Alpha

[Nightcrawler16]

Whats the best kind of hopper you can get for the Tippmann Alpha Black E-Trigger with the Cyclone Feed System? Oh and a hopper that looks great too. :cool:

[Corrupted355]

Either the X-7 hopper or the Ricochet. That's my opinion, but it's generally regarded that my opinion is correct.

[Curly Fry]

Or, disregard looks completely and pick up and APP 450 round "football" hopper, and lay paint like there is no tomorrow.

Corrupted is highly overrated btw:neener:

[Nightcrawler16]

Alright, I don't think I wanna shoot 30 bps with this gun/marker . Do any of you know what one of those hoppers allows a good view for sightings? the sightings look cool for the Alpha Black =)... Oh, and if I may ask what is a good sightings that will hook on easy for the Alpha Black?

[Curly Fry]

X-7 hopper would be your best bet for clear a clear sight line, any red-dot sight should work well on your alpha.

[Nightcrawler16]

alright very cool, one last question. i noticed the X7 Hopper isn't electric i think, is it none electric because of the cyclone feed system? so it's pointless to have a electric hopper?

[Nightcrawler16]

Alright, thank you for your help guys. I looked up the X7 hopper and I'm good now.

[Corrupted355]

The only thing to consider about the X-7 hopper is how small it is. Most hoppers carry in the neighborhood of 200 rounds, often more. The X-7 hopper only holds about 170. I only find that annoying because when you go to fill it with a pod while you're under fire, you've got to worry about whether there's enough space in there to fit a whole pod.

[Nightcrawler16]

ah okay, I don't think that should be to much of a problem for me though.

[Shadow Wolf1990]

I got the X-7 hopper for my A-5, and also when you start running low on paintballs, the cyclone will sometimes make some of the paintballs jump into the far up part where they made it longer instead of taller, and if you are holding it level, you'll start dry firing and you have to let the balls fall back a sec to get them back into the cyclone feeder. So it works best when its full. If your going for clear sights and stealth, that would be the better bet, but if your gonna go play on the front lines, then I would suggest the Ricohet hopper because I don't really use the sights too much if you suddenly get fired apon, you just get used to making quick "hip shots" and you adjust your aim from there by slightly moving your gun angle.

[Corrupted355]

^^
I never really had that much of a problem with paint running into the nose of the hopper. Most of the time, you're shooting at targets more than a few feet away, so you need to put an arc on the ball to get it there. In order to do that, you put the nose of the gun in the air, which inherently causes the paint stored in the front of the hopper to roll down to where it's needed. Even if you're shooting down hill, a quick rock back of the marker will fix the paint pooling in the nose.

But I agree that the Ricochet is probably the better hopper.

[Nightcrawler16]

Anyone know if this barrel would go on the Alpha black e-trigger with cyclone feed system?
http://www.actionvillage.com/012-191-0006

I like the thing that goes around the barrel to make it look like the m16 is it possible to just unscrew the 11in barrel and put this 16in on it with that m16 thing still on it?
I'm not 100% awere of the terms that paintballers use for it, so I tried my best to describe it. ( I don't have the gun yet I'm considering it though).

[Corrupted355]

You really can't go wrong with a J&J. That Ceramic isn't the best barrel on the market, but you'll be hard pressed to find a better barrel for less cash. And that's prettymuch the story with all of J&J's stuff. It's not the top of the line, but for the money you spend on it, they've got excellent stuff.

[Nightcrawler16]

So what would you recommend? If you could, could you give me a link of the barrel. Thanks =)

[Curly Fry]

J&J is what id go with, quiet, shoots itself clean, accurate with various paint, and is pretty quiet too. Personally, id get the 12 inch.

[Nightcrawler16]

Whats the difference between the 16in and 12in? Price? distance of the paintballs flying?

