AGD in the future.

[Sundown]

There is a market for automags in woodsball for sure. Sorry if I seemed to say the opposite. I know alot of people who want quality and are looking for the Tac-One.
I just know alot of woodsball player who wants a marker that looks like a ''real'' firearm. Like a Tippmann A5 or X7 modified to look like a machine gun.

I do also agree that the price is a big factor. But some people look at it the wrong way. Buying a Tac-One (with ASA and line) you don't need to upgrade anything and you have a top quality marker.
With an A5, you need to upgrade alot to have a quality marker which is even not close to a Tac-One (IMO). I am sure that in the long run, people put more money into a A5 than a Automag. 100$ here, 150$ there... it will add up and be higher than the price of a tac-One :)

And there is the fact that alot of woodsballers love to upgrade their marker like they want it. For it to be original. That is another very huge factor.

[Sundown]

I call for a challenge.

If you are able to do so, or have the design equipment, I challenge you to design AGD's next gun.
The marker that would take them out of being old school, to the newest and best of the rugged beat-me-up guns. There is only one rule. You must use an xvalve. Other than that, everything is free play.

I will be posting up my creation soon, and hope to see you all do the same.

This is actually a really good idea. I wish I had the talent and program to do so :) haha

[LK-13]

Should i actually win a lottery I would seriously look into investing/buying out AGD and altering the company slightly.

Edelbrock doesn't build cars, but many cars have Edelbrock parts;
in a similar way i think AGD should go modular.
sell gun components using the AGD valve design.
this way tons of bodies, rails, unibodies, grip frames and other assorted parts can be supplied on a per order basis according to demand.
once each body or rail design is programed into the CNC machines it's no big issue to run 1 or 1000 parts if they all start from the same dimensioned stock.

it would not be a huge General Motors type business, that would be almost impossible,
but to give people what they want, offer choice, keep it user friendly...
turning it into a custom DIY supply house just might build the momentum needed to reestablish the name over time.

[warbeak2099]

They would either have to come up with a completely revamped gun platform or have some miraculous advertising to convince people that Mags are up to snuff now. The first option would be easier.

[punkncat]

So, in essense the feel that I am getting is that "NO" it would not work. A cash infusion into the advertizing, support, product visibility, etc. would have no effect with the current platform. That the at least limited opinion here, even among mag fans, is that the "E" lineup would be a waste to bring back. And that finally, without TK there is no chance for the company regardless.

Does that sum it up?

[Sundown]

Well I would not say ''NO'' all the way.
I am really new in the automag department so I may not have a vision or understanding like you all do.
But I used to have a MilSim marker and I just found some reviews of the automag Tac-One on some internet site and wondered what it was. Forgot about it for a while and then say someone that had one where I play and then I decided to cash up and get one.

So I just think alot of people don't know about the Tac-One or automag at all. I know alot of people who are willing to pay good money for a good marker. I mean, just look around at all the woodsball players that are buying the new BT TM7 at 400$ Well for 100$ more you can have the Tac-One.
I just think poeple don't know about the Tac-One, so they just don't think about getting one.

The only problem is... marketing is really expensif and that would probably mean a rise in prices from AGD... so that might not work fully
I don't know if AGD does go to big events and have a ''stand'' there. But that would probably help alot.

Anyhow,.. that is only my automag ''newbie'' opinion on this :) haha

[ThePixelGuru]

So, in essense the feel that I am getting is that "NO" it would not work. A cash infusion into the advertizing, support, product visibility, etc. would have no effect with the current platform. That the at least limited opinion here, even among mag fans, is that the "E" lineup would be a waste to bring back. And that finally, without TK there is no chance for the company regardless.

Does that sum it up?

No, I disagree. I think given the right circumstances and choices AGD could easily do well again. The question is just at what cost.

Basically, with Xmod an E/Xmag is functionally the same (if not better) than most modern markers. There are three things that would keep people from buying them, though: weight, appearance and reputation. I'm not saying any of those are justified, I'm just saying that's how it is for the majority of paintballers. A revamped Emag along the lines of a DIY electro-pneumatic 'mag could be a lot lighter, a little smaller, and with a little cosmetic work remind people of nothing about the old Emags. That plus a new marketing campaign would probably move a lot of new 'mags.

