[da oreo]

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

[da oreo]

Dm13


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
*New series of colors and pga designs

Cons
By 2012, the Dm can be considered a "taller" marker.
While the grips are comfortable, they tend to wear quickly
Dye dm13/12 value drops very rapidly due to the minimal change from 2012 to 2013.


DYE DM14


Pros
First Dye Gas through
New Lpr design + location
Single tube
New Hyper 4 regulator
New Trigger
New Asa
New Contact pads
New Easy remove bolt
Lower operating pressure
Lower LPR pressure
Adjustable Asa
New Modular regulators for quick service
New Battery Clips for board

Cons
Tiny dip switches
Multiple reports of double feeding
Tool kit provided not adequate for adjusting trigger
Sub standard barrel condom

The Dye Dm14 is utterly and completely the greatest Dye matrix created to date. It is the first dm to be completely evolved from its originating predecessor the dm4. Although there have been some minor bumps in its release, they are few and far between. Some may complain that the Asa is too bulky but the true genius is revealed in that dye addressed an issue that has plagued the NT designed Asa. By increasing the size and making the asa "bulky" the knob completely borders a flat metal backing until it is completely open. This allows for vastly decreased breakage which has plagued these asa knobs for years now.
The gun is smooth... very smooth due to a lowered operating pressure. The dm14 is also capable of effectively being tuned right out of the box which is a first. With multiple tests confirming a solid efficiency of 10 pods per 68ci-70ci fill, there is no competitive format in which this gun is no longer preferred. With all the many wonderful aspects of this gun, there are very minor "Agitating" aspects which vary from player to player.
1. The dip switches are near microscopic
2. The space between the frame and the reg. (although some claim to have a problem with this, for me personally there is enough space to secure my thumb behind the reg. I am 5'11" with rather large hands, so it should be fine for most people in that range or smaller. Where the problem lies is for those that like to wrap their thumb all the way around the reg. With the gap provided, it really isn't conducive for that type of gun shooting posture.)
3. Rapid price depreciation - in an age where the internet paintball forum has created a saturated market for used goods, compounded with a general attitude to "whore" guns, the depreciation of the dm14 along with all markers in paintball has been unavoidable (except for limited edition guns ex. GSL).
4. double feeding (a problem i have not been able to isolate as to why (because my gun has not done this), but i have seen it easily fixed with lubing, tuning and proper paint boring).

My recommendation for players that are matrix fans and have the ability to afford such an expenditure is "go buy one"

Dye Dm15
Like the Dm6 to Dm7, Dm9 to dm11 and the dm12 to dm13. This is an adjustment year for dye. They listened to what people were having issues with and they addressed it.

A serious issue has arrived with dye guns. Their guns are losing value at such a staggering rate that 1500 markers are now 600 only seven months later. I highly recommend buying used and saving the money unless you have the extra cash to blow or are a sponsored team. A 1500 dollar marker should still be ~900 eighteen months later but that is not the case.

BEWARE!
Remember that paintball guns are not investments and like cars will depreciate very quickly. Only about 1% of guns will actually gain value and that is usually due to some rare historic value ex. pro player guns or limited runs (1 of 20), popular rare guns kept in NIB condition. or all three combined.

Pros
New Feedneck design
Slimmer Grips for more comfortable hand placement
new milling
Easier to remove back cap


Cons
Tiny dip switches
Tool kit provided not adequate for adjusting trigger
Sub standard barrel condom
Impending price drop


Conclusion
In conclusion if we look at the evolution of the Dye Matrix series we see a progression of change in every group. In regards to the LPR's true value we must remember that it is usually dictated not by a set number but by the HPR and dwell. Although the original chart is deceptive in showing a minor change from curtain yearly releases, if we base change from the DM4 to the DM14 we see that there is a change in every sector (see below). The Dye Matrix has gone through continual change from 2004 to 2014 making it one of the top performing markers today.

[da oreo]

The thread below is one that i created in 2012 which pretty much theorized the dm14. It is an interesting look back as to what dye could do at the time, to make their flagship marker better. We were fortunate to have dye address these issues in their 2014 release.
DYE MATRIX FUTURE

thanks guys for your time and stopping by!

[BartekSz]

Pls add evolution of weight

[killer_ghost]

Good job man.

[ferg man 5000]

Wonderful job.

[Anadrol]

T H A N K Y O U ! for helping me get this done upon request .. a lot of reading.

[sogo]

very nice thread great info

[ADOLF]

STICKY FTW!!!

[da oreo]

Originally Posted by BartekSz

Pls add evolution of weight

I'll look up the weights but there are a few discrepancies...
1. the dm4 did not come stock with a rail or asa so its weight is deceptive in that regards.
2. Some people have measured the guns without battery and barrel, others have done it with both.

I'll start looking and pull something together though!

Originally Posted by killer_ghost

Good job man.

Originally Posted by Anadrol

T H A N K Y O U ! for helping me get this done upon request .. a lot of reading.

No problem.

Originally Posted by sogo

very nice thread great info

Originally Posted by ADOLF

STICKY FTW!!!

Thanks guys! i'll keep combing through it and updating.

[QwertyPopz]

Gracias bromigo.

[da oreo]

new charts added.

[Anadrol]

This needs to be a STICKY ! ASAP!

[drei-eins]

In case y'all were wondering how the DM3 evolved to where it was I highly suggest checking out this thread on the history of the gun. Remember, the DM series would never be around without the Vintage Matrix...
http://pblegion.com/showthread.php?t=4691

*I did not make this article, BonesJackson and his brother Z-Man did. They did a wonderful job*

[OLD_B4LL3R]

Great post! This should be Stickied!


.

[Anadrol]

the evolution of the Matrix from the website is amazing as well SUPER detailed and history of a brand extended by DYE.

http://pblegion.com/showthread.php?t=4691

[da oreo]

Originally Posted by Anadrol

the evolution of the Matrix from the website is amazing as well SUPER detailed and history of a brand extended by DYE.

http://pblegion.com/showthread.php?t=4691

I remember reading it a few months back, really interesting! It shows how the dm3 came about and the creation of its derivations. If you look at the ardvark red bolt, looks very similar to the dm12 bolt without the magnets.

[Ragin Cajun]

The DM bolts operation has never changed since dye bought the patent for the matrix. They have made it smaller and smoother but the operation is exactly the same as it was almost 10 years ago. It's a great bolt system.

[benjabino]

Haven't seen something this Sticky-worthy in years.
Erayser stopped updating the old chart years ago.

[QwertyPopz]

Thanks for making this! Hope it gets stickied.

[engenhocas]

sticky !!!