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Post by reclusivetorrid on Apr 6, 2006 12:34:10 GMT -5
Hey guys it's me your friendly nieghtborhood hermit.
Hway told me the other day that the general opinion of the Ion was pretty low around here...
To each his own, but let me just throw out a little review on the gun since I own one.
Let me start with the problems.
stock, the ion doesn't have really good consistency at speed (say 14-15 rps) This can be improved with both a new reg and a QEV valve. This brings the gun closer to higher end gun prices though.
The thing is a gass hog, but this is also improve with a new reg and QEV valve.
Good stuff
I never used the stock barrel, I started with a 14" J&J ceramic, which preforms nicely.
The gun is fast, I can't feed it on the speedball field. IMHO no one should have any need to fire faster than this gun.
The gun is light even with the tank on it. Very manuverable.
The gun is very durable, it's outer casing is plastic, but most of the inside is metal.
I was and am and probably will be very pleased with my decision to buy an Ion.
Sorry about the short post, I am between classes and have to go. More later (hopfully more inteligent)
Please post any and all of your experiences with Ions.
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Post by pistolpete on Apr 6, 2006 15:01:53 GMT -5
It's not that I have a low opinion of the Ion, it's that I have a low opinion of Smart Parts.
I have always had a problem with bullys and they wont get my milk money.
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Post by dredly on Apr 6, 2006 19:55:01 GMT -5
how bad is the efficency and how much is the QEV valve upgrade to improve that?
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Post by reclusivetorrid on Apr 7, 2006 12:11:10 GMT -5
The efficiency isn't really bad. You get about 3-4 foot drop off at speed. (pressure lowers and effects range)
I think that the QEV valve is about 20 bucks. I still need to get one myself. I have a shockteck front reg which helped the efficiency alot.
Oh and Pete,
I debated a long time on whether or not to get a Smart Parts gun.
I am still not a huge fan of the company, but you can't beat the performance for the price (IMHO).
Plus even though they are doing what they are doing they are still in AMERICA unlike a certain other company...
Later
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Post by evilelvis on Apr 7, 2006 13:28:25 GMT -5
reclusive you sell out.  Have some integrety. |
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Post by reclusivetorrid on Apr 7, 2006 20:26:14 GMT -5
I am the king of integrity...well most of the time.
I am king of the paintball thirsty hermits tho'
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Post by pistolpete on Apr 8, 2006 4:39:22 GMT -5
Oh and Pete, I debated a long time on whether or not to get a Smart Parts gun. I am still not a huge fan of the company, but you can't beat the performance for the price (IMHO). I understand, I have been tempted myself. Dredly the upgrades you would need are a new bolt which is what helps the efficency $50-$75, A QEV which helps the speed $25, A new feed neck becaus everyone says the stock is crap $25 And if you want a choice of modes or more than 15 bps you need a new board $100 Last of all you will want a better regulator as the stock isn't very good $50 So out of the box it is ok at $200 but to get a really good marker you will need to put more into it than you paid for it. If you look around there are a ton of used markers in the $400 to$500 that are so much better that the Ion like say a Viking? |
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Post by hwayhzrd on Apr 8, 2006 9:20:11 GMT -5
County has the QEV for $20.
The Ion is good for 17 bps out of the box, but a Blackheart board, which outs it to 20 bps is available for less than $100 through County, and according to Smart Parts' web site - "— 17 balls per second semi-auto rate of fire with 3 shot burst, full auto and our Rebound firing mode."
Talking to the guys at the Ion Owners Group, the stock reg just takes some time to break in, and once broken in is quite consistant. I was discussing the possibility with them of a Palmer Stab, but they advised the feedneck, QEV and roller trigger be way ahead of a regulator on the list.
Of course, it is what it is: a $200 gun, and not a $1k megs-bling, so I personally have no problem upgrading where appropriate.
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Post by dredly on Apr 8, 2006 15:28:15 GMT -5
Its a backup... who the hell needs more then 15 bps even in speedball. Thats a pretty nice rope of paint at that rate, and most loaders only feed at 15 or less, so speed of fire isn't an issue  |
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Post by reclusivetorrid on Apr 12, 2006 12:58:10 GMT -5
I just got my QEV and installed it.
I'll test it out this weekend.
Pete, I hope you don't hate me because I bought an Ion. I understand your points, you made them well. I like my Ion alot, but I also really respect your views. I just look at smart parts the same way I look at Microsoft. If you wanna stay in the game, your probably going to use thier products....
Unless your realy smart and know alot about lynix(sp?)
Later
Later
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Post by pistolpete on Apr 12, 2006 15:33:24 GMT -5
I don't hate nor do I think any less of you, like I said earlier I have been really tempted to walk on the dark side myself.
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Have some integrety.
