2008 Spyder Electra

On May 15, 2008 Kingman will be introducing their new 2008 Spyder Electra paintball gun into the market. MSRP’d at $249.99 and retailing for only $199.99, the 2008 Electra is already grabbing the attention from Ion and SLG users. The Spyder Electra is part of Kingman’s Classic Series gun line. The Spyder Electra use to be such a primitive electronic paintball gun way back in 2004. Things have changed since then and now Kingman is in a constant running race, along with Smart Parts and Dye, to create an affordable and reliable electronic paintball gun. Right now the battle is between the Smart Parts Ion, Proto SLG, and the 2008 Spyder Electra. Of course there are others, but these are the main players in the market today.

If you had $250 to spend on just a gun (stock, no upgrades), which one would you most likely buy?

Here’s Kingman’s sales pitch:

The all new generation Spyder Electra with Eye is back with a vengeance. The new design concept features a reduced overall profile (25% weight & 15% length). The Electra with Eye comes standard equipped with the LEAP™ circuit board developed by Tadao® Technologies providing unsurpassed speed and reliability. Outfitted with Spyder’s “Synergy Engineered Technology” the Electra with Eye operates on dual air sources (CO2 & Compressed Air) at 300PSI low operational pressure. This all aluminum constructed powerhouse will out perform every other marker in its class.

Performance Features
+ LEAP™ Circuit Board with Rear Facing Color Access Mode Display (CAMD) Developed by Tadao® Technologies
+ “Synergy Engineering” Low Pressure Dual Air Source System
+ Break Beam Eye (Anti-Chop System)
+ Aluminum Eye Covers
+ 3 Modes of Operation (Semi-Auto, Ramp PSP, & Ramp Millennium)
+ Fast Charge Inline Regulator
+ Vented Pressure Relief On/Off CA Adapter
+ Reduced Overall Profile (25% Lighter and 15% Shorter)
+ Up to 25 BPS Rate of Fire
+ Steel Braided Hose Line
+ Quick Release Delrin Bolt
+ 12″ Two Piece Micro Ported Barrel
+ Twist Lock Clamping Feedneck
+ 3-Way Adjustable Magnetic Response “Saber” Trigger
+ All Aluminum Constructed Body
+ Recessed Dual Texture Grip Panels
+ All Aluminum Trigger Frame with Integrated Dove Tail
+ Standard CA Thread Vertical Adapter
+ Compatible with a Spyder 9.6v Rechargeable Battery or a Premium 9v Alkaline Battery
+ External Velocity Adjuster
+ 300 PSI Operational Pressure
+ Operates on CO2 or Compressed Air

Believe it or not, WDP is slowly declining in popularity in the paintball world. Dye and Smart Parts are starting to dominate the paintball gun market with their very affordable and very reliable high and low end paintball markers. The battle between these major gun manufacturers revolves around bringing the end consumer (you and me) what we want. Right now Dye, Smart Parts, WDP, Planet Eclipse, and all other major manufacturers are struggling to bring the end consumer the fastest, most reliable, most affordable, and most efficient paintball marker in the world. The 2008 Angel A1 is WDP’s stab at it. So far the gun is getting great reviews. But is it any match for the Dye’s DM8 or the new PE Ego’s?

WDP announced their new 2008 gun line at Huntington Beach in late March. Retailing at around $1,300, the Angel A1 caught the eye of many tournament ballers at the event for a few reasons. Of course just like every other WDP gun, the Angel A1 has one of the sickest designs on the market today. Also, WDP really stresses on its ergonomics (the applied science of equipment design intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue, safety and discomfort). So for example, ergonomics would involve designing a paintball gun’s grip frame to fit the human hand as comfortably as possible. This is key for tourny ballers because weight distribution and comfort for the player can really obstruct the team’s performance.

The A1 Fly has been getting mad reviews. WDP is expected to keep up with all the other major gun brands out there - the only real way to find out which one is right for you is to shoot them all! Personally, I have always enjoyed the “feeling” of WDP’s gun line. Their guns operate at such low pressure (about 55 psi) you can barely feel any kick.

WDP also put out special Miami Rage and Joy Division Angel A1’s since they sponsor them. Designer guns like these will cost you another $100 or $200 - and all you really get is different anodizing that the team agreed upon.

