Custom Pro vs A-5

Hello, new to the forum, but old to tippmanns. Started paintballing in 92 with a sheridan pirahna, and graduated to a pro-lite (one of the best guns I have ever shot). Got out of it in 2000 after I decided to go to college, got married, moved around, and here I am, settled and ready to get back into paintball again. I sold my pro-lite some time back and need a new marker. I have done extensive searches on this forum and am aware of the upgrades etc. I've narrowed down my choices to the 98 Custom Pro and the A-5. But of course I have a few questions that i'm looking for some advice on. First off let me say that i'm 100% Tippmann. having used tippmann products for 8+ years there is no way i'm considering something else right now. I trust in tippmann, and my old pro-lite never let me down, EVER.  So with that said, i'd like to keep this thread limited to tippman guns only. I will be mainly playing woods ball with an occasional speed ball game. Now on to the questions.

1.Gun technology, Will the Pro with ACT technology and an agitated hopper keep up with the A-5 and its cyclone feed system? Also what is the percentage of ball breakage on the A-5, i'm assuming the A-5 doesn't have any type of ACT technology.

2. Stock Pro vs. Stock A-5, I'm looking for best out of box performance. It appears the Pro has a better barrell and trigger. The A-5 has a better feed system.

So, which stock platform is better to start off with? For the A-5 am i paying the $50 difference only for the cyclone feeding system?

whichever gun I go with, I don't plan on doing to many after market upgrades. I don't need to sqeeze out 15 balls a second. For me it's not preformance as much as it is rock solid dependability and accuracy.

Ergonomics, the stock custom pro feels better balanced than the A-5, also it feels lighter. I know that can be changed with add-ons

So with my information, what are other peoples preference? I don't believe I will go wrong with either one. Personally I'm leaning more towards the Custom Pro, but just want to make the right informed decision. Thanks,

Doug

It looks like everybody is pulling for the A-5. I still am leaning more towards the Custom Pro with an added x-chamber. Maybe i'm still partial to the old ergonomics of my pro-lite many years ago. I understand the whole debate over the cyclone feed system. If I got the Pro I could always add it later. My main thing is the A-5 feels awkward when you hold it. I know the aftermarket world is bigger for the A-5. The air-smith at the store said the internal workings are basically the same minus the ACT technology. Also the price is more towards my end of the spectrum. The pro with an expansion chamber will run me around $195. It appears it also has a tippman werks barrell, that is better than the stock a-5, something I won't have to upgrade. Also if I should happen to break a ball the pro is quicker to get a squeege through. I think the A-5 is an exceptional marker, but I think alot of people (besides on this forum) are pushing for the A-5 because of the numbers it can produce. 15 balls a second are pretty impressive, but i have never been in a situation where I would need that type of fire power. All i want is accuracy with consistant velocity. So far i'm surprised only 1 person has halfway voted for the custom pro. Tomorrow afternoon i'm headed back to the store to pick up a marker.

Doug

after hearing your description, i'd agree with you and go with the 98. i've had one for (geez, going on) 4 years now, and it's been the type of gun that i can pull out, squirt a few drops of oil in, play a few games, put away, and not have to look at it until i play again. my trusty 98 is my work horse and i'll hang on to it forever.

it seems you don't necessarily want or need a high ROF to be satisfied, so the 98 is great. keep in mind---stock 98's with a flatline or apex are pretty under-estimated in general; until people are on the recieving end of it. i've seen it, and done it several times in a speedball game: i stay in the back(i mean the VERY back) and yet i'm able to hit anyone on the field without having to arch my shot. people can shoot 20 balls per second all they want, but if they constantly have to adjust each shot because of gravity, it can get time consuming. i fire one or two shots their way, and they hit the deck. i'd rather sacrifice a smaller, lighter gun, for a heavier, longer range gun.

also, i'm a clumsy person, and if i had a dime every time i dropped it, i'd have a few bucks by now, and nothing has ever broken off. it's one of the most durable objects i own. [incidentally, a friend of mine who i've played with for several years, told me the other day that he wanted to paint his 98 a different color, and i simply told him him all he has to do is field strip it. his reply is "how do i do that?" ...i've been playing with this kid for years, and he's never field stripped it. heck, he probably throws his marker in the basement after a game, and doesn't pick it up until he's ready to play next time. i doubt any other gun on the market today could claim that kind of reliability....]