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pbReview.com / Smart Parts Ion XE / Smart Parts Ion XE / Smart Parts Ion XE / Smart Parts Ion XE
Smart Parts Ion XE Reviews
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Number of Reviews: |
16 |
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Average Rating: |
8.8 / 10 |
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Manufacturer Website: |
Click here |
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Suggested Retail Price: |
$225 |
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The embodiment of affordable firepower. Ion changed the paintball paradigm by being the first marker to deliver true electropneumatic performance in the casual paintball player's price range. With multiple firing modes, an aggressive rate of fire, and break beam Vision anti-chop system, the Ion XE continues the Ion tradition of tournament level performance at a low price. The best feature of the new ION XE is the Bolt out Back design. This new design allows even a novice player to clean the bolt in seconds.
Smart Parts Ion XE Features:
Bolt-Out-Back design makes this Ion easier to maintain than ever before. One allen wrench is all that is needed to remove the bolt sleeve, bolt and bolt stop from the rear of the marker, providing complete access to the entire bolt and valve assembly in seconds.
Weight (marker only): 1 lb. 15 oz.
Length (w/out barrel): 8.5 in.
Operating Pressure: 180psi
Gas Source: HPA or CO2
Anti-Chop System: Break Beam VisionTrigger Pivot: Stainless steel pin
Ball Detent: Dual rubber style
Semi auto, rebound, 3 round burst (10bps max), full auto, (10bps max)
Max Rate of fire: 17bps (higher with Blackheart board)
Field legal mode lockRuns on one 9 volt battery
Standard ASA includedIon one piece 14 inch barrel
Feedneck: Low profile friction grip vertical / NXT thread
Aluminum / polymer grip frame/body
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| Product Availability | |
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| The Smart Parts Ion XE is newer, so it should be commonly available, both new and used. Check out the Places to Buy links below for places to purchase it new. |
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| Places to Buy | |
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Fideru |
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Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| Only tested | 8 of 13 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
2 years |
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Similar
Products Used: |
Tippmann 98c
Spyder Xtra/Pilot
Smart Parts Ion/Ion Max'd/Ion Xe |
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| Marker Setup: |
In-between markers at the current moment. |
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Recommended
Upgrades: |
Feedneck would be good.
Barrel isn't too much of a priority.
ASA (I HATE duckbills). |
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| Strengths: |
Cheap
B(olt)-O(ut)-B(ack)
Weight |
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| Weaknesses: |
Trigger Sway
Got a Lemon
Duckbill!!!!!11111111
Feedneck
Power Button |
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| Review: |
Well, I guess I played with a Lemon because of what happened.
Basically, got to shoot approximately a hopper. After I refilled, the gun was loosing velocity. Called the Proshop, and didn't help at all. Brought it in, and they took a look at it. He said it was the velocity, so he aired it up, took a shot, turned the velocity up, took a shot, turned the velocity up, took a shot, than turned it up all the way and blew out the regulator. Got it sent into Smart Parts to get a new regulator, and it came back, not shooting well still. Now it either shoots at approximately 290-300 or not at all.
Other than that, I noticed the feedneck is horrible. Adjustible my ass.
Trigger still sways a bit from left to right.
The duckbill ASA has my hatred on all levels.
The power button is still a bit annoying to use.
On the good side though, it is cheap, pretty light weight, and has Bolt Out Back which allows for great, easy maintenence. |
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| Conclusion: |
Obviously, with my experience, I would not recommend. It also seems that there were a bad bunch of Ion XE's, seems like I've got one of them. So don't really take my review too much, but, what happened to me, can happen to you as well. |
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| Rating: |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| Less than a month | 6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
More than 5 years |
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Similar
Products Used: |
*Pump
*Spyders
*Autocockers
*1st Generation Angel's
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| Marker Setup: |
**~Murdered Out Ion XE~**
-Black Ion (stock internals & barrel)
-Halo B with Rip Drive & Z-Code
-Dye Sticky 3 Grips (black)
-Shocktech Lowrise Clamping Feedneck (black)
-Shocktech #2 Drop Forward (black)
-Shocktech On/Off ASA (black)
-Shocktech Rolling Trigger V2 (black)
-Virtue EZ On (black)
**Soon To Be Added**
-Dye 14" Boomstick (black)
-Shocktech Inline Regulator (black)
-Shocktech Superfly Bolt (black)
-Shocktech S.S.C Body Kit (black)
-Shocktech Halo B Rip Drive Knob (black)
-Virtue Board
-Virtue Eyes |
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Recommended
Upgrades: |
Honestly, the only necessary upgrade needed is a clamping feedneck. The stock one doesn't accommodate the larger loaders (Halo) even after the 2 large O-rings have been removed. ANY clamping feedneck is fine, they are all adjustable. Brand is up to your preference. Once I saved some money, the second upgrade was the trigger. The stock one sways side to side. The shape is W, I prefer an S shape, easier for higher rates of fire. After that upgrade, I replaced the traditional duckbill ASA with a 1.5" dropforward w/ on & off. Any other upgrades can come along, this sport is expensive as it is. |
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| Strengths: |
*Price
*Maintenance/Internals
*Parts/Upgrades
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| Weaknesses: |
Stock Parts (barrel, trigger, feedneck and ASA) |
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| Review: |
***THE GOOD***
$$$Price$$$
-you can usually find this at local shops for about $225. Not bad at all considering electro-pneumatic markers were an average of $900 back in the day.
