why is the ion so popular?

[slade]

i mean, besides all the SP hype.

i just realized, the ION costs around $300, at least with shipping included. then if you want to upgrade it to make it more decent, you need to buy a new trigger (~$30) new feedneck ($35) QEV (? maybe ~$10), decent on/off ASA ($40), and then if you want better looks $100 for a body. anything i left out? maybe a new HPR ($50-100), but ive heard the stock is decent. so that comes to $415 if its decently upgraded, maybe up to $615 for a good looking ion with a nice HPR, minus the macroline, hopper, tank, barrel, etc. then if you want to hit over 17 bps (which no one really can, im just saying, ive heard talk about it) you need a new board and solenoid, which would be quite a bit of cash.

now i realized i just bought a 04 (05 parts/he bolt) freestyle for $460, shipped. besides the crappy feedneck ($35) i love it, it doesnt need any upgrades. the board is fine unless you want ramping, i love the trigger, the regs could be better but it really doesnt make a noticable difference, so in my opinion theres no point in upgrading them. and to me the freestyle looks great, it doesnt need a new body like the ion for good looks. and the stock on/off ASA is better than the on/off unimount i bought for my mag. so that comes to $495 total, shipped, for a great marker. and there are e-bladed cockers and other great electros selling on ebay for even less. true most are used, but you can find a lot new, near new, or at least in great condition for fairly cheap.

so i just thought about it today, and just started to wonder... whats with the ion craze? nice electros that are as good as or better than an upgraded ion can be found for around the same price.

[MadPSIence]

SP hype. The first 300 dollar "high end" marker meaning..

if it's high end you don't need to upgrade anything right? well.. i don't know anyone with an ion with under 200 dollars in upgrades.

but people will continue to believe.. I don't care really. I'm not the one getting conned

the way I see it, it's not much better than a T-boarded Spyder in any fashion out of the box.

[mags247]

Ions are popular becauase they are cheap and they have all the goodies of the more expensive guns. I would not classify it as a pro gun by any means. However it does have all of things you need for a beginning tourney player.

Some rant about spyders with t-boards, but we're talking out of the box. Not too many can compete for the price.

[trevorjk]

what looks better... the wraith, evo, or ion? even though the evo came first

and im sure i could be missing a few other $300 range break beam eye guns

[mags247]

what looks better... the wraith, evo, or ion? even though the evo came first

and im sure i could be missing a few other $300 range break beam eye guns

tough question....

If black..... the Ion because it hides the plastic look.
Any other color the Wrath. The wrath looks like a timmy that didn't get to the milling machine.

EVO still looks like a newb gun.

[68magOwner]

if it's high end you don't need to upgrade anything right? well.. i don't know anyone with an ion with under 200 dollars in upgrades.

......what high emd markers may i ask do you see with no upgrades on them?

DM5- almost all have aftermarket chips, as well as asa's, triggers, ect depending on personal preferance, as well as efficency modifications

timmys- boards, bolts, rams, lprs, volumizers, you name it

so on and such forth, thats just a stupid comment IMO

anyway, they are popular, because for the price, they really are unbeatable, they are easily attainable, shoot farily nicely, preety quick, just not a bad marker all around for hundereds less than comparable markers

[mags247]

......what high emd markers may i ask do you see with no upgrades on them?

DM5- almost all have aftermarket chips, as well as asa's, triggers, ect depending on personal preferance, as well as efficency modifications

timmys- boards, bolts, rams, lprs, volumizers, you name it

so on and such forth, thats just a stupid comment IMO

anyway, they are popular, because for the price, they really are unbeatable, they are easily attainable, shoot farily nicely, preety quick, just not a bad marker all around for hundereds less than comparable markers

Agreed............But I like my all silver shocker better
Out of the box the Ion can't be beat for the price!!!

[Tigwldr]

I am kind of interested in seeing what is going to happen in about a year when all the parts in them start going bad like the solenoid and stuff and seeing how everyone reacts to them at that time. I mean come on. The stores are paying 200.00 for the markers and selling them for 300.00. DO you actually think that the solenoid in them is going to last for ever? No it is going to go bad and then all the bad mouthing will start and there sales will drop off and the ION will be replaced with a different 300.00 marker. It is all a fad. He got one so I want one thing.

[mags247]

I am kind of interested in seeing what is going to happen in about a year when all the parts in them start going bad like the solenoid and stuff and seeing how everyone reacts to them at that time. I mean come on. The stores are paying 200.00 for the markers and selling them for 300.00. DO you actually think that the solenoid in them is going to last for ever? No it is going to go bad and then all the bad mouthing will start and there sales will drop off and the ION will be replaced with a different 300.00 marker. It is all a fad. He got one so I want one thing.

You throw it away and go buy another...... it's 275, I'm willing to pay that much for an E fram for my mag. At least for 275 you get a complete gun.

Don't hate.....BTW How do you know they are going down. Is there like a Y2K problem that no one knows about?

[ICP]

I don't own an Ion, and don't care much for SP. However, my buddy has one and it is an overall decent marker. The only thing I see that NEEDS to be replaced is the feedneck. The trigger isn't bad, the reg is decent, and the body is purely cosmetic. While I agree, the bodies aren't the best looking thing, they aren't the worst either. I believe the biggest plus to them is the single tube design. Smaller profile,lighter weight and the low pressure(for those that buy into it). And of course SP has the money to put the ion in everyones face.

[FireITup14]

You throw it away and go buy another...... it's 275, I'm willing to pay that much for an E fram for my mag. At least for 275 you get a complete gun.

Don't hate.....BTW How do you know they are going down. Is there like a Y2K problem that no one knows about?

lol, you see ions are just like plastic spoons, when its dirty or broken go get another one. The first disposable paintball gun.

[mags247]

lol, you see ions are just like plastic spoons, when its dirty or broken go get another one. The first disposable paintball gun.

Yeah kinda like a high tech Splatmaster or a Rapide.....remember those?

[Jaan]

Yeah kinda like a high tech Splatmaster or a Rapide.....remember those?

Those were double action, not even blow back. I think the Ion is *slightly* more advanced.

[mags247]

Those were double action, not even blow back. I think the Ion is *slightly* more advanced.

Don't take it to heart I was just bringin up old times with the other plastic guns. The Ion is Ions ahead of those guns. Pardon the Pun just could'nt resist.

[MonsterMag]

Cheating has never been so cheap