectra Mask
Tippmann Jersey

[Slinky17]

Go w/ a better mask. You should never, never skimp on the mask. It's as important as the gun. Even a JT Radar is better than a Scott mask. Scott may make good goggles for other sports, but I've had horrible fogging experiences w/ their masks. Also, just go w/ a 20 oz. tank. It's like a buck or two more and there really isn't a noticable difference in size or weight.

[WillBrayJr]

The mask I already have from my airsofting days. I'll think about getting the larger tank.

[Milky Spore]

DON'T USE A AIRSOFT MASK FOR PAINTBALL, EVER!

Get a better mask, something that's comfy and won't fog up.

[iliveforthis99]

Except for the grease everything else is either so so or just blah. The 98 isn't so bad but don't just get stuff b/c you like tippmann, there's better and cheaper things out now. I understand that you like woodsball but when you pay $120 for a bone stock 98 you could save and get a more woodsy looking mr1 for $89. And for $140 you can get the mr2 and a slight edge on ROF and have the ACS bolt. I'll probably get yelled at by tippy lovers but keep in mind i have a 98 myself. I'm just going on from my experience w/ it, i'm sorry but when it comes to tippys these days i have to throw other options out.

[WillBrayJr]

I'm still on a budget you know. Don' get me wrong I appreciate your opinions. The mask is actually a paintball mask.

[Milky Spore]

I'm still on a budget you know. Don' get me wrong I appreciate your opinions. The mask is actually a paintball mask.

Erm, then a MR-1 would be a better choice since it's much cheaper and they both perform the same pretty much.

[WillBrayJr]

That desn't mean that I goin with what you recommend.

[TheSoSoHomonym]

That desn't mean that I goin with what you recommend.

If I may ask, why make this thread then?

Anywho, if you intend to buy solely from tippmann get yourself a good ole sturdy 98 and then start buying whatever paint and playing with it. Your brand loyalty makes it kindof hard to do much else, although I will suggest an aftermarket barrel like a CP 1 piece, it'll make a huge difference to any tippmann.

[Lopez17]

This really isn't the right forum for gear discussion. Moved to Tippman.

[cclaxattack1]

Dont make a thread about advice for equipment if your not gonna listen to the peoples advice. If your gonna get a tippy get an A-5.

And seriously the scott mask might say its a paintball mask but its really not.
The mask is the most important peice of equipment. Dint flake out and buy a cheapo one.

Scott Mask = the monster Balls of goggle systems.

[CQB.Wardog]

Even a JT Radar is better than a Scott mask. Scott may make good goggles for other sports, but I've had horrible fogging experiences w/ their masks.

Scott Mask = the monster Balls of goggle systems.

I've got a Scott mask I've been using for years. I almost had to retire it because I couldn't find any replacement lenses. Lucky for me, there's e-bay. I've never had fogging problems with my Scott mask, but it's also a dead system now. Unless you hoard lenses, you can't even get them anymore.

But for Will, what parts ya looking at getting? You might be better off getting a a package deal from an online store and get all your stuff shipped at once.

[WillBrayJr]

As of right now I'm thinking about getting my gear from ANS. I don't like the confusing checkout at Tippmann Parts.

Here's what I'm looking at now:

Tippmann 98C ACT
Starter Package #2
Proto backpack
Proto Olive Jersey
Proto Olive Gloves
Smart Parts Grease
Marballizer paint-green fill

I'm definately getting a Tippmann marker. The rest of the gear okay?

[Slinky17]

Well then you definitely get a Tippmann marker (I'd do the same as you, not that I hate Spyders, I just don't like the looks of the MR's). ANSgear is an excellent site. Only thing is I'm not too hot on green fill. Harder to see on camo and olive drab.

[sxcockerman]

look on actionvillage.com they have just about everything you need. honestly i would look at going with an a5. or at least if you do get a 98c get a cyclone to go with it. also there are several mods you can do for a 98c to decrease your trigger pull considerably, making it easy to obtain rates of fire like 10-12 balls per second mech. so if that is an issue just look up the mods. there on pbreview somewhere.

[WillBrayJr]

I plan on playing woodsball. All of the equipment I've chosen is geared towards keeping me concealed. I'll look into the Cyclone hopper system.

