Flatline for indoor use?
Printed From: Tippmann Paintball
Category: Paintball Equipment
Forum Name: Upgrades and Customizing
Forum Description: Trick it out!
URL: http://www.tippmannsports.com/forum/wwf77a/forum_posts.asp?TID=165202
Printed Date: 22 February 2026 at 6:51am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Flatline for indoor use?
Posted By: Stoty
Subject: Flatline for indoor use?
Date Posted: 15 March 2007 at 12:27pm
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Hey everyone, Just a few quick questions. I have a 98 custom (with ATC) with the flatline barrel, and HPA tank. I was playing indoors this week, and the flatline doesnt seem to be consistent with accuracy. I was kneeling down, aiming at a logo on an inflatable bunker about 50 feet away. The 1st ball hit dead on, the next was WAY off to the left, 3rd and 4th ball were close to the target and the 5th & 6th balls went way off to the right. (The balls that missed, didnt miss by a foot or two, they missed the whole bunker) Does anyone know what could be causing this inconsistency with accuracy? Its obviously not environmental causes because I was indoors. (Chrono was 250). This leads me to my next question...I am thinking of entering into some indoor tournaments. Would I be better off with a different barrel? I have heard that the J&J Ceramic barrel is quite accurate. Is the flatline suited for indoor use, or mainly for woodsball? What barrel would you recommed for the best accuracy for indoor tournaments? Thanks for any replies! ------------- -->Stoty<-- 98 Custom w/ACT E-grip Flatline Barrel System Freak Barrel Kit Polished Internals Drop forward Viewloader 3 Hopper HPA w/ remote line Double Trigger |
Replies:
Posted By: Black_Shadow
Date Posted: 15 March 2007 at 1:29pm
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the problem with the flatline is if your gun isnt PERFECTLY upright, you can get balls that go way off target like you describe. personally i would get a different barrel, i really like my J&J ceramic, it shoots as straight as a laser. if you are a tournament player however, and have the wallet for it, i would recommend an empire or freak barrel kit, they are more accurate and you can change the insert depending on the paint size. ------------- 98CP ACT R/T J&J Ceramic 14" Egg II w Z-Board GTA Inline X-Chamber NCStar Red-Dot Pen Spring Mod Trigger Stops Polished Internals Dye Sticky Grip 20oz Co2 w On/Off Next Up: Spimmy |
Posted By: ShortyBP
Date Posted: 15 March 2007 at 1:29pm
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For a tournament... I'd feel more comfortable with the simplicity of a straight smoothbore barrel. If given the choice of the two, I'd pick J&J Ceramic.
I own both, FWIW. As for the inconsistancy... not sure. Several variables. |
Posted By: Bruce A. Frank
Date Posted: 15 March 2007 at 1:43pm
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Though the Flatline can be finicky about the paint, my first guess is that you were not using a small diameter paint. Flatline paint has to be small so that the ball can roll along the cure of the barrel to develop the necessary backspin. Large diameter paint, out of round paint, paint with pronounced seams performs poorly. My Flatline, at speedball field distances, is one of the most accurate barrels I have. With the wrong paint it is, by far, the most inaccurate barrel I own. -------------  
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Posted By: tallen702
Date Posted: 15 March 2007 at 2:10pm
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If you are seriously considering getting into the tournament scene, you're going to need more than just a new barrel. If you're just dabbling in it to see if you might like to play tournament down the road, then go with a J&J ceramic or Lapco.
What kind of trigger and hopper system do you have at the moment? Also, what "series" of tournaments are they playing? PSP/Xball/NPPL, etc. Based on the series of rules and the game play style, you're more than likely going to be out gunned with a '98. I'm not trying to discourage you, just making sure you understand what tournament games are like. For some world-cup footage to give you an idea of how much paint is put out there and how fast the game is played on the tournament level, http://vp.video.google.com/videodownload?version=0&secureurl=ugAAACGYz2UJdYimVGwrQnndmunZO-Fh2ojbABKbkFLtQlEmVaoM2d5iD8fd57lPRmy1UcD0lYrf4V6MM6tRkEwezFk8s3BaR8oeXy-1_b_aJpaZaKvL_pBnOAxcrFgsxEM2IQ1Spf35r82iSIUbfCkHkswGdccMkiXhSvyMwCOwkhmIrYAyjaruTi0Eadg16-VV5DjbLqBdFWzZP8qrUXkmBpT6rOmrvPrBJSzT5Fxa2HcESrfx6NeIhJj6MnrOx7Ntqw&sigh=Z1vRt_z98fWPINEqxY1J2NnXVoY&begin=0&len=1743920&docid=8016630528052092715 - click here It's a WMV (Windows Media Video) file, you can either download it or play it using Media Player. OR you can go to the source page at http://www.one4one.tv and watch the video (second video down on the main page). ------------- <Removed overly wide sig. Tsk, you know better.> |
Posted By: UV Halo
Date Posted: 15 March 2007 at 7:19pm
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Personally, I think the flatline is not good for your situation. 280 FPS is the ideal speed for the flatline. Above this number, the excess spin contributes to increasing inaccuracy. Below this number, the balls get decreasing lift (which equals ranges closer to a normal barrel at the same FPS). I would say, get an Apex barrel if you intend to get any unconventional spin benefits (in this case, hooking) and yet still retain conventional shooting capabilities. In any case, range is not really an issue in indoor play (especially tourney) but rather, ROF and then accuracy (which are necessary for lane control). ------------- M98C- W/QwkStrpCut Comp Air & Palmer Fatty Stab Gas-Thru Stock Lapco Sight Rail W/ADCO 30MM EDOT Qloader W/ CMS Freak SS W/Stif-Tip * Flatline * Armson Stealth |
Posted By: Black_Shadow
Date Posted: 16 March 2007 at 7:56am
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^^^^i believe Stoty said he was a tournament player and the apex isnt tournament legal.
