Low price, high performance. Entry level used to mean low performance, but once again Smart Parts changed the game. The Vibe brings the smooth, accurate, fast shooting performance of true low pressure electropneumatic operation to even first time players with its unbeatable entry level price. The new Vibe works flawlessly with CO2, Compressed air, or nitrogen so if you only have access to CO2 then this is a great gun for you. Check out the long list of features below.
Smart Parts Vibe Features:
Hammer free design means that even beginning players can now afford a marker with tournament level performance, durability, and simple maintenance.
Protection provided by the Vibe's all-new Max Flow R Vertical Regulator means that it is safe from the dangers of liquid CO2.
Weight (marker only): 1 lb. 11 oz.
Length (w/out barrel): 8.75 in.
Operating Pressure: 180psi
Gas Source: HPA or CO2
Anti-Chop System: Low force bolt
Trigger Pivot: Stainless steel pin
Ball Detent: Dual rubber style
Semi auto (11bps cap), Three Shot Burst (11bps), and Full Auto (11bps) firing modes
Max Rate of fire: 11bps
Field legal mode lock (Semi Auto)
Runs on one 9 volt battery
Standard ASA included
One piece 10 inch barrel
Feedneck: Vertical clamping
Aluminum receiver/bolt
Glass fiber reinforced nylon grip frame/body
Product Availability
The Smart Parts Vibe 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.
Ion-xe- ion is lowder and more custimizable but less reliable.
Spyder Electra - also lowder but more reliable than the ion
Marker Setup:
Smart parts vibe, eggy-3 hopper, custom products trigger, 48 3000 psi ninja carbon fiber air tank, and smart parts all American 16" barrel.
Recommended Upgrades:
Trigger perferinly custom problems
barrel
hopper
Strengths:
Pros-
quiet
reliable
strong
great even stock
Weaknesses:
Stock trigger
Review:
The smart parts vibe is great for begining players and a pros backup. Once again smart parts has changed the game of paintball. The vibe is custimizable and priced well for the high performance. Although the stock board is only 11 bps it can be upgraded to 26 bps ( as of 2011) . The vibe has both power and accuracy but for more accuracy and range I reccomend a new barrel. The stock barrel is great but is fairly fat causing the paint ball to bounce inside the barrel thust reducing accuracy.
Conclusion:
Overall the Vibe is a great gun for what you pay. I would deffinetly reccomend this to a friend.
Smart Parts Vibe (old one-with eyes)
Viewloader hopper (soon to be Spyder Fasta)
Pure Energy 20oz CO2 tank
Upgraded barrel coming soon...
Recommended Upgrades:
Barrel
Hopper
Strengths:
Lightweight
Doesn't chop
Accurate
Very efficient
Weaknesses:
No firing modes (mine's an old vibe)
Not sure how it works (no springs)
Review:
Got this gun second-hand on eBay for $100 including shipping...best $100 I've ever spent. My favorite thing about this gun is the eyes, which were either added to it by the guy before me or Smart Parts removed when they came out with the new Vibe. My old Stryker STR-1 chopped almost every single time I pulled the trigger, so having eyes is like being in heaven. As for efficiency, this gun is amazing. I got about 1600 shots out of a 20oz CO2 tank. Very happy about that.
A note on accuracy. As far as I know, this gun is very accurate. However, I haven't really been able to experience that accuracy with my shake&shoot loader, so I'll be buying an electric before too long. I don't think my Vibe is capped at 11bps (I don't know what the guy before me did to it, but it sounds like I can shoot faster than that...maybe 13-14), which only increases the need for an electric hopper.
As I said above, my Vibe can only shoot semi-auto. I'm ok with that, though. Eyes for auto...good trade. For those of you who get new Vibes, you'll have semi auto tournament lock, semi auto, three shot burst, and auto...have fun.
Another thing that I kind of don't like about this gun (but in no way a bad thing) is that I have absolutely no idea how it works. The great thing about blowback markers is that they are relatively simple, mechanically. You know what the expanding gas does to make the paintball shoot. When you strip this gun, there are only three parts, as opposed to 6-7 in most blowbacks. And only two of those parts actually move. No springs. Weird.
Conclusion:
Unfortunately, Smart Parts filed for liquidation on July 28 this year (*sob), so you might have a hard time finding a Vibe. If you can, BUY IT. You won't be sorry (unless you're using a Dye or something). Again, BEST $100 I HAVE EVER SPENT!
Smart parts Vibe
Invert halo Too
3000 psi hpa tank
Recommended Upgrades:
Drop forward, new barrel.
Strengths:
Weight, reliability, etc.
