So what does this all mean?

Well first off, the difference between the two different caliber paintballs is surface area and weight. In a nutshell the .68 cal will travel longer and break further out then the .50 cal.  Both paintballs are affected by wind, but with the sheer weight difference between the two paintballs (~3g vs ~1.2g) the smaller paintball would be more susceptible to wind conditions.  Another factor that concerns me is the sheer paint volume difference.  The spats created by the 50 caliber paintballs are significantly smaller then that of the 68.  This would be a concern with some players as not everyone is honest about their hits on a field.

So you be the judge, what do you think?  .50 cal going to be the next transition for paintball?  Post your comments and thoughts below!

Safety
First and foremost safety is your number one concern with paintball masks.  You want your mask to fit you comfortably, and secured well enough that it will not fall off your face while running.  You do not want to loose an eye due to a mask coming loose.  Ensure that you adjust your mask correctly before play, and do not use the mask if you cannot properly adjust it to fit.  Ensure you find a paintball mask that’s easy to adjust.

Comfort
Most masks I have worn are all pretty comfortable.  Some of the cheaper masks will tend to dig/press if the padding on the inside of the mask is not sufficient.  If you are going to be playing for a prolonged period of time, comfort of your paintball mask becomes a factor.

Fog-Resistant
Having a fog resistant face mask is a must have.  Some cheaper masks do not have a special anti-fog coating on the goggles, and will tend to fog up during play.  Since you cannot take your goggles off during play, this may render you partially blind or blind during matches.  You cannot have this happen.

Lightweight
Now weight isn’t a huge factor for the new player, however if you are an experienced player who has tried different gear some masks can just feel bulky.

Field Of View
Depending on the goggle style, certain masks offer a greater field of view when wearing them.

Replacement Lenses
If you plan on playing Paintball regularly, your goggle lenses may deteriorate with age (cracking, scratches, etc).  Selecting a mask that offers replacement parts may be cost effective for you in the long run.

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Features:

• MADE IN THE USA!!!!
• SRT piston –Sonic Recharge Technology piston – plated aluminum piston that produces an industry leading recharge rate and virtually eliminates reg shoot down
• SPA – Shim Pressure Adjustment- change output pressure by adding or removing shims, not springs or pistons
• MFV – Mini Fill Valve – Non wrist digging, low profile design fill valve
• All black tactical look
• Brass or optional Aluminum bonnet – see regulator parts for details
• Meets all DOT, CGA and ASTM specifications
• Completely rebuildable by the end user
• Every regulator is hand crafted and factory tested
• Super low response curve 0-50 psi from full to empty
• Safety
• ASTM COMPLIANT bonnet thread
• ASTM COMPLIANT DOT burst disc
• ASTM COMPLIANT Low pressure burst disk
• ASTM COMPLIANT Restrictor, bleed hole and safety groove
• Mini Fill Valve IS hardened, plated 5000 psi rated
• Reg installed to ASTM specifications

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Pure Energy 72/3000psi tank;  The perfect introduction to HPA for your marker.  If you play a bit of bush ball or play at fields where you need to bring your own air, this tank may be a good fit for you.  On average you should see around 850-1000 shots per tank depending on your marker.  This tank is smaller then that of the fiber wrapped 4500psi tanks, however depending on whats around you, it might be hard to find somewhere that can properly fill a 4500 tank.  Why waste money if you cant fill them to capacity?  The only real downside to this tank is the weight of it.  Since it is constructed from steel,  it is heavier then its fiber counterpart.

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So whats the rundown with CO2?

CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) tanks are usually what you will find with most “paintball starter kits”.  CO2 is actually in liquid form, in your filled tank.  When you pop a paintball out of your marker, some of the liquid is released and in the process and it expands into a gas (hence expansion chambers on quite a few markers).  The rapid expansion of gas also causes rapid cooling in your marker, and you will notice that your marker and CO2 cylinder will feel very cold (and may even frost up) after firing off multiple rounds.  Ideally your CO2 cylinder will produce the most pressure output in or around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.  The liquid CO2 puts ~850psi into your marker when working around room temperature.  When the cylinder begins to cool, pressure output is affected.