New features for the Angel A1 Fly:

• New Mini-reg with what appears to come with standard regulator threads; therefore, after-market regs such as AKA or CP can be put on without the purchase of an additional adapter.
• New Valve/Valve Stem/Ram dubbed the Magno Valve System
• New Milling which has reduced the weight of the already light-weight A1 (the most noticeable amount has been removed from the solenoid cover)
• 3 piece Eye Covers (these did not previously come stock with A1s)
• New Board Graphics, not necessarily a new board
• New Trigger
• New Milled/Slimmed down ASA
• New Grips with: “Fly Paper”
• New “Fly Paper” grip on the grip frame, grip, and regulator.
• New Milled/Slimmed down feedneck
• New Carbon Fiber Barrel Tip
• 6 Piece Barrel Kit is speculated to also come with the A1 Fly.

The NPPL Huntington Beach event just ended March 29th. Congratulations to X-factor for winning 1st place. Who’s talking now Dynasty and Ironmen? Below you will find the score results for every division, as well as the prize money each team went home with. Also, I posted two videos that One4one.tv released after covering the entire event. Enjoy.

PROFESSIONAL
1) San Antonio X-Factor ($15,000)
2) St. Louis Avalanche ($5,000)
3) San Diego Dynasty ($2,000)
4) Golden State Ironmen ($1,000)

SEMI PROFESSIONAL
1) Arsenal Evolution ($10,000)
2) Method of Destruction ($5,000)
3) Impact ($2,500)
4) Avalanche Army ($1,250)

DIVISION I
1) Aftermath II ($8,000)
2) Hollywood HK ($4,000)
3) Splat Kids ($2,000)
4) All or Nothing ($1,000)

DIVISION II
1) L.A. Endurance ($6,000)
2) Miami Rage ($3,000)
3) DC Arsenal Predators ($1,500)
4) Aftermath Factory ($750)

DIVISION III
1) CS Union ($4,000)
2) NV ($2,000)
3) Rockstar Factory Red ($1,000)
4) Black Cell ($500)

Click here for all the results.

Once of Smart Parts’ sales representatives posted on PBN the durability of their electropneumatic paintball markers, specifically their SP-1 and Vibe. Both of these paintball guns retail for about $150 each. These two markers are considered entry/beginner level guns, competing with most Kingman Spyders and the notorious Tippmann 98 Custom. Smart Parts is really trying to win the beginner-level market. Why? Because the average paintballer only plays for about two years… no joke. Because of this, the volume of beginner players is much higher than experienced.

A few months ago I threw together a table comparing the new Smart Parts gun line. I suggest you take a look at it if you’re curious to see how the Vibe and SP-1 will match up against the others.

By reducing and refining the electropneumatic systems that we have perfected in professional level paintball markers, our design team has radically raised the bar for performance, reliability and efficiency that is affordable to the first time player. While both new markers share the same internal structure and operating characteristics, each has its own unique flavor: the Vibe for the player moving fast on the speedball field, and the SP-1 for the scenario player in the woods. -Scott

Tippmann recently sent out their 2008 product catalog to all of their dealers. I got mine today and must say that I’m impressed with their innovation. On top of their X7 and A-5, Tippmann is introducing 3 “new” markers into their 2008 product line: the 98 Custom Pro Platinum Series, 98 Custom Platinum Series, and Field Rental Marker. In reality they’re just modified 98 Customs. However, they each serve a purpose.

Tippmann 98 Custom (Platinum Series)
“For the beginner or seasoned pro, the new 98 Custom Platinum Series Marker line maintains the reliability and durability you have come to expect from Tippmann. And with the new split receiver design it is even easier to customize, maintain, and upgrade.”

Tippmann 98 Custom Pro (Platinum Series)
The 98 Custom Pro comes with an 11-inch high-performance barrel for better accuracy, double trigger, and a drop forward. Comes with A.C.T (Anti-Chop Technology). A small bump up from the regular 98 Custom.

Tippmann Field Rental Marker
Since the 98 Custom is already a standard field rental gun, Tippmann decided to create a Field Rental version of the 98 Custom specifically made to withstand consumer use. They added the ACT technology and put an extra durable acrylic finish to it. Basically it’s a 98 that you can beat the crap out of with little ball chops.