[Shadow Wolf1990]

You could go with one of the BT apex barrel mods, you can either get a normal one, or one that makes it look like an M-16. The apex barrel works just the same as the flatline, gives it a backspin, except its not as paint pinky, you can turn how much power of a backspin on it from off to full blast, and a lot lighter too. Also a lot cheaper now that the prices have come down. You can get one for about $45 on actionvillage.
http://www.actionvillage.com/012-317-0011

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the alpha takes the same barrels are the tippmann 98c does. If you order one, make sure it says "apex" next to the name of the barrel.

[Corrupted355]

Whats the difference between the 16in and 12in? Price? distance of the paintballs flying?
The difference is in the decibels and the efficiency. A 16 in barrel takes more gas to propel a ball down it's length, but it's going to be quieter than a 12". All other factors are negligible, assuming we're talking about the same model barrel shooting the same paint.

[Nightcrawler16]

I don't think I'm gonna get a Apex (at the time I get my marker). This is my first marker and I'm making lots of plans. So once I get it I may actually just start off using the first barrel you get (11in) and later on I could upgrade it(or decide on something later on).

I do like being quiet so I can flank easier.

[Corrupted355]

With a Tippmann, you're not going to sneak up on anyone if you ever fire a shot. In general, Tippmanns aren't exactly definable as "quiet". You're better off getting a barrel that's short for maneuverability.

[Nightcrawler16]

Ah, okay lol. That could make sence.

[Magmoormaster]

With a Tippmann, you're not going to sneak up on anyone if you ever fire a shot. In general, Tippmanns aren't exactly definable as "quiet". You're better off getting a barrel that's short for maneuverability.
I dissagree; my Tippy is hella quiet. WAY quieter than my Piranhas, almost as quiet as my Trilogy.

[Lenny17]

It may be quiet compared to other blow backs, but it'll still never be quiet. I thought my US-5 was quiet too until I bought an autococker.

[Shadow Wolf1990]

Corrupted is right, in paintball there really isn't a such a thing as shooting quietly. You could make a suppressor, but those are illegal even for a paintball gun. Unless you are playing on like a 60 acre woods and everybody is spread out, then there isn't much advantage anyway. Because somebody else will be close enough to hear a "pfft" sound and most of the time, people don't travel by themselves. I would suggest a 12' or 14' barrel, in most cases they say going over 14' dosen't give any advantages in accuracy or distance. Also like Corrupte said, manuvablity is a key aspect. The longer the barrel the harder it can be to peak around trees, bushes, branches, etc.

Another advice is that don't get too caught up into spending money into upgrades for a game you don't play yet. My friends and I all bought our paintball guns to play with each other. I went cheap and bought all my stuff on ebay either used or on a clearance sell. (Bought my stuff used on ebay so if I ever decided to sell my paintball gun, I could get every penny back, ha) So I spent around $180 total on my gear, my friends bought all of their stuff brand new. They got A-5s, flatlines, stocks, laser pointers (really useless, cant see at all during the day) etc, but the sad fact is that they don't really play that much because of either work or girlfriends and they kinda left me in the dark, so now I play with other random friends at school who have paintball guns too.

[Corrupted355]

I can vouch for that not getting too caught up in the spending money thing. there's always going to be tat next upgrade that you want, but then there's always going to be a better gun that's got all the stuff you want on there anyways. Think carefully before you purchase.

[Nightcrawler16]

Alright lol I'll think about it. in that case I may only need to start up with the first barrel it comes with. (I'm asking bunch on questions on the alpha topic i got going insted of making new topic i jsut ask more about it) what starter co2 tank and remote coil would you guys recommend? I want co2 because it's cheaper and im new to paintball so i dont need hpa yet. if any of you could, could you link me a good remote coil and co2 tank that would go perfect for the alpha black?

[Nightcrawler16]

Anyone?

[Orpackrat]

I've been using a 32* heavy remote line for a while with one of these:

http://www.palmer-pursuit.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=116
(Superior to a slide check)

Trouble free for over a year.