So Should I Be Using CO2?

The biggest disadvantage of CO2 is the frost-up factor encountered with firing off multiple rounds.  When the pressure output drops in marker (encountered when the tank becomes colder), it is possible for liquid CO2 to start damaging O-rings in your marker.  On high rate of fire markers you’d really want to avoid CO2.  Since the liquid is constantly expanding in different temperatures, velocity of your paintballs output can vary as much as 20fps.  If your marker lacks a proper expansion chamber, then your definitely do not want to use CO2 tanks.  For the most part, CO2 is great for starting paintballer’s that are just getting into the sport.  Fills are relatively cheap (usually around $5-7), and a 20oz tank isn’t too heavy and lasts for some time.

Now When Should I Think About HPA?

By far HPA (Nitro), is a far more stable option for a paintball marker.  HPA tanks store pressurized gas and not a liquid, so there is no change of state occurring.  This eliminates the frost up problem encountered by CO2 tanks.  Most markers are designed to operate at about ~850psi, but with some experimentation with an HPA tank, you will find that you should be able to operate at HPA’s much lower pressure of about 450psi.  The lower air pressure will create better stability with shot patterns, and you will eat up less air per shot.

So whats the downside to HPA (Nitro) Tanks?

Well price comes in as a big factor.  HPA tanks are quite a bit more and come in three different materials: Steel, Aluminum and Fiber Wrapped.  The lighter materials are more desirable as it is less weight to carry around on the field; However the cost of lighter tanks are quite a bit more.  As well, ensure that in or around the fields you play at, somewhere can fill your HPA tank.  HPA requires a special multi-stage compressor which differs greatly from that of a typical garage compressor.

So there you have it, some basic information on CO2 and HPA Tanks.  Keep on ballin’.

The Proto SLG Package is a great starting kit to use for anyone at any age. Everything is included in this package to get you started and goes above and beyond in any other starting kit you can pick up. The package includes: Proto SLG, Proto Switch EL , Primo 200 round hopper and 20oz Co2 Tank.

The Proto SLG Marker is a sear trip Spool Valve marker, very soft on paint and capable of shooting up to 20+ bps. Easy to take apart and maintain, this marker does not have a sharp learner curve in how to take care of it. Battery operated electronic board with an easy on/off button and programmable to go fully automatic.

Proto Primo Loader uses a revolutionary shelf technology within the loader that will decreases jams and prevent having to “Shake” the loader to clear the feedneck.  By using this new “Shelf” it relieves the pressure and amount of force on the paintballs to help the paintballs to easily load into the marker without any obstruction.

Proto Switch EL Mask is an entry level mask with soft paneling. With the soft paneling on the mask it increases the comfort and also makes the mask lighter so it doesn’t make you want to take it off at any point. Using the Proto Switch lense makes changing the lense easy and convinent whenever you need to change lenses to different colours or replace a broken old pair.

Pick this new package up from Proto Paintball and get started playing paintball the way you want to.

Features:

• Include all the Necessary items for you to get out to play: Marker, Mask, Tank and Loader
• Proto SLG Marker allows you to fire up to 20+Bps
• Proto Primo Loader allows for paintballs to be easily loaded into the marker then a standard Gravity 200 Hopper.
• Proto Switch EL Mask is a light and comfortable mask that utlitlizes Switch Lense system to keep the mask easy to use

Includes:

• Proto SLG Marker – Cobalt Silver
• Proto Primo 200 Loader – Black
• Proto Switch EL – Black
• 20oz Co2 Tank

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The Proto Matrix Rail 2010 features new milling design, colour co-ordinated o-ring design to make maintenance simple and a host of new colour designs. Using the Boost Forward technology creates a soft push on the ball then a quick release on each paintball to create a marker that is able to shoot brittle paintballs efficiently and smoothly. Also one of the largest features of the marker is the unique hour glass Ultra Lite frame that help make your marker fit in your hand comfortably and create a lighter marker to help give you the ability to snap shoot and creates a light platform.

