Need some AKA info please

[zackzel]

Well I just sold my matrix yesterday and I decided I want to try an AKA gun, either a viking or excalibur, only problem is I do not know alot about them so I was hoping someone could help me out. Well the few things that I actually know are that they are crazy low pressure guns and that the viking is an open bolt and excal is a closed bolt. So if someone could tell me which one of these is better and just give me some more information on things to look for when buying one I would really appreciate it. Also what should I expect to pay for either one?

Thanks in advance.

[Conversekidz]

go to www.akaowners.com that would be the best place to start.

Also read the forum on PBN that AKA has.

[yakitori]

vikings are a little faster than excals.

Excals are a little heavier than vikings.

Excals are closed bolt and have a different firing cycle than vikings. Vikings operate similar to angels, but IMO they are better guns. They are hammer/ram driven and open the cupseal on a valve when the hammer hits it. Most new vikings will have humphrey noid which is better than finding a viking w/ mac noids. If you can, find out which the gun has before you buy it. Either is fine, but AKA switched to humphrey and they are a little better.

Viking LPR (broken in) can be set from 60-80psi. Most ppl run them aroudn 70-72psi. Mine is at 72psi. Vikings are a tad more efficient I believe, but probably not by much.

Excals have a differnt firing cycle that involves two solenoids. The start of a firing cycle, the bolt will be forward, it opens back and closes chambering a ball. Then you pull the trigger, and it fires, then cocks back and loads another ball and then you pull the trigger again to fire. Basically similar to an autococker, only electronic, and IMO better. Some say that excals have a flatter trajectory or seem to have a tighter groupings than a viking, but all I know is what Ive read. Some also say that excals shoot smoother than vikings, but I couldnt tell you. I havent had the pleasure of shooting an excal.

Vikings are a little cheaper than excals. Both come with a lifetime warranty, so any problems will be handled by shipping the gun to AKA and them fixing/replacing anything covered under warranty. I dont think that includes the noids, or the board. Basically any AKA part though.

You should try to shoot both before you buy. I see lots of excals on the market right now that ppl are selling for likely a gun whoring reason. IDK, I just made that up.

Hope that helps some. Probably not. You can go to akaowners.org, and also the AKA forum on PBN and read the FAQs. There is a thread about the differnce between the two.


As far as price.

Roughly for an 04 viking about 700 or so. SOmetimes less. I got my 03 for 650. That depends on milling and ups. There are lots of milling options and depending on them, you can expect to pay more up to about 1000+ depending on what it is.

Excals are a bit more. Ive actually seen an excal in the bst forum here for 700, which is fantastic. I would buy it if I had the money. Most of them can be aroudn 800+. Milled and anodized ones like streamlines, etc, will be around 1000+.

[zackzel]

vikings are a little faster than excals.

Excals are a little heavier than vikings.

Excals are closed bolt and have a different firing cycle than vikings. Vikings operate similar to angels, but IMO they are better guns. They are hammer/ram driven and open the cupseal on a valve when the hammer hits it. Most new vikings will have humphrey noid which is better than finding a viking w/ mac noids. If you can, find out which the gun has before you buy it. Either is fine, but AKA switched to humphrey and they are a little better.

Viking LPR (broken in) can be set from 60-80psi. Most ppl run them aroudn 70-72psi. Mine is at 72psi. Vikings are a tad more efficient I believe, but probably not by much.

Excals have a differnt firing cycle that involves two solenoids. The start of a firing cycle, the bolt will be forward, it opens back and closes chambering a ball. Then you pull the trigger, and it fires, then cocks back and loads another ball and then you pull the trigger again to fire. Basically similar to an autococker, only electronic, and IMO better. Some say that excals have a flatter trajectory or seem to have a tighter groupings than a viking, but all I know is what Ive read. Some also say that excals shoot smoother than vikings, but I couldnt tell you. I havent had the pleasure of shooting an excal.

Vikings are a little cheaper than excals. Both come with a lifetime warranty, so any problems will be handled by shipping the gun to AKA and them fixing/replacing anything covered under warranty. I dont think that includes the noids, or the board. Basically any AKA part though.

