Newbie with Questions

danation · 02-22-2012, 01:58 PM

So i have never played, but am planning a trip to play woods ball with all the trainers at a personal training gym i work at.

i have been wanting to play for a while, since the sport has always been appealing to me.

I went to the local shop, looking to buy a decent gun and mask, but the guy there told me he recommends i go play at least once and make sure i like it before i purchase anything.

Do you guys agree with this?

I am very excited to start playing but i get that he is trying to help me out.

Is there anyone i should buy before my first time that would make the experience more enjoyable?

ToBeUsedToBE · 02-22-2012, 02:02 PM

I agree with it. There is a chance, however small, that you won't like it. Since paintball is very expensive, it is best to try before you buy. Good luck

Tim05 · 02-22-2012, 02:22 PM

I think it's pretty honest of him instead of trying to sell you expensive equipment.

It's up to you really - if you feel you are really set on playing fairly regularly, why not save the $15-$20 of rental fees and buy equipment? If you're looking for starter stuff, it isn't too terribly expensive. There are very fair prices on used equipment within this community.

kitiper68 · 02-22-2012, 02:33 PM

play first then buy no doubt. you never know...you might be a wuss.

JoltZero · 02-22-2012, 02:55 PM

Agree'd with everyone that has posted. Most likely, you'll get hooked and want to buy your own stuff, but see how you like it first.

And if you do, remember the hierarchy when buying gear:
Mask (spend at least $60), tank, hopper, THEN gun.

victimhere · 02-22-2012, 03:31 PM

definitely play first, you can always buy equipment when you're absolutely sure.

by the way, great sig Jolt

VPJ 4 · 02-22-2012, 03:41 PM

Agree. Try it out first. It's extremely fun and I doubt you won't like it, but it is expensive to play.

Coenen · 02-22-2012, 04:03 PM

You definitely want to rent your first couple times out, that way you can get a feel for cost, how often you can actually play, what sort of play you're into and all of that stuff. That'll put you in a much better position when the time comes to actually purchase equipment.

The only piece of kit I'd be willing to purchase after just one time playing would be a mask. A quality mask will make your overall experience ten times better. You'll be much more able to see what's going on, and much more comfortable throughout the day.

After that it's pretty much up to you and your budget. Probably, the best thing to base your purchases off of is just how often you're going to actually play. Your first set of kit should be stuff that could last you several years worth of casual play. There's no need to buy $2000 worth of stuff to play just a few times per year. You can probably get quality equipment for less than a quarter of that cost that could possibly carry you for as long as you play the game. You've got to play a lot of paintball to make the sticker price on the highest of the high-end stuff worthwhile.

eight0eight DVS · 02-22-2012, 04:27 PM

Yes play first. But when you decide to buy go big because your gonna buy a cheap gun then your gonna upgrade to the next expensive. Sooner or later your gonna get an eclipse or dye or dlx. So I'm just sayin. Another thing is remember IT'S YOUR PREFERENCE..

Coenen · 02-22-2012, 05:52 PM

Whoa, whoa, whoa, so you're saying that a guy who has never played in his life should play a couple of times, and then just go all in for pro level gear? Just like that? No experience necessary? No other factors to consider? Just play a couple times, and *BAM!* spend $2000 on paintball gear? With as little offense as is possible, you're insane.

What if this guy likes the game, but can only afford to play a few times every year? What good is all of that stuff going to do for him except sitting in his closet 48 weeks out of the year and losing value? It makes sense to evaluate your playing situation and then buy equipment that is in line with your needs as a player. This guy could buy a $150 Ion setup, $100 68/4500 tank, $60 Invert Too, a pod pack and a few other things and be set to play recball a few times a year for life. He may not ever need a $1000 gun, no accounting for wanting one, since I think we all lust after that type of gear even if we don't like to admit it. In the end we should determine our needs, and our means and be sensible.