[TheSoSoHomonym]

You really won't need it, the cyclone is one of those upgrades which really isn't worth it. An aftermarket barrel would be cheaper and yield much better results. Besides, if you're just getting a mechanical 98 it's not like you're going to be running through pods.

[WillBrayJr]

That's very true. I chose green Marballizers so they blend in.

[rridgeway]

i don't quite understand why you want them to blend in....

since you are buying from ANS you should consider getting that really cheap HPA tank if you have a place near you to fill it. it would make a big difference for you if you are playing during the winter time. i'd also suggest buying a new barrel, the stock tippmann barrels aren't very good.

honestly though, your list sounds fine for a rec baller. you don't need to go all out or anything to have fun every now and then.

[CQB.Wardog]

Tippmann 98C ACT
Starter Package #2
Proto backpack
Proto Olive Jersey
Proto Olive Gloves
Smart Parts Grease
Marballizer paint-green fill

I'm definately getting a Tippmann marker. The rest of the gear okay?
Perfectly fine. But I would hold off on buying the paint if you're not going to be playing. If it sits too long it'll go bad on ya. And by bad I mean the fill will separate and it won't fly straight.

[WillBrayJr]

I understand about the paint going bad so that will be the last item I buy on my list.

[Rob AKA GUNN3R]

you want the paint to blend in?

am i the only one who sees an iissue here?

you should try to find pink or yellow fill so that when ur plinkin off rounds at someone you know if they are breaking

and a tippy is one of the better guns for woodsball , MRs are also good, but i like having the bigger hopper with my a-5...als oa cyclone is FAR from worthless. the biggest bonus is that you don't have to rely on gravity or a tiny hole

[WillBrayJr]

The paint is bright green.

[pbmike1888]

seems like ur trying to hard to be a good woodsballer. theres plenty of good companies that make part for tippmanns, and you'll find yourself saving a whole ton of money if you buy stuff from non manufacturers.

i play woodsball with camo pants, a black ion, a red t shirt, and a shiny empire hopper and a good part of the day im owning the woodsball field.

[iliveforthis99]

I'd honestly stick w/ CO2 if you get a tippy they're made to work on that stuff. And also unless you have an on/off they're a pain to take off.

[WillBrayJr]

I'd honestly stick w/
CO2 if you get a tippy they're made to work on that stuff. And also unless you have an on/off they're a pain to take off.

You mean an on/off valve? If so then I'm going to add that to my list.

[CQB.Wardog]

you want the paint to blend in?

am i the only one who sees an iissue here?
Old saying. "Tracers work both ways." Meaning that you can see your rounds going out, but the opfor can see them coming in too. If yer an OSOK kinda guy, it shouldn't matter as your first shot takes 'em. But for the rest of us mortals, it might take 3-4 to do the trick. And if they duck after the first one, any advantage is good. And there's been a lotta times when I can see my opfor's paint flying at me.

Some people it's a big deal. I just use whatever the field sells me and deal.

[iliveforthis99]

on/off asa, and that's only if you get HPA. You don't need it for CO2 right away but it does save o-rings.

[Corrupted355]

After about two games, you're gonna want nothing to do with that starter kit mask. I recommend something from Empire. I've got a set of Vents that I like better than my Profilers.

[WillBrayJr]

Alright I'll look into Empire masks.

[Corrupted355]

Alright I'll look into Empire masks.
Their dual pane anti-fog lenses are among the best I've come across. Down here in south Florida, it gets to 95* and 85% humidity, and I've NEVER had a lens fog. Sweat drip in my eye, but not an iota of fog.

On a completely unrelated note, it is a sad day when you've had to go through so much math in school that you read the word "fog" as "the function 'f' composed with function 'g', or F of G." Damn you, college education. You robbed me of my imagination AND my sanity.

[WillBrayJr]

Their dual pane anti-fog lenses are among the best I've come across. Down here in south Florida, it gets to 95* and 85% humidity, and I've NEVER had a lens fog. Sweat drip in my eye, but not an iota of fog.

On a completely unrelated note, it is a sad day when you've had to go through so much math in school that you read the word "fog" as "the function 'f' composed with function 'g', or F of G." Damn you, college education. You robbed me of my imagination AND my sanity.