'Mags still have this reputation for being dinosaurs, and for the most part the factory 'mags are pretty boring looking to most people. I had a friend of mine trying to convince me to ditch my 'mag and get a modern electro - as soon as I showed him a Karta 'mag with an aftermarket frame he changed his mind pretty quickly and even started thinking about building one. Only after he saw the spiffy Karta 'mag did he actually start to listen about the ULT, X-Valve, Level 10 and the like. As long as it looked "boring" to him, he was convinced the 'mag had nothing to offer.

As far as Tom Kaye goes, there's no reason AGD needs him specifically. TK has a lot of virtues that meshed particularly well with AGD, such as an uncompromising desire to design exactly what is needed and the willingness to go the extra mile to make sure the design is as good as it can be. All AGD needs is a frontman and lead designer who isn't satisfied with a design or approach that's just "good enough" - a rare and extremely desirable quality to be sure, but not one unique to Mr. Kaye.

[Brewtt]

I call for a challenge.

If you are able to do so, or have the design equipment, I challenge you to design AGD's next gun.
The marker that would take them out of being old school, to the newest and best of the rugged beat-me-up guns. There is only one rule. You must use an xvalve. Other than that, everything is free play.

I will be posting up my creation soon, and hope to see you all do the same.

Bummer... I wanted a redesigned X-valve with the air input on THE BOTTOM... coming through the rail. DO AWAY with the dreaded "Automag hose issues" to the valve.

That's how you redesign the mag to appeal to those who want the newest and best. Make it with less hoses hanging off it.

Then redesign the I-frame so the trigger guard doesn't look so dorky.

[tech-chan]

Who said that you can't turn the xvalve?

[Sundown]

Who said that you can't turn the xvalve?

Yeah good point. Turn the Xvalve and have the hose run to the ASA but through the trigger handle. That would ''hide'' the hose.

This could be a good idea

[tech-chan]

Maybe I should just shoot myself in the face instead of making stupid posts like that. How the heck are you going to activate the on/off if its on the right side?

[Hilltop Customs]

pneu

[tech-chan]

Someone needs to invent a different drop in on/off that works purely pnue!!!!

[lather]

No, I disagree. I think given the right circumstances and choices AGD could easily do well again. The question is just at what cost.

Basically, with Xmod an E/Xmag is functionally the same (if not better) than most modern markers. There are three things that would keep people from buying them, though: weight, appearance and reputation. I'm not saying any of those are justified, I'm just saying that's how it is for the majority of paintballers. A revamped Emag along the lines of a DIY electro-pneumatic 'mag could be a lot lighter, a little smaller, and with a little cosmetic work remind people of nothing about the old Emags. That plus a new marketing campaign would probably move a lot of new 'mags.

'Mags still have this reputation for being dinosaurs, and for the most part the factory 'mags are pretty boring looking to most people. I had a friend of mine trying to convince me to ditch my 'mag and get a modern electro - as soon as I showed him a Karta 'mag with an aftermarket frame he changed his mind pretty quickly and even started thinking about building one. Only after he saw the spiffy Karta 'mag did he actually start to listen about the ULT, X-Valve, Level 10 and the like. As long as it looked "boring" to him, he was convinced the 'mag had nothing to offer.

As far as Tom Kaye goes, there's no reason AGD needs him specifically. TK has a lot of virtues that meshed particularly well with AGD, such as an uncompromising desire to design exactly what is needed and the willingness to go the extra mile to make sure the design is as good as it can be. All AGD needs is a frontman and lead designer who isn't satisfied with a design or approach that's just "good enough" - a rare and extremely desirable quality to be sure, but not one unique to Mr. Kaye.

E-X mags are less effecient, more expensive, and no more reliable than modern electros, on top of that they use a propeitary battery system and have little to no aftermarket support.

Please enlighten me on their fuctional superiority to modern markers.

[Wanta B Sniper]

Think outside the battery
While the pump market isn't nearly as large as the scenario/electro market, I think that if AGD were to start with producing a pump/SC Mag - and as long as it's price could compete with CCM or Carter Machine products - then I think that it could (slowly, but surely) re-introduce (and popularize) AGD to the mainstream market once they got some recognization in a growing market.