Getting back into PB... where do i stand with my gear?

peacob · 09-05-2012, 02:43 PM

Its been a few years, played in high school, then went off to college and didnt touch a gun until a couple weeks ago. Now that my friends and I have graduated and got real jobs, we finally have the money to go out and play more often than we did when we had to ask our parents.

That being said, i want to know what i should do with my gear... is it still worthy on the field? does it have value? should i bundle it and trade it for something newer?

Going through my checklist of stuff that i am fine with, possibly need, and need.

Masks: Dye i3 pro, Vforce profiler -- I'm sure i'm fine with these masks.............Check.

Tanks: Have an Evil 68/50, however, it needs rehydro... will eventually do this... for the time being i just bought a brand new Ninja 68/45..................Check.

Hoppers: Halo Too with Exalt speedfeed, JT Evolution 3.. few other crappy agitated and gravity hoppers........ I'm sure my halo too should be fine, but open to suggestions after you read about my guns.....soo.........Check.

This is where i'm completely confused at what to do...
Guns:
Dye DM5 - CP on/off ASA, CP rail, CCM feedneck, CP trigger, BK grip (sad thing is, i bought this for big money back in the day, and then stopped playing a few months later)

Ion XE - CP on/off ASA, CP Reg, CP feedneck, CP 16" one peice barrel, CP Trigger, Virtue board, Virtue laser eyes, Virtue QEV, Firebolt

Backup guns: (should i sell, or just keep and lend out?)
Spyder Pilot ACS
WGP Trilogy cocker
VL orion

Basically, where does the DM5 and Ion stand in today's paintball? Should i trade them for something nicer, or stick with them? Mod the DM5 more? Can i even find upgrades anymore?

**Pump Scout** · 09-05-2012, 02:57 PM

Today's guns don't do anything your DM and Ion won't do. They're lighter, more efficient, and generally smaller, but functionally they're about the same. You could try to sell them and get something a little more modern, but for what you'd get for them, you're probably better off hanging on to them.

peacob · 09-05-2012, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pump Scout

Today's guns don't do anything your DM and Ion won't do. They're lighter, more efficient, and generally smaller, but functionally they're about the same. You could try to sell them and get something a little more modern, but for what you'd get for them, you're probably better off hanging on to them.

Exactly the type of info i'm looking for, thanks!

NeverSurrender · 09-06-2012, 07:20 PM

Masks are fine
If you got another tank then your good there
Hoppers you should be ok with
Nothing wrong with your markers just clean them up (lube, check O-rings, etc)
If you want a more modern marker then maybe sell your Ion, Spyder and VL Orion and get a Invert mini or Dangerous power G4.
Keep your WGP autococker and turn it into a pump if you like.
If you just want to play recball then your good to go!

MATTSDAD · 09-06-2012, 07:30 PM

May want to pick up a new board for the DM

Chrismeisterpmc · 09-07-2012, 03:05 AM

All your gear sounds good man, no reason to buy new stuff as long as it works. Just get out there and ball with your friends my dude!

Splat209 · 09-07-2012, 09:57 AM

You'll be fine It just depends if you plan on playing for fun or tournament, either or your guns are good I'm not a fan of ion because mine was a heart breaker. Dm5 should still be a great gun and you don't née to buy one for a while. And good luck

peacob · 09-07-2012, 04:27 PM

Thanks for the help guys... i see on virtues site they have the dm5 board on sale, and the eyes are pretty cheap (68$ for both after shipping) so i think i'm just gunna do that and hang on to it for a while and see how the rest of this year goes before i decide to spend some dough on a newer marker.

oldmanian · 09-08-2012, 11:52 AM

I'd sell the DM5 and get a DM6. The difference in ergonomics is night and day and DM6's are some of the cheapeast marekers right now, but are damn near the same as a DM12 in function, size and weight.
I had a DM5 and my DM6 was a Huge improvement. I saw your post in the shocker forum and I'd say if you know how to tech DM's but not Shockers, stick to the DM's as it'll mean less learning and more time on the field.
Other then that, your gear is fine, just get to the field and roll that marker.

peacob · 09-08-2012, 01:18 PM

How much of a weight difference are we talking here?