And on the expensive side too. Good thing Winter is coming up and there's no rush to get the gear together.

[Corrupted355]

Maybe so, but you won't need to buy another mask for a couple seasons. They are pretty common, so they should be at your local proshop. See if they'll let you try on a pair. I've got a friend with a big nose who says they are "just okay, not great". The only downside I've had with them is you get a fair amount of echo when you talk.

[Rob AKA GUNN3R]

ah, bright green-that makes a difference

and...

Their dual pane anti-fog lenses are among the best I've come across. Down here in south Florida, it gets to 95* and 85% humidity, and I've NEVER had a lens fog. Sweat drip in my eye, but not an iota of fog.

On a completely unrelated note, it is a sad day when you've had to go through so much math in school that you read the word "fog" as "the function 'f' composed with function 'g', or F of G." Damn you, college education. You robbed me of my imagination AND my sanity.

say what! functions are in college math!?! whiskey tango foxtrot am i doin em in 11th grade for then?!?!?! (has a supreme dislike of pre calc)

[WillBrayJr]

Back on topic please guys.

[Corrupted355]

has a supreme dislike of pre calc
Wait till you get to Calc III or Thermodynamics. Those are fun. :banghead:

[Coenen]

Like the others have said on the CO2 tank go for a 20oz, unless the 16 ouncer is a stubby, in which case I'd say that you'd do well to stick with it. It'll cost you a few shots per fill, but it'll keep the marker a bit shorter and more manageable. Tippmanns have a bad habit of getting long and sort of unwieldy after you add a longer barrel and tank.

Also on the mask front look into the V-force Profiler, it's still one of the best goggle systems on the market and since they're not the new, hot thing anymore the price of a set has fallen. Another V-force mask worth looking into would be the Morph, which was V-force's top of the line before the Profiler, and now the Grillz came along. I was pretty impressed with it, to the point where I was sitting there going "why isn't this thing a whole lot more popular."

[WillBrayJr]

I pla on sticking with the stock barrel. I'll check out those masks too.

I checked out the V-Force masks at ANS Gear. As much as I love the color blue I would have to go green to help me blend into the background.

[chezhed493]

The package is good except for the mask. After both reffing and playing in rain and super-humid heat with my Profilers, I now regret not buying a set of E-Vents, the dual pane lenses really make a difference.

Wait till you get to Calc III or Thermodynamics. Those are fun. :banghead:

I can't even imagine having those. My AP classes make me feel like a moron already.

[WillBrayJr]

I chose the V-Force Profiler SE in green to add to my list. That mask is expensive at $60 but I'm sure they're worth it.

[pbmike1888]

dont stick with stock barrel. its bad. spend like 50 bucks and get a decent one. i got a j&j edge kit for 75....works brilliantly.

my mask was 95. id love it if it was only 60 bucks. lol

[WillBrayJr]

Sorry but I'm sticking with the stock barrel. When it's all said and done I'll have about $400 wrapped up in paintball. Anymore and my case workers will have a fit. You see I'm on SSI and I only get $623 a month. Out of that I have to pay rent and bills. I have to buy groceries and medication. I go through that $623 like it's nothing. I'll learn how to make do with the stock barrel.

[Lenny17]

If price is such a big issue that you can't buy a barrel, I would drop the jersey, gloves and backpack. A barrel is a much better investment. My J&J kit was under $100, and worth every penny. Clothing should be the last thing you buy, especially as a recreational woodsballer. Jeans and an olive long sleeve shirt have served me quite well, and at my local field it is what most people come to play in.

[CQB.Wardog]

And on the expensive side too. Good thing Winter is coming up and there's no rush to get the gear together.
Do you have $15 eyeballs or $150 eyeballs?

Spend the money to keep your eyes in perfect condition. JT makes a good goggle too in the Spectras. You might look into those as a not-so-expensive option for high end goggles.

[Corrupted355]

Absolutely. In order of importance, your money should be dedicated first to safety, then to equipment, and finally to apparel. So make sure you've got a decent mask first, then go for gun and equipment upgrades. Jerseys and such should be at the bottom of your list. Even your footwear should be a bigger concern than your jersey.

