Got an Ion? Come on in.
Printed From: Tippmann Paintball
Category: Paintball Equipment
Forum Name: Which Gun is Best
Forum Description: Need Advice? Ask the pros.
URL: http://www.tippmannsports.com/forum/wwf77a/forum_posts.asp?TID=135561
Printed Date: 01 April 2026 at 11:02am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Got an Ion? Come on in.
Posted By: Pariel
Subject: Got an Ion? Come on in.
Date Posted: 15 June 2005 at 6:26pm
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OK, here's the idea. Most of you guys have noticed that tons of people ask about the Ion here all the time. So, for you Ion owners, here's me suggestion: post up a review. I don't mean like "OMG! IT'S TEH ROXXORZ! 1 GAZILLION/10!!!!!111!!!!1". What I'm looking for is something that'll help newbs pick a gun that they want. Didn't like it? Say so! Loved it? Say so! Whatever you noticed, whenever you got the gun-post it.
Hopefully, this can incorporated into a sticky at some point(well, the best parts, anyway). Things you should probably talk about: -Materials(what stuff is made out of-trigger, body, internals, barrel, anodizing/powdercoating, etc) -Trigger feel(with and without magnet, depending how you have it) -Stock parts -Upgraded parts -Accuracy -Speed -Weight -Balance -Size -Height -PROBLEMS -Whatever else you can think of. If any of you guys have teched these, I think people would be especially interested in your feedback. I'm mostly doing this because both PbN, and PbReview have really crappy reviews up. Pictures/video with your post is always a plus. |
Replies:
Posted By: cdacda13
Date Posted: 15 June 2005 at 7:33pm
| Great idea |
Posted By: Panda Man
Date Posted: 15 June 2005 at 7:38pm
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Panda mans Review of the Ion: Stock parts: There ok, nothing to get your pantys in a twist over, the trigger is good, etc.. the only thing I dislike is how long it takes to break in the regulator. Upgrade parts: I suggest upgrading the feed neck, to somthling like a low rise to get your lowest profile as possible, but if your a back player I wouldn't even touch the feedneck. The new "QEV"(quick exhaust valve) makes it so the solenoid is fed air faster, which will result in a faster caped ion. Though in my opinion the Ion does not need it, but for people who want more then 18bps, then go for it, just a future warning, they are very EASY to strip the threads. Accuracy: I noticed the acuraccy is supprisingly good with the stock barrel on the Ion, I suggest keeping the stock barrel until you have some money for somthing like a freak set. When I was shooting the Ion I hit a Cable Box about 65ft away very consistantly but I did have a few off-hits. Speed: The Speed of the Ion, is absolutley perfect! Nothing to bust a nut over, but it should certianlty keep your opponent bunkerd up with little chance of run-pass. The Eyes is what really sets the Ion apart from any other marker out there, for only $285 the Ion has perfect eyes, not one single problem with them. Weight: It is a light marker weighing in at a little under 2.3 pounds... that is light, agian nothing to get excited about, and with tank, and full hopper it weighs in a little under 6lbs(varies tank, hopper etc..). Very easy to handle, and snap shoot with, weight and size is no factor to worry about... infact for what your getting for $285, you couldn't get a more compact marker that shoots as fast. Balance: If you do not use a drop, it tends to be a little back heavy, but as long as you keep your tank on your forearm you shouldn't worry about balance, its very smooth to snap shoot with, and to shoot in wierd positions like with one arm, or laying down and shooing. Size: This is where your Ion stands out... Such a simple design makes the ion VERY low profiled, perfect for any player, and to make the profile even smaller, get a drop and a low rise feed neck to make it a "mini-ion". Height: What height? those 2"? Problems: I did find it kind of difficult to turn the marker on and off fue to the switch sux, and I can see where some people may get plyers on it, and I found the regulator wasn't to friendly when breaking in, other then that I found Zero problems on the Ion. Extra Note: The Ion stands out from anyother makrer out there, I really enjoy shooting the Ion(and soon will own one  )
Its such a simple design that it takes almost "0" effort to field strip
it, and you dont need multiple tools, just the standard 1/8 allen
wrench does all the maintaince needed. The Ion is also what I'd like to
call "the Chameleon of paintball" due to it can go from Red, to Yellow
in under 20 minutes, if your into all matching colors on your gear/marker the
Ion will ALWAYS suite you.  ------------- 
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Posted By: Pariel
Date Posted: 15 June 2005 at 8:48pm
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Good stuff! Thanks man.
