My Beginner's Paintball Kit (Paintball Markers)

I know I promised to do a blog about my whole list of gear at the end of my last post, but if I put everything into one entry, it would probably end up being 10 pages long, and nobody would want to read it.  Instead, I will make several posts about individual pieces of equipment along with my reasons for purchasing each item.  Some posts may have more than one piece type of equipment listed if the entry is too short, so this will be a work in progress.  I will post a link tree at the bottom of every entry once all of the items have been discussed so that people can navigate to specific kit pieces if they wish.  
It might also be worth disclosing that these first several posts have been put together over a relatively short period of time.  That’s mainly because the blog is new, and I have quite a bit of subject material to work with right now.  The posts will start to spread out a bit once I have to search for new subject material, so if you have stumbled across this blog recently, be sure to read it from the beginning and follow them in order if possible.  If not, that’s fine too.  Now, on to the first piece of gear!

My First Marker:  Spyder MR100 PRO

Spyder MR100 Pro with Stock Removed

This was my very first marker that I purchased just under a year ago when my friends first mentioned that they would be setting up a private course close to where we all lived.  However, as you may have noticed, I didn’t follow my own advice to avoid purchasing anything until I played a few times.  To be honest, I haven’t really used this on any field since my first outing.  The MR100 Pro is a decent beginner’s marker that also proves to be very economical and reliable on the field even though it lacks in rate of fire.  
The marker is semi auto, and fully mechanical, and the double trigger does allow for quicker trigger pulls.  I run CO2 through this marker along with all of my other markers, and the MR100 doesn’t miss a step.  In fact, this marker is very efficient and will get around 1200 to 1300 shots out of a 20oz. CO2 tank.  My only complaint is that even though the marker comes with a collapsible stock, I never use it with the stock attached.  I find stocks to be a purely cosmetic feature for most paintball markers since wearing a mask doesn’t really allow you to rest your cheek on the stock anyway.  Also, there are no sights on the top of the marker due to the position of the feed neck.  All in all, this is a good, inexpensive marker.

Marker # 2: Spyder Fenix 2012

Spyder Fenix 2012 with after market barrel (brand unknown)

I purchase the Fenix because after playing once, I knew I wanted something with an electronic trigger.  The field we were playing on was relatively small, and favored encounters that required a lot of suppressing fire, and my semi auto marker wasn’t cutting it. Experienced paintballers are probably rolling their eyes at all of the Spyder markers on this list, and I am aware that they aren’t high quality markers.  However, the Fenix did allow me to hold my own against players using much more popular and expensive markers without shelling out over $250.00 even though there were some drawbacks.  

I wouldn’t enter any competitions with this marker, but that isn’t my goal anyway.  Out of my three markers, this one gets the most use, and I am learning to work around its shortcomings nicely.  Will I eventually trade up for a better electronic marker?  Most likely, but this is working for me right now.  I’ll probably still hold on to the Spyder as a backup for years to come.

Marker # 3: Tippmann A-5 2011 Model (With Added Response Trigger)

Stock Tippmann A-5 with Response Trigger

Let the eye rolling continue, but I purchased this marker for a few very specific reasons. The first was that I knew once I started playing on larger, more objective based fields that I would want to change my play style.  I’m not as young as I once was, and the thought of sliding and diving around the field simply doesn’t appeal to me.  That’s not to say that using an electronic marker makes it necessary to jump around the field like a crazy person, but playing with a marker like the A-5 demands a bit of patience and tactical thinking when you are playing against more advanced markers that can fling ropes of paint around the field.  
If you never have before, I would suggest watching some videos on YouTube posted by Trails of Doom.  Glen, who runs the channel, almost exclusively uses an A-5, and he is able to pull of some crazy, sneaky maneuvers that I have never seen on other channels where players are using newer markers.  

It’s all about how you play, and I wanted to use a platform that would force me to approach the game differently.  I’ve only used this marker on the field a few times, and I was frustrated by the weight and awkwardness of it after using a much lighter and shorter marker.  I have recently purchased a remote line and harness to help alleviate those issues. 

