OK guys I'm in the market for a new tactical paintball marker. I've been looking at Smartparts Sp1 and Sp8. I'm willing to go at a $250 range for a basic marker. But is this really the best marker I can buy for my money? I really want an all around marker that I can upgrade easily as I can afford it. So what do all you pbj's think out there? Would like to know what most of you guys use and anything else I might be missing out there. Thx.

I'de lean SP1 over SP8 -- less bulk, less plastic, less is more.

yes an sp1 with select fire or a ion on a tactical body. i just got two of my players out of 98's and into ions and they love it. one guy was reluctant cause he likes milsim. so i introduced him to one of these: NEW Smart Parts TACTICAL ION Paintball Marker + Stock - eBay (item 130217948976 end time May-03-08 12:22:53 PDT)

Southern Discomfort East Tennessee Scenario Paintball

"Descend into my sights, your fallen walls."
-Tom Araya

The sp8 is heavy and bulky. I have one with the extra 20" sniper barrel and stock, You add a scope, light, etc. and it adds up the weight quick. I do like the look, put a virtue board in and had an Apex made for it also. I have around 900 bucks into it, so it might be a bit over your budget, but you can end up close to the same with any if you keep upgrading it. I will try and put a pic up later, might be one here somewhere already in the SP section.

Ion. and get a tac body for it.

Blackhearts
Engineer @ Large
"Creating complex solutions to simple problems"

My sp8, like the asa & grip?

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Ok which of these two woulld u guys go with? Ion sp1 or tippmann x7.

I do not know how it is to work on the x7, but as far as durability you cannot go wrong with a tippy. The Ions are okay, but are not the kind that you can repair in the field, takes a little extra time to clean & lube one after playing. I have 3 Ion based markers so I am used to the breakdown they require. I had a 98 and never had any problems over the 2 years I used it, I do have occasional days where my SP's do not want to perform correctly. Maybe the sp1 is improved, do not know for sure, but if you are the kind of person that does not spend time maintaining your markers, go with the x7. If you like taking things apart, sp1 is for you. I like my SP's, do not mind the extra work they require, fast gun for the money.

i have an x7. i love it. but for your price range, you aint gonna get in an x7 with all the bells and whistles. if you want something that has the functionality of a milsim marker but the performance of a tourney grade gun, go with the ion on a tac body. it will outperform the x7. the ion has a walkable trigger allowing it to throw ropes in semi. it will not go blender on you when you get mediocre paint like a cyclone feed system (its not paint picky), its not an air hog like any given tippmann, the ion even on a tacticle milsim body is alot lighter than a tippmann. ions are reliable and perform above standard to alot of thier high priced competitors. refer to the link in my previous post. i recommended this same marker to 2 of my own teamates. they came out of some 98's and had been die hard woodsball and tippmann guys. they love thier new markers. it gives them the speed and ease of a tourney gun with the functionality and look of a milsim marker.

Southern Discomfort East Tennessee Scenario Paintball

"Descend into my sights, your fallen walls."
-Tom Araya

I would go with the SP1 or Ion. The X7 is very bulky and heavy and it's also pretty expensive. The SP1 and Ion are much much cheaper, lighter, faster etc.

TATER