[WillBrayJr]

Guys, I'm not playing until Spring '08. I'm going to buy all of the gear first. Paintballs are last on my list.

[CQB.Wardog]

I was just thinking about this, if you're looking for a set of woods camo, ebay. Do a quick search on "BDU set" and look for something in your size. $20, pants / jacket, $5-$10 shipping, done.

[WillBrayJr]

Thanks for the information but I don't do E-Bay except every once and while.

[iliveforthis99]

I pla on sticking with the stock barrel.

Ok i think you need to rethink your entire setup plan here. If you're that limited on funds that you can't get a new barrel then you're in trouble. The tippmanns stock barrel is nothing short of horrendous, you'd have better accuracy using a slingshot to shoot paint. I'd really consider buying used and forgetting the jersey and stuff and just get what you can used and buy a nice mask.

[WillBrayJr]

That's why I'm buying a teflon barrel treatment solution.

[iliveforthis99]

No just no. Everything about the stock barrel sucks, you can't fix it unless you melt it down and forge a new barrel.

[WillBrayJr]

I'll see how the stock barrel works first. If it sucks then I will buy a new barrel.

[iliveforthis99]

It'll suck.

[WillBrayJr]

We shall see!!!

[Lenny17]

The reason stock barrels on Tippys and spiders suck so bad is because they are too large. The manufacturer makes them large bored so that you can use just about any paintball without worrying about barrel breaks. The downside of this is that your accuracy and efficiency suffer, and they suffer a lot. If the bore is too large, the paintball has the ability to wiggle and bounce around inside the barrel. This will add spin, and usually cause your paintballs to inconsistently hook. It also kills your efficiency, because too much air can escape around the paintball. So you end up having to crank your velocity up to give the paintball enough air to reach 280fps.

I bought my first paintball gun, and was disappointed with it until I added a new barrel.

[WillBrayJr]

As long as I hit what I'm aiming at I'll be happy. The marker isn't required to be pin point accurate.

[Lenny17]

That's just it. With a stock barrel, you won't reliably hit what you are aiming at. I'm not talking about a paintball veering 12 inches away from your point of aim, I am talking 12 feet. You end up slinging 50 paintballs on the theory that one will go in the right spot. And nothing is more frustrating than lining up the perfect shot on some unsuspecting player, only to have him duck out of the way because your shot swerves 6 feet in front of him and he sees it.

[Corrupted355]

... It also kills your efficiency, because too much air can escape around the paintball. So you end up having to crank your velocity up to give the paintball enough air to reach 280fps...
This is true for Spyders, but not Tippmanns. Spyders use spring pressure to vary velocity. So if you want more velocity, you use more pressure, which in turn uses more air.

Tippmann spring pressure remains constant. They use a turbulence screw to slow down the acceleration of the air out of the valve. The more the screw is in the way, the slower the air comes out of the valve. The amount of air that comes out of the valve is the same every time.

[WillBrayJr]

Let me rephrase it. As long as I hit what I'm pointing at I'll be happy. I really don't want the marker to be longer than it already is. Markers are like firearms in a way. The accuracy isn't the same on all stock Tippmanns, so we'll see.

[Lenny17]

This is true for Spyders, but not Tippmanns. Spyders use spring pressure to vary velocity. So if you want more velocity, you use more pressure, which in turn uses more air.

Tippmann spring pressure remains constant. They use a turbulence screw to slow down the acceleration of the air out of the valve. The more the screw is in the way, the slower the air comes out of the valve. The amount of air that comes out of the valve is the same every time.

My bad, I should have known that. The only way to use less air on a Tippy is to use a secondary adjustable regulator, which is pretty expensive, or with an RVA (which I use), which is nice but not necessary, and definitely not stock.

And to the OP - new barrels aren't necessarily longer. A lot of people replace their stock barrel with a 12" or 14" barrel (or those silly 20" barrels), but it doesn't have to be that way. I use the 10" front on my US-5, and I've considered buying an 8" front because I find the 10" to be too long sometimes.

