Got an Ion? Come on in.

so i might be able to scratch the 300 dollar mark with my setup?

son of a nutcracker.  Should i just buy a Custom Pro E? to stick with tippmann

I sold my 98 on Ebay a month or so ago and I got $265.
It had a centerfeed mod, 3 barrels, an apache hopper, and an old school RT that absolutely ripped. I also included a 20oz CO2 and a remote. The marker also had a M4 sliding stock and a warmachine M4 front.
So...good luck.

Back on Topic:

I bought an Ion back in March.
Upped it a little. Qlock feedneck, Halo B, Freak, and unimount. Feed it with a crossfire 68/4500 and I can tell you it is a sweet shooting little piece.
It will rip very easily, even without the ramping. I use the ramping for showing off at the chrono. I am no master of the triggerwalk, but this thing shoots very nice.
It feels alot like a shocker. In fact I think they should have called it the Shocker Jr., or Shocklite or something. Feels just like a shocker to me.
The only thing that is plastic is the shell...trust me there is metal under there. The trigger is plastic too, but they do have some nice aftermarket triggers if this concerns you.
For all you tournament types, this is as good a backup gun as you will find for less than $500. For the entry level tourney baller, this will allow you to refine your skills and will not hold you back.
For the all around rec-baller, (thats me), this marker is a great way to see what the high end markers feel like and not spend a fortune. Be careful though...once you shoot this you will want a high dollar wonder gun just to see the difference. There isn't much of one...but the allure will still be there.

Edited by Ken Majors

Rico's Report...

-Materials - the body would be much nicer if it were metal, fortunately, there are a bunch of aftermarket bodies coming.    

-Trigger feel - I removed the magnet.   I like a sloppy trigger and after removing the magnet and using a little adjustment, I can rock on it pretty good.

-Stock parts and Recommended Upgrades - eh... in order to make this a viable marker, you MUST immediately replace the feed neck and barrel.   Go with something like the low-rise Hed-Loc, it works great.   The barrel is terrible, buy a Freak back and your choice of tip and then get a .689 insert... save some money and add the rest later.   Some of the guys on the SP Factory Team (run by Rich and Gerald Garcia of Philly, formerly of Oakland) have installed the QEV valve on the ram, but, while this does help cycling speed, it seems to kill the reliability.   No big deal for a sponsored X-Ball team that can swap out markers/parts quickly, but a VERY big deal for someone who uses this as their main marker.

-Accuracy - not bad with a decent barrel, better than a Timmy but not quite like a Cocker/Matrix

-Speed - very good.    

-Weight - actually almost to the point that it is TOO light for me

-Balance - again, not bad.   Maybe a little light in the front.   You can get a little barrel rise on long strings, but you can get used to it and prepare.

-Size - again, approaching the TOO small barrier for me... remember, I am a 6'1" 215 lb backer (but don't turn your back on me, I'm still pretty fast for and old guy and if you forget, you'll be getting a triple-tap in your pack  )

-Height - with the Hed-Loc... perfect

-PROBLEMS - dissassembly, the first time with mine, I had to pry the board out (it comes out with the body when you remove the grip frame).   The board was actually a hair too wide.   Some CAREFUL passes with a dremel to trim it and no problems.   Get some extra "banjo" connections and keep them in your bag "just in case."

-Whatever else you can think of - Here is something that probably most of you that know who I am thought you would never see... Rico doing a report on an SP product.   The basic truth is, SP hit a homerun with this one and it is not deniable.   They have sparked a trend that the other manufacturers must realize.   There is a HIGH demand for a "disposeable high-end" marker.   I have bought 3 so far, the first one for my stepson to use as a backup to his Russian Legion Timmy (heck, it has got to the point where the RL is the back up!), the second was for me and I traded it along with my Empire Timmy before I aired it up and the last one is now my "loaner."   I regularly take a couple kids out to play and I don't get real comfortable with "noobs" playing with my DM4 or DM5, so this is PERFECT!!!   It shoots fast, it is set up like a "real" PB marker and cost to repair/replace (should I have to) is relatively inexpensive. 

Something for all you customizers... screw with your bodies!!!   Dremel them, sand them, paint them... whatever!   If you screw on up beyond help, they are like $29.00 to replace.   (I would suggest that you buy one ahead of time anyway.) 

~ Rico