Why doesn't anyone use tank covers, anymore?

[dutchcommando]

So I've been getting back into the sport after about 13 years, and I've noticed that very few people use actual tank covers anymore. Is there a reason why?

I ask because back when I played as a teenager, they were almost a necessity because you didn't want to scratch or chip the outer coating. Even when I bought my current tank, there wasn't many options for one that covered the entire bottle.

[Trbo323]

Because the pros stopped using them so the little sheep followed suit

I still use them

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[k_obeastly]

See also: drop forward

[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

I loved running Crown Royal bags on my tanks. Only drank it once though. Think it was an apple pie shot with everclear added.

[SniperPedik]

Depends on what you are using them for I guess, I don't think I've ever used a full tank cover as it always felt like it was getting caught on something or didn't fit tight enough to my liking. I stick with the rubber tank butts on my bigger tanks, and I've recently adopted the grippy tape they sell for my pump tanks as it does what I need it to do, without adding much extra weight or bulk.

[Ecapnation]

To.be honest... I think it's all matter of every tank now is slightly different sized and most covers were meant for a certain style of tank.

Just bought a sl77 ninja tank.... My previous ninja tank was an older 68. There isn't a 77 tank cover offered so I forced on the 68 one

[dutchcommando]

Any particular reason why not?

[Ecapnation]

Because I come from an era when HK were glorified junkies playing crappy paintball pushing over priced head bands and shirts to get their next fix.

[Daniel Tiger]

Is that not what HK is anymore…

[Jonnydread]

I still use tank covers sometimes, but I'm a big fan of the tank undies instead. Nice n grippy and not afraid to show a little fiber

[Cyberpyr8]

I bought up several a couple years ago because I realized I prefer them over the rubber butt covers and everyone had stopped making them. I want to protect the whole tank and with the new coating on the Alpha Air tanks I have, they scratch easily enough as it is. I like the full covers because even if the tank falls or has a hard hit on something they're protected. It isn't that much more weight and when you take the tape off of tanks, they are usually a mess. The rubber tank covers are a pain to get on and off too. #I'mOld #GetOffMyLawn

[Trbo323]

To.be honest... I think it's all matter of every tank now is slightly different sized and most covers were meant for a certain style of tank.

Just bought a sl77 ninja tank.... My previous ninja tank was an older 68. There isn't a 77 tank cover offered so I forced on the 68 one

If that's an sl2 77 I actually talked to ninja about this exact issue. The 77s are the same external dimensions as an older 68ci tanks so that's why 68 tank covers can work. I have a dye rhino on mine right now

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[Ecapnation]

I use the thinner neoprene style ones... I just forced it on but yes the older 68's do fit.

[Grendel]

I'm a full believer in Bottle Covers, and my favorite are the Dye Rhino covers. I think a lot has to do with impatience at some fields they actually check dates/inspect bottles and so many people hold up lines not being prepared to show the bottle Hydro dates so they just go without. I always peel back my covers on the first fill for the day just to help speed up the lines.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I always just used hockey tape. I like the rubber tank butts they shoulder nicely. I hate bulky tank covers.

My 2” round tanks get those old co2 tank stock pieces at the end maybe a lil electrical tape so the buttstock stays put.

In all my years of playing I chipped the gelcoat on one tank and that was the year ninja didn’t put enough flex additive in there Gelcoat so they cracked when you just filled them. I think they even let you send them back for repair I never did.

[iamthelazerviking]

Many tanks are coated now which is nice. And it's lower profile to not use a cover. But I still use an olddd Dye Rhino cover on a Ninja 77, fits perfectly

[Shan1Fat]

I remember when this trend started about...17 years ago lol. Back then it was to save weight. I know the average tank cover weighs next to nothing, but back when you were rocking a Halo B, a heavier bottle/reg than what we have now, and a Dye DMC every ounce counted. I still use a bottle cover.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I had someone hand me a marker (Johnny’s pump maybe) with one of those big Rino tank covers on a peanut tank. It felt so bulky and it grabbed my jersey switching hands. I didn’t like it but it sure as hell works for him (he shoots me out a lot ; ) . I guess it’s all what you like or are use to. I remember having one back in the day didn’t really like them then. I ended up taking it off as soon as I learned how to wrap the end with hockey tape. Hockey tape use to get gross after a few seasons (the paint would eat the glue) and you would need to clean it with rubbing alcohol and retape it. Then exalt came out with theres but those use to fall off all the time. We would then tape the exalt ones on sometimes hair spray to help it stay put (till it got water under it) Now they wrap around the entire bottle and are super thin. I like what exalt is doing. I definitely need something to shoulder thats sticky otherwise the tank slides around when snap shooting. But I definitely don’t care for anything on the side unless it’s one of those thin exalt bottle wrap tank butts. My big 10man tank and I think my 45/45 has has one of these since I’m more likely to bash it on the ground. The rest of my tanks have stock style plastic butts.

But I have had this one for like 10+ years or so. I want to say it’s outlasted at least 2 other bottle hydro life spans before it got stretched over my big boy bottle I still use it. Often I don’t take the time to adjust it properly after putting the bottle on other markers. It’s a pain to move but its position really don’t matter. It dose its job. I did gouge it at one point and rip it like a half inch but the tank was fine and the cover still works. Probably just caught on a stick or something in the woods.

https://exaltpaintball.com/exalt-tan...-Pirate-Small/

Also the reason you don’t see big tank covers in Air Ball / tournament play is the same reason everyone went to joggers and super tight fitting masks narrow pointed hoppers ect (Lower profile) (smaller target)

I know a lot of the oldheads like to shit on the Tournament type play here, but at the top reaction time means everything. They drill for hrs learning how to keep that profile as tight and small as possible. Gear plays a big roll in that. Like who would think that the lower bottom of a proflex would give you a disadvantage on a snap shoot battle or how you hold your head your marker position your body or wear your headgear. That’s the difference between pro an amateurs. Sure people mimic the pros without knowing why but there is a reason they do what they do. Some of its style but most of the time it’s to gain some sort of competitive advantage.

[dano_____]

I love the old Empire Bottle Gloves. They don't catch on things and aren't too bulky in my opinion. I find that I don't need the tank to be protected as much as it gives my face/body some protection from the tank. A little extra cushion when doing dives or stupid maneuvers has helped me in the past. It also just feels right to me, haha. Kind of like driving someone else's car and the seat is in a funny position when I hold a gun without a tank protector.

[acrewofone]

I loved running Crown Royal bags on my tanks. Only drank it once though. Think it was an apple pie shot with everclear added.

...can you use another?...