This notion that you NEED certain things to be successful in paintball, especially at the recreation level is getting out of hand. You don't NEED a $1000 electronic cheating machine gun. You don't NEED a $200 hopper. You don't NEED a $150 pair of pants. There are plenty of players who have had plenty of fun without any of those things.

Tim05 · 02-22-2012, 07:18 PM

Great statement. There is certainly a reason why they make markers in the $100-$150 range, and there is a reason they sell well... You can still play and play pretty damn well with an entry level gun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coenen

Whoa, whoa, whoa, so you're saying that a guy who has never played in his life should play a couple of times, and then just go all in for pro level gear? Just like that? No experience necessary? No other factors to consider? Just play a couple times, and *BAM!* spend $2000 on paintball gear? With as little offense as is possible, you're insane.

What if this guy likes the game, but can only afford to play a few times every year? What good is all of that stuff going to do for him except sitting in his closet 48 weeks out of the year and losing value? It makes sense to evaluate your playing situation and then buy equipment that is in line with your needs as a player. This guy could buy a $150 Ion setup, $100 68/4500 tank, $60 Invert Too, a pod pack and a few other things and be set to play recball a few times a year for life. He may not ever need a $1000 gun, no accounting for wanting one, since I think we all lust after that type of gear even if we don't like to admit it. In the end we should determine our needs, and our means and be sensible.

This notion that you NEED certain things to be successful in paintball, especially at the recreation level is getting out of hand. You don't NEED a $1000 electronic cheating machine gun. You don't NEED a $200 hopper. You don't NEED a $150 pair of pants. There are plenty of players who have had plenty of fun without any of those things.

Mach1nE · 02-22-2012, 07:26 PM

That was very honest of the sales man to say that. You don't find many people that will actually turn down business like that. I do agree and really suggest you play a couple games before you start buying all this equipment.

Don't listen to these people that say saying buy the Dye/Luxe or whatever guns they are saying.

My first gun I started using was a Tippman 98 ( I still have it and it's been through hell ) My second I got was a Ion. Fairly decent gun for a beginner and the longer I played the more upgrades I did to it. Finally I just got an Axe and eventually to upgrade my Axe like my Ion down the road.

Tippman is a great gun to start off with. Whether it's a 98 or better. It's cheap and it will go through hell if needed.

But like some people are saying. Hold off. Play some and make sure you like it. If you start liking it I suggest you get a mask first. One that won't fog. Then go for a gun. Keep in mind most places do have Tippman 98's as rentals. So you can get a feel for the gun. But like every other gun on the market, you can upgrade it. Tippman's you can mod to anything you want really.

Hope that helps.

azhector · 02-22-2012, 08:05 PM

definetly play atleast once, and ask around to those who have played for a bit for their times in the sports. i know personally i sometimes have to stop a few months-year once in a while because i cant blow out my knee again... now this is talking for speedball but its the same thing for woodsball, except more longevity (and my knee problems come from other things, but around the pro circuit maybe once or twice a year someone needs surgery) obviously they are playing on a different level but you get the point

sunflower100 · 02-22-2012, 10:20 PM

try to play first, then buy when you like it.

ChesterMolester · 02-22-2012, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eight0eight DVS

Yes play first. But when you decide to buy go big because your gonna buy a cheap gun then your gonna upgrade to the next expensive. Sooner or later your gonna get an eclipse or dye or dlx. So I'm just sayin. Another thing is remember IT'S YOUR PREFERENCE..

He's right. I mean, as soon as I got my driver's license, I bought a Lamborghini.

As everyone else has said, play first and then pick up a great mask.

Another thing, props to that pro shop owner.

