SP Impulse.. Thoughts?

[flashgordon]

Hey,
Does anyone have any thoughts on the SmartParts impulse? A local proshop is selling a used imp /w vision and 68/4.5k for only $265 obo.. Seems like an incredible deal, but how is the gun itself? It'd be my first foray into "higher-end" electros. It seems pretty tall, and could be quite heavy.. what are your thoughts?

[jenarelJAM]

My opinion is that it's basicly an ion with a heavier body. My friend has one, and swears by it, but it's mostly because he spent the money, he can't believe other guns are better. It shoots well enough, and you can customize it how you like, but there are better guns out there. That said, if it includes a tank, that sounds like an incredible deal. Make sure the tank is hydro'd, the gun is working etc...

[AZ_09]

Are there any upgrades on it? Impulses are pretty cheap now, especially stock. Mine is very nice, but it has alot of money in upgrades on it. NDZ internals and other things. I get really good efficiency, shoots fast. The only real disadvantage is the size/weight, and that is not breakbeam eyes.

[punkncat]

Its a very good poppit valve design. Tried and true with many possibilities on the upgrade path. Quite durable, easy to repair, and a good performer.

For that price with a tank I would think you are getting a pretty nice deal. If its older I would suggest finding a newer cricket board or and aftermarket replacement like the equalizer. The vision logic in the old ones kinda sucked.

[minimag03]

My opinion is that it's basicly an ion with a heavier body. My friend has one, and swears by it, but it's mostly because he spent the money, he can't believe other guns are better. It shoots well enough, and you can customize it how you like, but there are better guns out there. That said, if it includes a tank, that sounds like an incredible deal. Make sure the tank is hydro'd, the gun is working etc...

I don't know how any opinion could be so twisted as to think an Impulse is anything like an Ion. Honestly, the only thing that the two markers have in common is who makes them.

I love the Impulse. They have a solid feel that all the new SP markers don't. It was top dog when it first came out. It was cheap, fast, and lite (atleast then it was). It can keep up with most markers out today. However I could put that much money into one. A new trigger, clamping feed, and maybe new board if you feel the stock is too slow.

[personman]

I owned an impulse for about two months.. most of which it was broken. None of the smart parts 'certified' techs around me could figure it out, and no one on any impulse owner group was of any help. It was a piece of junk. I finally got it working and sold it immediately.

However, for that price I say go for it. As long as it works.

[wjr]

My idiot friend has one. He doesn't ever take any care of it. He's never lubricated it once, and I don't even think he's ever cleaned the paint out from the breech.

And it still works great! I think that says something it's reliability.

If I weren't so addicted to mags then I'd buy one.

[jenarelJAM]

I don't know how any opinion could be so twisted as to think an Impulse is anything like an Ion. Honestly, the only thing that the two markers have in common is who makes them.

I love the Impulse. They have a solid feel that all the new SP markers don't. It was top dog when it first came out. It was cheap, fast, and lite (atleast then it was). It can keep up with most markers out today. However I could put that much money into one. A new trigger, clamping feed, and maybe new board if you feel the stock is too slow.

Sorry, let me clarify.
It has mostly been replaced by the ion. They don't function the same, but the impulse became obsolete when the ion hit the market. That's not to say that it isn't a perfectly fine marker, but SP is not making them anymore, preferring to use the ion as their budget marker. I meant to say that it was SP's budget marker until the ion hit. In that way, it is like the ion.

[Toll]

I know people who swear by them but they are also very heavily upgraded.


I shot one with an OTB frame and didnt much like the feel, but thats just me.

[SpecialBlend2786]

I used to shoot a heavily upped Imp and really did like it alot. Now adays there are better markers that can be had for cheaper, namely things like the Ion, but they are good markers. A little heavy, a little big, but good. There are still probably tons up upgrades out there as well.

[CoolHand]

I've always liked Imps.

They weren't perfect by any means, but they were pretty damned good, especially for their day.

Now, you're better off IMO to have an Imp and an HPA system for the money instead of an Ion and the urge.

For under $300 that sounds like a winner to me.

Imp upgrades are still pretty easy to come by too. The only thing you really HAVE to have is a tapeworm or an LPR. Past that, it's all up to you.

If you play your cards right though, you could find a Nerve for not a lot more money, and then you'd be set without the need to buy any upgrades at all.

There are several other options for just a little more money, if you can spare the cash, you might find something else you like more.

If you do decide to buy the Imp, don't worry about it, it's a fine marker.

[Triangle]

I've always liked Imps.

They weren't perfect by any means, but they were pretty damned good, especially for their day.

Now, you're better off IMO to have an Imp and an HPA system for the money instead of an Ion and the urge.

For under $300 that sounds like a winner to me.

Imp upgrades are still pretty easy to come by too. The only thing you really HAVE to have is a tapeworm or an LPR. Past that, it's all up to you.

If you play your cards right though, you could find a Nerve for not a lot more money, and then you'd be set without the need to buy any upgrades at all.

There are several other options for just a little more money, if you can spare the cash, you might find something else you like more.

If you do decide to buy the Imp, don't worry about it, it's a fine marker.

The man above me knows what he's talking about.
Even when he's not slaving over my Dallara.

[FARMER00]

for 256 buy a mad upped ion or a mag ftw

[Triangle]

for 256 buy a mad upped ion or a mag ftw

Good thing you address his issue, right?
He doesn't want a mag, he's asking about Impulses.
There's no way you're going to get a quality mag with an airtank for that kind of money.

[flashgordon]

Hehe.. thanks for all the tips guys..

I have a mag, and love it to death.. Still tossing around the idea of doing the pneu-frame on it

I've just been fiending after a second marker, the candidates (in my mind) are,
Triumph eXT (for it's BE-like modability)
Any Mid to high-end electro (Not interested in the Ion's because everyone and their mother has one in my area)
Or a PPS Blazer


I didn't have my heart set on the Imp., it just seems like it'd be a nice change of pace.. besides I could resell the tank and get the gun for <$200 , spend 60 bucks on an lpr and tapeworm and be set.. i've just never shot the darn thing so don't know what i'm getting into

EDIT: All i've been hearing is it's boxy (I used a 98c for 3 years, i'll survive) and its reliability is dubious (conflicting reports).. but how does it shoot?