EZ Maintenance
-clean up is a cinch with the B.O.B (bolt-out-back) design. 1 allen key is all that is needed to remove the bolt.
Parts
-with the popularity of the SP Ion XE continually growing, many after-market upgrades are available. Heck, you could build a complete custom Ion from the ground up, that's how much stuff there is for it.
Internals
-with the new spool valve tech, the guts in the marker are simplified. It is efficient operating at an average psi of 180-190. For those who enjoy doing their own repairs, there is nothing intimidating inside. Simple hoses and fittings. There are MANY tutorials on how to make any adjustments to better suit you.
***THE BAD***
Complaints!
-the stock barrel, trigger, feedneck and ASA suck!
But to be fair.....
If Smart Parts were to include all of those upgrades, then the price of the Ion wouldn't be $225!
I've played paintball for many years. I've seen markers come and go. This is definitely one that will stay. It is affordable, efficient, durable and VERY customizable. There is no need to drop $700 right off the bat to get something sweet. Only a minor upgrade (feedneck) is needed when first purchased. Other parts can be upgraded later.
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| Conclusion: |
If you are on a budget but want a high end electro marker, then this is a perfect choice for you. I'm rating it a STRONG 9 because the body could've used a little bit more styling. |
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| Rating: |
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McEd |
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Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| 6 months | 6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
3 years |
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Similar
Products Used: |
regular ion (almost the same just a tad heavier) |
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| Marker Setup: |
SP ION XE
dye throttle hp 70/45 w/ olive rhino cover
VLocity jr.
techt l7 bold
smart parts q-lock |
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Recommended
Upgrades: |
new clamping feedneck
on/off asa
maybe a drop? |
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| Strengths: |
Bolt out back
Weight
Price
Reliability
Gas efficiency |
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| Weaknesses: |
Not enough pictures in manual (lol)
feed neck
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| Review: |
========
The good
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Efficiency: This gun has great efficiency i never have to fill up after a heavy game (with a 70/45) but i do go and top it off
Speed: is great 17 balls per second? who needs more than that?
Weight: this gun is lighter than most lower, high end guns i've used
Kick: this gun had a bit of kick with the stock bolt, but nothing to ruin your experiance. Also i have recently installed a techt l7 bolt and i get better efficiency and no kick.
Reliability: This gun has never failed me yet, though there were some frustrating times i got through them but they weren't on the field
Price: I got mine for $200 on sale and it was well worth it, i would have paid much more for this gun if i had
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The bad
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Feed neck: the stock feed neck is pretty crummy , in my opinion, it is ok until you break a feed neck oring. the feed neck should be one of the first upgrades u get
macro line: the stock macro line is kinda annoying by causing leaks and then you need to move it around by the fittings to get it to stop, i believe this is caused by the diameter being a bit smaller than regular macro line. btw this IS NOT a major issue |
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| Conclusion: |
I recommend this for all players beginning or advanced. if you have any questions or comments post a comment... or pm me thanks. also if you could, plz pm me (or post a comment) so i can fix any problems before you post a dispute. |
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| Rating: |
| 10 out of 10 | Last edited on Wednesday, May 28th, 2008 at 5:16 pm PST |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| Less than a month | 5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
4 years |
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Similar
Products Used: |
old ion, spider pilot |
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| Marker Setup: |
mostly stock but will get a jj edge barrel kit soon |
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Recommended
Upgrades: |
asa
barrel, but not a bad stock barrel |
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| Strengths: |
Very Quiet
Light
Fast
No Kick at all
Bolt Out Back |
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| Weaknesses: |
None
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| Review: |
This gun is an excelllent choice for a begginer/ intermediate player. The Bolt-Out-Back design is amazing and takes very little time to clean. The gun is so quiet and has absolutely no kick. And my friend even commented on how there is no kick. The stock asa isn't terrible but it isn't that great either, and it is really hard to get the tank out since it isn't an on/off. The stock barrel is actually ok. It also is a fast gun at 17 bps. It has 3main features over the old ion 1) it has the Bolt-Out-Back 2) it operates at 180 psi instead of 850 3) it has a better feed neck its not the best but it does the job. And in my opinion the ion xe is the one of the best if not the best gun for the price. |
