04 Viking Info and Pics

[Ov3rmind]

Link 1 (http://www.akafactory.com/tech/index.php)
Link 2 (http://www.ontargetentertainment.com/viking04.htm)

My opinions: Well, it looks like they found room to improve maybe even where improvement wasn't needed. I like that it's lighter and a little smaller, and the dual ball detent system is certainly welcome. A Featherlite version should finally make the Viking one of the lighter ram/bolts you can buy. Am I selling my current Viking for one? No. As nice as the improvments are, they aren't enough to warrant selling my gun over. I also happen to think it actually looks a little uglier than current Vikings anyway (I liked the "shelf" where the barrel sat. IMO, the "snub-nose" milling is kinda ugly).

[afrankart]

Yeah, it is nice f them to improve an already great design, but I don't think performance will improve one bit. I am not going to consider selling mine to get one either.

[magking1971]

WOW, ME WANTS!
That Immortal is humpable!!

[afrankart]

That isn't even one of the "04" immortals. that is a pic of the "03" (if you call it thet)

[Ov3rmind]

Here's a ton more pics (http://dan.pbnation.com/2k4/), courtesy of Dan Voils.

The 04 Excal looks quite strange with the bolt tube extending out the back of the gun like that. Also notice the relocation of the on/off switch (I rather liked it in the back). It also comes stock with the SCM LPR.

Word on the street is internals are not interchangeable with current Excals/Vikings.

04 Viking

http://dan.pbnation.com/2k4/dscf4236.jpg

04 Excal

http://dan.pbnation.com/2k4/dscf4266.jpg

AND here's the official AKA press release:

"PRESS RELEASE – November 24, 2003

The Excalibur was born in 1999 and the Viking in 2001. In 2004 the Excalibur and Viking have been reborn incorporating all the features you love and many new ones.
Both the Excalibur and Viking now feature the new SCM regulator to give you the best recharge rate and fastest response LPR currently available. Our new same-side dual ball detents keep the ball in the center of the breech to give the eyes the fastest response time possible.

The WAS Equalizer board is stock and the markers are predrilled for aftermarket eyes. The eyes will read any paint color or shell type. With eyes installed, the only real limit on bps is your hopper. (Excalibur 20+ bps and Viking 35+ bps)

The older Excaliburs and Vikings were described as “tanks” because they were so rugged. Now both bodies are at least ½” shorter in length and shorter in height making them even lighter than the ‘03’s but just as durable. The new compact Hammer and Ram cartridges are smaller, lighter, smoother and add to the already proven durability.

The original and tournament-proven Tornado(5791328) ® Valve and Lightning® Bolt maintain the high efficiency of 2000+ shots on a 68/4500 nitrogen system. The operating pressure remains at approximately180 psi with a cocking pressure in the 50-80 psi range without the need for any cumbersome LPC's.

Both markers come standard with a 45 grip frame using a blade trigger that has 3 points of trigger adjustment, AC™ barrel threading, and AKA’s threaded low-rise feed tube - the strongest feed tube thread in the industry.

Maintenance is even easier with the new smoother releasing pull pin on the shorter Delrin Lightning® Bolt. Just slide the bolt out and pull a squeegee completely through, lube the Delrin Lightning® bolt with Extreme Lube, wipe the marker down and store until you are ready to play again.

The markers operate off a standard 9 volt Alkaline battery with an LED for battery indicator and programming ability.

Both markers come stock with the industry standard and highly respected Sidewinder®(pat pend) regulator.

The Excalibur and Viking are proudly designed and manufactured in the USA.

The ’04 Viking and Excaliburs will be introduced at the Pan Am Finale in Las Vegas the week of Dec 1, 2003.

For additional information contact: AKA at 317-631-7200 or email them at akapp@akalmp.com or visit the AKA forum on www.pbnation.com"

[GT]

few comments

Likes,
Dual detents
smaller lighter
lighter bolt
Excal and viking now look different


Dislaikes
SCM,
dual detents on the same side
location of the on/off

Other than that it sounds like a nice refresh to a badass product.

Will I sell my 1/2 milled DD for one? Nope:D

[magking1971]

Hmmmm looks like after I get the x-mag this week I will be looking into one of those.
I just wish someone in the area had one to try out.

[TransMan]

well since i dont have a viking already Fully loaded Green unmilled viking here i come!!!:D

[Jon/xpm]

is it true aka will be releasing some hot colors
for the 04 vikings?

[magnj]

Wow, I realy wanted one before, this just makes it much easier to make my decision. Now which one to get... half mileld loaded or colored loaded. Im thinking one of the new colors. I'd like an orange.

[Ov3rmind]

I haven't heard anything about "new" colors. I do know OTE has blue 04s right now though. Half milleds should come out right before Christmas.

[Ov3rmind]

Blue 04 Hotness:

http://www.akafactory.com/tech/images/closeups/rightside.jpg http://www.akafactory.com/tech/images/closeups/balldetent.jpg

http://www.akafactory.com/tech/images/closeups/barrelthrd.jpg

http://www.akafactory.com/tech/images/closeups/scm.jpg

[WARPED1]

I'm in love(starts rolling his pennies).

[Moon Shadow]

Gotta love Vikings. I have an acid wash blue feather weight viking. Love it to death. It totally rips with the razor blade trigger, just need eyes to stop the chops.
The new ones should perform just as well hopefully for anyone that buys one. One thing I don't understand is why AKA dosen't just install the eyes and include them in the price for the 04's. The gun is pre drilled, and the eyes cost about 30 bucks. Oh well, my only other gripe with the gun is the new location of the on/off switch. Can we say...Opps I switched the gun off? The location on the old vikings is WAY better.....you had to actually want to turn the gun off.

[TransMan]

the on/off switch doesnt stick out very much so that would make it harder to turn off accidently and i personly liek it better there but i gueees u could always put one of those lil plasic flip things that they use on the rocket arming things(ya i know a lot of technical words..:) )

[magmonkey]

ooooh I can't wait until monday

www.destructivecustoms.com

alan
Destructive customs