Rent or Buy?

[bentothejam1n]

1. The e-spyder will be around $100 cheaper

WHAT????
spyder
98c
The tippmann is 125 (add it to your cart and it will show the price) and the spyder is 134. I'm not seeing where you get $100 in the difference. Although i would rather get the spyder if i had to choose between the two just becasue thats a great deal

3. Your 98c will never break. Although many people believe this to be great, I believe that if you don't learn how to tech your marker, you won't be ready for the next thing. The low maintenence of a spyder will help you learn about teching your own marker, but it is simple enough that you should be able to fix any problems(short of Arnold Schwarcheneger bending it into a circle) within 5-10 minutes

Teching a spyder is just replacing the bolt every once in awhile. If you clean your gun like you're supposed to, then you should know how everything works and you would get the same experience as teching a gun. Even so most people just take their high end to an airsmith any ways

[minimag03]

I believe a Spyder is the best beginner marker today. Why?
A) simple design with field strip (simplier than a Custom 98)
B) They will require a tad bit more maitnence than an 98, but it teachs you how to work with a marker
C) The Spyder is basicly the design of a lot of the highend markers today like a Intimidator, Angel, Nerve, etc. So the experience you gain will probably carry over to the next level of marker you buy.

[punkncat]

Definitely rent the first game or two. Ask a few people at the field to shoot their markers. Most people are glad to let you check out their equipment.

All Spyders and clones are essentially the same, don't be fooled by gimmicks.Tippmans are super rugged and reliable on CO2 and HPA. They also will not require the attention that a Spyder will. Can't go wrong with a Tippy as your first marker.

As far as goggles go, find a set of THERMAL goggles that fit well and you like. All the rest is hype. I would suggest buying a set of goggles before playing. Rentals are always really crappy. There is nothing that will affect your game in a more negative way than not being able to see.

Also the advice above about water is golden.

[VFX_Fenix]

A thought on firepower....

In terms of Bang for your buck, Spyders are difficult to beat for the firepower they offer for their price. This is true of most stacked blowback (Spyder Clones) guns. Upgrade paths for the Spyder are numerous and generally cheap.

I do, however STRONGLY encourage new players to avoid e-guns until they feel comfortable with the way the game is played and they have a base of skills developed around shooting, and shooting well.

There comes a point for every player when they feel the need for more firepower. This is normal, and I believe it is something to be explored. There's a stigma that's formed that the gun will make the player, this has more or less always been the case since we see people who play the game well (NPPL/XBall) and look to them for what's the best gear you can have. For a while it was the AutoCocker/Mag, now it's a Timmy/DMX/PMX/Shocker/Ego/Etc.

I can say with almost certanty that any Pro/Semi-Pro team with Classic Spyders would be able to beat the majority of the paintball playing community at large reguardless of gear. The issue isn't what gun you have, even a rank amature can drive a Lambo Diablo around a test track, but a professional driver will be able to put that same car 'round the track faster and safer than the amature ever could.

Watch TopGear, look at the Celebrity laps and compare them to the pro-driver laps in their reasonably priced compact car.

The biggest difference between a new player and one that's played for the last 10 years is largely experience and skill base.

Firepower is not a skill, but it does tend to give quick results, however I firmly believe that people who take to e-guns too early will peak faster and lower than those that wait and periodically regress back to a lower level of firepower.

[pachytriton]

If you decide to buy, I'd have to say get a used classic mag. I recently built one as a backup from parts bought on ao for ~$75. They are reliable, simple, easy maintanance, compact, as consistant and accurate as any gun on the market, have very little kick (compared to blowbacks), and cheap. They may not be too fast, but beginners should start out a little slower to develop their skills. Buying used isn't an issue with them since they are built like a tank. A classic was my second gun, it outpreformed my tippmann 98 in every way. I wished I had started with a mag.

[robnix]

I'll be paintballing over the summer, but i was wondering should i rent or buy my equitment? What do they have and how much does it usually cost? What do you do and wear?

I know it's been said, but I'll reiterate it. At a minimum, buy a decent THERMAL mask for yourself. This is the single best thing you can do. I can't describe how frustrating it is to be in the woods on a damp and cool day hunkered down behind a bunker because you can't see a thing since that cheap mask you rented fogged up on you.

