New TAC-ONE Owner... Recommendations?

[JimInVA]

[pointm@n]

Welcome to the mag family. If you wanted a marker that can handle the long hours of scenario play and be able to put a ball downfield each and every trigger pull, you made the right choice by going AGD.

You mentioned that you came from two cockers. Well get ready to be lazy with teching your gun. Mags are much simpler to tech than cockers (IMO) and once you've got it set, just oil and your ready to rock and roll.

From your post you wanted a recommendation on an air system. The 68/4500 Conquest isn't the best for a mag. The mag likes at least 750-800psi going into it while the Conquest can provide up to 650PSI. If you want to go with a reliable preset, Crossfire tanks are the way to go. If you want to spend some extra money for a good adjustable tank, I'd say go with the Air America Armageddon, SP Maxflo or even an AGD Flatline tank. Definitely go with a 4500PSI tank as mags are not the most air effecient (I use an 88/4500 and get about 1000+ shots. Expect to see some shootdown when you dip below 900psi on the tank and don't expect to shoot much more. Another reason to get an adjustable tank is that the valve gets extremely reactive when you have a higher than 800psi input pressure. You can litereally bounce the trigger over and over and just shoot strings of paint. This is called "sweet spotting." I'm running a preset 800psi crossfire tank and can still sweet spot the trigger.

As far as balance that is up to you. Some guys like big drop forwards while others (like me) don't even use a drop. I personally use a rail with on/off on both of my mags. I used to like big drop forwards but now it feels natural without one.

You mentioned that you wanted a lighter marker. Sending in your rail to Roguefactor can greatly reduce the weight of the rail. He can mill the inside and take out dead weight as well as shaving off the "wings" off the rail.

Again welcome to AO. Here is a pic of my primary emag:



Notice the "wingless" rail. It's also milled out inside to lighten it up further.

[JimInVA]

Sweet E-Mag!! Thanks for the excellent info, Pointm@n!

Jim

[Z-man]

Welcome to AO.

I agree with most of what Pointm@n said. I would like to add this to his comments about air systems.

Regardless of what Mag you use, I cannot suggest any reason NOT to get a nice quality adjustable tank (other than the extra cost). The RT valve (same as th X-Valve) is EXTREMELY responsive to the amount of input pressure and the flow rate of the tank reg you choose and having an adjustable tank allows you to "dial in" so to speak, the feel of the trigger. Now I know I usually say this so I can go off on my rapid-fire stuff but even if you don't want to go there, the adjustable tank is VERY useful IMO. The AA tanks and SP tanks are good choices for performance but are still a little heavy. If weight is what you would like to keep at a minimum, I have been very impressed by the Dynaflow tanks by Centerflag.

Most other things like weight, balance and upgrades are, as stated, a matter of preference. I like a large drop forward while the rage today is the ASA with no drop (silly kids). There is no substitute for going out and playing with your marker and seeing what you like and what you don't like. Moreover most real paintballers you meet and play with are going to be excited to show you and let you shoot their markers n and their different setups. Come out to an AO Day and field test a range of things.

...and I get to add my Mag since he did :) ----> Link Because The Images Are Large

[Setzer]

Also, some scenario players prefer using a stock and a remote system. That will take a ton of weight off your gun and move it to your harness. Mags love adjustable tanks. If you didn't want to pay for an adjustable, I'd suggest a crossfire.

Tac One is a solid gun, You'll love it :)

[JimInVA]

Thanks for the feedback, All !! I'm going to give the remote setup a try. The idea of the weight being on my waist or back rather than on my arms sounds appealing. I guess that it will be one of those "you won't know if you really like it until you try it" types of things.

I feel as if I've commandeered another AO member's thread in Paintball Talk with discussions of tanks. That certainly was not my intent and so I've moved my comments back to here. I've still got a number of questions and will outline them again... along with some new ones that have cropped up.

I believe that there are enough HPA regulator choices that I can easily find one with a consistent flow for this TAC-ONE and my ability to use it. My first concern in selecting "my regulator" is one of output pressure consistency... PRIMARILY as it relates to FPS.

Shane-O-Mac has suggested that most (if not all) tank regs will have an output pressure creep in an upwards direction as tank pressure lowers (he describes this as a "decay curve"). If I take this as gospel (and it certainly sounds reasonable to my limited understanding of such physics and fluid flow), then it conjures up additional questions...

- How do the Armaggedon, Apocalypse and Dynaflow (etc) compare as to output pressure deviation (i.e. decay curve).
- Is this deviation, given the same regulator on different tank sizes, amplified for the larger tanks?
- Is there a rule of thumb that suggests... "for every xx psi increase at the regulator's output there is a corresponding yy fps increase from (in my case) the TAC-ONE"?

Again, remember what (I think) I'm trying to accomplish here. I want to chrono at (some number) of fps (ideally at 280) with a full tank as I enter the field and I want to chrono at not greater than 280 when I exit the field (with, say, 1000 psi remaining). Obviously, with fps relating to distance, I'd like the regulator that most minimizes its variation (or maximizes the fps setting that I target when entering with a full tank). AND I WANT THIS FROM AN AJDUSTABLE TANK SO THAT I CAN ADJUST TRIGGER RESPONSE AND REACTIVITY.

