Whats a good entry level marker?

[Skeeter]

Hi all,
New to this, and wondered what was a good entry level tourney marker?

[martyb55]

You will be told many different things.
But id say a PMR is one of the nicest shooting entry level guns around.
Lots of extras availible too.
I noticed there are a couple of them on Tard me at the moment too.
Just ask around to find out if anyone knows the guns and if they have been looked after.

[Vijil]

A big question: are you after a speedball or a woodsball marker? What's your budget?

[Skeeter]

Speedball, woodsball doesnt interest me much.
As for budget, im looking for entry level, i dont want to spend $1800

[Wheelz]

I'm not so sure about the PMR. When they're good they're good.
But they can be very problematic.
If you check the Matrixowner forum you'll see every second post on the PMR is about leaks. And they can be very hard to overcome sometimes.

[Icharus 461]

Go tto agree with Wheelz. Our team has had a few PMR's or have helped others with there Rails. And only one of them has proven to be relatively problem free. The Rail "needs" up grading right from the box with the plastic frame and back cap. So it's more expensive then what is on the side of the box.
Shop around, or borrow from some of the crowd in your area to try stuff out.

[Vijil]

I see you wrote skeeter that you haven't played yet - definitely rock along to a social fives in Wellington and borrow someones gun before you commit to buying one. Info about the Wellington fives will generally be on this site under the Wellington section :)

You know I'm really stuck to think of a good entry level... I'm hearing good things about the Proto SLG, and they've just released a new one. Apparently it's less finicky out of the box. Cheaper than a PMR too. Also note that a new 09 PMR is about to be released, so it may be that they've tidied it up a bit. I do know that it now comes with an UL frame stock, which is good.

[Wheelz]

As Vijil said, the new 09 Rail may have had these issues dealt to, so don't write that off because of my earlier comment. Although you probably don't want to wait that long, huh?
Proto SLG.
I just wandered over to the MatrixOwner SLG forum (http://forums.matrixowner.com/forumdisplay.php?f=116) and was a little disappointed at the lack of info available. Sure, there is a detailed breakdown of the marker with pics but there are very few post and there isn't even their usual "Maintenance Tutorial" which leads me to believe that maybe they just aren't that popular.
I place a lot of confidence in the MatrixOwner forum because there is a truckload of good info and experience there and it's well moderated by techs too.
If there was something about the SLG that took your fancy, my advice would be to do some research first and see if anyone else has one that you could try out and get their honest evaluation.

[Wheelz]

I've done a bit of ragging so far, so what about positive suggestions?
Well, I know I'll get flamed for this but, I can't seem to go past the Ion for a good entry marker.
I still have the one I bought 2 years ago as a back-up and have loaned it out on many occasions when other players have had issues with their markers. They always comment that it went well with no hassles at all. My only beef with them is that you have to strip the thing right down to access the bolt & eyes.
This, however, has been answered with the Ion XE which has BOB (Bolt Out Back). Although it's fairly new, the reviews seem to be quite positive and I know there is good service back up for them here in NZ.
They've also been placed in the "High End Electro" category. A little surprised but I guess that's testament to their reliability.
Oh, and not a bad price too. Check them out yourself. There should be a few around Welly that you could borrow at their 5's to try out.

[Skeeter]

Great feedback guys.
Yeah, i was looking at the slg. might have to do what you said and see if i can try some markers out.

[martyb55]

Come to the next Welly 5's man.
Ill have a nice new gun to show off too :)

Not sure when the next one is though. It will be posted no doubt.

[Skeeter]

Sweet, will do :)
I was looking at reviews of the Smarts Epihpany, but doesnt look like i can buy that in NZ. Reviews look good

[Wheelz]

Correct me somebody if I'm wrong, but I don't think SP have made an Epiphany in the last year or so, therefor they may not be available as a new marker.
If you can get to a monthly event, I'm sure you'll find most guys are more than happy for you to have blat with their gat. Just don't fall over and bury it into the ground for them...haha.

[Vijil]

Yeah, I'd say that the new 09 SLG (not sure it's here in NZ just yet) will be your best option. Were I getting into paintball for the first time now it would probably be at the top of my list of cheapbutgoodness especially since it'll come with some of the ups that used to be separate purchases. What I'm hearing from people who had the 08 SLG is that it's a solid and reliable marker. It has easier eye and detent access than the SP guns like the ion and epiphany.

Here is a good review of the SLG: T8g-JDZ3tVE

Remember of course that only semi is allowed in NZ so the firing modes don't mean anything, and also that that's the old one he was reviewing so the new one will have most of the issues tidied up. Specifically that the bolt is no longer likely to be too short, and the feedneck is adjustable so you don't need to do what he did. And they've apparently increased the efficiency and made it quieter as well as adding a much better frame and trigger. If the price is the same as the SLG 08 was then it'll be a great deal!

[Skeeter]

Wow, thats a really cool review :)
Now that Marty is having an open day for TAG i might have to pop along

[wonder]

they will be here after xmas and im not to sure on the pricing but most likely be around $380-450 nzd depending on if its x stock or x factory and how it is shipped

[pbsniperassasin]

what i would do is try and play with diffrent markers like electronics pumps semis e.t.c and try diffrent brands and play on diffrent fields and decide what marker fits you style of play even if its a high end torny marker or a low end torny marker just find one that fits you and your play thats just my apinion

[weman]

lol i hadn't played a game but i bought my
E-MR1 its a sweet marker but it needs a lower more
sturdy feed neck

[Icharus 461]

I'm going to add. Spyder. Kingman still makes a top notch first gun for people getting into Paintball. Is a good price, has enough of a range to suit almost anyone and is very simple to look after.

[Frodo]

I'd agree, a first gun for a new player should be something simple with little or no maintenance for the first 3-6 months.

Spyder knock open poppet designs are very reliable and tech friendly. Easy to figure out what does what if you have a mechanically minded brain. New guys need trouble free equipment so they can concentrate completely on learning how to play.