Grouped generations of Dye Markers
(See conclusion and chart at the very bottom for tl;dr)
Chart of Evolution
Why not start with the Dm3?
It is true that the dm3 is the starting marker that led to the future dye DM series but in my opinion it is a completely different monster. It's like Homo sapiens and Neanderthals, we are related to them but not directly descended from them. Same idea when it comes to the dm3 in relation to the dm4. Yes the dm4 comes from the dm3 but a dm4 is more closely related to a dm12 than a dm3. (personal opinion).
DM3 Schematic (Look at the lpr placement, battery placement and breech design. The Dm3 is the only notably different marker from the rest of the series).
GENERATION 1
Dm4
Operating pressure is 170 psi
LPR – preset to 75
Membrane pad
Hyper 2
No Ul frame
Eye plates
Minimal adjustments to the trigger
No ASA provided.
4 dip switches
Battery Clip
Front ON/OFF
Pros –
Gun was very smooth due to its considerable mass by today’s standards which created one of the smoothest shots in paintball. The milling was absolutely top notch and the colors that the Dm4 came in were unmatched.
Cons –
Membrane pad had a high failure rate. The original fuse bolt was not efficient which lead to many modifications. Examples included but were not limited to the use of tape to decrease air volume thus increasing efficiency. The gun was quite tall and due to milling you could not change the feedneck. The Eye plate screws were easily stripped. Front On/off o rings leaked at times.
Dm5 (* new)
Operating Pressure 170psi
Lpr preset to 75psi
Membrane Pad
Hyper 2
No Ul frame
Eye plates
*2 side screws trigger adjustment
4 dip switches
*company provided standard ASA
Battery clip
*Lighter Milling
Front ON/OFF
*improved lpr
*built in rail
Pros –
Dm5 was more efficient than the dm4 considerably but people still proceeded to modify the bolt. The new milling made the marker more streamlined and most notably the tall feed neck was cut down. Again the matrix provided a very smooth shot. Decreased failure rate in membrane pads.
Cons –
Membrane still occasionally failed. On/off was prone to leaking. Efficiency was improved via tape but it did make the shot less smooth. Less color options than the dm4. Eye plate’s screws stripped on occasion.
DMC
(See dm5)
The DMC or dye matrix composite was promoted as a lighter matrix due to its composite parts. Priced around 1500 when they were first released they were considerably pricier than the dm5s. They came in blue, red, gold/yellow and black.
Generation 2
DM6 (*new)
*Operating Pressure 145psi
Lpr preset to 75psi
*Ultralite Frame
*Button Pad
Hyper 2
Eye plates
*3 trigger adjustable side screw introduction
*2 dip switches
*Company provided standard ASA that screwed in the front
*battery powering directly towards board.
*Lighter Milling
*Hand adjustable feedneck as opposed to allen key adjusted.
*Improved Lpr
Pros –
Lower Operating pressure! This gave a much smoother shot without the need of a high mass. The ultralite frame was extremely ergonomic. The button pad was far less prone to fail compared to the previous generation membrane pad. Three trigger adjustable screws allowed for finer adjustment and the removal of the battery clip, meant one less wire to get pulled out or fail. Feed neck could be tightened by hand. Improved efficiency
Cons –
Rare occasion the ulframe would bend if the player took a very nasty fall or dive. Biggest problem was the asa o ring shredding if the asa was screwed all the way in. O ring in the lpr could shred if screwed all the way in. Eye plate screws would strip easily. Jojo750 - eye retainer design failure
DM7 (*new)
Operating Pressure 145psi
Lpr preset to 75psi
Ultralite Frame
Button Pad
Hyper 2
Eye plates
3 trigger adjustable side screw introduction
2 dip switches
Company provided standard ASA that screwed in the front
battery powering directly towards board.
Front ON/OFF
*Lighter Milling
*Locking feedneck!
*Introduction of eye pipe system
Pros –
Alright I have to gush over this marker really quickly. Dye took the strides they made with the dm6 and perfected them. These guns were light and had a very low fail rate. Any problems that were encountered were usually due to lack of lubrication or o rings.
Cons –
The Eye pipe system still needed improvement. If barrel was tightened excessively, pipes on rare occasions could crack.