------------- 98CP ACT R/T J&J Ceramic 14" Egg II w Z-Board GTA Inline X-Chamber NCStar Red-Dot Pen Spring Mod Trigger Stops Polished Internals Dye Sticky Grip 20oz Co2 w On/Off Next Up: Spimmy |
Posted By: Stoty
Date Posted: 16 March 2007 at 9:26am
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Thanks for all the input, I appreciate it. I am not currently a tournament player, but really want to get into the tournament scene. From what I have been reading, the best thing to do for accuracy would be to match the barrel size to the paint your using, so a barrel "kit" with interchangable barrels would be ideal. Is that correct? In response to tallen's question I currently have stock everything, but the flatline. I will be getting a cyclone feed hopper. I have been hearing good and bad things about upgrading my trigger. What does everyone think? Is it worth upgrading the trigger? Again, thanks for all the info. As a new "baller" I appreciate any help from more experienced players. Cheers! ------------- -->Stoty<-- 98 Custom w/ACT E-grip Flatline Barrel System Freak Barrel Kit Polished Internals Drop forward Viewloader 3 Hopper HPA w/ remote line Double Trigger |
Posted By: Bruce A. Frank
Date Posted: 16 March 2007 at 6:58pm
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Contrary to what some people report, you cannot be tournament competitive with a near stock mechanical Tippmann. An electric trigger is going to be an absolute minimum necessary to "keep up" on the tournament field. -------------
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Stoty wrote:Posted By: tallen702
Date Posted: 17 March 2007 at 11:44am
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As Bruce said, Tippmann's take a lot of upgrading to be able to keep up with the tournament scene, even the rookie divisions of local tournament series get pretty heated. I'm not saying it can't be done, but for what you'd spend, you could probably get a new marker.
That said. IF, and this is a BIG if, you are considering mainly playing tournaments and speedball. You may want to skip the cyclone, save up some cash, and get a HaloB/ReloaderB/Pulse/VLocity loader so that you can swap it over to a new marker when you decide to upgrade from the Tippmann. Can't take the cyclone with you if you decide to upgrade markers. ------------- <Removed overly wide sig. Tsk, you know better.> |
Posted By: wang949
Date Posted: 17 March 2007 at 1:53pm
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Not to threat jack, but would you guys recommend for a beginner tourney marker? |
Posted By: Bruce A. Frank
Date Posted: 17 March 2007 at 3:12pm
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A new Ion...a used Angel... -------------
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Posted By: tallen702
Date Posted: 18 March 2007 at 9:56am
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What Bruce said. I'd also suggest a used DM 4 or better, Proto Matrix Rail, or one of the newer Shockers (non-shoebox) Regardless of what you get, the most important thing is that IT MUST HAVE EYES or you're screwed. No two ways about it. ------------- <Removed overly wide sig. Tsk, you know better.> |
Posted By: shooteronur6
Date Posted: 21 March 2007 at 2:37am
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It sounds like your Velocity was up WAY too high. The velocity check may have registered 250, but it could have been wrong too. What you described is classic too hot signs. The FlatLine does its best at 26ish, depending on the weather and paint ur workin with. I set mine at 268, and it does/did fine. I say did, 'cause I traded it for an ION (in perfect cond. lol). Then Iturned around and traded the ION for an madly/upped 98C. Back to the subj., try lowering ur Vel. Generally speaking though, a flatline isn't very compatible with the common indoor/close quarter combat. It just isn't made for shooting fast. A J&J 14" would amaze you in any setting! Hope this helps!
