03 Viking vs 04 Viking?

[SpecialBlend2786]

I've been toying around with the idea of picking up a viking since they seem to be going for pretty cheap now adays. my question is this: What are the real advantages of the 04 when compared to the 03? I've heard that the 03 has a better detent system among other things, and seeing as 04's are generally a couple hundred dollars more than 03's, is there any real reason to spend the extra money to get the 04?

Any response is appreciated

[PBCapo]

I've been toying around with the idea of picking up a viking since they seem to be going for pretty cheap now adays. my question is this: What are the real advantages of the 04 when compared to the 03? I've heard that the 03 has a better detent system among other things, and seeing as 04's are generally a couple hundred dollars more than 03's, is there any real reason to spend the extra money to get the 04?

Any response is appreciated

i believe:

-04's have humphrey solenoids which are apparently better
-04's came stock with WAS? maybe pandora?
-04's came stock with eyes
-04's came stock wtih the Soda can mod thing, i believe its just a little low pressure chamber/volumizer

[Steelrat]

*POOF* You rang?

The 04s are shorter amd lighter (3/8 lb) than the 03. They also have a shorter ram stroke, which means the maximum speed it theoretically higher, though even the 03s should do above 30 bps.

The detent system of the 04 consists of a double ball setup. Now, its been known to have issues with small paint in some cases, though not everyone experiences this. There are some fixes (quad detent mod, oring on ram mod, stiffer spring mod) to remedy this. The 03 detent, an f4 wire detent, did not have as many issues, though it can get worn out, or get bent in to far and slice paint.

Given the choice, I usually select 04s for their smaller size. And they generally only run about $100 more than the 03s, if that.

[Steelrat]

i believe:

-04's have humphrey solenoids which are apparently better-Some 03s did too
-04's came stock with WAS? maybe pandora?Some 03s came with WAS, some 04s came with WAS, some 04s came with Pandora
-04's came stock with eyes-No
-04's came stock wtih the Soda can mod thing, i believe its just a little low pressure chamber/volumizerTHAT is true, though the SCM is an LPR, not a volumizer. The volumizer is called a mitey max, and is an upgrade item. The 03s came with an internal lpr that, while not pressure compensating like the SCM, worked just fine.

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[PBCapo]

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precisely why i said "i belive" hahaha

[SpecialBlend2786]

*POOF* You rang?

The 04s are shorter amd lighter (3/8 lb) than the 03. They also have a shorter ram stroke, which means the maximum speed it theoretically higher, though even the 03s should do above 30 bps.

The detent system of the 04 consists of a double ball setup. Now, its been known to have issues with small paint in some cases, though not everyone experiences this. There are some fixes (quad detent mod, oring on ram mod, stiffer spring mod) to remedy this. The 03 detent, an f4 wire detent, did not have as many issues, though it can get worn out, or get bent in to far and slice paint.

Given the choice, I usually select 04s for their smaller size. And they generally only run about $100 more than the 03s, if that.

Well, I can get a halfmilled yellow dust 03 w/ Mighty Max and Pandora and eyes by trading my Series 5 and some cash, but I can't seem to find a 04 for anything but $650 w/ no trades. So at this point it's comparing $100 out of pocket to $650 out of pocket...

So the 04 is lighter, theoretically faster, and comes stock with the soda can mod but not the Mighty max that the 03 i can trade for comes with.

Since the 04 comes with the SCM, does this mean that it does not have the internal 03 LPR in it which is why it is lighter?

[Steelrat]

Well, I can get a halfmilled yellow dust 03 w/ Mighty Max and Pandora and eyes by trading my Series 5 and some cash, but I can't seem to find a 04 for anything but $650 w/ no trades. So at this point it's comparing $100 out of pocket to $650 out of pocket...I've seen two fully loaded 04s go for about $500 recently, including mitey max, tadao board, custom triggers, clamping necks, etc etc.

So the 04 is lighter, theoretically faster, and comes stock with the soda can mod but not the Mighty max that the 03 i can trade for comes with.Funny thing is, mitey max benefits the 04 more than the 03. Due to its shrinkage, the 04 has a smaller air chamber than the 03. The mitey max essentially makes it as large as that in the 03. It really doesn't do a lot for the 03.

Since the 04 comes with the SCM, does this mean that it does not have the internal 03 LPR in it which is why it is lighter?The SCM isn't that much heavier. Keep in mind that the 04 is dimensionally smaller than the 03. Since its smaller, and therefore uses less aluminum, it is lighter than the 03s.

.

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[atm743]

yeah im with steelrat i seen many MINT conditon 04 vikings with tadao,mighty max, scm, jmj trigger, and clamping feedneck for 500.

last year on pbnation i seen one go for 450 and it came with a halo NO LIE.

[SpecialBlend2786]

hmmm, alright. Well I guess it's time to troll AKAowners for a halfmilled 04 instead of an 03. Thanks guys!

[electriceel125]

True you can find nice 04's for $400-450. But there is nothing wrong with an 03. i love my 03 as much as my old 04. Either way you are in great hands. Flip a quarter to decide.

[atm743]

True you can find nice 04's for $400-450. But there is nothing wrong with an 03. i love my 03 as much as my old 04. Either way you are in great hands. Flip a quarter to decide.

the older 03's come stock wtih mac noid so if you get a 03 make sure it has humphery

[SpecialBlend2786]

the older 03's come stock wtih mac noid so if you get a 03 make sure it has humphery

What's the main difference? I've heard the Mac noids are slower but quieter (not that that really makes a difference).

[Steelrat]

What's the main difference? I've heard the Mac noids are slower but quieter (not that that really makes a difference).

Thats true. They are also hard to get now.

[WenULiVeUdiE]

This may help:

http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=1530202

The Mac Noids are alittle slower, so they require a higher dwell, but they are "smoother/quieter". The switch to Humphs' was only made because AKA was getting in too many bad solenoids from Mac.

Go with what ever is cheapest. Any AKA marker will serve you well. Mine certainly does.

[Rudz]

viking

i just picked up a sweet 04 viking for 550..i think theres a blue unmilled fs on aka owners also....