Invert Mini

[VintageZoomer]

So, I found an old Invert Mini for $125 this evening. I kinda bought without looking into common issues with it, it was one of my grail markers as a kid (don't laugh).

They say it's tested and functional, and being a mini, I'd think it should be good for a while.

But, it does not have an on/off ASA, and I hear the original mini ASA's are kinda awful. The empire relay seems to be gone, so I'm wondering if anyone has been able to retrofit a new GS ASA to the frame. Or maybe the stock ASA isn't that bad?

What say you, experts of MCB?

[BrickHaus]

I think the stock reg is only said to be trash because the lack of on/off capability,.

I'd get an inline on off asa adapter thing like this valken one.

https://eastcoastpaintball.com/products/valken-ultra-on-off-asa-adapter

[VintageZoomer]

I think the stock reg is only said to be trash because the lack of on/off capability,.

I'd get an inline on off asa adapter thing like this valken one.


https://eastcoastpaintball.com/produ...ff-asa-adapter

That's a good idea. I think as long as I can get the special tool, I could rebuild the reg if I needed to.

[jetenginekyle]

Another reason they get a bad rep is new players that flock to the minis tend to cross thread their tank at lease once or twice. Then the mangled asa threads tend to cause difficulty screwing it on later. By the time the owner upgrades they have had plenty of practice not cross threading the tank thanks to the damaged asa on their old marker.

[Cdn_Cuda]

Just get the upgraded poppet with the spring as well (Gen 3?). Easy part and solved a leak I couldn’t otherwise fix on a Mini.

[Trbo323]

Just get the upgraded poppet with the spring as well (Gen 3?). Easy part and solved a leak I couldn't otherwise fix on a Mini.

Gen 2 poppet version 4 is what they produced for the longest time.

IMO the ASA /reg is kind of terrible. Even ones that have not been cross threaded you can gauge the markers use by how much the threads are worn. They function, and that's about the only high point. I'd at least recommend you CONSIDER replacing it with the on/off version if you want to keep marker for any length of time. A few reasons why, you'll get undamaged ASA threads, the on/off will keep them that way, it will have new seals in it already and probably most importantly, LUBE!

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[VintageZoomer]

An on off asa would be good, they just seem to be rare as hen's teeth these days.

[mueller]

In order
• ASA regs suck, threads get damaged due to unthreading while aired since no on/off (workaround: dryfire while unthreading)
• All boards are prone to failure. Eye board eye connectors aren't sufficiently protected. Mainboards less commonly fail. Shockwave board > optimus board, name is right on side of PCB
• Solenoid sticking or failure is somewhat frequent. Cheap part at least. Semi-serviceable.

Great guns but not without weak points for sure
I used to recommend them more often but would steer people towards the Mini GS nowadays, since its under 200

[Sdawg]

The solenoid issues are what kept me away from the axe/mini more than anything.

[jetenginekyle]

I've encountered this once and yeah it was a bummer but on the upside the noids are super plentiful so keeping one running is very easy.

[Psycho91]

I bought a tm7 and it had a dead noid it was pretty much a paper weight at that point, noids are like $90 and thats if you find one and it will probably be overseas or from canada

[Ecapnation]

Because tm7's used slightly different parts than the mini/axe line

[Sdawg]

That's a good idea. I think as long as I can get the special tool, I could rebuild the reg if I needed to.

You can make a tool with a flathead screwdriver - use a dremel tool to grind out the middle portion.


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[VintageZoomer]

Got it in the mail this afternoon. Fired it a bit after work. This thing absolutely rips. I'm going to be sad to have to turn it down to 10.5 bps. This one is my first electro (aside from a Spyder with an electric frame). It's everything kid me thought it would be back in 2009 haha.

Anyway, the ASA isn't that bad. A little difficult, but with care and dry firing on unscrewing the tank, it's alright.

[drewkroeker]

If you look on the invert/empire group on Facebook, there is a guy who just came out with an adapter to stick a mini gs ASA on the og invert mini. I think the adapter costs $50, I'm not sure what the ASA costs. It may be more money and effort than it's worth, but it is a solution if you absolutely have to keep shooting a mini.

[Trbo323]

Yeah I would just suggest that you don't get too attached to it. I'm not saying they are terrible markers but pretty much all of the down sides can be fixed by going with a different marker around $200 on the used market. Considering the noid is/was $90 on its own that's almost half the price right there if you wanted to say have a backup on hand.

There's lots of good markers out there. Ask questions, look around, come to the dark side of buying and selling markers. We have cookies

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[VintageZoomer]

I got the adapter on FB. I'm realistic about the value, as this one is purely a nostalgia marker for me. I always wanted one as a kid, and I finally got one

[acrewofone]

Didn't the original Mini have problems with the Air Transfer Tube in the grip? If I remember, the bottom part would break where the ASA is mounted, original part was aluminum, upgrade part is steel.

https://www.paintballgateway.com/products/check-it-empire-axe-mini-female-air-transfer-tube-upgrade-stainless-v25