[voad]

Hi all,

I just recently gave my god son my old 98 custom, a gravity fed hopper, an old ninja 68/4500, and a nice full helmet protective mask. He is 10 and wants to get into paint ball. Hasn't really played yet though. We did play around with some 50 cal splat masters around Halloween thanks to Sean. And the kid loved it. But I want to get him something for his set up and I just don't know what. He is into real guns, plays CoD, has a .22 and hunts with his dad. So I was thinking maybe a kit for the 98? The 98 is not a great gun for him. It's so hard to get that tank on and off so I was also thinking maybe I should see if I can find him an ASA with a shut off valve for it? Or just a new gun? I was even thinking a metadyne havok because I was thinking of taking him to LL6. But then again if I do that I think he might appreciate a better gun but I just don't know. My god what do I do?!?!?!

[paintballmasta]

I know your son is interested in the real gun look, but if you really want to look for performance I reccomend and guys like the 2011 Proto Rail http://www.ansgear.c...un_s/2427.html. This gun seems to be one of the best low end guns because it has a lot of parts from high ends. The only downside is the efficiency, but if you can fill up anytime you want it really isn't a problem. Good Luck Searching

[voad]

Thank you for the suggestion. I will really have to ask him in a non chalant way. I think he'd be into scenario games and hope to take him to one like I said. So a better gun would be the way to go I think. Or a good electric hopper or both.

[paintballmasta]

voad, on 15 December 2012 - 07:19 AM, said:

Thank you for the suggestion. I will really have to ask him in a non chalant way. I think he'd be into scenario games and hope to take him to one like I said. So a better gun would be the way to go I think. Or a good electric hopper or both.

Glad I could help, I do also recommend getting him both as well as his ninja tank will be just perfect. I do recommend the Proto Rail and a Empire Halo Too. http://www.ansgear.c...ooloaderblk.htm This seems to be a very good hopper and used it all throughout a year without it cracking and then finally it cracked, but it definitely was durable. Then your son's setup would be: Proto Rail, Empire Halo Too, and Ninja 68/4500. Most people would consider this a damn good setup for a beginning player.

[tallsmallboy44]

My vote goes for the eXTCy. It has an on/off Asa to make it easier to get the tank off. Other than the on/off, it is very similar to Rail as far as performance goes. As for a loader, is buying used an option for you? If not, the Empire/Invert Halo Too is a very good loader, or if you wanna save a few bucks, the 18v Kingman Fasta, or Tippmann SSL200 aren't bad alternatives. Just as a side not, I believe the Pinokio loaders are on sale at ansgear.com for $89, and they are one of the best loaders out there.

[NBTIppy]

Not sure what your price limit is, but the Etha is a good mixture of both worlds. A small speedball marker that has upgrades available to turn it into a milsim rifle. That way he is able to make the decision for himself.

[crPaliza]

If you want something more budget friendly I think he could also consider the GoG eNMEy for $130. It's a great starter gun, has a very light trigger pull for a mechanical marker, and is stupid simple to maintain. If you think he's going to be in it long term then I would just save up or pick up a superloader if you have the money. Or he can also pick up the Pinokio right now on sale for $80 and is also considered a superloader.

[TheGuy]

Get him an electronic hopper. Thats it. A 10 year old doesnt need or deserve an electronic set up. Its best to let people (ESPECIALLY kids) earn their own stuff. They will have a lot more respect for their gear and the game.

[junits15]

get him a GoG G1, i has the military look and the performance of the extcy

[AndrewH]

TheGuy, on 15 December 2012 - 12:09 PM, said:

Get him an electronic hopper. Thats it. A 10 year old doesnt need or deserve an electronic set up. Its best to let people (ESPECIALLY kids) earn their own stuff. They will have a lot more respect for their gear and the game.

I kinda agree with this. He is 10 and maybe a semi-auto marker would be best. He should learn to shoot as needed and not get out of control which would be more likely to happen with an electro. However it comes down to your decision if you think he is responsible enough.

[woodsballer414]

Why not see if he likes milsim? If he'd rather have a 98 that looks like a ak47 or something

[TECHDP=)]

I think the Etha would be perfect for him.
He can always buy the milsim kit for it.

[bigschank]

I would want to know how big the child is. Tippmann 98s are large and heavy for younger players. It is hard for them to shoot it properly. What I mean by that is they end up shooting it from the hip because it is too heavy to hold up, or it is too long for them to reach out and support it. This makes it much harder for them to hit anything. All this depends on the size of the child.

With that being said, if he is big for his age, then sure, stick with the 98 and do whatever to it. But if he is a smaller player, I would consider getting a smaller gun. Most people would just to an Invert Mini, but I would say the Dangerous Power E1. They are a VERY small marker and I would say easier to clean and maintenance. Also, right now ANS gear has a special on them. You can pick from different colors, they are 10 bucks off, and they come with a free clamping feedneck. (Click here for ANSgear E1 on sale.) I also echo Mike's review of the marker in that it is a semi auto shooter. That keeps it simple. Here is his review of the marker:




I think other people above it the nail right on the head with loaders. I think the Tippmann SSL-200 would be a good choice. Not a 100% on this but I would guess it is lighter then the Halo type hoppers. (Click here for Tippmann SSL-200)

The tanks all depend on what fits him best. Smaller kid, maybe look into getting a 50/45 tank. Give the extra air and be lighter then a steal tank. You can usually pick those up used between 75-100 dollars. Check the BST forums. Hope this helps.

This post has been edited by bigschank: 16 December 2012 - 07:08 AM

[voad]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I was looking at getting him an electro because I am a little worried he may go to a big game or just a day of play and feel over whelmed against guys with electros out there. We did play with those splat masters and he seemed to really like those a lot though so I dunno. I do know that once I gave him the tippman he asked about whether there were any realistic looking guns and I told him there were kits for the tippman I gave him. He seemed into that idea. But he is a little guy and I don't know if kits are heavy and add a lot of weight or what?

[Orange Chicken]

GoG eXTCy with an Empire Halo Too. Best setup right there for beginners, and in scenario games the eXTCy has the blackheart board, so he can switch from semi to burst to full auto at a press of his finger on the fly. If you really want to go get a cool gift idea, buy him some paintball pants or a nice jersey. I personally love jerseys as presents, especially from RazaLife.com, since my guns n gear should be up to me. But he is 10, and he'd do better from better gear.

[bigschank]

Tippmanns as a general statement are heavier markers and also larger. A big key for younger players to feel comfortable while playing is if the gear functions right and fits them. How would you like to lug around a heavy setup that after playing for 20 minutes of playing you want to rest your arms? It takes a lot of the fun out of it. I say go small and light that way he can feel comfortable and confident while playing.

[PREDATOR 47]

If he decides to go in the milsim direction, maybe take a look at the GoG G1. It's a milsim gun, but its light, somewhat small, and it's an electro so he can have full auto, burst, etc. My next suggestion would be the etha considering with the EMC kit it can be used as a woodsball gun or a speedball gun so it fits no matter which route he wants to take.

[Soldier of Fortune]

If you have reservations about giving him the amount of firepower an electro offers you can always turn down the markers bps and lock it on semi. That being said the eXTCy is probably the best choice for a beginner's set-up.

[slinkyaroo]

My kid is ten and I wouldn't get him an electro if it's woodsball.

The trigger is too soft to shoot. Accidents happen in the safety area.
Too hard to maintain and trouble shoot in the field for him.
Needs an electro hopper and now adding weight.

For me I would look at a smaller lighter tank, a small mech kaos/spyder, a good 12" barrel or a padded jersey. A small 2x100 pod holder may come in handy too.