I'll also second (third) getting a used classic mag. Reliable, accurate, once it's chronoed will stay chronoed, and easy to maintain.

[I'll Shoot You]

My friends paintball but i've rather learn before i paintball with them. My friend said the two main equitment i need is mask and neck guard.
Also, should i replace the stock 98C barrel?
Yeah my friend has a couple of spyders. He doesnt have the $75 cheap spyder he has the ones that cost like $250.
Well, i'm going to buy a new mask and neckguard not just for paintball, but for airsoft too. Protection is my main goal because if i dont have protection and i die or get hurt then how am i suppose to play? lol
I wont be playing any speedball games. Too fast pace and scary lol. I rather snipe and be stealth.
Oh yeah, about asking people to shoot their markers for me, i've a feeling they will if i ask because who doesnt want to show off their guns?

[I'll Shoot You]

Also, where can i get the best neck guard (Cheapest i've seen is $5 and most expensive is $10 so i'm expecting the best one to be like $20) Also, i've been looking for a reasonable mask and i've seen one for $35 which seems to be perfect. I've looking to spend about $40 on a mask so recommend me a good one please. Please give me a site to order each or both from. Thank you all

[Chaos_Theory!]

As a lot of other people have suggest id say rent first and then buy your own gear depending on how much ya like the sport and how much your going to play.

If at all interested i have an ion i need to get rid of for pretty dang cheap (way less than a stock ion). Has a new barrel, trigger, mini drop, and on/off.

[91Foxtrot]

VFX says that gloves are optional, but the 68-caliber scar on my left hand highly recommends them...

[jenarelJAM]

WHAT????
spyder
98c
The tippmann is 125 (add it to your cart and it will show the price) and the spyder is 134. I'm not seeing where you get $100 in the difference. Although i would rather get the spyder if i had to choose between the two just becasue thats a great deal

Teching a spyder is just replacing the bolt every once in awhile. If you clean your gun like you're supposed to, then you should know how everything works and you would get the same experience as teching a gun. Even so most people just take their high end to an airsmith any ways

Sorry, i've been out of the paintball community for awhile, last time I checked(when my friends bought theres) 98c was around $220 and the spyder imagine(which is no longer sold) was $120.
The difference now is $45, between the $125 for the 98c, and the $80 for this:
E-Spyder
You picked an upgraded spyder, where the minimum would be sufficient. I rarely had a problem with my imagine, and it was basicly the same as the pilot. Even without the acs bolt or eyes, the only time I had problems with breaks was when i put my new forcefed loader on and it pushed past the detents. The less you spend on your first marker, the more you will have for your next marker, or whatever you choose to spend your money on. I would not skip out on the mask, but I think that after you use your neck protector a few times, you will notice that it is too hot. I'm constantly trying to cool myself off when I paintball. It's a very hot sport. I don't wear anything extra if I don't have to.

VFX says that gloves are optional, but the 68-caliber scar on my left hand highly recommends them...

And I reccomend finding a pair of old gloves, and cutting the fingers out of them.

[I'll Shoot You]

I wanted to buy the mask and neck guard for when i play airsoft. I always wore safety glasses. 98c for me not changing my mind.

[Coralis]

If you get a 98C just remember . Do NOT under any circumstances take it apart unless you have a good working knowledge of the gun, they can be a real PITA to put back together.

[ultralight]

you should really try to find a paintball store near you and ask them to try on a few different masks before buying one online. if you buy it online, you may not like the fit, field of vision, or ammount of protection it offer. just go in and ask to try a few on, they should be more than helpful. just don't say anything about buying online, they hate that.

as for the 98c, do the same thing, go to a field, and ask to try out a few of their used markers. they should have a spyder, 98c, and a mag or two. pay for a bag of paint and some air and try them all out. they all have advantages and disadvantages.

you can make your own neck guard. just go to your local craft/sewing store and pick up a sheet of the 1/4" thick colored craft foam (it comes in black). you can cut about 2 neck guards out of it and then just get some 1" wide nylon srap material and a buckle. it's very easy, you get exactly the fit you want and it only costs about $3.

[I'll Shoot You]

Blah, i'm lazy.