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| Conclusion: |
I give it a 10 out of 10 because it is high quality for a low price. |
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| Rating: |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| 3 months | 4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
1 year |
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Similar
Products Used: |
SP Ion - Xe is better simply because of BOB |
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| Marker Setup: |
Ion XE W/
NDZ QEV
Critical Trigger
L7 v2
14 inch freak ss back, black AA tip
48/3000 pure energy
Halo w/ Rip and V35
Flex 8 |
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Recommended
Upgrades: |
Drop forward
Critical Trigger (personal preferance)
Freak Barrel (stock is alright)
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| Strengths: |
See review |
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| Weaknesses: |
See review |
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| Review: |
STRENGTHS
Price - I paid $200 for my Ion Xe (on sale) regular price is $225ish
Weight - only 1 pound 15 oz
Size - 8.5" w/o barrel and roughly 20" w/ barrel
Efficiency - I play indoor, the FPS being under 250 the opperating pressure is about 110 PSI (may be off, I've heard sp gauges are usually a little off) With using a 48 3000 tank I don't need to worry about refilling much (will get my tank filled and update on how many shots/tank I got) Also very little kick at this pressure
Break Beam Vision - it works beautifully. only breaks I had were 2 or 3 barrel breaks (really crappy and old paint)
BOB - BOB as I like to call it or the Bolt Out Back system, I love it. Takes literally 30 seconds to unscrew the back cap, take the bolt out, clean and put it all back together again
Feedneck - better than the ion feedneck (it is actually the Epiphany feedneck and NXT threaded) very snug fit with an evo and halo after lubing the O-rings in the feed neck
Barrel - not bad but not great it does the job fairly well for the price of the gun
WEAKNESS
Trigger - side-to-side movement, not very smooth trigger pull
Drop forward - the drop is the same as the original ion's and personaly I don't like how it pushes your air tank back further than most
Design - I think SP could have done a much better job in designing the Ion xe, it looks exactly the same, not too big of a deal but it would have been nice if they had givin the ion a bit of a new look.
Troubles - I believe I just got a bad egg, coussin bought the same marker same day I bought mine, hes had No issues at all.
1. I bought my Ion xe before the guys at badlands (paintball proshop) could test the gun out. I picked mine up and brought it home to find out that 2 of the grip screw weren't even in correctly and someone had almost made new holes in my frame trying to put them in (put the screws in the right way and no issues everything is good)
2. I did not have this before but when I got my gun back I now have a leak, a very small leak but none the less, a lead. All the fitings are tight. I am going to borrow my friends stock bolt to see if its possibly the O-rings on my bolt, (O-rings on my bolt look like they are slightly damaged). Will update later on
I really think I got a bad egg here
UPDATE
The leak is gone, shot baout 500 balls through while playing and haven't heard a leak since
Just for all you haters of Ions because people upgrade the sh!t out of them or you think they are bad guns or what ever.
the ion is perfect for someone whos on a budget starting off in paintball, then can save money and buy upgrades for there gun later on to make able to compete with guns that are better then a stock Ion. Also perfect for someone who wants to try and make a truely unique marker, I think Ions are now the most customizable markers available now. |
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| Conclusion: |
Great all around marker for any beginer - intermidiate player
When upgraded I believe this can be equal to maybe even better then some top end markers. don't believe me take a look
search Youtube - type in "fastest ion" look for - Fastest Ion - UFC equiptment
Yes that is an Ion
he is still tweaking the settings and apparently gotten it to fire even faster since that video.
Overall great marker for the price and how upgradible/customizible
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| Rating: |
| 8 out of 10 | Last edited on Thursday, February 21st, 2008 at 2:14 pm PST |
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Golden |
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Wednesday, December 26th, 2007 |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| Less than a month | 3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
6 months |
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Similar
Products Used: |
Spyder Xtra- first gun, ION XE is way better no doubt. |
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| Marker Setup: |
ION XE black.
48/3000 Pure Energy Tank.
Evolution 3 Hopper.
