Paintball Journal

Good evening. This is Dana Granholm reporting from Paintball Journal HQ.

Here’s what’s happening in your world today.

On a side note, these paintball briefs just happen to fall on Valentine’s Day, there’s nothing particularly romantic about them. Unless you’re into paintball as much as I am, that is.

First up is a new line of carbon fiber barrels. They look really great, and I’ve hear some good things about them. Unfortunately, you don’t get the performance specs of the real carbon fiber barrel company (Stiffi), but it’s a price effective way to get an incredibly light and accurate barrel kit. These are available in many different colors for both woodsball and tournament players, but only come with three backs: .689, .692, and .695, which seem too large to be effective for some paint preferences.

Next is PA’s X-37 Series Harness, which is pretty much a standard pack just like any other. I’d say about middle of the road in looks, function, and price. Buy it if you want something that works and looks good. Interestingly, Edmonton Impact will be sponsored by Paintball Assassin this year, so look to them for examples of what’s to come with the company.

This is the Reaper. It looks lamer than it sounds, which is quite a feat. Definitely the rental and noob mask of the future. Ugh, I can’t imagine wearing one of those.

Anyway, moving on…

Here are the masks that actually matter to you. They really aesthetically screwed this one up. These look as solid as ever, but lean more toward the Proflex look than the Flex series look, which is a mistake on the fashion side of things. That matters a lot when you’re marketing to a bunch of teenagers who want to look as cool as possible on the field.

And lastly for today, I leave you with the trailer for Ego Maniacs: Part Deux

In what is looking to be the biggest news all month, Hybrid has penned a note of farewell to their contract killers and muppet mowers, as well as the entire paintball community. It details an interesting back story of misfortune for Hybrid this past year, but doesn’t tell everything. First of all, I think it’s important to point out that, while it spends a great deal of time talking about the problem, specifics aren’t mentioned. That’s probably a wise move for a company that’s trying to bide its time rather than quit outright, but it makes for a goodbye letter that’s difficult to fully understand.

Just as interesting are the allegations flying around that Hybrid was having manufacturing problems in China, while still engaged in a legal battle with NPS (currently Kee Action Sports) over their company name. Though these things may be true, more important are the things listed in the note, which you can read below. Also on the Hybrid site is a video tribute to those who have proudly carried the Hybrid Contract Killer status throughout the company’s life.

And so Hybrid leaves behind an industry whose image it helped form with the many trendy, stylish, and otherwise “agg” items that it marketed to all of the tournament players who wanted to be just like those SoCal ballers. Though I can’t say that it was an image that ever appealed to me enough to make me buy Hybrid stuff, the influence of Hybrid, whether good or bad is certainly evident no matter where you look in tournament paintball today.

Click below to read full copy of Hybrid’s farewell letter.

(more…)

On December 31st, 2007, Indian Creek Design announced that they would be hanging over ICD’s remaining paintball interests to Vaporworks, one of the companies that had long been a supporter and manufacturer of third party items for ICD.

From Vaporworks:

Vaporworks taking over ICD service work!
ICDO Sponsor NewsTaking on more work! Send it our way!

Vaporworks was one of the first factory certified repair centers for ICD markers outside of the factory. Now after nearly 8 years of servicing these paintball markers, ICD is handing the reigns to us. They are stepping away from the paintball business and we are taking over their service work for them. In the new year, ICD will stop doing all service work on their markers and sending customers to Vaporworks for repair and service work.

We have long been a doing our best to support ICD products and will now do our best to carry on work on their markers for them. You’ll get the same service level you’d expect from ICD, only in Kansas instead of Idaho!

You know ICD for their Bushmaster and Promaster Series, as well as their new generation, professional FreeStyle series. I’ve seen both in action and have heard nothing but good things about the guns themselves. The notoriously bad customer service had even improved, last I heard. In the long run though, I think everyone knew a version of this was coming. Though the FS series could have been a strong competitor, especially with the Naughty Dogs shooting them, the support just wasn’t there, and after peaking with the FS7, the line died out fairly quickly thereafter.