Features:

• Boost Forward Technology Bolt mechanism gives the ability to shoot brittle paint at your targets without sacrificing efficiency or speed.
• Ultralight Trigger Frame helps the marker fit into your hand more comfortably and also creates a light platform helping you easily eliminate you run to at your opponents
• New 3d Milling Design giving your marker a new fresh look for the 2010 Season
• Hyper 3 Regulator comes standard on the marker making sure your marker keeps shooting consistently and efficiently
• 2 Piece Tournament Barrel Kit with the matching barrel tip to the body colour
• Colour co-ordinated o-ring system to keep maintenance simple and user friendly meaning less trips to the paintball techs

Specifications:

• Spool Valve Marker Design
• New Solenoid design to keep an increase durability and consistence marker firing
• Programmable LED Electronic board giving you the ability to shoot the marker the way you like it
• Anti Chop Break Beam Eye system
• Weight: 1.95lbs
• Dimensions: 8.5″L x 7.25″H x 1.25″W

Includes:

• Marker comes in convinient case durable zipper kit that holds the complete system
• Spare Parts Kit
• Dye Slick Lube
• 9 Volt Batter
• 2 Piece Tournament Barrels
• Ultralite 45 Frame

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The 2010 SLG is a hybrid construction of aluminum and composite materials, providing you durability with incredible lightweight function. The SLG’s patented Self Closing Valve (SCV) 2 Piece Bolt system allows the marker to operate at a low 145psi. This low operating pressure provides superior accuracy with less paint breakage, and yields an impressive 1500 shots on a 68/4500. Newly refined features such as the pressure release safety button, clamping feedneck, aluminum trigger, internal bolt silencer, hardened steel sear, and aluminum bolt makes the SLG the clear choice in the sea of introductory markers. The 2010 SLG is a perfect example of unequaled quality, meticulous engineering, and unmatched manufacturer support, the benchmarks that make Proto the first name in paintball.

Features:

• Single Piece 11″ Proto Barrel (Autococker Threaded)
• New Increased Flow Hyper3 In-line Air Regulator
• Anti-chop Break Beam Eye System
• Super Low 145psi Operating Pressure
• Proto Dual-Density Injection Sticky Grip
• LED Program Control with Four Tournament Modes
• All New Self Closing Valve (SCV) 2 Piece Bolt
• Ultralite Aluminum Trigger
• 2010 Proto SLG Bottom-Line with Dovetail
• No-Rise Clamping Feed-Neck
• Multifunction Self-Lubricating Force Button
• Bolt Silencer
• Orbital Rotating Sear Reduces Wear
• HPA/Co2 can be used on this marker

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These few marker care tips can extend the life of your marker, and minimize downtime on the field. Nothing is quite as bad as a misbehaving marker on the field. Before starting this endevour, read your marker manual it will have cleaning instructions and how to strip your marker and put it back together.

1. Make sure to lubricate the internals in your marker before playing, this can remove moisutre from your marker, and keep the o-rings from drying out. When an o-ring goes bad it can create havoc on your marker. So to lubricate the internals you can buy some air-tool oil and drop 2-3 drops in the ASA (Where you attach the co2/HPA/Nitro tank). Make sure not to use any petroleum based oils, as this can damage the internals.
2. After each day that you play, you should strip down the marker and remove any flecks of paint. Usually removing the barrel and bolt are sufficient enough cleaning, but if you got the marker really dirty, you may want to clean more.
3. Co2 o-rings will always fail on you at the worst moment. Make sure to carry a few with you.
4. If you play with an electronic hopper/marker, carry a spare battery or two incase you forgot to charge your marker the day before, or worse, the battery just fails on you.

Follow these simple steps, you can increase play time and minimize headaches. Markers are not a toy, they are mechanical tools used to play a game, and as such they can break down.

Good luck and have fun!