Weaknesses:
None at all
Review:
This marker is the BOMB it is better than anything under $250. If I had a Blackheart board it would be the best under $400. This is an unbelievably good marker. The only complaint I have is the back travel, but that is no big deal, and for anyone who can't walk the trigger on this is either horrible at walking or doesn't have the gun, it is incredibly easy to walk, I had a constant 11bps. That brings me to another point, if you don't know this marker is limited to 11bps, which isn't that great but it never chops or breaks balls ever. Just get it GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Invert Mini
TechT spring kit
Vlocity
Vlocity Upfront SpeedFeed
45/45 Crossfire
Recommended Upgrades:
14" .691-.693 CP barrel
Strengths:
Electropnuematic
Cheap!
Low-Force Bolt
Clamping Feedneck
CO2 reliability
Weaknesses:
11bps cap
No tourny modes but not a big issue
10" barrel
Review:
Before I start I have to say that I do have much experience with this gun. I've put about 4 cases through it on CO2 and about 10 on HPA.
The Vibe is a great gun for the low price of $150. Smart Parts really designed it for the begginner rec ball player. The gun comes with a clamping feedneck that does fit loaders such as the Vlocity and halo too very well. Next, the low force bolt which pretty much eliminates chopping. The gun's consistinsy on CO2 is very good considering it's an electro.
The main weakness of the Vibe is the barrel. It's not too accurate. But it's a low end marker not toppling over $200 so not a big deal. The other problem is the board. You cant play in tournaments unless you shoot semi. And the gun is capped at 11bps. But, this can be countered with the fact of it is a beginner's marker.
Conclusion:
All in all, Smart Parts did a great job with the Vibe. Other than the barrel, this gun is at the top of my list for recommendations to a begginer player.
ion/xe. ion not as good xe better and the sp1. the sp1 is very similar to the vibe but only that it is a woods marker
Marker Setup:
all-american 2 piece barrel
Empire magna drive hopper
co2 and ninja 90/4500 hpa tanks
virtue vibe board
Recommended Upgrades:
Upgrade your board in any way possible. The stock board is slow only 11bps and only comes with locked semi and select fire with semi, 3 shot burst and full auto. I also recomend using a firebolt.
Strengths:
Durable
Easy to clean
Efficient with air or co2
Max-flo vertical regulator
Weaknesses:
board is very slow stock
Feed neck is difficult to use
Review:
The second I took the gun out of the box I dropped it :( but it didn't have one dent or scratch in it so it is very durable. The only major moving part is the bolt which comes right out the back with an allen wrench unlike other markers where you practically have to disasemble the whole gun to clean it. With co2 I can get a good 10-15 pods out of it so it is very efficient and with hpa is about the same with my tank. Many people that use co2 say their gun jams or they aren't shooting well, that is the liquid co2 getting into the gun and pretty much destroying it but the vibe comes with a max flo vertical regulator so if co2 gets into the gun give it a second and it will vent off the bottom.
Two things I really hated about the vibe were the feed neck and the stock board. The feed neck needs an allen wrench to be tightened or loosened so you can not do it very well during a game. The stock board is also very slow. Get a virtue or blackheart. Blackheart is faster but the virtue has a little more stuff to it.
Conclusion:
Loved the gun recommend it to anyone starting to play the game and can eventually be upgraded to a much better gun.
Spyder Imagine, Spyder Pilot, Tippmann A-5 (with and without egrip) and a ton more other markers in the Vibe's price range.
Marker Setup:
SP Vibe
14" Redz Pepper Stix Barrel
Invert Reloader 2
Pure Energy 48/3000 tank
(Yeah not much, but it works!)
Recommended Upgrades:
A motorized hopper I think should be one of the top, and def. HPA if you can get your hands on it.
Strengths:
Details in review.
Weaknesses:
Review.
Review:
After years of using Tippmanns I came to the decision that something else was in order. I searched the internet for about a week and found this marker. From all the reviews the Vibe seemed like an interesting piece of equipment to add to my collection. And at the price, you can't beat it. The Vibe is simply amazing for only costing about $140.
At first I was intimidated of a fully electropneumatic marker and all of that good stuff. Sure I have been playing for a few years now, but up until a few months ago, I played primarily outlaw ball and the most time my A-5 was the most complex thing out there. Alot of the reviews stated how easy it was to maintain and field strip this marker. Albeit it does require Allen wrenches, it is extremely easy with the bolt-out-back design. Just unscrew the cap in the back and the internal guts slide out. The internals are simple.. no springs are involved, also the low force bolt has performed flawlessly. I have never had a chop yet and about 6,000 balls have been placed through it. I've only had maybe 2 or 3 barrels breaks, but I do not blame this on the internals. The Vibe is capped at 11 bps, some people say this is a weakness, for some of us this is a strenght and it makes it cheaper in the long run. I find that to be an ample amount of speed since I started going to an actual professionally ran woodsball field this summer, and I am keeping up just fine. Now I am not saying this will keep up with a highend speed machine, but I am able to work with what I have perfectly. I love the fact that I am actually able to walk the trigger to or about 11 bps. I have never tried Speedball with the Vibe, but this winter I plan on going to an indoor arena and testing this.