Inconsistencies in gun manufacture and customer service were the main sources of complaint against ICD, and still hold true today. Depending on who you talk to, they’ll either be quite unhappy or rather delighted to see ICD go out of business. There isn’t a whole lot of middle ground.

What this means for you is an even further reduced price. With the FS8, this is a great thing. Find a well cared for one and you’ll be in business for years. We’re talking a fully upped FS8 running you probably $300-400.

Oh, and on a final side note, remember that this is just Indian Creek Design’s Paintball division that’s calling it quits. ICD remains a company that still manufactures many consumer goods like soft cases and things like that. So though they won’t be making paintball equipment any longer, they will probably be around for quite a while still.

Thinking about fortifying your Christmas list or about what to get your teammates? Well here’s a list of inexpensive stocking stuffers that no paintballer is going to say no to.

Cracks, broken springs, and busted lids all cause us to lose these, our best friends in the middle of intense games. These are always welcome in any player’s gear bag for tournaments in particular when turnaround times can be beyond quick and pods mysteriously grow legs and walk away. This is a very cheap way to fill a paintballer’s stocking. Also cute gift idea alert: stuff a paintball pod with random paintball related items, for example, barrel condoms, stickers, or batteries.

Okay, since I already mentioned them batteries are next on my list. If you play with any electronic equipment, I guarantee you you’ll always want fresh batteries for the best performance. This includes, but isn’t limited to, your gun, hopper, and mini-fridge. Don’t forget how important these small alkaline doohickeys are to your performance. Put ‘em on the list.

There are some awesome DVDs online that are a year or two old and are therefore a bargain! Of course, even the brand new DVDs like the NCPA Series coverage and Dynasty Dysected 2 are only $30. I highly recommend both, by the way. If Grandma’s looking for a little, inexpensive extra something to top off your gift list though, point her in the direction of the bargain bins at online stores. Nothing like a little ‘04 NPPL coverage to get you through the winter.

Good evening, I’m Dana Granholm, reporting from PBJ Headquarters in Evansville, Indiana. Here are tonight’s top stories…

(more…)

NXe JRNY

You saw it in the preview, and you saw it on my birthday / Christmas wish list. Now you get to see it with your own eyes as NXe’s webcasts bring it into your home. Not… literally. I wish…

Anyway, down to business. Here’s a not-so-brief overview of what we have in the videos…

(more…)

Don’t tell me it’s too early to be posting my wish list. My birthday is on the 14th, so I’ve got an excuse! Okay, here goes my paintball wish list!

Oh goodness, what isn’t to like about the Threshold? It’s got some of the sickest stock milling I’ve ever seen, it performs with the very best of them, and it’s made by an incredible company. A screaming deal for around $500.

Yes, although my current high grade aluminum 48/3000 rocks my socks, I would greatly prefer the 45/45. I love how it’s just like a slightly elongated softball. A great choice for any mid or front player, and tucks perfectly for those of you rolling the snake. This plus a nice Planet Eclipse tank cover would run me about $190. All that money for something that weighs about a pound…

Well, for a mere $70 you can get this sick pack. I’ll admit that that’s a little steep, but still this pack is amazing. It’s all checkered, and uhh… blue. And magic?

The JRNY is the latest addition to the burgeoning loader market, and rounds out my list for this year. It can pretty much keep up with anything, and I’m very impressed with what NXe is claiming for this hopper. I certainly hope it’s not another Pulse, nothing against DXS…

Merry Christmas, and Happy Birthday to me, and happy holidays and what not to all, and to all a good night.

Adding to the slew of new hoppers entering the market, NXe has released a tiny bit of information on the NXe JRNY…

Here’s what we have so far:

(more…)

In a part of the season dominated by new guns, there isn’t a whole lot of focus on the guns of yesterday. That’s unfortunate, because very few guns are standing out to me this season compared to last. Indeed, many, if not most, of the guns released as 07 models can compete or outperform their 08 counterparts by standard upgrades alone.

