New to the game need some advice

[Browntitan]

Hello, a few of my friends and I from work went out to Davis two weeks ago with our sons to give this sport a try. Well now we are hooked.

We are looking at buying guns now, the Smart Parts Ion XE we recomended to us. It fits our budgets and seems pretty user friendly. But have a few questions.

1) What do you guys think about these guns? Was also looking at a Vibe for my 12 year old son?

2) If we do go with a Ion what type of air should we use and what size of tank?

3) What about hopper options? Being very new not sure we will need a top of the line hopper but at the same time would like something that will be able to grow with us.

Thanks in advance for all the help, have spent the last three nights reading everythinh I can read and getting real excited about paintballing!!

[JoshH]

Ions are great budget/starter guns. I personally have never really checked out the Vibe.

Compressed air is the best choice. I believe it's recommended on the Ion as well. Size is your own personal preference, go to the shop ask if you can check one out. It's all about what is comfortable to you. You also won't have any problems when upgrading markers with compressed air since basically all high end markers need compressed air and won't work well if at all with Co2.

You'll want a decent hopper but like the tank. It will 'grow' as you put it with you. I think you should look at the Halo & the Vlocity Jr. Both are great hoppers and will keep up with just about any gun you put it on.

[Mr2tenths]

Another marker to look at is the proto rail and the proto SLG. Kinda in the same price range and are very good markers. Compressed air is a must with any high end gun. I like Vlocity's or Vlocity jr's my self. I think they are a little more reliable but thats just me.

[Skrubly]

The Ion XE is preferable over the original Ion because it has "bolt out the back" which lets you clean and lube it a lot easier.

The Vibe or SP-1 (both have the same internals) are great choices, too - they are durable and more simple than the Ion. The Proto SLG is even simpler than that, and offers some high-end board features that the Vibe/SP-1's don't have.

Your major choice on compressed air will be between a steel/aluminum or fiberglass wrap tank. When you pick them up side by side, the biggest difference is in the weight. I personally have steel/aluminum tanks, and they are quite heavy. Steel tanks go for around $80-90 and fiberglass tanks start at around $150 and go up from there.

The most important piece of equipment you should buy is a good mask. It not only protects your face, but if you go to a local shop and try different ones on you can find one that is comfortable and fits well. It is no fun running around with a mask that doesn't fit right and a lens that is always fogging up!

Skr

[BALLA4LIF3]

I agree that ions are great starter guns but you really need to nail down a budget. People tend to grow very quickly out of ions. I would also look at Proto SLG which was mentioned. If you are feeling a little more generous with your budget, i would check out a Proto Matrix Rail (PMR) or a Invert Mini.

As far at tanks go. I would recommend a compressed air tank. They are a little expensive but worth the money. The new ones will last you 5 years and very durable. STAY AWAY FROM CO2.

Hoppers: Hoppers that you will not grow out of are halo's, empire reloader b, vlocity or vlocity jr and the most expensive is the Dye Rotor.. With these hoppers you will never have a problem getting parts at your local pb shop.

I would also recommend asking people at the fields to shoot their guns (most ballers are nice and will say yes), in order to see what you like and what feels good.

[norcalchaos_rob]

i would take a good look into the spyder VS line (vs1,vs2) both great guns and very easy to maintain

as far air goes compressed air is the way to go if you are looking for budget look at the small steel tanks that most tank markers make

as far as hoppers i would pick up a revi or a empire realoader if u have extra money spring for a viewlocity jr

The most important item is a mask dont spend lightly on this it could save your eyes

[Turkish_Turtle]

Welcome! I got hooked the same way. My oldest wanted a pb b-day party while we in Germany. We've been playing ever since. Great sport to share with your kids. I'm with balla, try different ones at a field near you. It comes down to how it feels to you. The more comfortable it is, the easier it is to hit what you aim at. Also check the BST threads here, you can find a better marker used for the same price as a new "lower" marker. Same with hoppers and tanks. We've had Ions and PMR's in my house and prefer the PMR. Just seemed to take less maintanance. Don't think you can go wrong either way.