As for the size of Co2 tank, 1oz of Co2 will get you about 50 shots on a 75* day so a 20oz Co2 gives you about 1000 shots. Most people tend to get a 20oz Co2 tank for more shots before refilling the tank.

[Nightcrawler16]

The Cyclone Feed is it worth getting? Because I just read this one thing that said some fields don't allow full auto and isn't that the purpose of the cyclone? Whats the difference between AB e-grip with cyclone to AB with just e-grip?

[Orpackrat]

The Cyclone Feed is it worth getting? Because I just read this one thing that said some fields don't allow full auto and isn't that the purpose of the cyclone? Whats the difference between AB e-grip with cyclone to AB with just e-grip?

The purpose of the cyclone is to force feed paintballs into the chamber to avoid chopping. In stock condition, force feed up to 15BPS, upgraded upwards of 30BPS. I have mine upgraded and it feeds nicely as fast as my 98C can fire with RT, 22BPS.

[Nightcrawler16]

Is it legal to do full auto while playing rec paintball?

[Orpackrat]

Is it legal to do full auto at rec paintball?

Not sure since I play a lot of outlaw. There are some fields that I go too and all of them allow us to use our RT's and E-Grips. Those fields allow us to use full auto but to use common sense.

[Nightcrawler16]

So the Cyclone basicly makes you able to shoot faster without the electric hoppers? and E-grip makes you shoot Burst,and full auto?

[Lenny17]

The big thing I like about the cyclone is that it eliminates 'shake and shoot' without needing batteries. If you have an RT or E-grip, you're going to need a good hopper to keep up with it, a high rate of fire is useless if your hopper can't feed paint fast enough. And even at lower rates of fire (I typically reach 6 bps, tops) it allows you to fire consistently.

Granted, the no batteries thing isn't as big a deal if you have an e-grip. But if you are shooting a mech gun (with or without the RT) and are looking for a loader that will keep it that way, the cyclone is your only real option.

As for full auto in recball, that depends on the field. My local field is semi-auto only. But even with semi-auto only, a good hopper is still a good investment.

[Nightcrawler16]

Would Scenario paintball allow you to use full auto? I just don't see the difference between full auto 20 bps and semi auto of 20 bps (Like the auto cockers) thats just annoying .

[Lenny17]

A lot of that depends on the locations. I think the real difference comes in the insurance, I think some places don't allow full auto because of the ability to just hold down the trigger and lay paint. I guess the theory is that if you have to pull the trigger each time, you are someone making a decision, rather than letting the gun make the decision to shoot. I don't know for certain though, just a half-baked theory.

And anyone that tells you they are reaching 20 bps on semi-auto is flat out lying to you. Semi-auto is straight forward, one trigger pull equals one shot. No ramping, no computer assists, or anything like that. I think most people top out around 12-15 bps, and that's with the mouse-click electros.

[Orpackrat]

Would Scenario paintball allow you to use full auto? I just don't see the difference between full auto 20 bps and semi auto of 20 bps (Like the auto cockers) thats just annoying .

All I play is scenario and full auto is allowed. My full auto is really semi with air assisted firing though. Full auto in reality is constant firing with 1 trigger pull.

[Nightcrawler16]

OK, I am wanting to get a AB but I don't wanna get a really awesome gun and have the employees at the field tell me I can't use it. So the Cyclone seems necessary if I have the E-grip.

[Lenny17]

I would check with your local fields then. Orpackrat's local field might allow full auto, but I know mine doesn't. Granted, it doesn't mean they won't let you bring the marker in, you just aren't supposed to use the full auto on it. They might require that you tourney lock it.

[Nightcrawler16]

What does Tourney lock mean?

[Lenny17]

It's just a way to lock an electronic gun into a certain mode. It usually involves some sort of tool, or removing the grips, so that the user can't change the setting in mid game. I don't know for certain, but I think most electros have it built in.

