Ion (paintball marker)
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 Smart Parts Ion |
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| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Type | Spool-Valve Electro-pneumatic |
| Action | Semi-Auto, Rebound, Three-Round Burst, Full-Auto |
| Barrel | 12 inch ported barrel |
| Rate of fire | 17 balls per second |
| Retail Price | ~$200 USD |
The Ion is an electropneumatic paintball marker manufactured by Smart Parts. It is revolutionary in the paintball industry for being the first electropneumatic paintball marker costing less than $300 USD, bringing features normally reserved for markers of much higher price, such as break-beam eyes and a low-pressure regulator. Smart Parts achieved such a low production cost by simplifying the design of the Shocker and using low-cost parts and manufacturing techniques. The Ion's base parts and design can be upgraded to the point where its performance rivals markers of much higher cost. In fact, it is possible to replace every component of the marker with aftermarket parts. The Ion's low cost and high degree of customizability has made it popular among newer tournament players as well as recreational players.
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[edit] Features
The Ion is the most upgradable and customizable markers on the market today. One of the Ion's revolutionary features is the implementation of "body kits." The marker's receiver is sheathed in a removable polymer shell that can be replaced with aftermarket shells of varying colours and materials. The polymer shell eliminates the cost of machining and anodizing an aluminum body, reducing overall production cost.The Ion also features break-beam eyes that help prevent ball breaks by not allowing the marker to cycle until a paintball is properly chambered.
[edit] Manufacture
The Ion's receiver consists of a machined breech and firing chamber, both hard-anodized. Its grip frame and ASA are both made of diecast aluminum and are powder coated. The body of the Ion is a durable plastic which reduces the overall weight of the gun. The Ion board is manufactured in two forms: one with a 'US' board and one with a 'UK' board. The UK version of the board does not have burst or full auto firing modes and is identified by the green power LED. The US version of the board includes all firing modes and has a red power LED.
[edit] Operation
In general, the Ion has an operation similar to a Shocker SFT or a Matrix. However, the operation of the Ion is somewhat simpler than a Shocker SFT or Matrix in that it does not use a 4-way solenoid valve. The Ion's control valve either will push the bolt back, or allows air into the firing chamber to blow the bolt forward. With this simpler valve operation, the air that powers the Ion has a less complicated path to travel. The solenoid valve only has two hoses: one to provide air to rear of the firing chamber and the other which provides air to hold the bolt back while the marker isn't firing. When it is time to fire, the air that holds the bolt back is emptied out back through the solenoid and the air in the rear of the firing chamber is allowed to blow the bolt forward. The operation of the Ion is quite simple and many users add a quick exhaust valve (QEV) to their marker. The QEV takes place of a fitting on the body that allows the air to vent into the body cavity instead of going all the way back through the solenoid. By allowing the air to vent faster, this allows the bolt to close faster and with more force, which allows the user to lower operating pressure and/or the time the solenoid valve is open (dwell). The QEV also acts as a trap for spare grease that would normally get into the solenoid and possibly cause problems.[1]
