Inexpensive
all metal frame (FV version)
Spyder compatible
comfortable grip
Weaknesses:
Finish isn't that great
A lot of trigger travel
Review:
Purchased this marker as a loaner/backup. Immediately set it up with an ACI expansion chamber, Shocktech long drop, and a PHAT on/off ASA.
The finish isn't that great. There's some flaws in the anodizing around the welds at the power feed and some flaws in the finish on the trigger frame at the press pins.
The curved grip makes it more comfortable to hold than your average Spyder. The trigger position is a bit far forward and has a lot of unnecessary fore and aft travel. I modded it with a piece of a nail inside the trigger return spring and a 4mm set screw tapped into the trigger itself. It reduced the trigger travel to less than half of what it was and moved the trigger position rearward a bit. It's now much easier to shoot it fast.
With the drop forward and a 16 ounce CO2 bottle it tucks in nicely and shoots comfortably.
The stock barrel is decent, not great, but decent.
Conclusion:
As low price mechanical markers go... the Paradox is better than/equal to anything else available. Most Spyder upgrades will bolt right to it so there are many options available for customization.
I give it an 8 for good value and decent performance. It lost two points for the poor finish and overly long trigger travel.
Paradox FV- 6 Stage Expansion Chamber with steel braided line kit, J&J 16in Ceramic Barrel
Paradox FV- 6 Stage Expansion Chamber with steel braided line kit, Smart Parts 14 inch Progressive
Recommended Upgrades:
Expansion Chamber and Barrel
Strengths:
Durability (all metal), Accuracy, Easy to Clean- very few moving parts, Price!!
Weaknesses:
None with the upgrades listed above.
Review:
Excellent Gun! One of paintball's best kept secret, simply because most ballers haven't heard about the Paradox line as they do not use all the fancy advertising that most other companies do, nor do they have the name recognition like Tippmann's, instead they focus on providing an exceptionally well rounded marker for a very cheap price.
Conclusion:
If you are just getting started then this is an excellent beginner gun simply because of its very good price and with the two simple recommended upgrades you will have spent about $150 on a marker that is built to last and will rival your buddy's high dollar junk (that has too many things to go wrong with it). If your looking for simplicity, durability, accuracy, and cheapness...you will find it in the Paradox FV!
Rating:
10 out of 10
Last edited on Sunday, April 4th, 2004 at 11:46 am PST
spyder (friends)
mirage
stingray II
talon
tippman 98 and the a5
eradicator
Marker Setup:
this marker. it has a sight rail attached, i got a sight rail offset for it. it had a volumizer on it when i bought it. 200 or a 45 round hopper. ive got a 3x15 scope on it, yes with a clean barrel and not shooting fast its that accurate! i run with a coil and a 16oz tank.
Recommended Upgrades:
volumizer
sight rail and sight rail offset
coil scope!
Strengths:
Never chops.
Accurate.
Works in cold weather.
Easy to clean.
Weaknesses:
Its got a bit of a long tigger pull.
Review:
I bought this gun, and it had a volumizer on it. I run a remote, and I had no cold weather problems at 38 degs today!
Get a scope and a rail offset. i had a 5inch shot group at about 50'. Great woodsball sniper marker, this has to be the best gun Ive used!
Conclusion:
I would recommend this to any one who plays woods ball, speed ballers don't need the accuracy , just the RPS. Its easy to use for the beginner, no problem's with it so far at about 8 months. Its very easy to clean for some one who hasn't done so before and it goes back together just as easy. Nice grip and its easy to aim. If you need a new gun to upgrade to, buy this gun. Find some one who sells them. i got it "used" looks new to me. and there are no problems for $55 from the local field, new elec. ones were $79 ish so I got a good price.
Rating:
10 out of 10
Last edited on Sunday, January 8th, 2006 at 3:11 pm PST
u need a longer barrels for the first thing because the barrel that comes on it sucks big time
Strengths:
Cheap
Durible
Light
Does not jam alot
Weaknesses:
Hard to clean
Hard to up grade
Looks like a spider
Review:
Well this is my gun that i use and i hate to talk down on it but it is not the best gun i could think of but for a beginer i think it would do just fine.Also it does not cost that much so it would be good for a beginer that did not have a hole hell of money to spend.
Conclusion:
Well i think it is a good gun but it does not come with a hole lot of a barrel
Rating:
9 out of 10
Last edited on Monday, January 3rd, 2005 at 4:25 pm PST
Expansion chamber/volumizer if you like rapid fire, a longer barrel if you like to "longball"
Strengths:
Price and durability, very few moving parts
Weaknesses:
long trigger pull, velocity drops inrapid fire
Review:
This is an excellent beginner marker, easy to operate and maintain, very few moving parts. It is solid and well built. The stock barrel is a little short, so shooting long distance is a challenge. I' am definitely adding an expansion chamber--in rapid fire velocity tends to drop after the third shot--so accuracy suffers. The stock barrel is a little loud, and tends to scare people when you shoot them up close, especially when they don't see it coming. Anyway, a good marker overall.