Many of my recent purchases have revolved around the use of this new setup, so I hope my choice will pay off in the long run.  If not, I have other options in my arsenal, and I can always trade up later on.  My other motivations for using the A-5 revolved around Tippmann’s excellent reputation for building some of the toughest, most durable markers on the market.  Also, since the A-5 has been around for so long, there are more after market customization options available for this marker than any other still being sold (as far as I know, but correct me if I’m wrong).  

I haven’t bothered customizing my own A-5 aside from installing the response trigger upgrade which allows me to fire full auto, but I haven’t tested that on the field as of yet.  My biggest concern with the A-5 so far had been the weight, so I don’t want to add any more extras that would further bog me down.  I also purchased an Apex 2 barrel kit, but haven’t really had any use for it as the old field was too small and densely packed with foliage to use the higher ramp settings.

There you have it!  I will most likely continue to change what markers that I use as I grow into the sport, but I don’t have a huge budget to throw at new markers.  Paintball markers are easily the most expensive piece of kit that you will buy for paintball, and while I could have easily spent the money devoted to the purchase of all three of these markers on one monster of a marker, I chose variety over having just one marker.  

Perhaps you have different opinions about how a first marker should be chosen.  Feel free to leave your first marker purchase choices and stories in the comments below.  Until the next time!
~Krimmit

Beginner's Essential Paintball Gear

As a beginner paintballer who has been slowly growing his first functional paintball gear kit, I decided that it might be helpful to put together a list of equipment that a new player should have to be as prepared as they can be for any scenario.  I’ve tried to compose a list like this several times, but it has always been difficult to make a comprehensive list without going off on tangents about how one type of equipment might fit better suit a certain play style and so on.  So, this list has been simplified to the “must haves” for a beginner paintball gear kit. There are far too many choices available for me to get into specific varieties of paintball markers, masks, pod packs/carrier, etc., and you will ultimately have the last say in what you buy.  

My only advice is to keep your first kit simple, and don’t break the bank unless you have a lot of disposable income to pull it off.  Do your research before buying anything, and make sure you fill out any warranty cards that may come with your equipment before you forget to. Keep in mind that this is just a list of what I think are the bare essentials for someone who wants to be able to play with or without a group of friends when you go to the field.  Most commercial fields will rent equipment, but it is nice to be able to go and already have everything you need.  On to the list!

1. Paintball Marker

You need one of these to play, but hold off on buying one until you have played a few times. That way, you can determine what marker you need to suit your play style.  Do plenty of research and choose a marker that has a good reputation and one that has been favorably reviewed by veteran players.  When in doubt, let your wallet make the decision for you.  The best players often use expensive equipment, but they have also spent a lot of time growing into their markers to the point that they know exactly what they need to improve.  Choose something simple and inexpensive to start with, and trade up as you gain more experience.

2.  Paintball Mask

I put this piece second on the list, but in many ways this is actually the most important piece of gear in any paintball kit.  Everyone should have a mask when playing paintball even if you are just playing with friends in your back yard.  The projectiles that are fired from paintball markers may travel much slower speeds than those fired from real firearms or even from airsoft rifles, but they still travel at speeds high enough to cause serious injury to the eyes or face.  

This is also one piece of equipment that I would recommend spending more money on to ensure that they have the correct features.  The most important feature to look for in a good mask is a thermal coated lens that will combat the effects of fogging.  Cheaper masks without thermal lenses are guaranteed to fog at low or higher ambient temperatures because your skin basically breathes moisture as you perspire.  Some lenses may be better at preventing fogging than others, but some thermal coating is better than none.  Don’t even bother buying one that doesn’t have a thermal coating unless you don’t mind being blinded by condensation on your lens.

3.  Propellant/Gas Tank

Every paintball marker needs some sort of gas source to shoot paintballs, and what type of propellant you use is entirely up to you.  Some players prefer CO2 because of the low cost and availability and others prefer HPA due to the increased efficiency and consistency of barrel velocities.  I won’t go into debating which is better, but it is not uncommon for players to start with one and move to the other, and some use both.  It’s up to your own preference, but you will need a tank of some sort no matter what.  Smaller markers (especially pistols) will use CO2 cartridges as well, so make sure you pick something that fits your other equipment well.  

Furthermore, pay attention to what the user manual of your marker recommends as well. Some markers are set up to use only HPA, and you should not use other propellants with these setups.  Research your marker’s specifications before you buy a tank.

