Online Paintball Resources

So, a few emails have gone back and forth over the last few days regarding the upcoming paintball season. One item that I think is very exciting is that Devon and Bryan recently walked the land below Devon's, and they are discussing setting up a paintball field there.

I realize this is a bit off topic, but that is most excellent.

When I lived in the Burlington area, I was really into paintball, and I am looking forward to getting back into it with the gang here. One thing, I am going to have to pick up a new marker, becuase I sold all my gear when I moved here 3 years ago. Anyway, Dan was asking about online resources for paintball gear, and I thought it would be useful to post some here:

http://www.pbreview.com/ This is a site that has reviews of markers and gear. I don't really know how valid the reviews are, and they seem to skew high, but it may be a good place to start getting feedback on a gun you are looking at picking up.

http://www.xpaintball.com/ This site is a good one for buying markers, gear, and paints. I've used them before, they seem to have good prices, and a great selection. A great place to get base level pricing on gear or guns.

http://www.tippmann.com/ I admit it, I am a HUGE tippmann fan. my last marker was a 98 custom. This is a bulletproof, solid, and very upgradeable marker. Great for a lower cost rec baller, who wants to throw it in a closet after playing every week and not worry about it. Anyway, tippmann has a nice forum on thier website as well.

http://www.ebay.com This is a great place to shop for used gear and guns.

For those of you just getting into Paintball, I hope these resources are helpful. Bryan has a ton of paintball experience, so would be a great resource to tap, and I am looking forward to talking to him more about his suggestions for markers, etc.

One thing I am trying to figure out right now is what type of gun to get? as for price range I gues I am looking at "the high end of the low end", and will probably try and pick up a used marker. My fallback position is a Tippmann 98 Custom, but I really like the A-5's and hear they are fast. I think I lean towards a mechanical, rather than and Electonic marker (call me old fashioned), althought Smart Parts has come out with a very highly regarded lower range marker called the Ion.... it looks really interesting, and is electronic. I may check those out.

Secondly, though, I like milsim guns-- there are a couple options in this category, but they get more pricey than what I am probably willing to pay. I am a big fan of woodsball and recball over speedball (a waste of paint, IMO), but dont want to compromise looks of a marker over performance. When I had my 98 C, I upgraded it with a closed bolt, drop forward, and good barrel and had very good luck with it.

So, for anyone else out there with paintball experience, what are your thoughts? Any good sites to add to the list? Any gun reccomendations? What do you like to play?