[paulio]

for a starting set up

i'd get a compressed air tank
vlocity junior-afforadable and great hoppers
and a 09 slg, they are amazing guns, for the price anyway

[pump_kidd_07]

All spiders are good but ions are great too...
CO2 is defenitly something you really want to stay away from.. it freezes up your gun and it costs money to fill it up.. every time

Next you would want a mask.. very imprtaint protects your eyes... you would want to get sometihng comfortable and afordable.. look into anything JT check out actionvillage.com and just go to paintball and click on the section that is masks and just look around there and find one that you like..

[paintman12]

Ions are good to start with, I recomend compressed air because it is so much cheaper in the long run and some fields dont even have co2 anymore. I have a vlocity right now and I love it so that would be my recomendation

[sac98403]

I would have to say stick with a nice spyder or even a cheap autococker if you are still testing the waters with paintball. What I have seen alot of people do is buy an Ion, spend an extra couple hundred bucks to sup it up and then either stop playing completely or get so into paintball that they want something high end anyways. But like what other people have said, don't skimp on the mask, go with a compressed air tank (I usually say at least a 68/4500 but it really is personal preference) and go with at least a revi for a loader.

[Browntitan]

Thanks for all the information we really appreciate it. We are going to a shop and put our hands on the guns. We have only used the rentals at Davis and want to feel the real deal now before we make our decision.

[Junior Brown]

Thanks for all the information we really appreciate it. We are going to a shop and put our hands on the guns. We have only used the rentals at Davis and want to feel the real deal now before we make our decision.

Hi, welcome to the sport and sacpaintball.

I think the guys over at Sinister would be your best place seeing how your from Rocklin.

Please let us know what gear you get and how the place was that you shopped at.

Sinister Sports (http://www.sinistersports.com/)
www.sinistersports.com (http://www.sinistersports.com)

Or

Predator Paintball Reloaded
4626 Watt Ave
North Highlands, CA 95660



.

[pump_kidd_07]

yeah like jr. said... and ive know these guys from the first time playing...i even played on there field in rosvile good times.... but jr. sinister closed on five star blv. a long time ago. they are now in folsom or elk grove
heres the info

Sinister Sports Paintball Elk grove
8531 Elk Grove Blvd. Elk Grove, Ca
(916) 714-3688

Sinister Sports Paintball Folsom (located inside Big Boyz Toyz)
325-B East Bidwell st. Folsom, Ca
(916) 817-6846

[Browntitan]

Yeah know they closed the store in Rocklin. We talked to the guys at the store in Folsom and they don't carry the ION so we will be making the trek to Elk Grove tomorrow. Will keep you informed on our purchase.

[rosevillexempt]

Dont buy a smart parts! go for the slg! its only a little more and its sssoooo much better

[Turbo109478]

since you are new to the game, id buy a spyder vs or rx series, both have many upgrades and very easy to maintain. but now i see you heart is set on the ion theres really no way of talkin you out of it the only advice i can give is learn all you can about the marker you purchase before and after you buy it so if you ever have a problem you dont have to take it in the shop and can try to fix it yourself.

commpressed air is the best choice, co2 is dirty and your ion will not like it trust me. air is clean and much more consistant in velocitys and ropes you shoot. a 48cu 3000psi costs around 50 bux in some places but if you want something a lil bigger and more shot count a 68cu 4500psi is even better a lil bit more money but way worth it.

the hopper well i stick to revi's and other viewloader products, the vlocity is a very reliable and fast hopper but right now go for something inexspensive and just as reliable like a revi. i own 4 revi's that i bought 10 years ago and never have any problems with them at all.

masks/goggles is a must wherever you go dont go cheap on these, you want a mask that has good protection and great comfort. jt sells the proflex for pretty cheap now than when it first came out but i recomend if you can find one get a jt fx-10 axiom, these goggles are a upgraded version of the proteus but they have all the same compontents of a vforce grill.

welcome to paintball!!! yes it is a exspensive sport but trust me its worth every penny.

when you get down the road i strongly recomend upgrading to a autococker, great accuracy, plenty fast and very reliable to boot.

good luck and have fun.