4.  Pod Packs/Vests, and Pods

There are a vast number of pod pack and paintball vest configurations available, and this choice also depends on your play style.  Most belt style pod packs will allow you to carry at least two extra pods onto the field, and some will carry up to 6 or 8 pods.  Some markers use magazines rather than hoppers; so that is another thing to consider, but the long and short of it is that you will need some way to carry extra ammunition onto the field.  Unless you are a very conservative player who only needs the paintballs loaded in your hopper or magazine, you will want to have extra paint, and you won’t want to stuff pods in your pockets. Just be sure to choose something comfortable that won’t restrict your range of motion too much.  

5. Hopper (or Extra Mags for Magfed)

There are many different kinds of hoppers on the market, and these too can be difficult to week through.  If you have a marker with a built in hopper, then you need not worry, but other markers will need something to feed paint.  Gravity fed hoppers are fine for slow firing, mechanical markers, but electronic hoppers are pretty much favorable for any marker to help reduce the risk of chopping paint.  

Nonetheless, starting with a gravity hopper is fine for the new player on a budget.  This is something that you can always upgrade later, and the plain Jane hoppers are very inexpensive.  Many mag fed markers can also be adapted for the addition of a hopper, but expect to buy extra mags if you really like running with a pure mag fed setup.  Spare mags can come with a pretty hefty price tag, so expect to pay a bit more for these additions.  Most markers come with two or maybe three mags out of the box.

6. Optional Extras

I call these last items optional, but I wouldn’t step onto the field without them. So, take that as you may.  The first item would have to be a good pair of gloves.  Good doesn’t necessarily mean expensive, and some of the best gloves I have used for paintball were little more than cheap utility gloves that I picked up from my local hardware store.  I prefer the thinner gloves with leather or faux leather grips and adjustable Velcro on the wrist for a better fit.  Thicker gloves reduce my ability to feel the trigger of my marker as I play.  Winter gloves are probably not a good solution for that same reason, but use something that protects your fingers and knuckles.  Getting hit in the finger is very painful if you don’t have protection.

It is also a good idea to wear some other form of head protection underneath your mask though not everyone will do so.  I normally wear a bandanna, head wrap, or a backwards ball cap under my mask to reduce the pain of getting shot in the top of the head. Bandannas and head wraps seem to collect sweat better on hot days, so I prefer to use them over stocking caps or ball caps.  All other clothing can be worn to your own preference.  Just know that even though the liquid in paintballs is usually washable, the dye and greasy ingredients can leave dull stains on clothing.  It’s best to wear old clothes that you don’t plan on using for anything else besides paintball or maybe yard work.  

There you have it.  This list may have left out a few items that other players may add to their “must haves”, and in reality there are a few other things that I wouldn’t go to the field without, but I wanted to leave just the bare minimum of pieces on here for those looking to get started as soon as possible.  My next post will show what items I keep in my own gear bag along with the reasons for why I chose that particular equipment. 

Also, I will update this post with some photos soon.  I had planned to use search photos from the internet, but I didn't want to risk any copyright issues.   Until next time!


~Krimmit

2015 Paintball Goals....It's a great new year for paintball!!

Hey all.  I'm back with another post!  I know my first post didn't get any views yet, but this is a new blog, and I don't really expect any hits from this thing just yet.  Heck, if this thing actually receives any outside attention from the public, I would be extremely happy.  The purpose of this blog is really just for me to share my thoughts and experiences about the sport.  It's not something that I get to play very often due to budget constraints, and discussing it really helps me to vent some of the excitement so that I'm not driving my wife crazy all of the time.  

Anyway, my topic for today's post is my personal goals for playing this upcoming season.  When I started playing a year ago, I had expected to play much more, or to at least get some more use out of the equipment that I purchased.  This year, things will be more organized, and I will rely much less on others to coordinate time to play, and to provide the space needed to play on.  With that in mind, here is a list of items/goals that I will be looking into to get the most enjoyment out of this hobby in 2015.

