Hello!! This lens is to help feed the addiction when you can't be out there on the field. While it doesn't give the same adrenaline rush, it will bring you: tips on play and tech work, a heads up on new products from the major manufacturers of the industry (and some of the new, smaller companies), field reviews, links to where you can get your gear online, links to fields and stores, and anything else paintball related that I can hunt down. I welcome field and gear reviews, as long as they are not libelous, and as long as everyone understands that not all reviews are done by me. I can't play with every new toy that comes out, I can't play at every field in the country (or the world). That's why I want your reviews! Please note, if your post contains foul language, namecalling, or anything else that is not deemed "family appropriate", it will be deleted. But give me your honest opinion (even if it's a bad review), present it intelligently, and you'll see it here. Just stick in the Guestbook or email it to me (paintballlens@yahoo.com), and everyone can look at it. We are a paintball community. There's content all the way to the bottom of this page, so make sure you scroll down. The only way this sport has been brought out of the woods and to TV is because of us, the players. The only way we will see this sport brought to a higher level is if we all work together to show it in a positive light. Whether your a woodsballer or an arena player, you're welcome here.
Here's the Guestbook
Tell me what you think I should put up here, or send me your review.
Here's a place that you can put your reviews, give me suggestions, or make requests of what you would like to see on this lens.
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podstarnetwork
Great looking lens! I look forward to seeing more in the future. Posted July 26, 2006 |
Some points of fact....
What you will and will not see on this lense
Safety, safety, safety...
Sorry boys and girls, but this HAS to be said
But then I was reading his section about playing in the rain, and was horrified. He noted how useful it would be to take some paper towels with you on the field, so that you could wipe off your goggles if they started to fog. The inside of your goggles.
Now, we "old hands" of the game know how DANGEROUS this is, but to those of you who don't know better:
NEVERNEVERNEVERNEVER TAKE YOUR GOGGLES OFF ON THE FIELD!!!! I don't care if you have "turned away from the action", as this lensmaster put it. I have personally seen someone lose an eyeball because he thought it was safe to take his goggles off on the field. Not one year goes by that we don't hear of numerous "accidents" where someone lost his/her eye because they were hit without goggles on.
Companies like V-Force, JT, DYE, and the others spend thousands and thousands of dollars researching ways to make goggles more safe. We spend how much on our goggles? $30? $50? More? Just so that we can take them off in the one area that they were not only designed to be used in, but the primary area that they are REQUIRED to be worn??
No, Those expensive pieces of plastic and lexan have been carefully designed and tested and retested and redesigned and retested so that we are comfortable, safe, and get to go home with our eyeballs intact at the end of the day. Sure, we all see new kids taking their goggles off on the field. What usually happens? We tell them to put their goggles on again, right? If this isn't how it works where you play, I hope you don't play where I do.
Eye injuries not only suck for the person that they happen to, but for the rest of us. If an eye injury happens at a field (whether it's their fault or not), a lawsuit can shut that place down faster than you would think. As I have said before: We are legion, players. It is our numbers and dedication to the sport we love that makes us worth marketing to. Let's NOT let this become a bigger problem.
Seriously though: Keep your gun up, your eyes open, and your goggles ON!!!
To cheat, or not to cheat?
That is the question
We all know that players do it. some do it every once in a while, while others have a serious problem. How about you? Are you a Scrubber? Do you fire a few extra balls before the ref calls you? Remember, this poll is anonymous, so please be honest. (heheheh, be honest about whether or not you're honest, that's ironic!!)
Results from the last Poll:
20% were die hard woodsballers,
28% were airball fanatics,
52% just wanted to play the game.
I won't say who's right or wrong, that's not my job. But I will say thanks to those of you who voted.
Product Review-The Core ZX Pistol
Take a look at this fun little marker
This last weekend I had a chance to play with a Core ZX Pistol. Now, I have used pistols in the past, so I had an idea of what to expect from a pistol, yet I was surprised at this one.We'll start at the beginning: A friend of mine owns it, but it just looked too cool to not play with. My buddy hadn't oiled his ZX ina while, so I thought I would do him a favor, and clean it up a little. I was happy to find that it disassembled in the same way as a Spyder (or any of it's many clones), and was just as easy to clean and lube. After about 10 minutes, she was ready for a day of paintball. She chrono'd in at an acceptable 274, 285, 280, so I figured the range of effectiveness to be around 50-70 ft. I was surprised that she actually was good to around 80 ft with relative consistancy. I used the marker in both team and 1 on 1 games. I enjoyed the fact that a pistol is small, lightweight, and very versatile. She's also got a comfy grip, and is easy to hang on to. I didn't break or chop a single ball in it all day, and I used about 6 different types of paint.The only thing that I missed from a larger marker was the range. Within 80 feet, she was deadly. Outside of that, not so much.
When it came to 1 on 1s, and I had more field to play with, I loved it. I move a lot during a game, and the ZX allowed me to do so even more. Given that we were playing on a woods field that was littered with deadfalls, branches, rotten logs, etc., I liked the fact that I wasn't carrying 3-5 extra pounds in my hands. Add in the fact that in a 1 on 1, you only have to worry about 1 other gun, I had the opportunity to get closer to my opponant. I only lost one duel, because I hadn't brought enough 12 grams out on the field with me. I scored hits on the hands, the legs, the chest, and one in the middle of the forehead (money shot) all day.
