Paintball Equipment

Don’t let Mother Nature throw your paintball addiction out in the cold! You can still play paintball, and in comfort, in the winter weather. Of course, you could just play indoors, but why let skiers and riders be the only ones who have fun in the white stuff. This article will tell you what to wear to keep your game going strong- no matter how cold it might be on the field.

Forming A Paintball Team
 by: Tim Bach

The majority of paintball games and tournaments are played in teams. If you take the time to build a top-notch team, your chances of winning games and tournaments are much greater.

Keep in mind that in many tournaments, the teams are formed right before the game starts. This does not allow you the opportunity to hand pick your team members. This makes it necessary to have the ability to work together with complete strangers, and to assess strengths and weaknesses in those strangers quickly.

Paintball Equipment

When you are forming a regular team, you should first determine what type of paintball games you would be participating in. In theme-based games, you will need a person to fill each of the available roles, such as sniper, medic, transport, demolition, etc. You will need to choose the best person for the job. You do this by assessing each team member’s abilities. You can assess abilities by asking questions and running the members through an obstacle course. You will know who thinks clearly under pressure, which has the best aim, which can run the fastest, and things such as this. Keep notes on each member’s weaknesses and abilities.

If a team member is unhappy with their assignment, you may need to re-assign the member to another role that they may be suited for. If the member only wants to be a shooter, they may not understand the importance of support roles, and may not be cut out for team play. It is important that each team have a leader. It may also be necessary to have two or three leaders, depending on the size of your team. Just remember the problems that exist when there are too many Chiefs, and not enough Indians.

You should work out signals with your team, as well as team tactics and strategy ahead of time, and practice often! It is beneficial to make sure each member of your team has a radio headset for communication.

A team that works well together and practices often can make it to the pro paintball games!

About The Author Tim Bach Paintball gun tips article@10k.net

This article was posted on December 27, 2004

Paintball can be dangerous so always wear the right and best paintball protective gear you can buy or borrow. For example a paintball mask:

Low Pressure vs. High Pressure Paintball Tanks
 by: Anthony Sakaneeny

Should I get a high pressure or low pressure N2 or HPA tank for my paintball gun?

That's a good question. Let's get a few things straight first. The terms "nitrogen tank" and "high pressure air” (HPA) tank mean the same thing. Fields and stores use compressed air to fill the tanks because air is more easily accessible. In the past, nitrogen was more readily available to fields than more expensive compressors. Today if you walk into a store and ask for a nitro tank or a nitro fill they will know what you mean.

Second, "high pressure" or "low pressure" refers to the actual output pressure of the regulator on your tank. The regulator controls the pressure that your tank will use in your gun. High pressure tanks usually output 800 to 850 PSI. Low Pressure tanks usually output 450 PSI. Preset tanks have a fixed output pressure from the factory which cannot be adjusted. Both HP and LP tanks have preset outputs. Adjustable tanks like the Nitroduck X-stream or the Empire Adjustable don’t have a fixed output pressure and can be adjusted by the player to any output pressure they need. This article will focus on preset tanks because you can use adjustable tanks for any gun.

Now is HP or LP right for your gun? There are a few things to keep in mind when considering this. First, what pressure does your gun need to cycle and shoot a paintball? (This is called the operating pressure.) Tippmanns, Spyders and other entry level guns need 800 PSI or higher to operate, so you would need an HP tank with these guns to generate enough pressure to allow the gun to operate. So if you have a gun that needs 800 PSI to work and you hook up a 400 PSI LP tank to it, you are not putting in enough pressure to allow the gun to work. This is why you would need a high pressure tank.

Mid- to higher-end guns typically operate with less than 300 PSI input pressure and come with a high pressure regulator. High pressure regulators go inline (in between) the tank and the gun. These regulators can accept an input pressure of up too 850 PSI and regulate it down to a user-adjustable setting to meet the markers’ LP needs. LP guns can use LP tanks. Using an LP Tank with an LP gun will result in better shot consistency over the chrono because you are not putting as much stress on the inline high pressure regulator. Having an LP tank with an LP gun will also prevent or minimize hot shots if your inline regulator fails. It will minimize the high pressure air spike going into the gun which will typically cause your velocity to spike up as well.

So in short, if you have an HP gun or an LP gun with an HP regulator, you can use an HP tank. LP guns can also use an LP tank. Some guns, like the Angel Speed 05, come with a built-in, inline LP regulator so they can only use LP tanks. As technology advances we are seeing more and more entry level guns becoming LP, so it’s always best to check with the manufacturer of your marker for their tank recommendations. And never buy a new tank before you buy a new gun.

AC-02

About The Author Anthony Sakakeeny founded Sak World Paintball in 1998. Sak World provides state of the art paintball products online, featuring guns, barrels, nitrogen tanks and apparel. Visit Sak World Paintball today at http://www.sakworldpaintball.com to purchase new and used paintball equipment and gear at affordable prices.

This article was posted on September 22, 2005