shot an ion today..

[lather]

At $250 the Promaster is a much better value than the Ion imo.

[kruger]

Then, there is something else to factor in. At the time that the Ion came out, paintball was just starting on TV. There was even talk of an Olympic event involving paintball. All the little kiddies could buy a 17bps marker for about 200 bucks. Think about the marketing here. Even if only 40% of the Ions were to new players, that is a really big influx of potential buyers in the sport of paintball. It did not matter if you were playing scenario ball or speedball. The Ion was a good starter marker for either one. And, I just want to say that, yes, you can end up spending 800 on an Ion. BUT, that is over a period of time. Not everybody has 800 all at once. You can build a decent marker one upgrade at a time. The Ion was never meant to be an awsome marker, and it never will be. It is what it is. It is a good marker. A easily manufactured, fast marker that is cheap to produce. Isnt that the American way?

[Sam5992]

At $250 the Promaster is a much better value than the Ion imo.

i dunno about that..... the promaster definatly looks nicer and is metal, so it doesnt seem as junky, but my friend has been having TONS of problems with his. He wants to sell it and get an ion.... and there are not as many upgrades for the promaster. If i had the choice between the two i would have to say ion... but thats just me.

[AGDRetro]

I see the Ion as the modern Autococker in the respect that it is easy to build one from scratch do to the overwhelming amount of aftermarket parts. The market is there because the gun is so cheap, everybody can afford an Ion... why else would so many manufacturers make parts for it? Everybody has to customize!

[Lenny]

At $250 the Promaster is a much better value than the Ion imo.

I hear they have quite a few board problems, but then again I've never shot one. They do look good, though!

I hate this whole "Ion sucks" thing. If you don't like it, DON'T BUY ONE!! Easy as that!

I must defend it though, I do believe it to be well worth it for the price. I think the problem is everyone compares it to other high-end electros and various other electropneumatics. The Ion is a low-end "high-end" gun. It's not going to perform like a DM/PM or an Ego, so don't expect it to. Comparing it to other markers at the same cost, it has alot to offer. That being said, this is probably the only gun in that price range that can even stand a chance in a modern tournament.

Yeah, it's plastic, yeah it's sloppy, yeah it's ugly; but then, it has breakbeam eyes, a board that allows for 17bps, is 100% electropneumatic in function, and is only $200. That's way more than a Spyder can say.

Be honest, for it's competition, it isn't bad, not at all. When compared to more expensive markers in it's "class", it's blown away.

[lather]

Promasters have Predator lite boards, never had a problem with the board, the reg however is a different story.

[SpecialBlend2786]

Promasters have Predator lite boards, never had a problem with the board, the reg however is a different story.

Welcome to the world of ICD regs

[blamtro]

99% of people's complaints about the performance of the reg never bothered to break them in properly

I have never heard of a need to "break in" a regulator. How do you go about this? What are the signs of a not broken in vs. a broken in reg?

[Pneumagger]

I have never heard of a need to "break in" a regulator. How do you go about this? What are the signs of a not broken in vs. a broken in reg?

yes, regs need to break in for consistency. Every gun needs this.

[11 Bravo]

I have never heard of a need to "break in" a regulator. How do you go about this? What are the signs of a not broken in vs. a broken in reg?

You just use it. When it breaks in you will see that your consistancy at the chrono has improved.

[craltal]

I have never heard of a need to "break in" a regulator. How do you go about this? What are the signs of a not broken in vs. a broken in reg?

To quote the owner's manual for a Palmer Stabilizer:
"There will be a short break-in period, (approx. 2000-3000 shots), in order for the springs and seals in the STABILIZER to "take their set". Once the regulator has settled in, you should find little or no need to make further adjustments to it."

if a high end reg states this, I would imagine that all of them face the same circumstances, the only difference being how long it takes for this process to happen.

[SR_matt]

thats an over statement thoug of what it takes (after like a 1000 its pretty much broekn in... at least on teh stab)
-matt

[craltal]

thats an over statement thoug of what it takes (after like a 1000 its pretty much broekn in... at least on teh stab)
-matt

lol, it's a manufacturer doing the ole' CYA and overtsating, but the idea gets put out there.

[AZ_09]

im REALLY surprised no one has mentioned the promaster.

Promasters come with a better board and body for only $250 now. Plus the stock barrel is actually pretty good.


I myself would get the promaster over the ion, except now with the price drop you have to think....
will it be like the freestyle and get new version every year? Or, are they just going to put out more upgrades and just make it lower in price to compete with the ion

[craltal]

im REALLY surprised no one has mentioned the promaster.

Promasters come with a better board and body for only $250 now. Plus the stock barrel is actually pretty good.


I myself would get the promaster over the ion, except now with the price drop you have to think....
will it be like the freestyle and get new version every year? Or, are they just going to put out more upgrades and just make it lower in price to compete with the ion

check post #47. and the subsequent ones. The promaster is discussed.