AKA Viking or Excalibur

[automeister]

So I am interested in finding one of these. When did AKA stop making them? Which one do folks on here generally prefer in terms of performance? Which one is considered more desirable from a collectible standpoint?

[Fossilhead]

Stopped production in 2004.
Viking is my choice.
Owned one years back.
Really cool marker.

[Jordan]

I like Excals and will add one to the collection one day.

[Ecapnation]

Honestly.... Aside from their efficiency I never could get into them..just so damn large. Same reason I couldn't shoot older shockers. It was like trying to snap shoot with a VCR.

[Fossilhead]

😆
The cut up ones are really nice though.

[Ecapnation]

Well yes... They cut off half of the original gun!

[Hellion360]

Viking is super fast open bolt poppet.
Excalibur is very quiet, closed bolt, slower.
Both Really well made.

Vikings are a lot like older WDP Angels really, but no roto-breach issues. Aside from solenoids wearing out after 20 years of use, they are pretty trouble free.

I have owned many of each, and currently own one green 2k2 (same as 2k3) viking. It shoots just as well as the day it was made. Fast, efficient, pretty quiet. Big, but not onerously heavy.

[Tracker]

2004

performance wise, the viking was faster, with half as much stuff to break/leak..
the excal is more valuable from a collectors standpoint, both from a lower number produced to the fact that, to this day, it's still one of the cleanest ways to accomplish the idea of a pure closed bolt electro, there's never been another one since that i can recall

[imped4now]

Well stated - I can't think of a closed bolt electropneumatic marker with cleaner packaging.

[Gunangel]

Honestly.... Aside from their efficiency I never could get into them..just so damn large. Same reason I couldn't shoot older shockers. It was like trying to snap shoot with a VCR.

I'd agree, had one that was fully milled, beautiful anno and cool to look at, but very awkward handling and just large for a modern marker. Wish I kept it for the legacy, but hard when it is just so large.

[Grendel]

I keep my eye out for a Blind Excalibur with no fancy milling. Unlike some in the thread I don't want a "modern" electro as to me they lack soul and never felt concerned about "heavier" markers not that AKA markers really were heavy or unwieldy to me.

[Olsson]

What is the approximate value for a functioning Excal, just the standard one with no fancy milling or anno?

[Tarsun2]

the only logical thing to do here, is get both.

[Frmrspec]

What is the approximate value for a functioning Excal, just the standard one with no fancy milling or anno?

values are really all over the place... There's usually tiers as for value.. the lowest value would be a blind 2k2/2k3 with mac solenoids/ nelson board which I've seen as low as 400... but realistically probably 5-600, next would be 2k2/2k3 with eyes and was board 700-800, anything upgraded i.e. scifi board, single trigger, etc adds certain value.... be cautious of any aka marker with Mac solenoids. they are difficult to source and non rebuildable (although considered "smoother" options)

[Grendel]

Yup, I think your pricing is spot on.

[automeister]

I appreciate all the help. If anyone ever has one they want to part with let me know. I want to try these markers. They seem funky but it seems many folks really have good things to say about them. Any particular model I should definitely steer clear of?