Your First Marker

The following is taken from an email discussion that started when someone we played with out at Splat Tag emailed me to ask what a good marker is for a beginning player. Even though this is from a few years ago now, the Tippmann 98 Custom and A-5 are still a couple of the best markers you can get, and with the recent option of adding a cyclone feed system to a 98, your choice between the two is pretty much down to a decision of your budget, not quality or features.

Greetings Rob,
My name is Matt and I had the pleasure of playing 7 or so hours of paintball with your MN Militia group this past Sunday in Baldwin. I'd like to first thank you & the rest of the Militia for a great day of gaming and secondly for posting pics so fast (it was a treat to see them the next day).

I am looking for some advice on buying paint markers (myself and the other 5 guys I was with now want our own guns) What would you suggest us starting with? After doing some research on the web, it seems that a 98 custom with a decent barrel upgrade would be a likely choice... seeing as how it sounds like a solid gun and total cost with a new barrel would be around $180.00 . I would guess that other upgrades might follow as well ... check that... more upgrades are imminent, so is the 98 Custom a good marker to start with (and grow with) ? Is a reasonably modified 98 C better/ worse than a stock A5 (let's say both would cost 300 for comparison's sake) ? I could probably read reviews forever, but having never shot either model (or any other brand's guns) I have nothing to base a choice on.

I appreciate any advice you can offer. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely, Matt

Greetings,

I've cc'd our team on this in case Cory or Don, who have A5's want to pipe in. The 98 Custom is pretty much a great all around marker... I think for the price it's a great marker. It's also very very very durable, and so for the beginning player can be pretty much a no-brainer. And if you do have a problem, they are well known enough that if you can't figure out how to fix it, you can easily find someone who can.

Knowing Tippmann, the A5 probably is just as durable, and probably even easier to maintain, but you are looking at about twice the cost to get an A5 versus a 98 custom.

-Panther

Having gutted and reassembled both the A5 and the 98 custom, My personal opinion is that the 98 cutom remains the easiest to maintain albeit the A5 has the cool no tool strip feature the 98 has far less complicated internals, not to mention less to screw with. This is not to say that the A5 is not an excellent marker.It is absolutely awesome and drop in upgrades are deffinately on the way.I just feel that for a new player or an experienced one, the 98 cust. is more (dare I say) dumbed down and easier to work with. I love mine with a passion and I will never give it up! Ok, maybe I'm a little bit partial but, like I said, It is certainly easier to deal with.Also, Any marker with the Tippmann name on it is backed by the expert Tippmann staff 100%. That means if anything ever fails to work properly on your marker, those guys will fix it or replace whatever needs replacing at NO cost within 24 hours of arrival at their shop. They don't even charge you for shipping it back to you(standard ups ground). Now that's some seriously wicked customer service! and they've never really done me wrong.

So, for price value, upgradeability, great reliability/performance and top notch customer service, I'd say the Tippmann 98custom is your best choice overall!

There is a really good deal at www.paintballonline.com on a 98custom full package including gun, hopper, mask (Scott thermal hotshot).

We'll that's my 2 cents! And above all, HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Archangel of the Minnesota Militia

Hello,

This is my schpeal on the new marker advice. I loved my Tippmann 98 Custom. I had no problems with it, and it was extremely reliable. Sure, I'd get the occasional ball break, but then who doesn't? (Oh yeah, Cory and I don't anymore LOL) Seriously, though, I'd have kept my 98 Custom and would have been completely content with it if I didn't win my new A-5. The only reason I sold it is that I didn't feel the need for two guns, and could have used the money more. Besides, Scott needed a Tippmann himself, so I only sold it within the team.

For a beginner, DEFINITELY a Tippmann 98 Custom. You got great upgrades, cheap startup cost, and great reliability. Also, as Rob pointed out, it's a great gun to take apart and fix if needed. High buck guns like Autocockers are for the prima-donnas. (Sorry Snake!) Stick to the 98 Custom unless you don't mind paying for the A-5, but all in all, stick with Tippmann!

Don "Badger"