1. Find a nearby commercial field to play on

One of the biggest obstacle that I faced last year was that we lost access to the property that we played on, and nobody in our regular group was able to find an alternate place to play.  We all got busy, and life happened.  Paintball fell by the wayside.  Even when we were playing, there were really only two people who could get permission to use the space, and not everyone could play by their schedules.  It was no fault of their own, but it made things less accessible for those of us who wanted to play more regularly.  To make things worse, there are no commercial fields in the immediate area to play on in the part of Iowa that I live in.  

However, there is a park in Madison, Wisconsin that I have been checking out online called Apocalypse Paintball.  Madison is only an hour and a half drive from our home, and I have family in that area to boot (family makes for a good excuse to convince my wife to travel).  Since I'm new to the sport I have never experienced a commercial field, and I don't really know what to expect.  My plan is to wait until the regular season begins, and to organize a weekend trip with some of my friends to go and play.  Pricing is fair at that field, so budgeting shouldn't be to much of an issue either.  I'll drop a link here for anyone who wants to check out more information about this park, but the information that I have gleaned so far seems promising.  

2.  Get into shape

I've gotten pretty soft in the middle over the past year, and I'm not in the ideal condition to be running around a paintball field for an entire day.  In fact, I really don't have an excuse for being as unfit as I have become at this point.  So, one of my goals is to lose at least 15 pounds by March or I won't be able to go to the field at all.  I'll talk about this more in future posts, but I'll take any excuse I can get to put myself back into fighting shape.  If anything, my gear will fit better.

3.  Continue building my kit

I've slowly been building a fairly respectable beginner's paintball gear collection that should keep me up to pace with other players on the field.  As such I will be devoting many future posts to my pursuit of new and better equipment to round out my arsenal.  I will post my opinions on popular equipment along the way, but I will always take the approach of a beginner out of my respect for those veteran players who have been doing this for much longer than I have.  The purpose of this blog is to chronicle of my journey as a newcomer to this sport, and not to step on the toes of more experienced players.

As such, I always welcome the opinions of those of you who might have some insight into the subjects that I am discussing. Just remember to share your thoughts in a manner that is respectful and family friendly, and I will return that courtesy.

4. Become more active in the PB community

I haven't had too much experience in the forums of popular paintball enthusiast websites yet, but I plan to explore this more in the future.  There is a wealth of knowledge available to new players like me that I would love to share with anyone willing  to read this page.  My plan is to post links to articles and videos that I find interesting on this blog.  Not only will it help me to generate content regularly, but it will also help me to expand my knowledge of the sport that I can share.

That pretty much wraps up what I had planned to share for today's post.  I tend to get long winded with these posts, and the more I limit myself the better.  Next time I will share my thoughts on what gear I think is essentially vital to the newbie paintballer like me who is looking to build his/her first gear kit.  I've done a lot of research on paintball gear over the last year, and I feel like my purchases have put me in line with the style of play that best suits my desires.  

Anyway, here's to the next post!!

~Krimmit

New Beginnings (An Intro)

Welcome to my newest blogging endeavor.  I've started plenty of others, but I think this is one that I can really stick to since paintball is a sport that I have become very excited and passionate about over the past year.  I'm 31 years young, and only started playing about 12 months ago, so this is more of a budding hobby for me.  My goal for this blog is to share my journey with you and maybe help other new players expand expand their knowledge about this incredibly fun sport.  I also plan to share some of my favorite YouTube videos and other paintball related news as the regular paintball season approaches.

As I mentioned earlier, I started playing last February with some of my local buddies. We played for several months last year on some private land that we built up during the spring and summer months.  Times were good for a while, but eventually there were some events that made the land inaccessible to us.  The real shame is that we had cleared timber, built several bunkers and obstacles, and made the land ideal for the small games that we organized.  

This year, we will be playing occasionally at some commercial fields when we can afford it.  The downside to this is that the nearest field is an hour and a half drive from where I live, but the variety of fields available there seem to be quite good.  Overall, I am quite excited  to begin playing this spring and summer, and I hope that some of you will find some of the articles helpful or at least entertaining.

I have left the comments section open to those of you with Google access as well, so feel free to drop your own feedback, stories, or suggestions in the comments section below each post.  Just know that the comments will be moderated, so please keep your responses clean and be respectful.  I will be posting new content as often as I can, so stay tuned!  Until next time.

~Krimmit