You should try to shoot both before you buy. I see lots of excals on the market right now that ppl are selling for likely a gun whoring reason. IDK, I just made that up.

Hope that helps some. Probably not. You can go to akaowners.org, and also the AKA forum on PBN and read the FAQs. There is a thread about the differnce between the two.


As far as price.

Roughly for an 04 viking about 700 or so. SOmetimes less. I got my 03 for 650. That depends on milling and ups. There are lots of milling options and depending on them, you can expect to pay more up to about 1000+ depending on what it is.

Excals are a bit more. Ive actually seen an excal in the bst forum here for 700, which is fantastic. I would buy it if I had the money. Most of them can be aroudn 800+. Milled and anodized ones like streamlines, etc, will be around 1000+.

Actually that was rather informative, thank you very much, it was about what I was looking to know. I've shot a viking before but never an excal I must say I liked the feel of the gun, thus my reason for wanting to pic one up.

[digitard]

I've owned them both... honestly I preferred my Viking more than my Excal.

Get a 2003/2004 Viking, Pandora, Razor Trigger (my personal favorite trigger) and remove the spring, dye stickies and MM w/ any type of low rise clamp neck (I had CCM). I loved that thing. Shot bullets, super consistant, no FSDO like the WAS boards (although I heard the new WAS software resolves that since they've been bought).

D.

[rkjunior303]

If you get a Viking, you HAVE to get Tadao for it. PURE bliss.

[zackzel]

Thanks for all the info guys, I think I'll look for a viking, they sound a bit less complicated. But I guess I'm going to pick up whichever one I can get a better deal on as I'm definatly in no hurry to buy.

[yakitori]

also another thing you should be aware of is differnces between 03 and 04s. They went to a new style detent w/ the 04s where it is same side dual detents. Some ppl have had issues w/ trying to get them tuned properly as not to get a Halo/Reloader B to lodge a ball backward into the rear detent, and causing a possible chop even w/ the eyes on. Some ppl have issues, some ppl dont. I dont know why. I personally prefer the 03 wire detent better as it is a lot easier to tune.

But, 04s are a bit lighter, smaller, and come stock w/ SCM. SCM is not a must, unless you have problems w/ the stock LPR. Just make sure if you get an 03 that you find out that it has humphrey noids. If it has Tadao, it most likely will. But rkjunior is 100% right about the tadao viking. it is fabulous.

Good luck, and if you have any more concerns or questions, dont hesitate to ask. Im sure lots of ppl on AO know enough to help you out a little.

AKA guns are very reliable, durable, and easy to maintain. All you do is put a couple drops of AKA extreme lube in the reg macro fitting, gas it up, and cycle it about 30-40 times. Thats it. Very easy to maintain.

[rkjunior303]

Viking + Tadao = http://akaowners.org/upload/rk_tadao_vike.wmv

[Chris42050]

I've owned them both... honestly I preferred my Viking more than my Excal.

Get a 2003/2004 Viking, Pandora, Razor Trigger (my personal favorite trigger) and remove the spring, dye stickies and MM w/ any type of low rise clamp neck (I had CCM). I loved that thing. Shot bullets, super consistant, no FSDO like the WAS boards (although I heard the new WAS software resolves that since they've been bought).

D.

I have been looking at these guns for a couple of days and was just wondering why you preferred your Viking over the Excal?

[MicroMiniMe]

Just make sure you know what you are getting into if you get a 'deal' on 02/03' models that are blind (no eyes) with Nelson boards. It takes around $200 and a few months at AKA/DC to get updated, plus the cost of a new board.
Best bet is a few stock 04' Vikings for about $600 used. Dan at DBN http://www.dbnpaintball.com/
Has a few new 04' for $775 if you absolutely want new. Bartman also has a raw/unanodized Featherlight Viking with new 05' milling style if you want that road.

/Own an Excalibur, Viking, and now Merlin.

