Best Beginner Angel?

[Toestr]

Obviously not beginner paintballer, but what are some good Angels to get as a first one (as far as price, maintenance, reliability, etc.)? The only other electros I own are an SP1, and a Promaster, both of which I've done pretty extensive rebuilds on (to the noid).

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[Hobbes]

Angel LCD. They lasted awhile and were plentiful so parts can be found for sure. They are also one of the more reliable versions IMO. The IR3 would be a similar option though LCD screens for that are harder to find if you were to run a stock board.

[Siress]

Don't forget that you may need some specialty tools to work on angels. The LCD is pretty easy, but it helps to have the proper tool kit. The LPR gauge adapter is probably the only one that's really necessary if you plan to do some honest tuning. The rest of the tools you can get at home depot or the ilk. You'll also need shims and gaskets that I think are proprietary. I don't know if those are widely available these days.

[lew]

LCD, followed by IR3. LED's aren't too much trouble if you are careful about the wiring should you disassemble it.

If you have an aftermarket board, you'll be golden. Stock boards are hit-or-miss given their age.

[Siress]

I recall the Angel LED solenoid ("14 way") as being the least serviceable item (of things that can be serviced) that I've seen in the paintball industry. Squeezing the valve body ~1mm CS o-rings through the split opening in the back of the body was agonizing. That's a real concern considering the age of those o-rings. I was seeing failures back in '04, and I'm sure 16 more years haven't improved their condition. Same concern for all of the electronics, really. That wire harness, in particular, was awful; prone to corrosion failures after playing in the rain IIRC.

[DavidBoren]

Single trigger LED... send it to East Coast Angel for the PM board conversion.

Then send it to SSC for the pump conversion...

[Roger7pball]

Single trigger LED... send it to East Coast Angel for the PM board conversion.

Or do it yourself, why pay someone else to have the fun 😁

Edit - I can send schematic if anyone wants to virtue their LED

[Roger7pball]

Might as well use a Brass Eagle Talon.

Haha I’m probably the only one on MCB that thinks it’s ridiculous to convert a gun to pump. Let’s undo all the R&D a company went thru to get back to the basics. Next let’s take a Bugatti Veyron, remove the 4 turbos, and replace the injectors with carburetors.

Sorry...a pump Angel probably is fun 😁

[Siress]

haha, exactly how I feel. Never shot a cobbled together pump that felt as good as a cheap-o Nelson or Sniper. Those don't seem to be so cheap these days, though... I *might* consider a pump spool valve for a quieter shot without going stack tubed.

[lew]

Wurd. Converting an Angel to a pump should result in at least one finger being taken from the offending party.

[Tarsun2]

if you know your way around an electro, you can figure it out.
there are still people that work on every generation too. Parts are a little harder to come by but as long as you take care of it, you should be fine.
Predator made and sold rebuild-able rams for the A1 platform and you can find A1's all over.
just make sure you get a manual and actually read it.

[punkncat]

IMO the best Angel is the G7 platform. Parts for those are getting stupid hard to find. The A4 is a great marker and I would consider it the pinnacle of the LCD's evolution. If you can find them, the ARK and the A1 Fly are good markers. The standard A1 really should be avoided. One of the major issues you will be dealing with on LCD and up to the G series is roll back of the ball in breech. A "fix" for that is to roll the ram forward a little. Makes it near impossible to open the roto breech and if you go too far you ruin your valve.

Something else to consider here...if you like the format/layout of an Angel, don't overlook the AKA Viking.

[Toestr]

Thanks for the advice guys. Basically the majority of what I'm hearing is for the late 90s- early 2000s models, and 1 for the most recent generation.

There's a regular A1 sitting in the back room of a local shop. Not sure on functionality, but I assume not since it's been there for a few years. Would it be worth getting for any amount of money? The shop owner has been known to sell backroom stuff for cheap.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[punkncat]

Thanks for the advice guys. Basically the majority of what I'm hearing is for the late 90s- early 2000s models, and 1 for the most recent generation.

There's a regular A1 sitting in the back room of a local shop. Not sure on functionality, but I assume not since it's been there for a few years. Would it be worth getting for any amount of money? The shop owner has been known to sell backroom stuff for cheap.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

If it's complete, it would possibly be worth looking into. There are quality rebuildable rams available for them. Beyond that it will be hit and miss as to whether you have a lot of breech rattle and such. The tolerances on the Chinese made A1 can go from lucky good to standard poor and worse.

[Tarsun2]

If nothing else, the A1 would be a good way to get your foot in the door. You can see if its for you or not.
Also, its pretty neat when you go on the field with an Angel and people know exactly what it is and how great they are (or used to be)

[MikeyWonder]

I think the A1 is far from a good "beginner angel." An LCD with a new battery or an aftermarket board (Enoch) is definitely the most user friendly. Parts regularly available, and easy to work on.

[Tarsun2]

The only reason im thinking the A1 is because they can be purchased for "cheap" and if you get a bad one, you wont be in too deep. Also, the older ones were big, heavy, and blind. The designs were all pretty similar across the board as well; a few tweaks here and there but the same layout. (tri-tube, shimmed lpr, ram engine, roto breach, and vert hpr).

i would agree that the SB would be an awful choice for a first angel though LoL

if you know your way around a marker and have a manual and youtube, im sure you could adapt to an angel whatever generation you get.

the LCD's are allot simpler though as you stated. i agree

[the_matrix_guy]

I know this is kinda of an old thread, but I thought I'd necromance it anyway . I have an 05 Speed en route, I was wondering why no one recommends the 05-06 Speeds? As per Brad from East Coast Angels, he says it's one of the most reliable and user friendly Angels out of the box. I am no Angel guru myself, so I defer to you guys...