[Astronic]

So, I just made the switch form airsoft to paintball, and want a intermediate to highend marker (not a tippmann 98 custom basically). I want to be cost-effective, but should I go with a GoG eXTCy or a DYE/Proto Rize (or any of its variants like the Maxxed)? I feel like the DYE is what I'm leaning towards, but what do you guys think? I'm also looking at the invert/empire mini series (which one is the best? G.S., F.S., S.E.) and am wondering if it's worth it to upgrade to it. Thanks.

[Hounds33]

Originally Posted by Astronic

So, I just made the switch form airsoft to paintball, and want a intermediate to highend marker (not a tippmann 98 custom basically). I want to be cost-effective, but should I go with a GoG eXTCy or a DYE/Proto Rize (or any of its variants like the Maxxed)? I feel like the DYE is what I'm leaning towards, but what do you guys think? I'm also looking at the invert/empire mini series (which one is the best? G.S., F.S., S.E.) and am wondering if it's worth it to upgrade to it. Thanks.

I would suggest a GTEK or an ETHA. Dye markers from my experience are temperamental and require more maintenance time. Mini series isn't bad, the marker itself is just a little to small for my liking and the stock barrel sucks. I'd suggest an Etha, GTEK, or an axe.

[safariguy5]

If you like stacked tube poppets, a G6R or Etek 5 are also good choices.

[beginnerguy121]

Hi everyone.
I´m just starting out playing paintball. I´ve been playing a few times with friends and I´m now considering buying my own gun. I´ve basically no idea what marker to buy. I´ve set myself a budget of ~$350. Can i get a good marker for that price? If so, what marker do you guys recommend. I found this website on marker reviews: https://paintimpact.com/best-paintball-gun/.
Do you guys think this site is legit? Do they have any good information?
I appreciate the answers!

[brownbeast83]

Viking or Excalibur?

[safariguy5]

The first thing you should get when you invest in equipment is a good mask. Something that doesn't fog (probably dual paned) and fits comfortably. Not to mention you'll need a HPA tank and a hopper as well.

But if I were looking for something at about 350, an Axe would be a good solid starter option.

[Graysonj5]

Ego 11 or the Geo 3.0??

[mkong91]

Trying to look for a good gun for about 200-250.. any suggestions new or old? I've seen a g4 used for about 200 good buy?

[Hounds33]

Originally Posted by mkong91

Trying to look for a good gun for about 200-250.. any suggestions new or old? I've seen a g4 used for about 200 good buy?

I would stay away from DP products as I've seen nothing but trouble with them. I'd advise an Etha or Axe as they have companys that will stand by their products.

[mkong91]

Originally Posted by Hounds33

I would stay away from DP products as I've seen nothing but trouble with them. I'd advise an Etha or Axe as they have companys that will stand by their products.

what about the photo rize?

[Ian_12]

Getting back into paintball. I only played a little and just woodsball when I was young. Watched a lot of speedball over the years and thought be fun to get back into it and try speedball. So I'm not looking to spend much since I won't play a lot. My choices are.......

Dye DM9
Proto PM7 (actually new)
Dangerous Power Fusion FX


I've done a lot of research and it usually seems it is more personal preferences. Seeing as I can't get out to try these guns, I get to weed through other opinions to average out. I like Dye/Proto because it's Dye quality. Dangerous Power is a new one to me, but their engineering and quality seems very good. I like a lot of things on the DP, saying that sounds dirty, but Dye keeps pulling me back. The DM9, to me, just needs a barrel kit to fine tune. The DP will need a new bolt and ram to possibly make it the way I want, maybe barrel kit too. So looking for more feedback to help out.

[safariguy5]

The Dangerous Power stuff can have some quality control issues. My buddy had a DM9 and they're great guns. A little heavier and bulkier than what you'd find now, but if all you need is a barrel kit, the DM9 will do great in just about any type of game.

[EpicPaintballPark]

great sleeper marker would be a BL insight NG if you lube it after you play it should give you very awesome gun around the $350 mark

[trickynicky3]

09 pmr or G3?

[IPB516681]

07 ego or invert mini?

[safariguy5]

I like the mini personally, but it does run on the smaller side, so if you're a bigger guy, might not be very comfortable.

[Fosterk33]

Any thoughts on getting a bob long g6r? or a vanquish 2.0 for slightly more?

[bendertheoffender]

I've been out of the game for a little while, some manufacturers may have come or gone, or been bought out and merged. so I am curious what you and your friends are shooting and swear by.

poppets are new territory for me, what's the deal? I've heard that they are jumpy and noisy. Is it negligible or does it play a more significant factor?

Top 2 marker picks for poppet and spool might prove helpful for me. it would also be helpful if the candidates are sub $500 and can still be found totally new.

Thanks in advance.

[monkeyballer099639]

Originally Posted by Fosterk33

Any thoughts on getting a bob long g6r? or a vanquish 2.0 for slightly more?

The g6r is a solid marker. Once you get the pressure set, it will be very smooth, extremely efficient, and quite reliable.

The vanquish is a good marker as well and empire has a very good warranty program. It is very easy to maintain with the one key and you get a full barrel kit.

If you want a poppet for a good price, the g6r is a winner. If you want a spool, the vanquish 2.0 is good, but I feel there are better options for the same price or cheaper. Also depends on how much you are looking to spend.

[monkeyballer099639]

Originally Posted by bendertheoffender

I've been out of the game for a little while, some manufacturers may have come or gone, or been bought out and merged. so I am curious what you and your friends are shooting and swear by.

poppets are new territory for me, what's the deal? I've heard that they are jumpy and noisy. Is it negligible or does it play a more significant factor?

Top 2 marker picks for poppet and spool might prove helpful for me. it would also be helpful if the candidates are sub $500 and can still be found totally new.

Thanks in advance.

Older poppers were louder and not as smooth, but more efficient, while spools were smooth, but not efficient. With guns now, most players don't need the super efficiency of poppets unless you play some serious laning game or do big scenario events since most spools are plenty efficient enough (my dm9 can easily get 8 pods and hopper from a 68 and I never shoot that much). Poppets are also usually easier to maintain since they have less dynamic Orings. There are also two types of poppet valve markers; stacked tube and inline.

The top poppet marker right now is probably the planet eclipse lv1, which is the most recent ego. Only pe, Bob long, and empire really make poppet markers. Bob long markers are more in line style and get good reviews, but most players are not familiar with them to go into details, myself included, so the best award is up to debate and opinions.

The best spool is highly contested as well. There are a lot of different designs and different companies promote different aspects of their guns to those who like them. The planet eclipse Geo series is decently smooth, very simple in design and maintain, and pretty efficient. The dlx Luxe promotes the smoothest shot. The Macdev clone series looks to have the smoothest shot and high efficiency, but can be more tedious with performance. The dye dm series is the only spool to have a low pressure reg along with a high pressure, so it can balance the shot. There are also a lot of mid range spools (and some poppets) that perform very well, but just don't have all the fancy stuff that the high ends have.

Hopes this helps some. For some new guns in the 500 range, the empire axe for a poppet is a solid choice. The Macdev drone 2 is a good spool in that range. If you can go to 550, planet eclipse has the gtek spool and the etek5 poppet, which I feel would be better choices.

[safariguy5]

Back in the day, poppets were more reliable and spools had less kick. At this point, spools are almost as reliable as poppets and both are pretty smooth. Mostly comes down to personal preference, although the old school stacked tube poppet design seems to be less popular these days.