[pbmike1888]

will...no offense but ur being really picky and stubborn here. ur talking to people who have had tippmanns before and we all know for a fact the stock barrel is bad. ur not gonna luck out and get a good one. it doesnt happen.

mask is number one most important piece of equipment. dont spend all ur cash trying to blend in cuz most people dont know how to use their camo effectively. i can almost garruntee most of the people ull play with will spot you in a heartbeat 9 times out of 10 camo or not.

go with a good setup first. the best defense if a good offense. if you cant hit what ur shooting at, or cant see what ur shooting at. all the camo in the world aint gonna do a thing for ya.

[CQB.Wardog]

Let me rephrase it. As long as I hit what I'm pointing at I'll be happy. I really don't want the marker to be longer than it already is. Markers are like firearms in a way. The accuracy isn't the same on all stock Tippmanns, so we'll see.
recomendation then. Get your gear together, find an indoor place over the winter, and try it out. Then if the barrel is good, leave it. If not, a replacement can be as cheap as $20 to $100 if you go over the top.

You never know, you might get the "one barrel to rule them all".

[iliveforthis99]

Let me rephrase it. As long as I hit what I'm pointing at I'll be happy. I really don't want the marker to be longer than it already is. Markers are like firearms in a way. The accuracy isn't the same on all stock Tippmanns, so we'll see. Ok now please listen. You're obviously quite new to paintball (or at least to tippys) so to do yourself some good stop acting like you know better then us. If you've ever used a 98's stock barrel during a game you would know that they are really really bad. Lenny nailed it on his explanation on why they are. Now you can still hit people w/ it but you'll end up using more paint which in turn could help your opponent in giving them more time to nail you. There might that ONE magic tippy that has the God barrel, but of all the ones i've seen i haven't seen it yet. While it's true one 98 (or any other gun) might not be as accurate as another one the difference is hardly even considering. One of them might be a tad more consistent or have a little bit better paint to bore match the difference will not be "OMG mine is so much better!"

[bvdave]

a- is a nic egun as you have now heard a million times over, however if yoru staying mech, a 98 is better for your money because the cyclone is useless under 6 bps. 98 is an awsome marker, and has a nicer feel to it (based on preferance anyways) and the money you save can go to other upgrades, dont get me wrong I use my a-5 10 times more then my 98 but its all about preferance.

also i love teh 16oz tank, i wont touch a 20 myself, i love the stubby shorter 16oz, i used to use a 12 but I prefer the 16 now that ive been using for some time, more shots and not as bulky as a 20oz, and if you use a stock it wont get in the way as much. 20 is just too big IMO id buy a 16 even if it cost more

you def want better goggles tho, vforce makes awsome stuff, id suggest them every time, if you want cheep get teh armor, very low cost. if you wanna go higher end get shield or profiler.

[Rob AKA GUNN3R]

i use the vforce vantage(foamless) I like it bc i never get hit directly...its always a gallon of splatter and with this mask you can take a garden hose to it and it will be good as new...and no foam means it wont be irritating you for an hour while it dries

and a stock barrel is fine if you plan on being inside a building or in urban combat (which is what i do but u said ur into woodsball) I HIGHLY recommend getting a better barrel and mask, and these guys know their stuff. so dont make a post and then say ur not going to listen to them, or that what they say isnt what u want to hear.

[-Viper-]

Yea, pretty much what everyone else said. I used the Scott mask for awhile and it worked, but it fogged... badly. So I traded in some markers for some Grey/Smoke Dye i3's with Smoke (black) lenses and LOVE THEM. Even though when playing in the woods near the end of the day you can't see as well as with some clear lenses. But the i3's with smoke lenses are intimidating. I see n00bs staring at them with that scared face, and I just stare back, but they can't see my eyes. It's funny. Never fog... ever, but they take a special process to clean them. But that's alright.

What I recommend for a good day playing.
-Mech. 98
-Revvy if needed
-Any HPA tank
-Barrel kit, even a cheaper one
-Nice mask *cough Dye i3's cough*

[OtisN89]

You probably shouldn't harass the guy for not listening to you, because really, who the **** are you. The forums are meant to give advice, I'm sure the guy has other sources for advice that might be more reliable than a few strangers on the net. Personally, If I was on a budget and trying to decide if an after market barrel was worth the price I wouldn't listen to the guy who is "*A proud Only Child and SPOILED BRAT*" No offense Rob, but you gotta know who your sources are.