After much research, i've come to terms that my DM5 is still a very good gun, its just that its also a boat anchor.

bubster89 · 09-10-2012, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MATTSDAD

May want to pick up a new board for the DM

Thats what I was thinking as well

Iowa's#1Stunna · 09-10-2012, 02:55 PM

I would keep what you have and get back in the saddle...loan out your spyders and such to friends and maybe sell them to save up and get more modern gun but like Pump Scot said the DM and Ion will do the same things every other electronic gun will do just not quite as efficient or as light...play around a little bit and see what you like for example you may like the Ego's over the Geo platform

Bopit · 09-10-2012, 06:34 PM

Get some new lenses for your masks, if you've been out of the game for as long as you have, the lenses might not be safe for them.

oldmanian · 09-10-2012, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peacob

How much of a weight difference are we talking here?

After much research, i've come to terms that my DM5 is still a very good gun, its just that its also a boat anchor.

From the DM forum sticky
"The DM6 is 1/2 in. short and 7 ounces lighter than the DM5"

Keep in mind that 7 ounce is nearly half a pound. The other thing with the DM6 is that the UL fraame is alot nicer to hold and the weight is lower and less so it doesn't feel so top heavey when using the marker. Again, I made the transition from a DM5 to a DM5 with a UL frame, to a DMC and a DMC with a UL frame and then finally a DM6. In my opinion, the DM6 was clearly a better marker to shoot and felt so much better when playing.

KookieMonster · 09-10-2012, 09:46 PM

If you know the DM inside and out and are comfortable shooting it, stay with it. I made the switch for my primary marker from a shocker SFT to the DM6 back in the summer of '06 and I couldn't get comfortable with it and sold it to pick up another shocker.

I remember a teammate had a DM4 when they first came out and when the DM5 came out, size wise it was about the same phisical size. Then the DM6 was a huge difference in size to me and seemed well ballanced. So if you are wanting a more recent marker, look for a DM6 or even a DM7. Both you should be able to get ahold of for a good price. But if you wanna try something different, and are willing to learn a new setup, you can't go wrong with a Shocker SFT or NXT.

peacob · 09-11-2012, 06:46 PM

Well, i went to a field on sunday, played with my DM5, it shot great as i expected. I also got to play a few rounds with my buddies etek 3.

Few things:
1. Realized how heavy the DM5 is compared to the newer guns... (you may call me weak)... however, its not really the total weight, its more that the gun is very top-heavy. I could buy an UL frame, however, finding one used is hard, and buying one new is still $150+. And still, that doesnt downsize the body of the gun at all, and it would still feel top-heavy.

2. While the etek felt nice in my hand, i guess i'm more of a spoolie person, as i love how my DM5 shoots. I know an etek is more of a mid-level poppet, but i still dont feel like i'd truely enjoy shooting a newer Ego either, nothing compares to the what Dye has done with their spoolies and the quietness and feeling of little to no kick. (although i've read the ego11 does shoot somewhat like a spoolie, i just dont have 600$+ at the moment)

So, with figuring out what i specifically wanted out of my gun, i researched the Matrix's and realized, while the DM6 does shave some weight, honestly, i feel like it wouldnt be enough, as the body still looked very bulky in pictures (top heavy), it just wasnt as efficient, and also didnt have an EYE system.

That all being said... i just purchased a DM10. Did a lot of research, and after reading how the DM9 was one of the best DM's made, and then they went an finished it off with a better trigger. I felt, it was my best bet.

Cracker_35 · 09-11-2012, 07:52 PM

Great choice.

firebirdjimbo · 09-12-2012, 09:50 PM

Get a Tadao chip for your dm5 board, Everything else is fine. Rock the dm5, smoother and quieter than any other gun out there.

peacob · 09-13-2012, 01:48 AM

wellll..... just bought a dm10...so yeah

firebirdjimbo · 09-13-2012, 01:53 AM

Get some good use out of it. Justify the purchase, or not your choice. DM10's are amazing thought and if you liked your dm5 you'll love the dm10 because it wieghs next to nothing and is much more eficcient.

nerdcore · 09-13-2012, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peacob

wellll..... just bought a dm10...so yeah

Did you sell the dm5? Just curious.

I moved from a Gen E Matrix, to a ul'd DM5, DM6, and finally a DM7. I should have stopped at the DM5, it felt better than the later models, shot quieter, and i even miss the weight. Oh, and the DM6 does have eyes, just doesn't have the eyePIPE that debuted in the DM7 and onward.

But i digress. Enjoy the DM10, my fellow spoolie fan.

Side note - like NeverSurrender said, convert the Trilogy to pump, for those days in between paychecks when money for paint is scarce.