[zackzel]

Just make sure you know what you are getting into if you get a 'deal' on 02/03' models that are blind (no eyes) with Nelson boards. It takes around $200 and a few months at AKA/DC to get updated, plus the cost of a new board.
Best bet is a few stock 04' Vikings for about $600 used. Dan at DBN http://www.dbnpaintball.com/
Has a few new 04' for $775 if you absolutely want new. Bartman also has a raw/unanodized Featherlight Viking with new 05' milling style if you want that road.

/Own an Excalibur, Viking, and now Merlin.

I'm looking to pick up one used, hopefully don't want to spend more then around 625. Thanks for all the info though guys, at least I have an idea of what to look for now when buying. I'm sure I'll have a bunch of questions after I get me hands on one too.

[Cameo]

All i know is that I have a maroon excal with all sorts of nice things that i don't understand coming to me in the mail...

[atm743]

vikings are a little faster than excals.

Excals are a little heavier than vikings.

Excals are closed bolt and have a different firing cycle than vikings. Vikings operate similar to angels, but IMO they are better guns. They are hammer/ram driven and open the cupseal on a valve when the hammer hits it. Most new vikings will have humphrey noid which is better than finding a viking w/ mac noids. If you can, find out which the gun has before you buy it. Either is fine, but AKA switched to humphrey and they are a little better.

Viking LPR (broken in) can be set from 60-80psi. Most ppl run them aroudn 70-72psi. Mine is at 72psi. Vikings are a tad more efficient I believe, but probably not by much.

Excals have a differnt firing cycle that involves two solenoids. The start of a firing cycle, the bolt will be forward, it opens back and closes chambering a ball. Then you pull the trigger, and it fires, then cocks back and loads another ball and then you pull the trigger again to fire. Basically similar to an autococker, only electronic, and IMO better. Some say that excals have a flatter trajectory or seem to have a tighter groupings than a viking, but all I know is what Ive read. Some also say that excals shoot smoother than vikings, but I couldnt tell you. I havent had the pleasure of shooting an excal.

Vikings are a little cheaper than excals. Both come with a lifetime warranty, so any problems will be handled by shipping the gun to AKA and them fixing/replacing anything covered under warranty. I dont think that includes the noids, or the board. Basically any AKA part though.

You should try to shoot both before you buy. I see lots of excals on the market right now that ppl are selling for likely a gun whoring reason. IDK, I just made that up.

Hope that helps some. Probably not. You can go to akaowners.org, and also the AKA forum on PBN and read the FAQs. There is a thread about the differnce between the two.


As far as price.

Roughly for an 04 viking about 700 or so. SOmetimes less. I got my 03 for 650. That depends on milling and ups. There are lots of milling options and depending on them, you can expect to pay more up to about 1000+ depending on what it is.

Excals are a bit more. Ive actually seen an excal in the bst forum here for 700, which is fantastic. I would buy it if I had the money. Most of them can be aroudn 800+. Milled and anodized ones like streamlines, etc, will be around 1000+.

wow

that sums up everything other than i saw a green 04 viking on ebay with eyes and scm for 500

look here http://cgi.ebay.com/AKA-Viking-2004-...QQcmdZViewItem

i just got mine and you must get a viking

i just got done playing with mine for the first time and damn is it fast and really really good on air. they are a little heavy but that dosent bother me.

also more info

the 03 vikings and 04's are different in little ways like the 03 has wire nubbings for detents and are a slight taller and longer. 03's also dont come stock with scm's, milled for eyes, and humphrey noids like the 04's do.

some people like 03's better but really i never own'd one. i just own'd a 04 for about hmm two days now and i have to say that they are worth every penny

look here for pics of mine.

http://www.jayloo.com/photo_gallery/gallery.html?pUID=309&pSHOW_ME=user&pGROUP_ID=56

[zackzel]

All i know is that I have a maroon excal with all sorts of nice things that i don't understand coming to me in the mail...

Well Cameo if you want you can just give it to me and then I won't have to go through all the trouble of buying one. Or you could just loan it to me for the fall, I live in Slippery Rock so I'm not to far from you, and I promise I'll give it back