Dye Recommendations

[TurmoilB1899]

Good Morning Dye Fam!

As i have posted not too long about about In-line regulator recommendations for my Dm5, i have another question. I am just now dipping my toes back in the game, i also am not wanting to splash a lot of cash on a 'newer' model Dye marker, as i am not sure this will be a long term thing. I am looking at Dm's between 10-15'. I also have found some NT's in the same price range as the Dm's, but never shot one before. I have seen several people mention, mostly on the Nation that the NT had some issues, but was mainly caused by the user being unfamiliar.

With that being said, i am turning to the experts some some recommendations from past use!


As always, thanks in advance!!

[Hobbes]

The Dye DLS reminds of the NT. A product that was super expensive but also had several issues that needed to be patched. I would stick to the tried and true.

One issue with DMs of that era is the availability of the grippy bits. Once they fall off it's tough to find replacements, especially if you're after a certain color.

Depending on your budget, thanks to the terrible resale value of new Dye markers, you may want to consider a used DSR, M2, or even M3 as well.

[TurmoilB1899]

Thanks for the feedback! I have looked into the M2's, as that would fall into my budget at this time. Between wife, bills and life in general, i am not for sure I'll be in the game long. With that being said, that is why i wanted to stay in the DM area. Couldn't justify spending ~500, if i start playing again and decide to stop. But, i definitely appreciate the guidance! I am leaning more to staying with as you said, tried and true DM series.

[tyronejk]

NTs have an inherent design issue that causes them to be rough on paint. The only real solution is a custom made bolt kit that was designed by IronyUSA/John who now works at Dye.

As for DMs of those years, they're mostly good except their eyepipes are still relatively fragile. I still shoot a DM9 but that's only because I have a brass eyepipe for it, which is rare and hard to find. I'm not sure I'd use a DM older than an M2 as a primary otherwise.

[TurmoilB1899]

Thanks for the feedback! Ive always been a Matrix person since 2003 and feel extremely comfortable maintaining/fixing/breaking down, etc. I have found a few Dm10/11/12/15 in all pretty good shape (especially focusing on the rubber bits as Hobbes mentioned) all in the 3/400 range.

[Trbo323]

I'm not sure I'd use a DM older than an M2 as a primary otherwise.

Why? I was using a dm6 as a primary until 2021. The largest reason I switched was because my taste and marker changed over anything I still have it it's just more of a backup

That said, the eye pipe is the problem. Everything that is dm7 or newer uses it. The newer stuff also seems more picky about o-rings.

So my question to you is what is your actual priority here? If it's to own a newer marker with a dye logo on the side eBay type in dye and buy whateverb is in your budget

If you're looking for something that is newer and spool valve, there are lots of other options out there they just don't say dye on the side


Just as an example a vanguard demon. 2012, integrated rechargable battery (you can upgrade it as well) one of the best boards I think have ever been put in a marker. Full color LCD that is bright enough to see in sunlight. They shoot extremely well easily on par if not better than most dye markers

They have a few quarks, you need to make sure and charge the battery just before playing because they will drain even with the board off. Even still they will usually last for a few days. It's a good idea to get an early Gen 2 as the latter ones had some tolerance issues. They used three different style of o-ring but they are pretty easy to get a hold of.

They are really good markers and on the market today they're typically around $300. It's a lot of features and performance for that kind of a price tag

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[tyronejk]

Correction: I wouldn't use a DM7-DM15 due to the eyepipe issues. My DM9 with brass eyepipe is an amazing shooting gun and one I'm planning on keeping forever. If I was stuck with the original plastic eyepipe that is almost guaranteed to eventually break and eventually be NLA, I would avoid DMs. A DM6 would be near the top of my list though, since it avoids the eyepipe issue altogether.

[TurmoilB1899]

Well if thats the case, ill just use my current Dm5 set up and avoid all that eye-pipe crap..hahaha

[TurmoilB1899]

Thanks for the responses, Gents!. I wouldn't say i am strictly Dye, more so loyal to the Matrix's in general which Dye just happens to make. Just an overall familiar feeling and just knowing that i can feel comfortable breaking the marker down and repairing when needed, .well, as long as the parts are still avail, haha! Not looking to drop too much cash flow, as I mentioned i might start playing again and be like, welp that was fun and be done.. I do love Spools and have looked at Geo 3.5s as my brother was a loyal P.E guy so i am semi-familiar, but thats even pushing over the limit i have for myself.

