Gear for new people

If you are going to go the Tippmann route I'd suggest a 98 instead, leaves out any possible issues w/ the cyclone.  If your friends are technically proficient at all then an A-5 would be fine in case they do run into issues.  But if you think they really want to mod their marker out to look like something they use playing Modern Warfare then the A-5 or X-7/Phenom would be the better option than a 98.  The Phenom is the cream of the crop for Tippmann but has a had a few growing pains, plus they are expensive.

I'd suggest a classic Automag instead though, besides, the Phenom is essentially a copy of the mag firing system.   Finding one used for under $100 is cake + it's smaller & lighter than a Tippmann & just as reliable, most times more.  I've got two classic mags in my kit to use as backups/loaners because I know they will always work, no matter what.  The mag platform can be customized quite a bit as well, while not always to look milsim without a lot of home modding though because companies aren't making bolt on kits to make them look like G36's.  Their upgrades are mostly performace driven: countless bolt, valve, triggerframe, rail, body combinations - it's enough to make your head spin. 

The difference between upgrading a mag vs. a tippy is that you can't really make a tippy shoot that much better than when it's in stock form, it is what it is - but a fully upgraded mag can shoot the doors off most any marker out there.

Reason for edit:  Typing w/ buttered lobster claws


Edited by ger - Apr/19/2011 at 2:53pm