One of those posts where I just think out loud...offer an opinion if you want to

[punkncat]

I have been wrestling with whether I need to own a backup marker. I am playing tournies right now on the goodwill of my team whom are paying my way while I am in a bad way. Pretty awesome of them.

I have a few personal markers left now out a previous collection of 14 that I have been selling off in order to keep bills paid. I am down to the last couple that I am looking to sell, and when that is done will have two, a Mini and an Angel G7. Both of them are my tourney markers and I carry them with for every event. Neither one of them is worth a whole lot in resale and honestly will not make or break me in the overall scheme of things.

I have not ever had a marker break on me in a tourney (knock on wood), I guess I have been pretty lucky that way. I always check out my marker the week before and do whatever service and cleaning they need to help them stay "fit". Neither of my primaries have had any service work done or parts replaced since I have had them aside from minor orings and lubing. It would seem that with the use they have seen something is bound to give before long.

I use the Mini most of the time as it is small and light. The way the Angel is set up is really nice, but since I have yet to verify its legality both in BPS and trigger setup, it has just been easier to pick up the other and go. I feel like the moment I sell one the other is going to let me down, even though it has operated flawlessly for me so far.

With everything else going on I feel compelled to sell one, but at the same time know it is a good idea, especially in competative play to keep a backup around. Just really not sure what I want to do about it.

Meh, anyway..as I said just sort of rambling out loud...

[SCpoloRicker]

'03 Viking. Plain, reliable, heavy. Heavy is good. If it doesn't work; you can always hit him with it.

Now, you probably may not need it. But I've seen you around for a while, so... there's your answer.

[DanMan]

I play woodsball so I have my compressed air mag and a cocker that I normally use air with but it can use co2 in a pinch if there isnt a air fill station where I play.

[punkncat]

I play woodsball so I have my compressed air mag and a cocker that I normally use air with but it can use co2 in a pinch if there isnt a air fill station where I play.

I kept a CO2 marker for a long time, and actually the one mag that I will be keeping will shoot it. Actually it is my wife's marker and she would slay me slowly and painfully if I were to actually sell it...I haven't used CO2 is so long that in a recent cleanout of the paintball closet I found about five tanks that had been out of hydro for years.

[seekandestroy78]

if your teammates are paying for you, i don't think they'd have a problem letting you use a gun in a situation like that.



good friends are hard to find.

[snoopay700]

The mini seems like the logical choice to keep, however the angel would be really hard to let go, but it would net you more cash too which would be a plus. Hmm, dunno what to tell you really.

[Coralis]

seems to me that if you are going to own a back up marker for tournies that it would be the same as your primary or very close.....

[ThePixelGuru]

I say keep a backup. All my markers are pretty reliable and when they go down I can usually fix them in a few minutes, but it's nice to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you can just grab your backup and worry about your primary once you get home.

[Enemy]

things break thats what they do, keep a back up and when that happens you wont be yourself for not be able to perform for the team that paid for you to be there with them.

note I went through 5 guns in one tourny sometimes things just dont go right and its not an easy fix

[MAGslinger]

Backup markers are always a good thing. Yesterday I was at the field when the on/off ASA bottomline on my X-Valve Mag caused it to go AWOL (it's now sitting in a hardcase until I get a replacement bottomline ASA). I brought out 'backup' (my Minimag) and even at 3-4 BPS, I was loosing paintballs Legolas style!

[DevilMan]

Sell the G7 as I think you may be able to get a bit for it and pick up another Mini.... that way if something fizzles out on one you have the setup ready to go on the other....

parts swapping and such as that...

Just my thoughts... as for having a backup... Yeah I'd say keep at least 2 markers ready to go at a moments notice.

DM

[usagi_tetsu]

Plain, reliable, heavy. Heavy is good. If it doesn't work; you can always hit him with it.

Damn Russians!

=D Love that movie.





Punkncat - *shrug* If selling one is not going to make up the difference between paying the bills and living in a van down by the river, keep 'em. They make you happy, obviously, so why not?

[lather]

If I was paying my friends way through tournies cause he couldnt "afford" them and then he turns around and buys a third or a backup marker, I'd be pissed. I'd be more than happy enough to let him use one of mine if he needs a backup. Might be just me but I would prefer my friend to use whatever money he has for more practical things.

I'd start paying my own way into tournies first, then get another backup marker if there is money left over.

Good friends are hard to find, but that doesnt give anybody the right to take advantage of a friend's generosity.

[punkncat]

If I was paying my friends way through tournies cause he couldnt "afford" them and then he turns around and buys a third or a backup marker, I'd be pissed. I'd be more than happy enough to let him use one of mine if he needs a backup. Might be just me but I would prefer my friend to use whatever money he has for more practical things.

I'd start paying my own way into tournies first, then get another backup marker if there is money left over.

Good friends are hard to find, but that doesnt give anybody the right to take advantage of a friend's generosity.

I think you missed the part where I said I already own the markers and have been selling them to make bills. I have no intention of buying anything, I already have a backup and was wrestling with selling it.
I completly understand that sentiment, I would be mad as heck as well if someone took advantage of me that way, and would like to think I have a bit more couth than that.

[wyn1370]

Well it would be a pretty easy decision for me.
If the team collectively has a bunch of backup markers available, sell off your extra. If they are kicking in to get you to be able to play, I'm sure borrowing a backup when needed would be a given.
If the team doesn't have a bunch of extras, keep them both and offer up the backup to your teammates as often as possible to show your gratitude for their assistance.