Dm8 (*new)
Operating Pressure 145psi
Lpr preset to 75psi
Ultralite Frame
Button Pad
*Hyper 3
*2 trigger adjustable side screw introduction (cant tell/remember)
2 dip switches
Company provided standard ASA that screwed in the front
battery powering directly towards board.
*Heavier Milling (that’s right!)
Locking feedneck!
*Improved of eye pipe system
*Loss of eye plates!
*Improved Lpr
Pros –
The new hyper 3 had a rubber grip and was smaller in size. It provided a more consistent shot and easier to hold. New milling was either liked or hated. More Customized versions than the dm7, included but were not limited to – Ollie lang, Nicky Cuba, Tampa Bay Damage, Rocky Cagnoni, Ironmen, Ironmen World champions, Johnny Percheck bomber etc. No more eye plate screws to strip! (Thank God!)
Cons – the original Dm8 eye pipe was a step back from the dm7. It was corrected by the release of the dm9 interchangeable eye pipe. Similar o ring wears that had plagued previous versions in the asa and lpr but at this point it was common knowledge on how to attend such problems.
Generation 3
Dm9 (*New)
Operating Pressure 145psi
Lpr preset to 75psi
*Ultralite Frame changed
*Significantly Shorter fuse bolt (same as pm8)
*New lpr design
Button Pad
Hyper 3
2 trigger adjustable side screw introduction
2 dip switches
Company provided standard ASA that screwed in the front
battery powering directly towards board.
*Lighter Milling
Locking feedneck
*Vastly Improved of eye pipe system
*Finer Adjusted board
*Loss of the front ON/OFF
Pros –
Considered one of the best dye guns released it had minor variants for the next 2 models. The gun had a redesigned fuse bolt that was half an inch shorter which directly lead to a shorter gun and frame. The eye pipe was perfected. Six point adjustable trigger
No more Front ON/OFF that could leak!
Cons –
Nothing significant.
Asa o ring could fail on occasion, bolt could leak if not lubed, eye pipe could crack and lpr o ring could shred if turned all the way in.
Dm10 (* New)
Operating Pressure 145psi
Lpr preset to 75psi
Ultralite Frame
fuse bolt (same as pm8)
lpr design
Button Pad
Hyper 3
2 trigger adjustable side screw introduction
2 dip switches
ASA that screwed in the front
battery powering directly towards board.
*Lighter Milling
Locking feedneck
eye pipe system
*Ironmen ultralite Trigger
*Color coordinated orings
Pros –
Basically a dm9 with new milling, more board adjustments, ironmen ultralite trigger.
The color coordinated o rings allowed players to lose the guessing game that was oring replacement.
Cons –
Same as the dm9
DM11
*Hyper 3 preset to 175psi (manual says but dye rep says it is 145 operating pressure
)
Lpr preset to 75psi
*NEW Ultralite Frame
*Tooless grips
* NT ASA (Side knob for on off and front macro)
fuse bolt
lpr design
Button Pad
Hyper 3
2 trigger adjustable side screw introduction
2 dip switches
battery powering directly towards board.
*New Milling
Locking feedneck
eye pipe system
Ironmen ultralite Trigger
Color coordinated orings
*Finer board adjustments
Pros –
The new frame was a lot more comfortable than the previous versions. The tool less grips made adjustments quick and easy at the field. IM ultralite trigger was extremely comfortable. NT asa was a fan favorite with an easier system of on/off with less macroline leaks.
Hyper 3 preset to 175psi online manual describes but dye rep claims it is 145 operating pressure. Have not tested it myself but it would explain the distinct sound signature many dm11s have even after well broken in.
Cons –
NT asa had a tendency to chip at the knob making adjustment impossible when aired up.
DM12!
Pros
*Hyper 3 w/ angled collar
*Tool-less Bolt design
*NT hyper 3 cover
*Milled windows
*fuse bolt has a large boltcan, which improves consistency in firing volume of shot
*Contact pads
Lpr preset to 75psi
Ultralite 2 Frame
Tooless grips
NT ASA
lpr design
Button Pad
Hyper 3
2 trigger adjustable side screw
2 dip switches
battery powering directly towards board.
Locking feedneck
eye pipe system
Ironmen ultralite Trigger
Color coordinated orings
Fine board adjustments
Cons
*White contact pads get very dirty easily*
By 2012, the Dm can be considered a "taller" marker.
While the grips are comfortable, they tend to wear quickly