[Nightcrawler16]

Ah okay, thats kind of annoying lol. Ah well, anyways thanks for all your help guys. =)

[Lenny17]

No problem.

Looked some stuff up for you - thought this might be helpful. From the AB manual:

"Because the E-Trigger board requires a tool to turn it on and off, no tournament lock is necessary for competition paintball"

[Corrupted355]

Tournament locks were designed for speedball. The idea being that you can't just push a button and change the firing mode, rate of fire, or anything that'd give you an advantage over someone following the rules. Because in the various types of speedball, there are very specific rules on what kinds of firing modes you can use, and how fast you're allowed to shoot.

I rarely come across a woods field that has limitations on what kind of firing mode you use. Most of them just don't care as long as you're shooting under 300 fps. Occasionally, you'll come across a woods field that has ROF limitations, but those are usually for large scenario games, and the limitation is usually 15 bps, which is perfectly reasonable unless you're from Oregon.

[Orpackrat]

which is perfectly reasonable unless you're from Oregon.

Are you saying that all of us from Oregon are unreasonable :confused:.

[Nightcrawler16]

Oh okay well that helps a lot. So is the Cyclone a recommended upgrade? I don't have any experence with paintball stuff since I don't have a gun yet but I'm determining if I should get the cyclone. (And I'm determining very hard because I don't wanna have a nice upgrade and not use it.)

Please excuse me if I've asked the same thing.

[Orpackrat]

Oh okay well that helps a lot. So is the Cyclone a recommended upgrade? I don't have any experence with paintball stuff since I don't have a gun yet but I'm determining if I should get the cyclone. (And I'm determining very hard because I don't wanna have a nice upgrade and not use it.)

Please excuse me if I've asked the same thing.

Ever since I got the cyclone for my 98C, I love it, don't know why I used any other hopper. If your going to use a higher rate of fire, be sure to get a Tech-T Vortex Ratchet to increase the performance and extend the life.

[Corrupted355]

Are you saying that all of us from Oregon are unreasonable :confused:.
Not everyone. Just you.

Oh okay well that helps a lot. So is the Cyclone a recommended upgrade? I don't have any experence with paintball stuff since I don't have a gun yet but I'm determining if I should get the cyclone. (And I'm determining very hard because I don't wanna have a nice upgrade and not use it.)

Please excuse me if I've asked the same thing.
Yes, it's a highly recommended upgrade for a Tippmann. It takes away the huge hassle from everything. Trust me, I moved away from Tippmanns, and the hopper is now one of my primary concerns. The cyclone is just a load off the user's mind.

[Orpackrat]

Not everyone. Just you.


Does that have anything to do with how I oil and grease my equipment?


Yes, it's a highly recommended upgrade for a Tippmann. It takes away the huge hassle from everything. Trust me, I moved away from Tippmanns, and the hopper is now one of my primary concerns. The cyclone is just a load off the user's mind.

And so many different configurations. Low profile hoppers, standard hoppers, Tac Caps, 330 round hoppers, 450 round hoppers, off-set hoppers, custom built hoppers, etc.

[Corrupted355]

Does that have anything to do with how I oil and grease my equipment?
I was actually basing it on the fact that you actually like that pistol, but yeah, that works too.


And so many different configurations. Low profile hoppers, standard hoppers, Tac Caps, 330 round hoppers, 450 round hoppers, off-set hoppers, custom built hoppers, etc.
But that's nothing compared to trying to decide whether you want agitated, force feed, semi-force feed, what kind of lid you want, then you've got to decide how much you want to spend, what kinda performance level you want to use, whether the shape is going to throw the balance off, what kinda batteries you're partial to, and how reliable your final loading system will be.

[Orpackrat]

I was actually basing it on the fact that you actually like that pistol, but yeah, that works too.


I'm sure I'm not the only person that likes that pistol and I'm sure their in States other then Oregon :laugh:.


