Returning to the sport

[gum80]

Hi guys.

I have been out of the sport for a few years and looking to return.
I haven't owned a great deal of markers so excluding pumps and cockers my favorite by far have been the invert mini and Etek2.

what are your thoughts?
what others can you recommend for the same budget?

 

[systemx]

Are you thinking new or pre owned?
As you can't go wrong with a pre owned DM 13, 14 or 15... They Shoot really well, are easy to get spares for and maintenance is a doddle. Also let's be honest they are right up there with the best of them, my 2 quids worth....

 

[gum80]

I'm going with second hand.
I would love to buy a new marker but cant justify the expense.

I have a friend who is selling a proto rail and an etek 3lt. not sure which would be best. I know i will like the etek having owned its predecessor, i'm just wondering if i should try something different or stick with what i know??????

 

[niloc65]

The Proto will be good, but the Etek will be better - I've used both and enjoyed both. If you want to go Dye then as systemx said a DM will be a really good choice over the Proto. Best thing is to get to a walkon day and ask players to try a few shots of each. Most will oblige and its a great way to find out if the ergonomics suit you.

 

[systemx]

I would whole heartedly agree with you secondhand is the way to go especially given that you are returning to PB. What is your budget? If I may ask?

Between the Proto rail and the Etek 3 I would go Etek all day long and I'm not even a massive Planet fan anymore. The Rail never really did it for me, I have shot a few and had to use one all day when a marker went down and I didn't pack one of my spare markers. There was nothing wrong with it, it shot ok but I Didn't like it, at all.

The Etek on the other hand is essentially an earlier model Ego with some plastic parts. I have always liked the Ego poppet platform, they shoot very well and have rock solid reliability.... Usually.

The question you need to ask yourself is spool valve or poppet valve marker... I would say spool as they are generally quieter and smoother, but that's just me.

 

[systemx]

@gum 80 if you get yourself down to campaign for the walk on this weekend. You can try a DM out if you like I have two, a 13 and a 14. I'll have a few other markers with me too.... : )

 

[gum80]

Thanks for the invite but unfortunately I'm working this weekend

How do the Dye markers compare to Planet on cost

 

[systemx]

That's a shame, still offer stands I go to most of them.

With regard to costs of Planet and Dye markers they are comparable on the second hand market but you will Tend to find that Dye markers are slightly cheaper than Planet ones, when comparing the DM and the Geo platforms as they are both spool valve.

It's like anything the older they are the less they are generally worth, however some of the earlier Geo's such as GSL still command big money as they were limited edition and came with full barrel kits and core IV bolts as standard. An earlier Geo (2.1) could be had for under £300 but this will be around 4 years old. In comparison to a 2-3 year old DM can be had for as little as £250, dependant on condition. I believe a DM15 recently sold on here for £325 which in my opinion is an absolute bargain. A DM will shoot just as well as a Geo and in some cases better.

The later Geo's will be quite a bit more money such as the CS1 which seem to be fetching around £750 and the Geo 3.5 £600 -£700 mark. By means of comparison an Ego 11 will probably set you back in the reigion of £350 and an LV1 maybe twice that. A second hand Dye M2 (the new version of the DM platform) will set you back about £800 and are absolutely lovely but this is where personal preference comes in to play with regard to ergonomics, design and the overall look and feel of the marker.

Both platforms are rock solid and proven spool designs, used by the top teams. One major advantage of the DM platform is that since the DM9 nearly all Major components are common, this gives great spares availability and reasonable costs.

I can only speak from personal experience but my DM's have been absolutely bullet proof. I have only had to clean and lube them and they just go on and on. The only thing I have had to change was an eye pipe on the 14 and a reg seat on the 13.

A DM9 has just sold on the classifieds for £120!! That is an awful lot of marker for the money!

 

[gum80]

That's a shame, still offer stands I go to most of them.

With regard to costs of Planet and Dye markers they are comparable on the second hand market but you will Tend to find that Dye markers are slightly cheaper than Planet ones, when comparing the DM and the Geo platforms as they are both spool valve.

It's like anything the older they are the less they are generally worth, however some of the earlier Geo's such as GSL still command big money as they were limited edition and came with full barrel kits and core IV bolts as standard. An earlier Geo (2.1) could be had for under £300 but this will be around 4 years old. In comparison to a 2-3 year old DM can be had for as little as £250, dependant on condition. I believe a DM15 recently sold on here for £325 which in my opinion is an absolute bargain. A DM will shoot just as well as a Geo and in some cases better.

The later Geo's will be quite a bit more money such as the CS1 which seem to be fetching around £750 and the Geo 3.5 £600 -£700 mark. By means of comparison an Ego 11 will probably set you back in the reigion of £350 and an LV1 maybe twice that. A second hand Dye M2 (the new version of the DM platform) will set you back about £800 and are absolutely lovely but this is where personal preference comes in to play with regard to ergonomics, design and the overall look and feel of the marker.

Both platforms are rock solid and proven spool designs, used by the top teams. One major advantage of the DM platform is that since the DM9 nearly all Major components are common, this gives great spares availability and reasonable costs.

I can only speak from personal experience but my DM's have been absolutely bullet proof. I have only had to clean and lube them and they just go on and on. The only thing I have had to change was an eye pipe on the 14 and a reg seat on the 13.

A DM9 has just sold on the classifieds for £120!! That is an awful lot of marker for the money!

I will keep an open mind once i can get back onto the classifieds and see what is there. I do like the look of the DM's, its just that i have always been partial to the Planet stuff, Ego's and Etek's.

 

[gum80]

Just out of curiosity @systemx how many markers do you have in your collection?
The most i have run with is 4 in my kit bag. etek2, Ion, mini and a stirling pump for Sh1t5 and giggles. Nothing really exciting but it worked for me.