The Tippmann Alpha Black Tippman E-Trigger 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.
speedball:
spyder pilot 09 w/ eye , VL eyeforce, 20oz CO2, camo dual lens JT mask, camo 4+1 pack
woodsball:
tippmann alpha black tactical, 16'' rifled barrel with M4 R.I.S shroud, remote feed, 20oz CO2, cyclone feed, x7 hopper, fore grip w/ built in bi-pod, JT camo dual lens mask, camo 4+1 pack, underbrush 3D camo suit
Recommended Upgrades:
Cyclone Feed, longer barrel, and a different board
Strengths:
Barrel
Accurate
Clamping feedneck
Mil-sim
Tool storage mag
Price
Reliable
Consistant
CAR stock
Weaknesses:
Board
Weight
Magazine
Barrel
Review:
This marker is probably the cheapest Mil-Sim gun on the market. It is very accurate even with the 11'' barrel. The barrel is not ported at all unlike the cheaper 98c which has porting in the middle of the barrel. As a result the barrel is extremely loud. The barrel is also about two or three times as thick as the 98c's barrel. It weighs alot more than the 16'' barrel I have on it now. The CAR stock has six positions. I like the stalk alot. It is plastic, and I am beginning to have a few problems with it. The plastic magazine carries your tools. The strip of thin plastic where the mag folds open is starting to tear. The mag is also becoming increasingly loose every time I play. Besides this plasic pieces, the gun itself is very durable, just as you would expect from a tippmann. I have never chopped a ball, to this day with this gun. I have dropped it in mud, and continued playing without cleaning it.
I do, however, HATE the board!!! Three round burst works OK, but I cannot stand the safety auto. you must pull the trigger four times within one second then hold it for auto. It is rather annoying, and about 30% of the time you attempt it you will won't have enough concentration to count the trigger pulls during combat.
Conclusion:
Overall, I love this gun, especially with all of the upgrades I put on it. I recommend it to both beginners, and serious woodsball players
US Army Alpha Black Tactical w/ E-Grip
14 inch CP One Piece Barrel (Black w/ 98c Threading)
View-Loader Eye-Force Hopper
Pure Energy 48ci/3000psi High Pressure Air Tank
Recommended Upgrades:
none, I would either remove or shorten the stock for X-Ball, Speed-Ball, ect.
Strengths:
the gun is Fast, Reliable, has a good sight and stock.
Weaknesses:
This gun is slightly heavy, about 8lbs. with tank, hopper(includes paint), etc.
Review:
The gun is great!!! I love this gun for Tactical and Scenario games, Woodsball, etc. I even like this gun for Speed Ball, X-Ball, etc. As long as you take off the stock (and maybe the shroud), and your gun instantly becomes lighter and more mobile. I like how fast this gun is, even on single fire, this gun is very fast.
Conclusion:
This gun is great, it doesn't need any upgrades exept for the removal of stock and shroud for Speed Ball, etc. This gun is good for the price, Fast, easy to modify, and it has a great design.
Rating:
9 out of 10
Last edited on Saturday, April 18th, 2009 at 8:49 am PST
Out of the Box, the Cyclone Feed would be the obvious choice, to handle the excellent 3 shot burst mode and full auto modes.
Strengths:
Looks
Durability - Tough as nails!
Price tag is sweet
Weaknesses:
Difficult to mod. (Lacking Scope Mounts etc.)
Heavy.
The stock barrel is a little short.
Review:
I have used Spyder clones since I owned my first marker, and finally decided to go for something a little different.
A true woodsball marker, this thing is awesome.
Sure, it's a little heavy for some, but I am not a small person, so I can handle it.
It is tough as a bulldog, and can handle being dropped.
It has a nice matt finish, which doesn't give away position while crawling in a bush with a bathroom tap might do.
It's not quite up to the league of the A-5, but it sure can hold it's own in a fire fight.... and at the going price, you cannot go wrong.
In my years of experience in paintball, I have always found one problem, you get what you pay for..... I was pleasantly surprised so far with this marker, as it is cheap, reliable and strong.
I have put through plenty paint, and only when the battery on the E-grip failed, did I receive problems... but that was my fault.
Conclusion:
If you are looking to start woodsball, and want a strong, reliable marker, then get this one!
Do yourself a favour though, upgrade to a Cyclone feed for peace of mind when you need to offload a full hopper in under 20 seconds.