Relating to remotes...

- Considering that I'll be playing in a wooded/bushy environment, which type of remote (steel or coiled) will minimize the number of "snags" that I might anticipate?
- Are there other considerations when selecting the hose type that I should be aware of (influences the ability to "sweet spot" the trigger, etc)?
- Is it ludicrous to consider a secondary reg (if one even exists in the 700-900 range) on a remote? (... or do I just create additional problems of greater proportions to the one I'm trying to fix?)

Again... I appreciate your comments... even the ones which "hint" that I'm being stupid for asking such silly questions. But I won't know if I don't ask... so I'll just have to deal with the "heat".

Jim

[cabldawg]

Well I can suggest a pro connect for the remote this will allow to disconect from the gun without having to turn off the tank. As for I second reg on the hose I think it would be a waste fo your money.
I don't have any recommdatiosns on the remote hose.
I tried the remote route, once. I was making a move and the hose got hung on a limb and the next thing I knew, I was sittin on my keester.

[JimInVA]

... the hose got hung on a limb and the next thing I knew, I was sittin on my keester.

That is a concern for using the remote...

Thanks for the reply!

Jim

[stoney76]

Remote

I've shot with a remote for a long time!! Mostly in the bush of Montana but now in the desert of Las Vegas. I do now even with HPA. I bought a straight one and it's a regular hose (not steel). I also tried a coiled one (which hugs closer to your body) but I found that I could not change hands or crawl with it easily. I went back to the straight one for that reason. I have it set up so the extra length sorta curves with my chest. That keeps the snags down a lot. Some players I know also cut a small hole in their jackets and run the line out, between the buttons on their jackets. This still allows them to change hands. Fiddle with it and find out what works the best. I love the weight of my gun!! Hope that helps some!!

Aaron

PS- If I had a steel braided hose, I would just buy some hockey tape and wrap it. It would probably be stonger.

[JimInVA]

I'm glad to hear that it CAN be done such that the potential for snags can be minimized. As I continue to drool over Pointm@n's gadget covered marker, I'm beginning to suspect that by putting the tank on my back, I'll be trading one weight (the tank) for other weight (gadgets).

Jim

[Z-man]

- Considering that I'll be playing in a wooded/bushy environment, which type of remote (steel or coiled) will minimize the number of "snags" that I might anticipate?
- Are there other considerations when selecting the hose type that I should be aware of (influences the ability to "sweet spot" the trigger, etc)?
- Is it ludicrous to consider a secondary reg (if one even exists in the 700-900 range) on a remote? (... or do I just create additional problems of greater proportions to the one I'm trying to fix?)

Bear in mind I have not playd much woodsball but I would say that the steel hose will be stronger and less likely to snag as mentioned above. The secondary reg is a no no. It really only starves the valve at higher ROFs. Ill be interested in hearing how you build your setup and how it works out for you. Good luck.

[JimInVA]

Thanks Z-man!! :)

[pointm@n]

I'm glad to hear that it CAN be done such that the potential for snags can be minimized. As I continue to drool over Pointm@n's gadget covered marker, I'm beginning to suspect that by putting the tank on my back, I'll be trading one weight (the tank) for other weight (gadgets).

Jim

Jim,

I run the Tac Emag as pictured (except for the 30mm site) with an Egg2. That tank is an 88/4500. Without paint and the tank filled it weighs close to 9.5 lbs. With a hopper it probably weights near 11lbs. I play all day and I'm a weakling at 130-140lbs. Also I play both woods and speed with it like that and don't find it too cumbersome. If I use my 68/4500 it's a much lighter setup but I don't get to shoot as much. The 88/4.5k is great when we play Outlaw and we don't have a fill station nearby. I know you're a little older, but it's not bad once you get used to it (that's not a knock on your age ).

When I use my backup mag that weighs half of my primary it's like walking on clouds. Its even better when I used the phantom

Good luck with your setup

[JimInVA]

Pointm@n,

Again, the detail of your response is appreciated. I'm leaning towards buying a new 88/4500 adjustable (still haven't gotten enough info to decide whether it will be Dynaflow, Armageddon or Apocalypse2K). Then I'm going to go hunting for a used 114/4500 fixed 850. My thought being that if I go remote, I'll want the biggest tank I can find... but if I mount it, I'll want about equal shots to my Freeflow cocker with a 68/4500 (I think the 88 will do that). With two tanks and two regs, I should be able to put the adjustable on either tank as useage and preference dictate. I think I'll be okay with the weight should it all be marker mounted. Even playing all day and into the night, I haven't noticed any extreme discomfort or unbearable arm fatigue.

I'm also looking looking at night vision scopes but am not willing to spend the $$ on Gen3. By the same token, I don't want to spend $600 - $900 on something that I wouldn't be satisfied with. One night vision vendor suggested an Aries MK390 Gen1 or an Aries MK440 Gen2. Anyone care to comment on their night vision scope experiences?

Jim

[cabldawg]

I play with night vision. I have used gen 2+ and gen 3 don't go with anything less than gen2+ www.scenarioball.com has some good deals and info on scopes and goggles