While the ZX isn't the most gas efficient marker in exestance (12 to 14 shots to a 12 gram), as long as you are keeping mental track of your shots, you will remember to reload the air before you run out. It isn't too time consuming, as long as you pick your moment. Reloading paint is another matter. I had an extra magazine, which shaved off a few seconds, but it was still a chore to reload while trying to dodge paint. My suggestion is that if you are going to get one of these, pratice changing the mag a lot before you go to play.
Here's the overall:
Ease of Maintenance: A
Playability: B
Gas Efficiency: C-
Comfort: A
Fun: A+
The Tippman Model 98 Custom
The workhorse of paintball markers
If you are just starting in this heavily populated and opinionated world of paintball, you have many options laid before you for your gear. You should take some serious time to consider what's best for you. Really the first question you need to ask yourself is: "Am I playing in the woods or the arena." If the answer is both, the you should decide which you are going to play in more. If the answer to either of these is "the woods", then you should strongly consider the Tippman 98 Custom.You will be hard pressed to find anyone who has been playing that hasn't heard of this one. The 98 is synonymous with reliability, consistancy, and durability. The M98C has been on the market for a while, so the bugs are gone. The marker has no real quirks to speak of. Let's take a look at it from box to field.
When you pull this thing out of the box, it's ready to go. You should always play safely, and chronograph your marker(to below 300 feet per second or your field's speed limit)before shooting it at anyone. If you need to adjust the speed, its easy. You just use the supplied allen key to twist the screw locates midway up the body on the left side. Clockwise slows the ball down, counter clockwise speeds it up. No need to oil your new 98, as Tippman lubes it very well at the factory. All you have to do is attach a (full) air tank to it, and she's ready to shoot. CO2 or Compressed Air will both work well, so long as your pre-set Comp Air is at 8-900 psi. If you want to take that pressure down from there, pick up the Low Pressure kit from Tippman, and slap it in there. I would suggest that you get a compressed air tank. You will eventually want one, and nearly every marker on the planet will run on them. Read the coming text module on tanks for more details.
So you take this baby out of the box, put the tank on it, Chrono it, pull down your goggles, and head out to the field to shoot some of your friends. After the day is done, just wipe that sucker down with a paper towel, remove the barrel and run some hot water down it, and it's ready for next time. If you chop a ball, all you have to do is flop down the feed neck, run a towel through, and she's clean. After the first few times you play, you will want to oil it up. This is easy too. You just drop 5-6 drops of the supplied oil into the ASA, gas it up and you're ready to rock. This is a basic rundown of what you can expect with a 98. I will be doing a module on in-depth repair and maintenance soon, so stay tuned.
Paintball on eBay
Here's your chance to benefit from somebody else's tough situation. Local shop not have what you're looking for? Do you really want that drop that they haven't made for years? If you want it, chances are it's available on eBay. I change the search terms on this module every couple of days, so check back often.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Online Proshops and Field info
- Doodlebug Sportz Indoor Paintball and Pro Shop
- these guys are Washington's premiere indoor arena. With a pro shop on site, it's all there. Also as a Smart Parts Factory Outlet, with fully trained techs on hand, Doodlebug can take care of every paintballing need. Whether you're looking for the hottest new Shocker (like the Doodlebug Sportz edition), the latest upgrade for your Tippman 98 Custom, or just a new set of lenses, Don and crew are the guys to go to. Don't fear the Doodlebug.
- Splat Attack online store, field and pro shop info
- A complete online store, as well as field, pro shop and events info. Lots of events in the coming months, so check it out.
- Special Ops Paintball Online Pro Shop
- Ten minutes on this site, and you'll be excited about playing in the woods again. From mil-sim gear to mines and rocket launchers, these guys have it all at reasonable prices. Join their "Brigade", and get yourself free stuff when you order. Enter in Recruitment# 64994 when you join.
- PB Review.com
- Another great place to get field and shop reviews.
- Ground Zero Paintball
- Located in Milton, Ontario. I guess even Canadians need paintball...
- The Painball Store Online Pro Shop
- With a Pro Shop in Olympia, WA, and a great field (both Sup' Air and Rec) in Elma, WA, John Heater and crew know how to treat players right.
Field/Store locations in the Northwest
Paintball on Amazon
Books and videos that will help with newbie-itis.
Gun-fu: The Martial Art of Paintball
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 07/19/2008)
Scenario Paintball: Tips, Tools, and Tactics from the Trenches
Amazon Price: $13.00 (as of 07/19/2008)
Paintball Player's Safety Guide
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 07/19/2008)
Paintball, the Wizard's Way: The Authoritative Book on Paintball Equipment, Strategy, and Tactics
Amazon Price: (as of 07/19/2008)
Games, Movies and more!!
Orlando X-Ball 2003- Part 2
Price: $2.99
Fast, Intense, just what you expect from X-ball. who can argue with this price???
Mardi Gras 2004
Price: $3.99
Mardi Gras has heralded the beginning of the tournament season for ages. This unbelievable party-I mean tournament is tough, gritty, and usually wet.
Jawwbraker Episode 3
Price: $19.99
The boys at Jawbreaker know how to shoot paintball. From interviews to on the field action, This baby is worth every penny.
Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story (DVD)
Price: $19.98
Two words: Rob F**king Corddry!! With a special appearace by Ed Helms, this DVD is funny enough to knock you out of your seat. Sure, the paintball action is...less than accurate, but this movie is just plain fun! I own it, and so should you.
The William Shatner 2-Pack (DVD)
Price: $14.99
The Shat is back!!!! SPPLAT Attack is one of the biggest and most encompassing events in paintball. With Armies in the neighborhood of 500 players each, this game is huge. William Shatner heads up the Federation Forces against the Klingons, Borg, and anybody else who get in their way!!
