Virture Spire Info Thread

So, I haven't seen any in-depth written reviews. Some videos, yes, and some comments, but I figured, why not... I haven't been flamed online in ages, so here it goes:

I have two Planet Eclipse Ethas. Before this fall, I owned and used two TIppmann A5's. One of the reasons I originally purchased the A5's was the Cyclone Feed system, and Tippmann's reputation for reliability and ruggedness. My intention had been (still is, really) to only play woodsball and scenario games. I have never set foot on an X-ball course... but this Spring, I intend to.

In the 6 years since I started playing paintball, I've realized I'm the definition of a Support player. I get as much (or more!) thrill out of holding someone down while one of my teammates flanks or gets an angle on them and then gets the kill. I carry at least four 140 round pods onto the field, even for 20-30 minute open play games, and often come back empty. For longer games, I'll carry six 140 round pods, and have been trying to figure out how to carry more. Some call it Spray-N-Pray, and there's some truth to that, but I think of it as Suppression Fire. I just want your head DOWN so you can't see my teammate running up to bunker you.

After 6 years of dragging that heavy-arsed A5 around, I decided to buy an Etha. I wanted to see what the difference was between it and the A5 and other milsim style markers, and see what this "ramping" thing I kept hearing about was all about. That meant I had to buy an electronic hopper of some kind, right? Well, perhaps not, but at my age, I truly am the definition of "More money than sense" when it comes to Paintball, so I began reseaching hoppers.

Right up until they handed me a coupon book to go along with my new marker, which included a 10% off coupon for everything besides the Rotor. That priced the Spire enough below the fancier Rotors to make it a fairly easy decision, especially once I tried taking them all apart. The Spire was, for me, by far the easiest to disassemble there in the store. Then the fella at the store said "Don't buy anything. Take my personal Spire to the field tomorrow and use it for a day. See what you think, and decide after that."

So, took it to the field. NO breaks in over a case of paint. Bought mine on the way home from the field.

The next weekend, I took it out to a different field for its inaugural run. Resident Evil game, on an old, recently re-opened course in Baldwin Wisconsin. They were selling cases of Evil for $55 a case, so I bought two. The temperature hovered between 45-50 degrees all day... not exactly the best weather for Evil! LOL

One ball break, in the downtube, in two cases of Evil, on a cold Autumn day. I have to tell you, it was one of the best days of paintball I can recall in recent memory. Turns out I LOVE playing Zombie-style games! Who knew? It took less than 30 seconds to clear the problem and I was right back to shooting.

There were a number of people using Rotors there... as well as other electronic hoppers. During one of the breaks, I headed over to the Chrono station and we swapped hoppers around. All of the Rotor guys said "If I didn't have a Rotor I'd probably pick this up!" A few of the folks who had other hoppers said "Next purchase! I like it!" or something along those lines.

I've now shot at least 6 cases of paint through it... maybe more. I've never had another break of any kind. Every once in a while it does this very quiet little spin - spin - spin thing until I fire. I've noticed that's when the hopper is low on paint, and I'm holding the marker sideways. Tip it up, reload it with paint, or tap it, and it stops.

I purchased the speed feed and used it the first few times I went out. Upon coming home and cleaning my gear after a day of playing, I noticed there was always dirt inside the loader, so I took the speed feed off and now I'm using the lid. That "problem" is now gone... but again, I only had one ball break the entire time I've owned it.

It's a good electronic hopper. For me, it made the most sense when I was looking to buy. YMMV. I like the looks, how low it sits on my Etha, and how quiet it is. I LOVE how easy it is to clean... I take the three parts (Lid, Shell, motor) and dip it in warm water, then spray it clean with the hose in my sink, and let it drip dry overnight. That's pretty much all there is to it!

The shell feels to me like it's virtually indestructible. In my hands at the store, it felt heftier than the Rotor shells... but that's an opinion, and therefore subjective as all get out.

Enjoy whatever electronic hopper you decide to go with, and have a ball playing paintball! Hope this review helps someone!

Corey
Minnesota Paintball... WOOT for the Snow!

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