98 or A5?

Hi I am looking to get a new marker.  I have been currently using a cheapo Viewloader. Looking at a 98C, A-5 or a Ion.

Do all these perform the same?

I am looking for a marker to play all different games with. So I need a all round good marker.

Any Suggestions?

A 98C is great, they are indestructable and a good way to learn about markers. You can find one nice and cheap on eBay.

A-5 is a bit more complex then a 98C, but not so much that it can totally confuse you. Like all Tippmann products it can take all the abuse that the player can deal it and keep firing.

As this seems to be the first real gun that you'll be using I'd suggest one of those. Both can be upgraded/moded to perform how you want for the game your playing, be it speed ball or woodball.

Thanks alot!

Yea I will be playing both woodsball and speedball. But more of speedball.

So Ions do well in the woods?

I am looking to run HPA in whatever I buy.

Heres a summary of the 3:

98C -

Pros: A decent overall gun with a few occasional problems

Cons: Not a universal threading (unless you get an adapter), fairly slow in speed (heavier trigger pull).

Overall: this gun is the cheapest of the bunch and serves its purpose

A5-

Pros: Easy to customize, easy to install an automatic system (egrip or response trigger), uses universal threading, comes with its own customized feeding system (the cyclone feed).

Cons: May be a little be pricer than the 98C

Overall: a middle ranged gun with nice perks

ION-

Pros: Has been known to keep up against high-end guns, lightweight, an eye system(to check if a ball is in the chamber to reduce chopping), fast

Cons: Cannot go through the abuse of a Tippmann, you will need a compressed air tank and decent electronic hopper. And I highly suggest an aftermarket feedneck

Overall: A very reasonably price marker for what it is capable of.

And for my suggestion:

If you have the money, spend it on an A5.

However if you just want a gun that you want to drive into the ground from use, 98C.

If you are newer to paintball, dont bother with the ION just yet. (my personel suggestion).

I would suggest going to a proshop and feeling each gun and seeing what you like.

IMO, I like 98's. Its your gun though

a) Ignore people who only have used tippmann's before and are like "oh man Tippmann's rock, take a tippmann over everything". These people have no frame of reference/ experience by which to rate markers, or give an unbiased, accurate, and informative opinion on them. Additionally you are asking opinions on the Tippmann forum, you should understand that the comments will generally be biased in Tippmann's favor.

b) People say not to get the ion wet, but a tippmann it is okay. It should be fine if you play in the rain, on most electgronic guns, the grips form a pretty water tight seal, so water ruining the electronics should not be a problem unless you submerge it.

Additionally you should not submerge, or get your marker wet unnecassarily even if it is mechanical. Two main reasons being that metal parts rust, and the water will wash away the lubricants on the gun.

c) Electropneumatic markers such as the Ion, and the Promaster are a much better buy than a tippmann (more bang for your buck). People who think otherwise are ill informed. In the end it comes down to preference. Do you want a well built marker that is able to shoot a high ROF, with very little kick, or a well built marker, with more kick than the electropneumatics , and a slower ROF.

d) The person that said Tippmann 98 threads are not universal is quasi-correct but also an idiot. They aren't universal on every marker type, but that goes for every marker, as most manufacturers have their own threading. Smaller companies might use the threading of another gun though (autococker and impulse threading are popular). With that said Tippmann 98's were and still are popular/ common guns amongst new players so there are alot of aftermarket barrel choices available.

Tippmann 98 = 98 threading/ A-5 =  A-5 threading
SP Ion = Impulse threading / ICD Promaster = Autococker threading

I highly suggest you with a used ion or promaster. Depending on where you look, you can possibly find a good deal on another marker (PM5/ PM6) for a little bit more than a new ion/ promaster.

As of having 2 R/T 98 customs a Custom Pro E, using an A5, and my Ion, the Ion is definately my most favorite. The upgrades on an Ion actually give you better performance than the many upgrades abailable for Tippmanns. I have never had a problem with my Ion or my Tippmanns except for the R/Ts not working all the time, because it is super easy for anyone to keep them working with just some lube. The Ion could possibly be one of the best beginner marker because you get a super easy jump start into the high-end markers.