I think this would be a good sticky(hint _TT_)
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Posted By: Panda Man
Date Posted: 15 June 2005 at 9:17pm
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Once I get more research done, and do some myself I'll add stuff... oh, another warning... dont put your eye piece on backwards... -------------
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Posted By: hwayhzrd
Date Posted: 16 June 2005 at 3:18pm
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When I get one, I will post a review!!! ------------- If I flee, kill me If I die, avenge me |
Posted By: You Wont See Me
Date Posted: 16 June 2005 at 3:24pm
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I'm also considering selling the trusty A-5 for an Ion, and reviews by people I can trust would really help out. (thanks panda) ------------- A-5 E-Grip JCS Dual Trigger DOP X-CORE 8 stage x-chamber Lapco Bigshot 14" Beadblasted Optional setup: R/T Dead on Blade trigger |
Posted By: Linus
Date Posted: 16 June 2005 at 3:45pm
Anyway, Panda basically says it all, O I won't even watse my time. ------------- 
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hwayhzrd wrote:Posted By: hwayhzrd
Date Posted: 16 June 2005 at 3:48pm
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Can't afford a Shocker, and the Ion is a much better bargain for the performance. ------------- If I flee, kill me If I die, avenge me |
Posted By: Clark Kent
Date Posted: 16 June 2005 at 3:56pm
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Don't have one, but potentially interested. One problem I hear mentioned, though, is that you need to take the whole thing apart to do basic maintenance. Any thoughts on this? |
Posted By: pxlNICK
Date Posted: 16 June 2005 at 4:08pm
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Really good review Panda Man; short and to the point. Some stuff I knew, some I didn't. Can't wait to pick one of these up. ------------- M98 Custom- -14" Progressive -GTA X-Chamber -Rocket Cock |
Posted By: Panda Man
Date Posted: 16 June 2005 at 4:33pm
Unfortunitly... yes... But once you take it apart twice you know whats going on... Hway, I'm glad your not going with the Shocker for some simple reasons... -Shockers are over priced lemons -If your Ion is totaly destroyed, you only have to pay MAYBE $250 for a new one. -Ions are shorter then a Shocker -Ions can change colors -A pimped out Ion is 1/2 the price for a Stock Shocker -Ion uses Breakbeam eyes while the shocker still uses the out dated boucebeam eyes. -------------
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Posted By: Pariel
Date Posted: 16 June 2005 at 7:07pm
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Trying to get hands on an Ion for a friend...I also want to test it out, but I don't know how soon that's happening. He's been really slow about selling his 'mag.
That said, good stuff going on in here. I can't wait to see more. |
Posted By: Murdock
Date Posted: 17 June 2005 at 8:30am
| Can rapp off around 15 bps with little to no effort with about 3 minutes worth of trigger adjustment. |
Posted By: Panda Man
Date Posted: 17 June 2005 at 9:43am
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i dont know about 15pbs effortless unless you have rebounce on, but it can get up there. -------------
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Posted By: Murdock
Date Posted: 17 June 2005 at 3:54pm
| Bought one for the wife and tweaked it up a lil. I should have said that "I" can make it cycle that fast with little to no effort. |
Posted By: You Wont See Me
Date Posted: 18 June 2005 at 8:57pm
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Bump. What can I say, its a good thread. ------------- A-5 E-Grip JCS Dual Trigger DOP X-CORE 8 stage x-chamber Lapco Bigshot 14" Beadblasted Optional setup: R/T Dead on Blade trigger |
Posted By: Predatorr
Date Posted: 18 June 2005 at 9:36pm
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I want one really bad cos i hear that its the best gun on the market right now for both price and speed, etc. Do you think i could make enough money from my 98c to buy an ion, heres waht ive got.... 98 R/T (aftermarket) ; ; ; ; ; ; Halo TSA LED - busted up though two nine ounce and one 20 ounce Co2 im willing to throw in comes with a 16" werks barrel (60 dollar value)!!! Do you think ill have enough?
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Posted By: You Wont See Me
Date Posted: 18 June 2005 at 11:35pm
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Sadly, tippmanns have very low resale value.
I'll be lucky to get $325 outta my setup. ------------- A-5 E-Grip JCS Dual Trigger DOP X-CORE 8 stage x-chamber Lapco Bigshot 14" Beadblasted Optional setup: R/T Dead on Blade trigger |
Posted By: cdacda13
Date Posted: 18 June 2005 at 11:39pm
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Tippmann suck at resale. Ive said it once, and ill say it again. Buy a used gun. Older matrixs and angels (IR3 and first gen speeds) are going for 400-500$. Thats the price your Ion is going to cost after you trick it out to perform like these guns. |
Posted By: Predatorr
Date Posted: 19 June 2005 at 11:10am
| so i might be able to scratch the 300 dollar mark with my setup? |
Posted By: You Wont See Me
Date Posted: 19 June 2005 at 4:22pm
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I doubt you'll get even close to $300.
------------- A-5 E-Grip JCS Dual Trigger DOP X-CORE 8 stage x-chamber Lapco Bigshot 14" Beadblasted Optional setup: R/T Dead on Blade trigger |
Posted By: Predatorr
Date Posted: 19 June 2005 at 9:08pm
| son of a nutcracker. Should i just buy a Custom Pro E? to stick with tippmann |
Posted By: BuffaloSolda1
Date Posted: 20 June 2005 at 8:05pm
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Sell it and save up some more and get Ion. ------------- TK by PB4MS.COM |
Posted By: Ken Majors
Date Posted: 20 June 2005 at 8:27pm
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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. ------------- RLTW |
Posted By: bukk3a
Date Posted: 20 June 2005 at 10:38pm
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<buh-bye> |
Posted By: Rico's Revenge
Date Posted: 21 June 2005 at 10:57am
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Rico's Report... -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. ~ Rico |
Posted By: NiQ-Toto
Date Posted: 21 June 2005 at 12:22pm
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I still dont like em, hehe. I would much rather shoot an AKA gun, a trix, a timmy, an e-cocker or practically anything else over them.
Dont get me wrong, i do see why they are in such high demand, price and preformance. That said, if i needed a backup for real cheap, that preforms well out of the box and doesnt need much to get running real nice, id probably go with an ion. They have become REAL popular on long island, as i cant play a full day without seeing a kid using one at the field. I really really wish they made the ramp board an upgrade. That kids couldnt do themselfs. Because they dont know what "Hit!" means... I think thats my only gripe with them, too many kids have them, that ramp in rec games, and then overshoot. Dont get me wrong, if the kid can pull 17 bps (doubtfull) then i wont mind taking the extra 3 shots or whatever it is, but when hes pulling 6 shooting 17, and i get hit with 8 or 9 in a second, im not going to be the happiest guy walking off the field. Overall: Yes buy them, no dont play recball with ramping. ------------- ///AMG What? |