Why no more 300 rd hoppers in paintball?

[Vida]

Ok, I've seen pics of the old VL 3000's. Why was this line discontinued? Not enough sales? Poor balance? Whats the deal, and why is no one today offering a 300 rd hopper?

[FalconGuy016]

Im guessing it is unpractically heavy and big. And the electronics have to be more powerful to spin paddles with more resistance, and the batteries will drain much faster. Plus, 200 rounds is enough :)

[the_next_guy_]

ya, i saw a guy play with one, and it stuck way out of the bunker.

[sniper1rfa]

cause you really only need a twelve gram or two, and maybe 40 rounds of paint if your hosing. :)

to be honest, why in the hell would you ever need 300 rounds? i can see a backman wanting 230-250, but any more borders rediculous.

i personally wish there was a 140 round hopper out there somewhere. i would definately adorn my mag with one.

[CrazyLad]

there are 140 round ones...or it my be 160...my field has some

[-=Squid=-]

He means 140 that are electronic, and dont teh suck ;) Anyways, Odyssey has come out with front man and back man electric hoppers...not sure of ball capacity though.

Www.odysseypaintball.com

[Woogie12]

I think the frontman halo TSA is 180 balls, or is it 165? I forget, but it's around there.

[Richter]

the reason why they don't make 300 round loaders is becasue fo the following:

After you shoot the first hopper you only have right around 140 to 200 rounds in your hopper for the rest of the game. This is becasue when you get low you add a pod of paint and pods are usually now 140 rounds (use to be 100 round pods)plus the left over ball still in your hopper. You don't see someone actually add a pod and a half of paint to a hopper; even when people run out of paint i have never seen anyone add more than one pod of paint. So since most people only really run with one pod in thier hopper after thier first reload, a 300 round hopper is a waste of space and an un-needed potential target for no gain in performance.

[Albinonewt]

Originally posted by FalconGuy016
Plus, 200 rounds is enough :)

What?

2,000 rounds isn't enough!

[Quickling]

2,000 rounds isn't enough!

wow... I got like 2-3 games out of my egg when I play with my cocker, and I use like 6-8 BALLS.. not pods, or tubes.. but balls per game when I use my PGP. and yes I get 1-2 eliminations per game. (and thats not bad when it is 3 on 3 or so)

but yeah, also imagine after your first reload you you have run from bunker A to bunker B. Your 300 rnd hopper is less then half full.. thats a lot of space for paint to be rattling around in. That could also be one seriously messy situation if one or more break during that run and the rest have tons of room to roll around and get coated with broken paint.

[Spaceman613]

My teammate uses a vl3000 with JT speed pod adapter.

His pods hold 200 (maybe more) rounds.

He doesnt get hit on his hopper much at all.

It DOES give him a good long time before he needs to fill in a game. Keeps his mind on the game rather than his pods.

[TheTramp]

Originally posted by Richter
After you shoot the first hopper you only have right around 140 to 200 rounds in your hopper for the rest of the game. This is becasue when you get low you add a pod of paint and pods are usually now 140 rounds (use to be 100 round pods)plus the left over ball still in your hopper.

You hit the nail right on the head here. No need for more than 140 plus a little left over from not letting your hopper run completely dry.

I think 180-200 would be perfect.

[Kevmaster]

yep. why not have a 300rnd hopper?? Because you have pods. That was made so you could get 50% more shots in during a game (as opposed to a 200rnd revvie as you only paint source). Now, it doesnt do anything for you

[AGDJon]

LOL I actually have 2 VL 3000. One is brand new and never worked. But I gotta tell you. Being a back guy and having that 300 round capacity (when I used it) was very very helpful. Now I just gotta figure out how to use it on my warp without the added weight/bulk

[Jeffy-CanCon]

As I recall, the 300rd hopper and 140rd pods came out about the same time.

Didn't the theory used to be that your pods should equal 1/2 your hopper, so that you could refill when you went just below half2, and generally be always nearly full? I still use 100rd pods, and I found that worked really well with a 200rd loader. Moving to the HALO I found it awkward to judge when to reload.

[xen_100]

Originally posted by sniper1rfa


i personally wish there was a 140 round hopper out there somewhere. i would definately adorn my mag with one.

there is......the new VL quantum hold 140. you may have to do some work to get it to feed faster than the advertsied 8BPS, but there you go! :)

[pito189]

I have found that the HALO and the Ricochet will fit about a pod in game situations (where you are in a hurry to get filled, and not shaking the hopper to make the paint settle).

I like to shoot down to around 10 or so balls then refill, so you don't have to worry about holding a half empty pod. Because you know as soon as you throw it down you will need it. Or you will turn up half a pod short at the end of the game. :(

[Vida]

Originally posted by Richter
the reason why they don't make 300 round loaders is becasue fo the following:

After you shoot the first hopper you only have right around 140 to 200 rounds in your hopper for the rest of the game. This is becasue when you get low you add a pod of paint and pods are usually now 140 rounds (use to be 100 round pods)plus the left over ball still in your hopper. You don't see someone actually add a pod and a half of paint to a hopper; even when people run out of paint i have never seen anyone add more than one pod of paint. So since most people only really run with one pod in thier hopper after thier first reload, a 300 round hopper is a waste of space and an un-needed potential target for no gain in performance.


I don't buy this at all. What would stop you from adding a tube when you are at 100 or 140 or so? I know I'd love the extra capacity for those times when things get hairy, and having to add another tube could waste seconds that get you eliminated. Personally, I think 300 rd hoppers would be great not only for back players, but also excellent for scenario play or just plain rec games. Also it was mentioned above that 300 rd hoppers would burn out/waste batteries quicker. Unless it was over filled, (which you could just as easily to a 200 rd hopper) why would this ever be the case? Unless you were using lead paintballs, I see no reason that added strain would be put on the electric components. Good replies though. I'd like to see this conversation continue.

