Okay, so I'm new to electros and I like the look of this Impulse...

...but have some questions.  It gets great reviews on pbreview but gets fairly mixed reviews on this board.  Looks are important to me (and I like this look b/c I don't like all the milling of other electros) but so is performance.  From what I can gather, I need one with vision but Gatyr says in the "Best Guns" thread that the vision sucks and, by the end of his post, says the gun sucks overall.  So, does it suck compared to a $1K gun or just in general?  I'm looking to spend under $400 for a used one.  If you don't recommend it, is there a similar looking marker you can recommend somewhere in that price range?  If not, is there a certain Impulse model or certain upgrades I must get to make it worthy of the investment?

As an aside, I went to go try one out at my local shop, but it closed 20 minutes before I got there today and they're closed tomorrow.   So, I figured I'd get some opinions, as they have a few different ones, so I'll be better informed when I go again.  Thanks in advance for anything anyone can offer.

I'd try to find a hooked up one on Ebay for approx. $180.00 if you really want one.  It really depends on how much you want to spend.

Someone might say just get an Ion but by the time you get done spending money on an ION to get it the way you want it you could have a Mini, Rail or Epiphany and most likely be happy with it out of the box.

The Impulse is heavy but I'll put up a properly hooked up one against anything.  Setting aside weight and size, you'll be splitting hairs to justify the difference of spending $180.00 on a hooked Impulse on Ebay or $2000.00 on a new, hooked up "latest flavor"

I'll still do the Pepsi challenge with anyone, anytime with my gun.

IMO opinion I'd get something else if I were you though.  Just depends on how much you really are prepared to spend.

Thanks folks; hard to tell size and weight from pics on the net.  Found the Rat, but haven't seen the Adrenalin yet, so will keep looking.

How about a Matrix LCD?  Been looking around all day, found they look similar and read really great things about them.  I found one w/out eyes for cheap but don't know if its easy to add them as I know zero about electros.  (Okay, I know zero about anything but an A-5.)  Is it just a matter of adding a vision board?

How about a Matrix LCD? /QUOTE]
The Matrix LCD should be lighter than an Imp. But the Imps I've held were crazily heavy.

If you want to go under $400, you can get new:
Promaster
Fusion
Ion

For $400, you can get new:
Invert Mini
PMR

Used you can get:
2k5 maybe 2k6 Intimidators
DM5s
PM6s
Upped PMRs
Angel G7s
Nice Autocockers

-------------

^I don't like the bodies of most of those (except for the Mini but am not sold on it yet) so I'm still looking at the Imp & Trix.  After some more research, I guess I would need a new board and some eyes for the Matrix.  So, if I can get a Matrix w/ TMC board, eyes and few other ups for under $300, is that decent?

And as long as I'm asking noob electro questions, I have a Pulse loader already.  What is it that I need to sync it with a marker?  Thanks again.

Imps can be nice guns, but you can dump LOADS of money into it.  If you buy it used, you can get great deal, they're very cheap used.

You can get many things for under $400.  Just go to PbN and look at the b/s/t.  So many things better than an impulse.  I know you might not like the design, but, would you rather have something that looks better or performs better?

You can find impulses cheap, but they are heavy, and you must make sure to get one with eyes.

However if you are willing to spend around 400 dollars, and basically do not want alot of milling... you might wish to try these better markers...

(Used)
1) AKA Viking
2) DMLCD (or any old Matrix gun)
3) Angel  (anything used that isn't the Angel 1)
4) SP Nerve
5) Autococker (w/ e-blade)
6) ICD Freestyle (7's, 8's, and Naughty Dawgs ... or ND7's)
7) PM5 w/ UL frame or PM6

(New)
1) ICD Promaster
2) ICD Ion
3) Mini
4) PMR
5) Epiphany

I think that Impulses will hold there value very nicely.  I'm not even going to use this black Impulse and it's ultra clean. I'm pretty sure I have an Ion in the works right now for a back-up to my blue Impulse. 

impulse_owner wrote: IMPULSES RULE THE ONLY BETTER GUN IS THE SOCKER WHICH REPLACED IT

Okay, that is inaccurate, biased and uninformed.

Lightningbolt wrote: I'm not even going to use this black Impulse and it's ultra clean.

Yes it is; sweet marker.

Commander_Cool wrote: I would get a nerve over an impulse...but regardless... did you decide/ get anything?

[Sorry, been working on my A-5 for the better part of a month and haven't checked back in.]  Actually, I think I'm going to go with a Matrix LCD.  Similar body style, I hear great things about its accuracy, its lighter than an Imp and I'm a sucker for oldschool.  But, a select-fire SMG-68 fell into my lap last week so I'm tapped for another month or so, so I don't own one yet.  How lame is this idea: painting it gloss black with green Matrix (movie) code?

netramakin wrote:  How lame is this idea: painting it gloss black with green Matrix (movie) code?

That would be VERY unique, possibly ugly, depends on the size of the random letters/crap.

Yeah, now that I really think about what it would take, it would be very difficult.  Which means, of course, I have to try it!  I've painted and Duracoated, but I know nothing about anno-ing.  I assume its something I can't do in my basement.  Regardless of the medium, it'd take alot of reverse stencil work (if that makes any sense).  Maybe I could find some adhesive-backed letters in the correct size somewhere.  Even lining them up to be straight is going to be a task, though.  And considering I've got two other projects ahead of it, check back with me next year!

stick_boy_2002 wrote: the concept has already been basically done. http://www.oddpb.com/Gallery/oddguns/matrix.htm - http://www.oddpb.com/Gallery/oddguns/matrix.htm only on aan Etek

Wow, that looks awesome (hope I can do as well)...but its not green!