Anyone have experience with 3A air systems?

[TheShark]

I'm looking to spend around $100 on a n2 system. I didn't expect to be able to get a new, large capacity AND lightweight tank for this price, but it looks like I can do just that... the only thing I question is the quality / dependability which is where you guys come in.

The deal is a 3A 91cu 4500psi carbon fiber for $90 including shipping. So, any of you guys have experience with this company?

[bokraham]

I would seriously not trust any air system that is bigger than a 68 that is below 100$, especially since it is a 4500. Your air system needs to be the second safest piece of gear you have. I would just save another 100$ and get a trusted air system.

[TheShark]

Oh if it helps, the reg it uses is called an "ace flow" and is manufactured by centerflag.

[FSU_Paintball]

I've heard before that the regs are manufactured by centerflag. Centerflag is a good company (can't say the same for 3A)... so getting one for $90 ain't a bad idea. Unless it's used. Because then, I'd just get a used crossfire for about the same price.

[TheShark]

oops... looks like there was a typo in their ad, in the specs it says its 71ci not 91... which is good cause that sounded aweful big :p

[TheShark]

yea its new.. its an auction so the price could go up but not much time left.

[soccer4minimags]

A friend of mine I work with has one. I believe its a 68/45. Not too bad of a tank, and price is good for a fiber wraped. I don't care for the graphics much though, they are cheesy and tacky to me. (maybe when these 12yr olds grow up they'll realize :rolleyes: ) But thats easily fixed with a bottle cover.

The regs are indeed centerflag if it is a new tank and not a used one. Thats pretty much what counts on a tank anyways. All bottles are held to the same DOT standards anyways.

[Xyxyll]

From what I hear, 3A stuff is plain crap. I've heard some bad stuff about all of their products. I'd stay clear. And even worse, the 3A staff spammed pbreview.com reviews with good reviews.

[Blazestorm]

The only thing 3A does with their tanks is add their decal under the carbon fiber. The cylinders are developed by Carleton or Luxfer, and the regulator by Centerflag, I know a guy who has owned 3 of them, never had a single problem.

I'd say go for it, a 71/4500 for 90 bucks is a steal. :D

[bigspanky123]

i have a 3a tank, they are very good tanks. they use a centerflag reg. which is a very good reg. they put decals on it with big boobies lol but seriously they are good tanks

[doubletap]

I have a 3A 68/4500. I purchased it at the HB NPPL trade show. They had a booth there and were selling them fairly inexpensive. They have a centerflag reg on them and have the same tank as everyone else either Carleton or Luxfer. I have not had a single problem with it at all. They are based out of Southern California, Santa Ana, I think. If you are getting it at that price then it is a good deal.

[_tMAN]

I own a 91/4500
I had the reg rebuilt becuase i think I messed it up somehow. But Centerflag did all the repairs and paid me for shipping for free. Great tank, very light too.
although I did have to call up 3A and request a tank that did not have big anime breasts on it. So mine just says 3apaintball


I'd say go for it, not bad tanks at all. People just don't like the name 3A, you must try their stuff out before you bash them

[Destructo6]

I have a 88/4500 that I purchased a little over a year ago. The pin leaked ever so slightly sometimes, but it was repaired and back to me in a week. This was a "Reg Shop" regulator that has been supplanted by the Centerflag regs of today. So far, I've experienced no other problems.

All tanks have to conform to DOT specs, so the only real consideration there is cosmetics.

The regulator is the only thing to be concerned about and Centerflag has a good rep.

[TheShark]

Thanks guys, going for it. :cheers:

[FallNAngel]

Hmm... I may look into one of these instead of a Crossfire... For 1/2 the price, that's not bad.

[TheShark]

well as it gets closer to auction time, the price has gotten up to around 120 sadly.. i still think its a great deal though... hope it doesn't go any higher though. The good news is 3A will have more of these auctions coming due every day, I will snag one of em. :headbang:

[Automaggot68]

I would seriously not trust any air system that is bigger than a 68 that is below 100$, especially since it is a 4500. Your air system needs to be the second safest piece of gear you have. I would just save another 100$ and get a trusted air system.
I couldn't have said it better. The most important piece of gear being your mask...then air system...
Good post !

[gc82000]

When did 3A start using center-flag regs? Because a guy was trying to sell his tank last year. And his reason was because it did not keep up with his Ebladed-cocker. I know center flag has been around for a while and their quality is very high. So....... when did this happen?

[magmonkey]

is the center flag reg new to 3A ?
I have thrown away 3 of the regs off 3a tanks that local players have bought and put on crossfires ( the 3a regs just plain did not work out of the box)

[soccer4minimags]

They have used centerflag regs for awhile.

Yes it will keep up just fine with an e-bladed cocker. Thats what my friend runs his on and he hasn't gotten any shoot down yet.

[FallNAngel]

I would seriously not trust any air system that is bigger than a 68 that is below 100$, especially since it is a 4500. Your air system needs to be the second safest piece of gear you have. I would just save another 100$ and get a trusted air system.

Well, it uses the same actual tank as most any other tank out there (Carlton or Luxfer) and uses a good reg... what's the problem?

[1ofkind]

I've seen 3A threads b4, they all said bad things about 3A. Most people said the reg leaked after month, others sold theres and about 3 months they would get an angry email back from the buyer.

I say stick to the populare brands. I manadged to get a 68 ci 3000 psi nitroduck 80$ on ebay. Be patient look for a good deal, or until you saved up money.

[Venom523]

I bought 2 71/4500 for 3A and they have been fine. The gauges where cheap and broke but I emailed them about it and the sent me 2 new replacements free. They stopped using the cheap gauges. A friend of mine has the same tank he bought a year after me and it's fine.

[Destructo6]

IIRC, they started to transition to the Centerflag regs about a year ago.

As FallNAngel and doubletap have said, they use the same tanks that many others use, who must all conform to DOT standards anyway, and use a well established reg (Centerflag), so what's the complaint? price?

I could buy one for $150 and sell it to you for $230 if it made you feel better.