[wasabisamurai]

Yup Ions are decent starter markers and so are eteks, protos etc. find good deals online @ piantball forums. but first get a nice mask, with double lens so no fog, don't settle for a cheapo. Compressed air is a must if you'll continue to play, and a hopper that caan keep up like an EmpireB or Halo. for a 12 year old to start, Vs2 fine. My son's 10 and is using a Spyder Pilot (until x-mas) ;). I have an Etek 07 and am happy with this. you can get one for about $200.

[wowzerz916]

this thread is almost a year old...

[Junior Brown]

this thread is almost a year old...

Yes it is... But still some good info for others that are new to the game.

Guys keep your eye on the date.

Thanks
JB

[Browntitan]

Hail, many thanks to Nomad627 for the message that this thread was still around. I'd went through and posted similar questions on a few other sites and still this site has been hands down the best place for my answers.



For the results: 6 or 7 of us went with Smart Part guns, 4 with the Ion's, my son got the Vibe and one other guy bought an Epiphany. All of us have been 100% satisfied with our guns.



Accuracy, ease of use and cleaning, upgradeability and reliability has been outstanding. Most of us have upgraded many of the normal things; trigger, bolt, barrel, on/off. Matt Big Boy's Toyz/Sinister has helped us all out so much!! Most of us live here in the Rocklin/Roseville area and he has gone above and beyond helping us getting parts, taking care of our guns and getting the accessories to go with them.



This all started in Davis last November for my son's 12th birthday. We have since been to Infinite Edge, Davis, Capital Edge and now a new place out in Nicalaus called All-Season!! There were 12 of us total this year for his birthday and Bruce at All-Season really came through!!



Look to getting back out to Capital Edge and Davis again.

[bailey martinez]

i have a slg 09 and i love it great gun and my tank is a ninja tank always go with ninja the best affordable tank is the 48 3000 wich i have thts 50 dollers and i have a halo but i recamend a vlocity since its abit lightere and tanki buy the one u can offored for yur sun the best is the stubby ninja not the 68 the stuuby to be feels abit beter for kids and if if u want to know were to by it for the best service is predator of of watt

[MrCrumbley]

When I got hooked my first real gun was an Ion, and I loved it..easy to upgrade, parts are cheap...but Smart Parts (manufacturer of Ion XE) is bankrupt..this may cause problems if you needed to get your gun fixed...

I'd look at lower level Protos (SLG, MATRIX), Invert Mini, or maybe look at some used guns.

Hoppers-go with Vlocity, Dye, or Halo

And COMPRESSED AIR. Not only is it the best option, but its easy to fill and wont cost you every fill. Just fill and go.

[suspectcapt#13]

Ions are great budget/starter guns. I personally have never really checked out the Vibe.

Compressed air is the best choice. I believe it's recommended on the Ion as well. Size is your own personal preference, go to the shop ask if you can check one out. It's all about what is comfortable to you. You also won't have any problems when upgrading markers with compressed air since basically all high end markers need compressed air and won't work well if at all with Co2.

You'll want a decent hopper but like the tank. It will 'grow' as you put it with you. I think you should look at the Halo & the Vlocity Jr. Both are great hoppers and will keep up with just about any gun you put it on.

yes all true but if he is new to the sport why spend a pretty big sum of money on a hopper? but other than that i agree
I would personaly recomend the egg hopper

[Spyke2]

the vibe is great but the ion has problems...i have an invert mini which shoots very well and very fast trigger and i will throw in a halo hopper and tank for a whole package deal to get you started..email me at spykerdude@yahoo.com