Best for young players?

Hello all. My oldest daughter has been bugging me to take her to play PB after she turns 10 and the day is rapidly approaching. I know I am probably getting ahead of myself, but I truly hope she enjoys it and will want to continue playing. For her first outings, I will let her use the bone stock M98 that I picked up as a backup/spare marker. My question is, IF she ends up like it, what marker should I end up getting her once I know she will want to continue? I have a couple of thoughts on this. One would be to pick up a used 98C and use it as a project to upgrade and work on together. Or maybe even giving her the M98 and finding an E-bolt for it and tricking it out with milling etc. My second thought is finding and buying an entry level electro of some sort. However, I have no experience with these at all, which will make maintenance/repair a possible issue.  

Regarding, costs, I would like to be able to stay reasonable. A 10yr old doesnt need a $1k marker IMO, nor do I have that sort of money to throw around. I also would probably prefer to stay with CO2 if possible as I already have several spare 9 oz. tanks around and also because of weight. Which leads me to one of my other issues, weight. She is average height for her size, but scrawny (think Mowgli from the Jungle Book) and need to try and keep things light.

Size is also an issue. I adjusted my old mask down for her and to get it to fit, the lens is actually bending to fit her little noggin. Are there any good thermal lense masks made for smaller players? I tried to put my Proto Switch on her and was scared to size it down that small for fear of cracking the lense.

Lastly, do any of the younger players, or players that were younger when they started have any opinions of what they would rather have? Would you prefer a store bought Invert Mini or a milled/e-bolted 98 that you had a hand in building? Any opinions are appreciated.

Thanks.

Edited by oldpbnoob - 02 June 2008 at 10:11am

As always, I appreciate your input.  Sad that I don't know how tall she is, but I would guestimate about 54".  Yes the tank to grip is a little far for her. When we were practice firing, she would tuck the tank up under her arm. I have a drop forward that I removed from my marker already that I will probably put on, just need to get a new longer SS line as all I have is Macroline around here and for some reason, I have issues with it sealing properly. Chest protector is a good idea and probably will make her a little less likely to cry. Only one I saw was a "one size fits all". False advertising unless it it able to be trimmed a lot. I may have to go look around the sporting goods store for something else that will work.

I may actually rig up something for the mask that puts a strap over her head as well to keep it from possibly sliding down. Again, thanks for the suggestions.

 

You lost me on the macroline fittings. I didnt think there were o-rings in them. Maybe that is my problem. Think I will stay with braided lines. lol.

I have a neck protector that I will put on her. I looked further into a chest protector and either have a choice of the $15.00 Wally World model or the $40 Proto one that actually comes in youth sizes. I am trying not to be cheap, but.....   I know my priority needs to make sure that she doesnt get hurt. My wife is already having reservations about her going in the first place. We are playing at a smaller commercial field in the area that seems to have a pretty decent group of players the times I have gone, so hopefully they will be kind. I have a feeling the day will end up as a daylong "VIP" game.

As for the marker, I appreciate the input. I have heard some mixed remarks about Spyders, so will have to consider and maybe do some more research. I also saw a Tippmann Triumph online somewhere, and read some decent comments here.  Have these held up?

Edited by oldpbnoob - 03 June 2008 at 1:38pm

I was looking at the EXT. Looked like an inexpensive way for an Electro.

invert mini is a small gun that can use and grow as a player but of course you have to pick up a n2 tank

When I was about her age, I started with an M98, gravity hopper, and CO2 tank.  It did the job, and when I got a little bit older I found myself doing my own milling, mods and painting to it until I could afford my first Autococker.  For her, I think a bone stock M98 would be more than sufficient, as it can grow with her level of interest.  I always showed extreme respect for my equipment because my parents wouldn't buy any paintball items for me, and I don't think I would've had it any other way because it taught me how to maintain and work on my markers by myself.  Today, I am 15 and own an Angel A4 Fly, all paid for by me.

Now, this isn't to say you should have her buy all the starting gear, etc.  I would start her with a stock M98 and have her pay for part of any upgrades she might want, be it $5 or the whole price.  This will help her realize the value of a dollar and help her learn more about the sport and there is no reason why she needs an electro as a first marker.  The M98 can grow with your daughter, and I think it'll provide a fun, lengthy project for the both of you.  Let her play quite a few times before you go crazy with milling or e-bolts, and when/if you do, have her participate in it.

/\_ thats probably the best protection, the mask is really light allso.

My experience with new players is that the main thing is ease of use, and this goes double for kids.  They don't know how to push buttons, clean barrels/breaches, turn stuff off or on, or anything, and they don't particularly want to learn yet.

So you want something that is super-simple to use, and is basically incapable of breaking balls or otherwise developing headaches.

My vote is therefore for a 98 with Revvy.  ACT would be nice, but not required.  Subsitute Prolite/Ricochet or other basic-yet-reliable gun/hopper.  HALOs and similar hoppers are too complicated for rookies, as are all guns that shoot fast enough to require them.

And A-5 would also be a good choice, but when A-5s go bad, they go spectacularly bad, and that can turn anybody off to paintball.  Any problem that could appear with a 98/Revvy is a problem you can fix for her in five minutes.

Either way, good luck and enjoy.

Thanks again for all the input on these. I ended gettinig a find of a lifetime at MC sports. They had hockey gear on clearance and had a youth size shoulder/chest pads that were $3.00. I removed the shoulder pads part and it fits perfect and covers nearly her entire chest and abdomen.  Score.