It is also capable of working with C02 and HPA. For the first 2 months or so I used C02. Personally after switching to HPA I will never go back. Sure c02 was OK, and if you had no other options it would be fine, but I got fed up with my Vibe freezing up (in 75 degree weather too) whenever I tried to shoot a string of paint at someone. When it freezes it usually takes a minute or two for it to be able to operate normally again. Major annoyance in the middle of a game!! I also noticed how quiet the Vibe is compared to the markers I have used, during games some people don't even realize they are being shot at by me. Due to the lack of springs, when this marker fires it has a less clanky and quiet pop that has little recoil.
It does have some weaknesses however, other than c02 useage. Mine came to me this first time and it did not work. I couldn't get it to turn off after it was on unless I unplugged the battery, and then it wouldn't turn back on. I sent it in and they deburred the power button and what not, and now it works great. The screws on the grip also had a tendancy to get a rusty powder coating over them, but all I do is take them out and clean them. Since I started using HPA that isn't really much of a problem, because it doesn't literally coat my gun in frost like c02.
--UPDATE-- 2-18-10
I have had the opportunity to use the Vibe in a few Speedball Games. 11 Bps isn't nearly as fast as the dudes I play against, but again I found that I did pretty good. Also the Vibe hasn't given me any issues or problems, so that's pretty good!!
Conclusion:
This marker is awesome for the price, it has looks, speed, flexible in gas useage, and extremely easy to maintain. Making it a great marker for someone who is new, or someone like me who wanted to change up my style of play.
Rating:
9 out of 10
Last edited on Thursday, February 18th, 2010 at 9:16 am PST
Smart Parts vibe
14"Smart Parts Barrel
68/45 Pure Energy
Invert Halo too
Recommended Upgrades:
Barrel
Feedneck
ASA
Strengths:
Quite
Light
Accurate(decent with stock barrel)
Weaknesses:
Barrel
Feedneck
ASA
Review:
The Smart Parts vibe is an AMAZING gun for the price if your a new player to paintball or even playing tournaments this is a great gun. Capped at 11 Bps and weighing in not much over 1 pound this gun is light, fast,quite,consistent and reliable. Bolt-out-back feature makes mantainance a breeze. Changing mdes is one of the simplest things you can do
1. Hold for 2 seconds to turn on(AUTOMATICALY SEMI)
2.Press again (3-Shot)
3.Press again(Auto)
4.Press again(BACK TO SEMI)
Retail price at $140 its an amazing gun
Conclusion:
GET IT!!!!! If you want are just starting the sport or need a back up or playing tournaments GREAT GUN
WGP Worrmachine
Tippmann 98 custom
Smart Parts Ion
Marker Setup:
14" Smart Parts progressive barrel
Empire Reloader B
Pure Energy 72/3000 aluminum
Recommended Upgrades:
a better barrel isn't required but it helps
Strengths:
Price
Accuracy of stock barrel
Lightweight
Bolt out back design
Good customer service
Weaknesses:
None
Review:
I bought this right before I went to my first indoor speedball field. Originally I was going to get an old refurbed Pilot but the sales guys tolled me that the vibe would be better for what i wanted to do.
The first thing I do when I buy a new gun is take it apart and put it back together and this def beats my tippmann. The bolt out the back was simple.
My first games with it were great then the battery died, stock battery so it wasn't very upsetting. I had bought more batteries beforehand anyways. The only issue was that when it chopped a ball the paintballs would get some wicked spins on them and it wouldn't shoot straight. This was when i didn't have an electric hopper yet.
Since I got the Reloader B the gun has shot flawlessly. The gun isn't the fastest and wont beat out an Ion anytime soon without the new virtue board but it is great for the recreational player. The addition of a Smart Parts progressive barrel improved the already good accuracy to near tourny grade.
The only serious problem I had was that on one day the solenoid, which i didn't know was the problem, decided to be on the fritz and the gun wouldn't shoot. I gave a quick call to smart parts after that and described the problem and they easily diagnosed it. I sent it in and they sent it back within about three weeks with a new board that has different firing modes. Since then I haven't had any trouble with it.
