Ok, I would normally never do a product review on a product that I sell. I don't wish anyone to question the results as being bias on my part, since I do sell the things. Since I am constantly asked for my opinions on products I carry, I figured this isn't really any different than when asked for my personal suggestions, I am, after all, stating an opinion.
With that in mind,
first things first. The details of the guns configuration, for the most part, is covered in the Mag Upgrader's FAQ. Simple rundown; The gun has a RetroValve, an RT Z-Valve, and in this case uses modified AutoResponse Frame internals. As the Mag FAQ points out, these internals allow for an insanely short and fast pull....in order to keep from finding the "sweet" spot too easily, it has to be controlled with the input pressure from the air system. If not, it will turn into a veg-o-matic and easily outshoot a 12V Revolution and it will also easlily outshoot an Angel. I point this out because of certain areas that I will touch upon in this review and the fact that the RetroValve and Z-Valve are not a part of the test.
Beats me why I decided to test two products at the same time but I did not expect any performance problems from the air system switch, so I figured why not.
First, the Flatline HPA System. As I pointed out earlier, this gun is capable of some insane fire rates. With the output of the system set to approx 675 to 700 psi, it had no apparent problems keeping up and feeding enough air to supply the gun. Occasionally, I did have a stutter, but I've been playing around with the valving inside the gun again so I'm not sure if it was the air system or other factors. When I have the time, I'll swap the Apoc back on and see if anything changes. Not much more to say here except that I did replace an Apocalyse System that weighs a pound and a half more....at least. These are about the same weight as the inexpensive screw in systems, but for a few bucks more comes with it's own mounting rail. It also has what has to be the easiest built in on/off I've ever used. Given the fact that the system is $200.00 less than an Apocalypse, this is a fantastic value if you can get by on a 3000 psi system. Since the vast majority of players out there are still into rec play and the fact that this should give upward of 700 shots on even a gas hog AutoMag, in most cases it should be more than adequate. It has been my experience selling and using HPA systems that when one attempts to get by and save money, it usually costs them more in the long run. Players figure that by purchasing a screw-in system, they may simply screw it into the existing bottomline that they used for their CO2 tanks. It's also been my experience that they soon learn that they wind up a tad unweildly, due to their length, then wind up spending another $50 plus dollars on some sort of mounting cradle....so, in "my opinion", the Flatline is a much better bargain....the on/off, the adjustable output, which I feel is very important to anything other than an unmodified blow-back, the mounting cradle, and it's light weight make this system a definite "Best Buy".
System Update: Definitely wasn't the air system causing the stutter. My playing with the RT Z-Valve caused a PowerTube Spacer difference. The next shorter Spacer solved the problem.
Z-Body. I have really been putting off any sort of decent test. One, I was extremely busy, and two, I didn't have a large bore barrel. Previously, I had used the body on several occasions but almost always with the "spin system" turned off. In this mode, it acts like any "normal" AutoMag. One of the reasons I mentioned the Rate of Fire of this particular gun was because there seems to be rumors that these bodies break paint. All I can say is that if this body breaks paint, it's due to the fact that the user doesn't have it properly adjusted.
This may intell the use of too large of paint for the barrel being used and I've even heard complaints that it breaks paint when the player was using a LAPCO tight bore barrel....so what would you expect? Still pressed for time, I fired 600 rounds through it for the test. 200 rds of Starbalizer, 200 rds of Proball, and 200 rds of Kick-N. The last paint was really too large to use and did not give anything other than "normal" results since I couldn't get a proper back-spin with it due to its size and quality of consistency. Oh, I should mention, I did have one ball break. The very last ball of Proball in the hopper...which is not unusual since it was the last round and I was really hammering the trigger while using that paint.
I did the testing indoor at a range of approx. 130 ft. Therefore, I cannot say just how much further it was shooting. I can say this....At that range, the balls were striking approx. 2 ft higher than I was aiming. As far as accuracy, it was much better than I expected. With little effort on my part, I had no problems drilling a life size target on the back wall at full distance. The other thing I noticed was; is that the balls didn't appear to have that "hover" affect like the Tippmann Flatline system does. It did seem to produce that effect just slightly, but only if I over-adjusted it. Since this system is adjustable from "off" to "too much" and takes readily available Cocker Barrels, it is definitely superior to the Tippmann Product.
It was always my opinion that Mags had better accuracy when using "other than" barrels anyway.
Unless you could find an old LAPCO 9 1/2" Step Honed Aluminum :)
Now, as a player would I invest in one. Hard to say. Well actually, I know I would.
Do I think the "back-spin" thing is worth the extra money...no, not necessarily. I'm an old fashioned player and nothing takes the place of experience, the abilty to actually shoot, and actually learning to play the game. However, it is extremely apparent in this business that gimmicks and "turbo" mods are becoming the norm so why not this one also. With a minute of patience, good quality small bore paint, and a properly sized barrel, this one is no more of a gimmick than any of the rest of them and I was actually surprised by the results, especially in the accuracy department.
Some may notice that the above body is not the same one as used in the Upgraders FAQ. Yoshi and Akko from Galactic Systemz were kind enough to send me a one-of ten in Champagne Ceramic and also included the large bore barrel that I used in the tests. In this case the barrel, as mic'ed by myself, seemed to be a .698. When I first measured it the concerns I had were; what was my shot to shot consistency going to be, given the fact that the Proball and Starballizer fell through the barrel. Consistency is just that...since Proball and Starballizer are without a doubt two of the most consistent paints on the market, my shot to shot during slow fire, and over the chrono, never exceeded about a 5 fps spread....mostly averaged about 3 fps.....yes, I know, it's hard to believe...don't expect the same results using FPO......
My conclusion is is that if you use good small paint, adjust for a slight backspin, these things work amazingly well....better than I expected. Another thing....the Proball I used was 11 months old and poorly stored, the other paint is old also....so the claims of these breaking paint must be due to "operator" error....