The Marq is no exception. Although there will be no 08 Marq, there will be several other Bob Long Technologies guns released, including both the Protege and Vice. The Marq is its own style of gun, though, and so I’m happy to see that it’s not being forgotten entirely.

(Click on the picture for a larger image.)

The Marq Edge Body!

(more…)

Coming this World Cup, to a paintball retailer near you.

(more…)

Perhaps you want a gun to depict your favorite characters from a movie, or just to look so scary that the opposition wets itself before even stepping onto the field. What ever your purpose, ODD Paintball has the anno for you.

(more…)

I ordered a bunch of stuff for my friends over the past week and it just came in yesterday. Here’s a run-down of the gear and my initial impressions.

07 Redz Envy Gloves - Blue / Large

Gloves are a necessity for anyone who plays tournament paintball, and I recommend them for anyone who plays, period. These gloves are very well-made, which for $30 they really ought to be. However, they size kind of small, neither I nor Ben, the guy who bought the gloves, have extremely large hands, but we both had trouble fitting into these. Just something to look out for.

SE Profilers - Reverse Blue

Profilers have been a hit since they were first created by V-Force, and the SE style is so badass. There’s just something about the reverse colors that rocks. Ben bought these because his Proto’s sucked the big one when it came to cleaning them off after a game, as well as horrendous fogging issues.

Crossfire Tank - 45/4500

JP finally bought a tank! He’s been itching to get one of these for ages, and finally was able to afford it by working in the cornfield with me this summer and getting a job at DQ. 45/4500s are awesome tanks to get, and Crossfire is a highly respected brand name. They’re so light and so small, perfect for a front player.

07 JT Team Pants - Black / Medium

Evan splurged for the best of the best. I can rattle off ten pro and semi-pro teams that wear JT Team Pants exclusively, just off the top of my head, and it’s a list that grows every day. These pants are well-made and padded perfectly, assuring crazy bounces. They run a little larger, I have about a 32 waist and about a 34 inseam, and mediums are just about perfect, if not a little big around the waist. The adjustable waist works perfectly though, so if you’re like Evan and me, get the mediums for their length.

Eclipse Sandana - Camo Mk2

It was Evan’s birthday near the end of August, so I bought him this, because he needed something up there to keep from getting beaned. Profilers are awesome, but getting smacked in the forehead when you aren’t wearing anything sucks. This sandana is pretty tight, and not a bad deal for $15. Especially considering some of the limited edition ones that run in the $30-#50 range.

Looks like the popular retailer that we all know and don’t really prefer is targeting paintballers, if you’ll forgive my pun.

(more…)

Sweet! A non-photoshopped version emerges! I’m actually really digging the anno on it now that I’ve seen it without the heavenly glow and adjusted colors and such.

But not really.

Here we go with this week’s random new crap that really isn’t worth the money, but people will buy anyway.

Well, it’s an interesting design, but I’m afraid the Aurora pattern might get played out. There are going to be around 100 of these produced, selling for a rather decent $800. I’d shoot one, as it does come with plenty of features, but really for $800 I’d rather get… well, a lot of things. This seems most likely to be a ploy to get rid of 07 inventory to make room for the 08 line. And honestly, this will probably work.

Cool, but… whatever. I’ve never been into paintball clothing, as I see better ways to spend my money as a paintballer. Instead of advertising what a great player I am, I prefer to actually get better by buying paint and going out and practicing. Weird how I get more respect than some kids wearing these awesome Hybrid shirts.

A custom edition of what I consider the best paintball pistol ever is something that I will sit up and take notice of. I do want to see one of these in person, because I believe them when they say that it is hard to see the true colors in just a picture.

That said, no need for a price run, hopefully the “special color” will only add a couple bucks.