Dye i3 Pro Blue. |
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Recommended
Upgrades: |
trigger if you dont like the side-to-side sway
barrel (stock is decent) |
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| Strengths: |
Cheap
Light
Fairly fast (17 bps)
bolt out back is really easy to clean. |
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| Weaknesses: |
Trigger still sways
Feedneck is still crappy
Power button still hard to use
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| Review: |
This is my first electronic gun and I can say I am very pleased. It feels good in your hands and is fairly light. It shoots fast enough at 17 bps which is all you need I think. Also, it has a output pressure gauge on the gun which is useful. Some people say it looks like plastic, BUT it is not plastic, it actually feels somewhat rubbery. My only issues with this gun is that the trigger does sway a bit and it can be hard to walk it at a fast pace for a long period of time due to this. Also, they still haven't implemented a way to change firing modes without taking off the trigger frame, which is a hassle. All in all, this is a great buy and good for an novice paintball player who wants a cheap decent performing electronic gun. |
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| Conclusion: |
I recommend this gun fully to anyone who is interested in a cheap light electropneumotic (sp?) marker. |
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| Rating: |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| Less than a month | 2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
4 years |
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Similar
Products Used: |
Spyder Xtra
PMR |
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| Marker Setup: |
Pmr
Velocity Hopper
Freak Barrel |
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Recommended
Upgrades: |
TRIGGER...
Maybe Barrel(stock is ok) |
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| Strengths: |
Cheap.
Out the back bolt.. |
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| Weaknesses: |
The stock trigger.. thats about it.. |
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| Review: |
Great gun for beginners... its capped at 17bps so that is pretty good for the begginers.
Mostly same as the ion but a little bit faster and out the back bolt which makes it very easy to clean..
Also i think the feed neck is a little better but i would recommend a clamping feed neck...
GREAT GUN ALL AROUND.. |
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| Conclusion: |
Great gun for the price
Don't pass up the great deal.. |
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| Rating: |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| 6 months | 2 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
1 year |
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Similar
Products Used: |
spyder tlr
dont get unless you just started |
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| Marker Setup: |
clamp feedneck
empire hopper
new triger
blackheart board
freak jr |
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Recommended
Upgrades: |
CLAMP FEEDNECK!!!!!!! Get this or you will be pessed when your hopper falls off |
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| Strengths: |
Quality, accuracy, quiet, consistent, easily upgraded, bob is great. |
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| Weaknesses: |
Some stock. Definetly upgrade the trigger eventually |
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| Review: |
This is an awsome gun for everyone. it is cheap and easily upgraded. if you want to save money and get great quality get this gun. if you want to be pro get a dye dm something of one of the marq series. this gun will last you for so long. makesure your hopper can go atleast 20 bps because the new trigger will help and you should get a blackheart board to make it go faster |
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| Conclusion: |
GET IT!! i doubt many of you play intense tournaments so get it do nt waste money on a crazy gun because you want to brag. i hate people that do that and i light them up cause they piss me off. |
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| Rating: |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| Less than a month | 1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
2 years |
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Similar
Products Used: |
tippman model 98 and it does not compare to the ion xe |
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| Marker Setup: |
ion xe stock and evo hopper |
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Recommended
Upgrades: |
feedneck |
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| Strengths: |
Accuracy is good bps is great!!!!! |
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| Weaknesses: |
Feedneck |
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| Review: |
Tippmann guns are nothing like this one the more I shoot it the more I am glad I got it. It works great no problems its vey hard to get the hopper on. Stock runs good all you need is a feedneck. It came up to all my expectations and i hope for yours too!!!!!!!!! |
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| Conclusion: |
It is good for all players bps for tournaments ez cleaning for begginers |
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| Rating: |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| 3 months | 1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
2 years |
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Similar
Products Used: |
Tippmanns-no comparison. totally different |
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| Marker Setup: |
Smart Parts Ion XE
Empire Hopper
Pure Energy 4500 psi compressed air |
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Recommended
Upgrades: |
Better Barrel. Maybe a virtue board |
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| Strengths: |
Fast
Cheap
Small
Light
Quiet
Accurate
Very Easy to maintain |
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| Weaknesses: |
Picky about paint
Power Button
Didn't come with a good wrench |
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| Review: |
The ion XE is awesome. It is just like a regular ion but with the new bolt out back system which is awesome and makes it extremely easy to clean. I can take it apart, clean it, and put it back together in 30 seconds. It shoots really fast right out of the box (17 bps) and can hold its own against any other gun. The ion XE is a very compact gun and feels good in my hand. It is a very quiet gun and extremely accurate too. The only main problem with the ion is that its very picky on what kind of paint it will shoot. It will shoot most paint fine and usually never chops because of the eyes but it just will not shoot certain types of paint. I bought some pretty expensive midnight paint and balls broke almost every time i pulled the trigger. The power button is also a problem. Its just like the old ion and hard to push down. The bolt out back system is great but you have to have a pretty big allen wrench to actually use it and it didn't come with one. |
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| Conclusion: |
I reccomend the ion XE to anybody because it is very affordable, shoots fast, and the new bolt out back system. |
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| Rating: |
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| Places to Buy | |
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