Hella Cool wrote: I don't think a new player is going to install larger hoses and buy a QEV. It's easier and better for him to buy a fast, standard hopper.

electric hopper = worrying about batteries going dead
cyclone = no batteries, but rather using air that you wouldn't normally use anyway...

just a thought...

yeah...... cyclones make a lot more sense...... the onlything powering it is the EXCESS air used to blow back the rearbolt into position. other hoppers you gotta deal with batteries and replacing them and all sorts of annoying stuff....... a cyclone you just gotta install it one time and your good to go. most people really don't need a hopper that can feed 25 BPS. a cyclone is perfectly fine, if they really think they need to, they can upgrade it a couple bps with a QEV but most really don't need much higher than 15 BPS or so. especially in woodsball.

but anyways, as for what I think you should get for your 98...... I would suggest getting an expansion chamber, regulator or switch to High Pressure Air/Nitrogen. if you plan on using an R/T, you are gonna have problems if you just run co2 regular....... I personally wouldn't bother swapping to HPA because you don't really need it on a Tippmann, just buy a good regulator, prolly a Palmers Stabalizer, and you should be good.

as a side note, if you find that the Co2 gets in your way, I would get a drop forward or a Remote. whichever you would like better...... I picked the remote because I liked the fact I could just plug it into the tombstone and run it right from there..... I wouldn't suggest getting one on the 98 because you still end up with the cord being sorta in your way.....but thats just my personal prefferance.... if you don't care about having the c02 right in your armpit...... more power to you.

tippmann 9 8 wrote: ok thanks i will get that cyclone and how much would those berrals cost me and are they quiet for woods ball

Lapco Bigshots run around 50 USD, if i'm not mistaken. J&J ceramics are around 30 USD. i already have a J&J ceramic, and i'm actually considering buying a 12'' Lapco Bigshot just in case i want to change them around...my J&J ceramic is a 16''---the only reason i have it that long is because the guy i bought it from on ebay sent me a 16'' instead of a 14'' and i don't really feel like sending it back, and waiting another 4 weeks for him to send me another... anywho, 8''-14'' is plenty long.

I must say that a lot of the enjoyment i've gotten out of my markers has been the custom upgrades I've put on them.  There's nothing saying an electric hopper is a bad thing, I have one on my E-gripped Pro-lite, but since the 98 can accomodate the cyclone why not use it, it is proven technology. 
If it's a woodsball application then the cyclone will prevent any of the problems associated with dead batteries, or moisture and rain for that matter.  Add the Super R/T, QEV, and other mods such as the Vortex internals for the cyclone and it's an all weather, full mech gun. 
That was what I was aiming for when i built my full mech 98. 
Oh, and for barrels, keep an eye on eBay and the internet.  I picked up my brandnew Ultralite for $30 plus shipping. 
A good expansion chamber, or better yet a Palmers Stabilizer, is also a good investment as well as an RVA for tuning purposes.  HPA will also contribute to a more consistant shot.
Good luck, and remember, it really it all comes down to a matter of personal preference and your level of skill.