------------- CHRIST KREW Got God? Got Game? Got me! |
Posted By: Bruce A. Frank
Date Posted: 21 March 2007 at 3:18am
I have seen 98C's with an R/T setup running at 17 balls per second with no problems. I run mine at 13 bps all the time without problems. How fast do you want to shoot? -------------
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Posted By: Black_Shadow
Date Posted: 21 March 2007 at 2:09pm
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on thr tournament field the electric trigger is absolutely necessary, instead of the cyclone, if you really want to use a 98 in torunies, centerfeed it, pop on a halo b or evo 3, and get a WAS egrip. your also going to want to run HPA and a good regulator will be required to. basically you going to have to upgrade every aspect of your marker, and for the price of that you can pick up a used angel, ion or shocker... (personally im building my 98 for the woods and rec ball, if i ever decide to try the tourny scene im going for a used shocker... and as Tallen said, you HAVE to have eyes on a tourny gun, its possible to go without, but thats very ignorant. ------------- 98CP ACT R/T J&J Ceramic 14" Egg II w Z-Board GTA Inline X-Chamber NCStar Red-Dot Pen Spring Mod Trigger Stops Polished Internals Dye Sticky Grip 20oz Co2 w On/Off Next Up: Spimmy |
Posted By: Stoty
Date Posted: 21 March 2007 at 3:30pm
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and by eyes you mean what exactly? (I'm new to the paintball lingo) ------------- -->Stoty<-- 98 Custom w/ACT E-grip Flatline Barrel System Freak Barrel Kit Polished Internals Drop forward Viewloader 3 Hopper HPA w/ remote line Double Trigger |
Posted By: tallen702
Date Posted: 21 March 2007 at 4:26pm
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Eyes are basically optical sensors in the breech of the marker that will detect whether a paintball is in the breech or not. If there isn't a ball fully dropped into the chamber, it won't fire so that you don't run the risk of chopping a ball. Chopped/broken paint in a tournament = Death. You do NOT have the time to clean anything out, and the moment you can't return fire is the moment you get bunkered. ------------- <Removed overly wide sig. Tsk, you know better.> |
Posted By: Bruce A. Frank
Date Posted: 21 March 2007 at 7:38pm
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But, he said his marker has ACT. Add a Halo B to that any things should be about as chop proof as it gets. -------------
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Posted By: tallen702
Date Posted: 21 March 2007 at 8:16pm
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True, but for the money he'll be shelling out, the performance he'd get just isn't worth it. Don't get me wrong, E-Tippmanns used to hold their own on the field when 12-14bps was the norm, but compared to the current technology, sear-tripping a '98 just doesn't do it anymore. Of course, you could e-bolt it, LPK, polish the internals, get a great reg (AKA or such) add in a double trigger with magnetic return and set-screws, get a nice barrel, a good tank, and a Halo B, then yeah, he could keep up, but unless he's mechanically inclined.... what's the point when you can buy all of that in a used electro-pneumatic? ------------- <Removed overly wide sig. Tsk, you know better.> |
Posted By: tonton
Date Posted: 22 March 2007 at 6:30pm
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i was just wondering what the benifits are of getting a new barrell. ------------- custom pro e-trigger ---------------------- we are the gwagalagas!!! ya we're nerds, get over it. owned to the dome! socom clan: COG |
Posted By: Bruce A. Frank
Date Posted: 23 March 2007 at 1:35pm
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Uh, have you noticed, that IS what I have done!!! -------------
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Posted By: Bruce A. Frank
Date Posted: 23 March 2007 at 1:45pm
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I guess you mean something other than a Flatline? Well, with all that succinct information you laid on us about your intended usage and satisfaction with your present barrel I'd have to say there are none! -------------
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Posted By: Stoty
Date Posted: 26 March 2007 at 9:17am
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Thanks again for all the input. I have decided to save the flatline for outdoor use only (games where distance is needed over speed), and have picked up a 5 piece custom barrel kit with 3 different bore sizes in order to match my paint better. Its just like a Freak barrel kit, which I have heard are awesome. I also just polished my internals as well as picked up an EVO 2 loader. I am looking into the e-trigger kit because I have heard that the RT trigger isnt acceptable in the tournament scene. For those of you with 98's, which have you found to be the best paint to use? (with the barrel kit, not the flatline) Right now I am using the Draxxus paint which comes in a white box. ($45/case). Is it worth the step up to say paint more in the $65/case range?) ------------- -->Stoty<-- 98 Custom w/ACT E-grip Flatline Barrel System Freak Barrel Kit Polished Internals Drop forward Viewloader 3 Hopper HPA w/ remote line Double Trigger |
Posted By: Black_Shadow
Date Posted: 26 March 2007 at 4:08pm
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personally i shoot draxxus midnights, awesome quality and reasonably priced. i also have had good success with x-ball bronze and XO menace... ------------- 98CP ACT R/T J&J Ceramic 14" Egg II w Z-Board GTA Inline X-Chamber NCStar Red-Dot Pen Spring Mod Trigger Stops Polished Internals Dye Sticky Grip 20oz Co2 w On/Off Next Up: Spimmy |
Posted By: Stoty
Date Posted: 26 March 2007 at 5:23pm
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The place I get my paint from sells x-ball, so maybe I will try out a case of that to see how I like it. Thanks, yet again, for the info! ------------- -->Stoty<-- 98 Custom w/ACT E-grip Flatline Barrel System Freak Barrel Kit Polished Internals Drop forward Viewloader 3 Hopper HPA w/ remote line Double Trigger |