[TheDuelist]

I have a VL3000 and have used many times without a problem. I contacted Viewloader one time concerning some parts and they told me the 3000 series was discontinued due to low demand/poor sales. If your wanting one then you might have found a niche to fill in the paintball community. Fire up the CAD program and get cracking on the next great thing.

[Vida]

I'd like to hear more from ppl who actually own or have used VL 3000's. What are your thoughts on its usefullness etc. Also, if anyone knows where to get one, even a used, or nonfunctioning one (even just the shell) let me know. I'd like to do some playing with one to see just how much of an advantage or disadvantage it is to have one.

[snoogans]

if someone has a pic of one of these vl3000's i'd like to see it:) thanx guys.

[Vida]

Snoogans, here's a pic of one mounted on an AT-10. I've only seen one 'in person' which someone had spliced together with an old Tippmann FA hopper to put on their FA (Grand-daddy of the A-5). You can't see the whole thing here but it looks just like the Revolution except for being longer. If anyone has a better pic feel free to post it or add a link here.

pic: http://www.angelfire.com/ca5/tsoog/jw.jpg

P.S. I really want one of these things now! :) Again, anyone looking to get rid of an old one, even if its broken or just a shell, PM me or email me at Frank_Vida@hotmail.com

[Marek]

Yea, I'll stick with my Halo. Pods only carry 140 anyway, and the Halo hopes about 160-180. That's good enough for me. That hopper just looks too huge.

Vida, what field do you play in Austin? Petty's?

[Vida]

Well Marek, to tell the truth, I haven't been out to Petty's or anywhere in Austin for that matter. I really hadn't played at all the last year and a half and have only recently started playing again, but I mostly play Scenario Games (Viper and MXS), which is why I'm interested in the VL3000. Havoc and Capo tell me that Petty's is really cool tho, and I'm hoping to go out there with them soon.

[Marek]

That field will spoil you, so be warned. The Petty's are great people, and the field is great.

So, you've met Curtis and Clare. So, has Havoc shown you his Yu-gi-oh cards yet? :D

[Vida]

Dude, I've known Curtis since I was like 6! Grew up in the same neighborhood, played at each other's houses and all that. Hadn't heard about the Yu-Gi-Oh cards tho... I'll hafta make fun of him for that! lol... I also recently met Clare too. Great girl... Looking forward to Petty's even more now.

[Marek]

So, your from Laredo? Don't know too much about his background, but if your from L-town, nice to meet ya.

[Vida]

Yeh man, L-town all the way baby!!! lol... Dude, we have officially hijacked the thread... eh, its too late and I'm bored so who cares?

[Marek]

Dude, you started the thread. Hehehehe, sweet man. Good to hear from another fellow L-towner.

[Spaceman613]

http://www.spaceman613.net/pictures/misc/hopper.jpg

the top two on the right are vl3000's.

and contrary to some belief, they are NOT bigger when looking from the front. From the side they are longer, but if your opponent is looking at you from the side, hopper size isnt your first problem.

[Vida]

Thanks for the pics and the opinions spaceman. Keep 'em coming folks...
-Vida

P.S. Spaceman, any of those 3000's for sale? Let me know... (info a few posts above)

[f3rr3+]

Originally posted by sniper1rfa
cause you really only need a twelve gram or two, and maybe 40 rounds of paint if your hosing. :)

to be honest, why in the hell would you ever need 300 rounds? i can see a backman wanting 230-250, but any more borders rediculous.

i personally wish there was a 140 round hopper out there somewhere. i would definately adorn my mag with one.

halo...

[Vida]

bump... still trying to find one of these monsters...

[bleachit]

http://www.viewloader.com/product.asp?item_num=327&fam=Electronic+Loaders

[CKY_Alliance]

VL just came out with the new revolution tripod.There are 3 diffrent size hoppers that can be switched out using the same motor.They have a 140,200,and 300 count hoppers.

EDIT:oops guess i shoulda checked the link right above me.

[Chronobreak]

yeah theyr are none

i checked, i really wanted one for my warp so i couldget more shots out without relaoding.

dont give me that added weight :cuss: ... :rolleyes:

if you want to spend $120 or so ona vl300 you can find them still, but for the $ ide just buy a halo.

[warpspyder]

http://www.jayloo.com/files/pics/23000/threadres.jpg

IDK why you would want one of those. Looks ugly, and especially on a warp??? Lol just my opinion, and to most it means jack.



EDIT:
I borrowed that pic from someone. If they wish to take credit for it please speak up :D

[gotboostedvr6]

Im looking for a vl300 lmk if you have one

[FARMER00]

no u can still get a 300rd hopper one sec and ill get a link, here we are
http://badlandspaintball.com/loaders.html
scroll down 12v rev maxx

[Sir_Brass]

ya, i saw a guy play with one, and it stuck way out of the bunker.

I guess it depends on the player. One of the guys I regularly see at scenarios (his field name is Hornet) runs a custom-made 850 rnd hopper on his A-5. Needless to say he plays hopper ball :D

[eNder159]

hopper size doesnt mean jack unless you have the pods to back it up...probably the reason why halos only hold so little

[WaffleBaron]

I have a VL Tripod. Lets you go with either 140, 200, or 300. Gives you a chance to change if 300 ends up being too big. It was actually cheaper than a regular Revvy when I got it.

[pennywise]

http://www.jayloo.com/files/pics/23000/threadres.jpg



What he said...

[behemoth]

What he said...

QFT.