[cellophane]

The Dye DLS reminds of the NT. A product that was super expensive but also had several issues that needed to be patched. I would stick to the tried and true.

What issues does the DLS have? I live under a rock...

[Hobbes]

My understanding is that they are hard on paint, so a new V2 bolt kit was released for free. I've seen some complains about burrs on the ULS tip as well.

[TurmoilB1899]

Haven't looked much into the DLS, as much as i have the M2/M3 if i decide (wife approved) on splurging.

[Trbo323]

I'm always up the impression that if you only plan to shoot it for a few years the Geo is fine if you want to keep it running longer than that it's pretty big question mark as to if you can get parts. Buddy of mine has a Geo I don't remember exactly which one what the problem is PE changes things in each Geo and when they do that they basically stop making the older parts of anything major ever breaks on his it basically becomes a paper weight in this point.

If you want to do a PE spool I'd say look into the Etha 2 or 3. It's easily the most ubiquitous platform right now because it's the same valve train as the emek so parts are really easy to come by

Do you specifically want an e marker? Because there's lots of good mechanicals out there these days

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[TurmoilB1899]

I'm always up the impression that if you only plan to shoot it for a few years the Geo is fine if you want to keep it running longer than that it's pretty big question mark as to if you can get parts. Buddy of mine has a Geo I don't remember exactly which one what the problem is PE changes things in each Geo and when they do that they basically stop making the older parts of anything major ever breaks on his it basically becomes a paper weight in this point.

If you want to do a PE spool I'd say look into the Etha 2 or 3. It's easily the most ubiquitous platform right now because it's the same valve train as the emek so parts are really easy to come by

Do you specifically want an e marker? Because there's lots of good mechanicals out there these days

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Yes sir, i would prefer an E-marker. This is the strongest itch to play i have had since '08. Before that i was playing CFOAs from '03-05 then a few 7-man tournys on the east coast. Always ran a Matrix, with the exception of running an Alias and a Lasoya Timmy a few tournaments. I am partial to the old school Tim's but my god are they hard to find, well at least in my brief searches. As mentioned, I would 'prefer' to stay in the Matrix family, especially since i am not sure ill be in this for the long-haul, which i hope i can be.

[Trbo323]

Well if that's the case and as long as you don't mind putting up with the crack pipe I'd say maybe try for a DSR if they can be found in your price range

If you don't want to deal with the eye pipe you have to go all the way back to the dm6 which isn't necessarily A bad thing

I would stay away from the rail line while they will certainly be in your budget they are also pretty terrible

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[TurmoilB1899]

Much appreciated friend!

[Señor Leo]

Not sure if this will be any help but; I recently bought a 2010 Proto Matrix Rail (PMR). I didn't do anything to it and it ran great. I love the looks of it because it looks very "DYE" if you ask me. Has the original UL frame that was the hype around the time of your DM5. I can't say whether they all ran well, but mine does. The 2010 has the "upgrades" from the factory and even comes in a cool little case. The 2007-2010 PMR's are recognizable by the eye covers. The newer Rails are recognizable because they don't have eye covers, and honestly look a little cheap to me.

[TurmoilB1899]

Thanks Leo! I was around quite a few of the Protos back in the day, definitely solid shooters. And yes, it has the Dye look, but not what I'm after. Everyone, please see I'm not chasing a "Dye" logo, I am an old school baller that has a semi-clear idea on what I "want".

I've found NTs the same price range as some Dm's. I know that can speak in different languages, but just trying to see what would be the best between the models.

From what I've gathered, it seems the NT "would" be the better option at the moment. I'm open to other opinions/thoughts!

[TurmoilB1899]

Actually taking a gander at DSRs as they are in my range, used that is. Thanks fam!

[Trbo323]

Actually taking a gander at DSRs as they are in my range, used that is. Thanks fam!

If I didn't hate the eye pipe so much that's what I would do.

Personally I don't have any experience with them but they avoid having all the rubber grip pads, I've heard they shoot really good and are not the rail or nt line

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[Baader]

I have had DM3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11 and now I´ve run DM14 for years. There is nothing to improve except the (price of) eyepipes which is ridiculous. Stay away of NT, they were crap.

[TurmoilB1899]

Again, thanks to all! I am going to keep an eye on DSR's for the time being.