im very observant, sorry to ruin it but Tom slipped(z grip)

[X-Plosive]

I really don't know. It has something to do with not having a solenoid with enough power that can fit into a space that size. That and the new sear would also have to be modified but I assume that can be problem can be fixed.

[Slapp]

During the tech class Tom did ask folks if they would like to see the Z-grip go back into production. He clearly believes it is a worthwhile product but no doubt has to balance market demand versus the costs of doing further production runs. The folks at the tech class gave him uniform support for the Z-grip but there is a difference between saying "gee, that is a cool looking product" and laying your cash down to own one yourself. If you own and favor Z-grips keep the feedback going to AGD and generate more interest out in the market by letting other folks check it out at the fields where you play. With enough "I intend to purchase one if they become available" type interest and feedback I think AGD could be convinced to open up another production run even if they are not currently planning to do so. Market demand has a way of generating market supply.

[Gunga]

Tom also said at the tech class that someone called up and asked about getting a license to produce the z-grip for Angels. Nothing's been officially worked out yet with that yet though.

He also said that they made about 500 z-grips in total. It only took about 4-5 years to sell them all.

Obviously he had to take that reality and balance it against the enthusiasm for the z-grips he finds amongst AOers.

Tom also had a few 'choice' words to describe his uh..."enthusiasm" (yeah, that's it) for 9v batteries and CO2.

[manike]

Originally posted by Minimag4me
thats cool then, why is it so hard ot make a z gripped e-mag, tom said it couldnt be done

Hey Minimag it is most definitely real and not that hard to do for any electronic gun (I was going to put an Angel LCD board in the grip also but those things are expensive!) You can see pictures of me playing with it on www.warpig.com I used it at Skyball 2000 and World Cup 2000.

As for the E-Z-Mag, it's not easy because the orientation of the ram to the sear will have to change, so it can't pull on it in the same way as it does currently. Back in the days before the E-mag was made I looked at making one in a Z-grip... and I think I've worked out a nice way to do it, but it will take some time to finalise and will probably require a new grip machining, I'm doubtful I can fit it into a conventional grip. It may need a special sear making, but It may not. As Baldrick from Blackadder likes to say... "I have a cunning plan".

I will do it at some point... especially as I now have a model of a normal E-mag grip, but it's going to take me a while to get around to it due to life, work, and 'other' projects. If only I didn't have to do 'proper' work but could design and make paintball kit all day

manike

[Gunga]

Originally posted by Minimag4me
thats cool then, why is it so hard ot make a z gripped e-mag, tom said it couldnt be done

Well, it can't be done with the existing z-grip frame. The solenoid wouldn't fit inside the grip. I whipped up a quick pic showing that below.

You also can't simply turn the solenoid to align with the z-grip. The solenoid pulls the plunger towards it. When you're pulling something with a solenoid, as in the emag, the lever arm for the solenoid assembly has to be at a 90* angle.

I suppose that you could change the angle of the sear arm that the solenoid assembly is attached to so that it lines up with the angle of the z-grip. But...that wouldn't give the solenoid the leverage it it has as in the Emag. So you would need a bigger solenoid which may not fit within the z-grip. And a bigger solenoid means more power needs which in turn means a bigger battery.

The 2nd paragraph is what Tom told us when some other AOer asked about electronic z-grips. The third paragraph is my semi-educated reasoning.

I'm sure there's a way it can be done, as Manike says above, but there would be quite a bit of engineering that would be needed. Also, with the original Z-grip, AGD made about 500 in total. And it took 4-5 years to sell all of those, so they weren't even crawling off the shelves, let alone flying. In comparision, with the Intelliframe, they've gone through the 1st production run of 250 units in what...2-3 months?

[Minimag4me]

i didnt know the solenoid pulled in an e-mag(i have a hyperframe and it pushes, why did agd make it pull), is there a reason they couldnt just machine a new sear with a smaller extension on the manual lever coming down at the end of that lever with an angle 90 degrees of the z grip angle(about 45 degrees right \ <-that way from the manual lever instead of 45 degrees/ way like the current e-mag) so the solenoid lines up straight with the z grip and just pushes the extension on the lever unstead of pulling(it would require the same ammount of energy i think), it would kinda change the whole sear design but it seems the easiest way

its kinda hard to explain i hope you all can understand what im trying to say, im not an engineer or anything but it seems like it would work

[KayleAGD]

On the way back from the tour Jeffand I worked out how to E the z-grip and still have the manual. I hope it will be ready before the last blast.

[JRSJKD]

E-Z-MAG

If you build it, they will come!!!

Junior

[Paintballer86]

yesum, I noticed this also.

[Minimag4me]

the way i suggeested would still have the manual they would both be on the same lever just in different places(it would be a different sear design), is it better for a solenoid to pull or push, is there a difference?