98c, x-chamber or HPA?

[dued711]

I'm currently running my 98c on CO2, and was thinking about getting HPA. I've heard that 98s are meant to run on CO2 and are less effective with HPA. Should I just get an x-chamber instead? btw, I don't know if this makes a diff, but I'm getting an E-grip soon, so higher ROF might make a difference.

[splatface]

98C's work fine on HPA. And, with an egrip, it may be better, because being that Co2 is liquid, it gets cold fast, and can leak into your gun. HPA is more consistent (velocity; it doesn't jump from 270fps-290-250.), cleaner (being that its just air), and is better in colder weather. If you get HPA, (and if you have the money) get a carbon fiber tank, they are much lighter and you get more shots out of them, though they are more expensive.

[Corrupted355]

Like splat said, there's no problem running a 98 with HPA. It won't be any more or less efficient unless you have a problem with CO2 freezing.

However, to get the same number of shots, you'll need a HPA tank that's larger than a comparative CO2 tank. For example: a 20 oz CO2 tank is generally considered to be about equal to a 68/45 HPA tank. The 68/45 tank is physically larger than a 20 oz bottle. Don't let this fool you into thinking that your marker is less efficient with HPA.

[ems]

i have a 98 and i always use my 24oz co2 tank and one day i shot a case of paint but the week after that i used HPA tank and didnt have to fill the tank up more than once(unlike my co2 tank) and it shot the same number of paintballs that that the co2 tank shot that but with less refills so it is a better choice.

[splatface]

However, to get the same number of shots, you'll need a HPA tank that's larger than a comparative CO2 tank. For example: a 20 oz CO2 tank is generally considered to be about equal to a 68/45 HPA tank. The 68/45 tank is physically larger than a 20 oz bottle. Don't let this fool you into thinking that your marker is less efficient with HPA.

Yeah, but since CO2 tanks are only pressurized to 800-1000 psi, the velocity decreases gradually as it empties. And this is incredibly annoying when you have a clear shot at someone, but they get away because your gun is shooting at about only 180 fps.

Plus, HPA tanks have gauges, so you know when to get a fill.

[Corrupted355]

Yeah, but since CO2 tanks are only pressurized to 800-1000 psi, the velocity decreases gradually as it empties. And this is incredibly annoying when you have a clear shot at someone, but they get away because your gun is shooting at about only 180 fps.

Plus, HPA tanks have gauges, so you know when to get a fill.

A CO2 tank at the same temperature should not vary it's output pressure more than 50 psi from when it's full to when it's empty. As long as there is liquid in the tank, the gas in the tank will remain the same pressure, assuming the same temperature. The vapor pressure does not change.

If you're experiencing drop off, then you've got another problem, because the CO2 recharge rate is basically instantaneous.

[splatface]

In that case, I have had very bad luck with CO2.

[Lenny17]

I dunno, saying CO2s recharge rate is nearly instantaneous is a bit misleading, because it's pressure does depend on temperature, and as CO2 evaporates it cools down. So it might maintain full pressure, but exactly what full pressure is will drop if you fire fast.

As for an empty tank having low pressure, that is also a matter of the cooling effect. A full 20oz CO2 tank has a lot of liquid in it to dissipate that coldness, where an empty tank does not.

[Corrupted355]

I keep forgetting that the rest of the country has to deal with the cold. It's always hot down here, even when it's cool. Down here, you've got to worry more about spikes from the heat than you do about the tank cooling off and loosing pressure.