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.

After posting about how the Proto SLG took a price cut, here I am delivering bad news about a price increase... this time with Draxxus and Procraps paintballs and many other paintball products. Kee Action Sports, the parent company of all these products, released a press release a few weeks ago informing their customers (most of us) that there's going to be a major price increase within the next 30 to 60 days. Their reasoning behind this action is what you've been hearing everywhere: Oil and our economy. KEE Action Sports is reliant upon oil for the manufacturing of their paintballs and paintball products. And as the US dollar consistently decreases, "our only practical alternative left to us is to take action on the price of many of our paintball products...".

So basically paintball is becoming even more expensive. What's being done about it? Well, since every paintball you shoot will soon cost you more per shot, the only alternative we can choose is to simply shoot less. The PSP recently changed their maximum allowed rate of fire from 15 BPS to 13 BPS, a good first step. A lot of price control has to do with the end consumer (that's you and me). Theoretically, if you shoot less, demand goes down, and price goes down.

In my 8 years in paintball, I've constantly heard the general public complaining on how expensive the sport is. They're right, it is; and it's that very fact that drives most people away from paintball. With an average lifespan for a paintballer being about 2 years, something needs to be done about this. Paintball is becoming a get-in, get-out activity, which isn't beneficial to players and businesses. To the paintball businesses out there, do what you need to do in order to survive, but remember that the real purchasing power comes from us consumers. Just don't piss us off too much with high prices.

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Xtremez is now offering the Smart Parts Ion for only $164.95, the lowest price on the web so far. If you've been on the moon the last few years, the Smart Parts Ion has been praised as one of the best low-end paintball guns on the market today. Its functionality and performance can be compared to the Tippmann 98 Custom.

Deals like these should be sprouting up all over the web these next few days for the holidays. Xtremez (and most other online paintball stores) is also offering guaranteed delivery by Christmas as long as your order is placed before the 14th to the 20th (depending on where you live). Keep in mind this 45% off the MSRP and wouldn't be a bad gift to get for your family or friends (or yourself )