But that's nothing compared to trying to decide whether you want agitated, force feed, semi-force feed, what kind of lid you want, then you've got to decide how much you want to spend, what kinda performance level you want to use, whether the shape is going to throw the balance off, what kinda batteries you're partial to, and how reliable your final loading system will be.

Force feed = The Best

Mechanical = The Best

No Batteries = The Best (with the exception of the Rip Clip)

Ability to accept different paintball hoppers cheaply while using the same Force Feed System = The Best

In my opinion.

[Corrupted355]

That list I compiled was for those of us that need to use something other than a Cyclone. I dunno about you, but I've never seen one on a G3, and the only one I've ever seen on a Cocker was the one that Lenny bolted on.

[Orpackrat]

That list I compiled was for those of us that need to use something other than a Cyclone. I dunno about you, but I've never seen one on a G3, and the only one I've ever seen on a Cocker was the one that Lenny bolted on.

How about the Rip Clip? With slight modding it can fit any gun.

[Lenny17]

I thought the Rip Clip was only good for right feed markers, and generally only fit markers that could use a cyclone. (Actually, the BT webpage says it is 'designed exclusively for the BT-4 and M98 markers'). And the Rip Clip does use batteries, one strike against it in my book. Although that mounting for the Rip Clip might have been what I needed for my cyclone project - it looks like it uses the top rail rather than needing me to dremel and build a custom hinge. Oh well. :\

As for why I bothered to strap a cyclone to my cocker...

First, no batteries.

Second, I love the mechanism of it. It's a one shot/one feed loader. It doesn't apply pressure waiting for a paintball to be needed. It doesn't require sensors or eyes to tell it to load. It is hooked up directly to the firing cycle, and loads a single paintball when it is needed. The only other loader I know of that did this is the old Intellifeed loaders. With the way it is hooked to my cocker, it drops a single paintball into the breech right as the bolt is open. It's quite nice, and eliminates a lot of the risk of chopping or double feeding.

Third, it's unique. It's the only fully mechanical high-end marker out there that I know of.

[Corrupted355]

... the old Intellifeed loaders...
Are you talking about where AGD figured out that you can wire a Revvy to your grip? Even those weren't as straight forward as the Cyclone. All those did was tell the Revvy when to agitate according to when you pull the trigger. Compared to the way the Cyclone places each ball in the breech individually, the Intellifeed loaders were crude.

My Warp feed, on the other hand, turns once for each shot. It's not as direct an involvement as the Cyclone because it pushes on the ball stack rather than each ball that's to be loaded, but the principal is the same.

[Curly Fry]

strap a cyclone to my cocker...


Pics?

The intellifeed has come a long way since back when you saw a Mag that wasn't sealed behind plexiglass. RF chips have pretty much eliminated chops completely, sending a signal to the loader to feed before the bolt is even in motion, its pretty much the best way to prevent chops, but it has batteries, so the cyclone still sits at the top.

Corrupted got a G3? Jeez, and i thought hell was still hot.

[Lenny17]

Here are pics, and a short video: http://www.pbreview.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4226107&postcount=27

I've rebuilt the linkage with something that is a lot stronger, but don't have pictures of that yet. All I need to do is chrono it and it is good to go!

[Nightcrawler16]

Okay, anyways, I know I asked a question sorta like this but. I don't think I wanna get the cyclone at this time and was wandering if I can still use the X7 Low Profile hopper without the cyclone? If I can't, what hopper would you think would be decent for the alpha black?

[Nightcrawler16]

Not meaning to keep making a bunch of posts but I forgot to mention this.

I am also not gonna be at this time just shooting out paint like there is no tomorrow.

[Corrupted355]

The feedneck on the X-7 hopper is about two inches across. You'd have to tape a funnel to the bottom on order to use it without a Cyclone.

Any decent agitated hopper will do. I use a Reloader II quite successfully. IMO, Reloader II > Revolution.

Also, the "edit" button is your friend.

[Nightcrawler16]

Oh OK, thanks.

Yeah I forgot the edit lol.