Conclusion:
Highly recommend this to the newer players who are looking for a good entry level electropneumatic gun. It is simple to take apart and easy to clean. For the price it is the best electronic gun out there and Smart Parts has great customer service, i would recommend calling them instead of trying to use the online customer support though.
smart parts vibe
all american barrel
empire invert 56ci 4500psi HPA
eggy3
eggy 3
Recommended Upgrades:
blackheart board or virtue board
eletronic hopper gravity gets ball stuck b/c it to slow
Strengths:
PRICE- probably the best marker at this price that u can buy.
quiet-
NO CHOPS -
Weaknesses:
That the gun is capped at 11bps
Review:
I bought this marker because of its low price and durablity. when i brought to the field and gased is up , loaded it with mywal-mart paint lol.i just wanted to test it out so i just shot a hopper through the gun at a tree wow amzed with no chops.
the gun was accurate and the bolt did not lie it chopped nothing the whole game.
i actually liked it at capped 11bps so i dont go threw paint like crazy.
like how it so easy to swith firing modes. so i had to try it out with co2 so i used my friends tank shot like 20 balls boom the relief valve popped open and got rid of the liquid co2 it was pretty cool but i still recommend HPA.
Conclusion:
This is a great gun, I'm going to buy another one. It really just comes down to your style of play though and also what your budget is. You also have to keep in mind that this gun will probably be fairly upgradable once aftermarket parts start coming out. If you want a great gun that shoots good on C02, is very quite, very compact, can shoot 11bps, and is extremely affordable this is the gun for you.
I'm going to give this gun a 10 because to me I think its the best gun you can get for $140
Rating:
10 out of 10
Last edited on Monday, June 1st, 2009 at 8:31 am PST
I've shot a decent amount of markers, this one is closest to the Ion, concidering it's almost the same marker, just with less features, and manufactured with Co2 in mind.
If you want a comparison in price range, insert any blow back that comes to mind and I guess you could compare the markers that way as well.
Marker Setup:
Ion XE
-Empire Reloader B
-14" CP Barrel 1 piece .689 bore
-AA Messiah Reg (yeah, it's oldschool, but still a goodie, I cannibalized my old marker for the regs)
-PPS Stabilizer Female (bottomline reg, also cannibalized off my old marker)
-CP Sling Blade Trigger
-QEV
-8" Drop Forward
-ACI Bulldog 68ci 4500 (also from my old marker, re-hydro'd of course)
Recommended Upgrades:
Barrel
Any Electro Hopper will do, it's only capable of 11bps
I wouldn't recommend many upgrades, this marker is intended to be in the low end bracket. If you want a marker to start off with that can become something on competition level as you progress, get an Ion instead.
Strengths:
A true electro pneumatic in a blowback price range. What's not to like?
Weaknesses:
Feels even cheaper then Ion, which says something.
No eyes
Review:
My experience in using a Vibe lasted only 2 games where I traded a buddy just to see how the vibe handled, being that I own an Ion I wanted to see how the Vibe compaired to it. The Vibe is decent, not a great marker, but it's atleast usable to an extent. The Vibe I used had an Egg2 hopper, and everything else was stock, and was shooting off of Co2, so I'm rating this marker based on that experience with it.
To sum it up, its basically an even cheaper version of the SP Ion. The main differences being the Vibe is completely Co2 Safe (I know the Ion manual does say you can use Co2 with an anti-syphon but you just simply shouldn't) as to where Co2 is perfectly safe with the Vibe and wont potentially cause damage to it.
Additionally the Vibe lacks any eye technology, so yes, it is possible to chop with this thing. Thankfully as a saving grace, it's manufactured with a low BPS, which helps cut its cost down even further, and makes it pretty manageable to where you dont have to worry about it chopping if you have a decent hopper. A simple revvy or reloader 2 will do the job, along with just about any aggitating hopper. You wont need a halo, egg, or reloader-b for this one, it's really not fast enough to require those. Keep in mind the Vibe was manufactured to be in the low-end price range competing against blow back style markers.
Conclusion:
Ok, I'm rating this compared to other markers in it's price range. For a marker that is in the mid $100's price range, its a 9. The only bone I have to pick with this marker is it's rate of fire. 11 bps, the Kingman Spyder VS-1 is faster in the same price range, of course it's not as accurate as it is still a blow back. I would have liked to see atleast 14-17 BPS as 11 bps is attainable by some mechanical trigger markers in the hands of veteran players. An electro should atleast be in the mid teens. Aside from ROF the Vibe is definately supperior to the VS-1.
Naturally, this marker should not to be compaired to higher end markers as the vibe is respectable out of the box, but I dont see it becoming awesome down the road. It's a marker I would recomend only to brand new players who are just learning the game, or long time casual players who are tired of using rental gear. Definately not for veteran players who will be looking for something more upgradable, or already on a higher performance standing.