Conclusion:
If you are looking for a solid entry level marker, this is the one. If you want a full auto angel--this aint it.
I have a paradox with just an air through grip, and my co2 tanks have anti-syphon tubes.
Recommended Upgrades:
gas through grip
Strengths:
it has some pretty good accuracy. Good on gas.
Weaknesses:
no e grip.
Review:
I bought this gun and it has shot great out of the box. I'm able to shot people with just one shot, so i dont need an e grip. The metal trigger frame holds up great Ive beet the crap out of mine and it still dont miss a beat.
Conclusion:
this is a great gun for people with low cash flow and are just begining. Also make sure to get a gas though grip and replace the plastic lines with steel braid.
I used it in bone stock configuration
My son now uses it in a vertical bottle configuration
Recommended Upgrades:
As a back-up, none
As a primary shooter, I recommend a new barrel
Strengths:
Is extremely reliable. It will work when you want it to and is a super beginner gun to teach younger players the basics of marker maintenance and upkeep. Also, it's very inexpensive.
Weaknesses:
I haven't had a single problem with mine yet.
I really don't like the wierd thread pattern on the fittings on the hose.
Conclusion:
I bought mine while it was still marketed as the Diablo Paradox, but it's the same marker. I am very pleased with it. I give it a nine though because of the wierd sizing on the hose's threads.
Inferno, JT Xcellerator, tippman 98, latest move to Impulse.
Marker Setup:
Gas thru grip, drop forward, 12v revvy, 14" teardrop
Recommended Upgrades:
12v revvy, Gas thru grip - not sure the drop forward helps, barrel depends on paint
Strengths:
A cheap gun, works well if kept clean/lubed and care is given to selecting paint that fits in your barrel. My mate has a better looking and more expensive excellerator, and it seems he is using my paradox (my backup) more than me! If you want a gun that works like an inferno but looks a little different with options to upgrade then i would reccomend this marker. This gun can fire fast if used with a good hopper. The stubby barrel this comes with is great if you like getting up close! A reliable marker.
Weaknesses:
Although this gun is supposed to be compatible with all spyder parts, several parts (like the grip) are not fully compatible (had some trouble fitting my drop forward from eclipse). The trigger postition is further forward than i would like but you soon get used to it. It occasionally beaks paint but any gun will if not used right :-)
Conclusion:
A good starter/site marker with a little individuality thrown in. Works well, good on gas, has a good rate of fire, mechanical so electrics won't go down on you. In all honesty I reccomend this marker for beginners . It can be a little loud and gives quite a kick for a paintball marker - up to you whether this is a good or bad point :-)
Custom autococker: Advance Concept body, JT 14in two piece barrel, WGP black magic regulator, orracle tickler, orracle 3 way, STO ram, WGP hinge frame w/ flame trigger, WGP cocking rod, WGP delrin bolt, dye mini drop w/ 3a on|off ASA, Eclipse valve, PMI 68 45 compress air tank, and egg II.
Recommended Upgrades:
Expansion chamber, delrin bolt, new asa, new barrel, and definitely a electronic frame.
Strengths:
Co2 friendly, light, easy to field strip, and has lots of upgrades.
Weaknesses:
Quality. Does not come with expansion chamger. sets screws aren't locked.
Review:
The Paradox paintball marker was the first marker that I have ever owned. The marker is a typical spyder clone marker, it's perfect for starters to use since it's plain an simple to use. The paradox does not come with a expansion chamber which is a major problem. With a 20 oz Co2 tank, i was along able to get about 500 shots out of the marker, which is a huge bus kill since I had to get my tank refill one after another. The velocity was simple to adjust since there was a knob that can be adjust by hand. However, the quality of the marker will not last. After about 3 months of usage, the set screws that hold the frame on the body begins to loosen. Causing the trigger frame to become unsteady and eventually fall out of place. The tapeing inside of the screw set has wasted and i couldn't do anything about unless going to a shop to retape another set screw hole. A new bolt is a must because the stock one is very heavy.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Paradox marker is a great marker for starters. It's a typical spyder clone for a cheaper price.
Paradox w/ CO2 expansion chamber and remote bottle feed
Recommended Upgrades:
Barrel
Strengths:
Price, ease to clean
Weaknesses:
Low aftermarket
Review:
Great gun!! Total beginner marker, but it still allows you to dominate long after. Good shooters don't need thousand dollar guns when they can shoot paint with skill. I upgraded the expansion chamber since that was the only mod available. The ball detent disappeared after a game and it was awhile for the local stores to come up with a new one. Lock-tite it immediately. All in all a great marker.