Coenen · 02-22-2012, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azhector

definetly play atleast once, and ask around to those who have played for a bit for their times in the sports. i know personally i sometimes have to stop a few months-year once in a while because i cant blow out my knee again... now this is talking for speedball but its the same thing for woodsball, except more longevity (and my knee problems come from other things, but around the pro circuit maybe once or twice a year someone needs surgery) obviously they are playing on a different level but you get the point

High level competitive paintball is hell on your body for sure. I used to sound like a bowl of rice krispies the morning after practice. Knees, ankles, elbows, wrists, you name it, it was popping. If you're going to be playing a rough and tumble style of ball on a real regular basis spending some dough on good protective equipment can be vital. Worn out pads and other gear can be replaced, body parts are a bit tougher, and a lot more expensive to fix.

I'm not sure I would necessarily support buying true entry level gear, like a Tippmann for example, but there is definitely no real need to go top of the line everything for a casual player. Low-end guns and "upgrades" can become money pits in no time flat if you don't check yourself. Generally, if it's not a piece of kit you can use on another gun you probably shouldn't spend a ton of money on it. This is why buying a nice tank or a solid loader, even as a beginner is a smart play, those things will be good on any marker. Even something like a 2-piece barrel where you might only have to buy a single new barrel back to use it on a different marker can be a solid investment. It'll save you buying a whole new barrel. You still don't necessarily need to go top-end, but those things can provide more value in the long run than "marker specific" upgrades.

Also, a note on trying things out and determining what you do and do not like. One good thing about paintball, especially at a busy field where there will be many different players with different markers, guys love to show off their gear. If you are respectful, and ask nicely, most players are more than happy to let you hold their gun, or shoot a few shots to get a feel for it. Not everyone will be cool with it, so be prepared for the occasional rejection, but during down times during the day, it can never hurt to ask.

Just throw a, "Hey man, I really like that gun, what is it?" out there, that's pretty much all it takes to get the conversation started. That and always a "Do you mind?" before you touch anything!

Good luck getting in the game man. With any luck, you'll be one of us in no time.

Mocking Da Bird · 02-22-2012, 11:27 PM

Like everyone else has said, rent a gun, and see how you like it. Don't worry, if you don't like the way the gun feels, most guns don't feel like the Tippmann A5 or 98 Custom most fields have.

Paintball can relatively be a sport or a hobby to you. A sport being you play every week to get better for the next tournament, or a hobby, something you play for fun, every once in awhile..

If you ever DO get a gun because you like the game, buy a Spyder or even a Tippmann. Some people say Spyder is crap, well they're wrong.

yoder916 · 02-23-2012, 07:19 AM

Rent the gear before you buy. I have always thought and said ,that paintball is the one sport you may play one time in your life... and then never play again... or you may play it once and fall in love. I can tell you one thing starting out purchasing all the gear can become quite expensive. I started out playing with Semi about 5 years ago invested so much money into Bob Long/Ego's etc.. to find out 2 years into playing that Pump was my passion... Now I invest my money into that lol.. I don't even want to know how much money I have spent and invested into Paintball lol.

2nwyka · 02-23-2012, 11:00 AM

Dangit, everyone got here before me...
Always rent or borrow a few times to see if you like it. I know several friends who I took who thought that they would like it, but ended up hating it. They were very glad I talked them into renting first before buying anything. Try it first, like anything else, before you spend the big bucks on equipment.
Noah

KidInfamous · 02-23-2012, 11:05 AM

for your first time all you really need are some cloths you don't mind getting ruined and boots or cleats for better traction and a cup doesn't hurt either you don't want your berries being shot. its not pleasant.

zraven7 · 02-23-2012, 12:19 PM

Let a few people at the field your going to know you're trying to get into the sport. Most will have advice, and likely a few will let you try out their marker at the target range, if not even let you run a game with it. There's a ton of great markers out there for under $300 (heck, under 200) that will take you far, and even if you do eventually "go big", most people have a backup marker, and a lot of the time, it's their starter. Also, if you rent a few times, shoot a few, and find something you like, there is a good chance that, whatever it is you want, someone on the field (or in this forum) is wanting to sell that item.

And yeah, get a decent mask. Fog of War is for computer games, not paintball :-P