Alright, I’ve got a couple months, so I’ll start perusing the BST here and see what I come up with! Thanks for helping me think this through. I think I’ll be looking for a used Emek, because the hive mind has spoken 😂
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While I agree that an Emek is a good bang for your buck, I would also look at a low-mile Mini as an option. They are very compact and light, which is important for younger players. They are pretty reliable, as long as you don't get a clapped-out one, and they are damn cheap.
"When you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it." - Theodore Roosevelt
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You can find used Emek in the 250-300 range depending on upgrades. It will work flawlessly especially for what you need. I would look for a close to stock one if you are looking to keep the price down. Both my kids run the HK36ci tanks they are nice and short with reasonable capacity so they can still shoot a good amount of paint if they want. It’s also short enough that they can shoulder the setup and still get it up to there eye to aim. Something important for proper form. The lighter the setup the easier they can keep the marker up again good form. I just throw a PBDNA JoLo hopper on the top it’s a 60 ish round hopper that we fill off 50 round pods.
The biggest issue I found was pod packs don’t fit them. But I think I got that figured out. I’m using a duty belt type nylon belt because it adjusts small enough and some 50round pod holders.
Start with a good dual pain lens mask having the ability to see good is super important. It helps them learn the game. Pad them up good hand and neck protection especially. I found small gorilla grip gloves at Home Depot that work great. Bandana around the neck works great for adding neck protection. I use denim but any loose fitting clothing on the thicker side will help dead impacts. The less they fear getting shot the more they can really get into the game.
Last few times out they been shooting the pumps I setup for them.
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Good info above by Ducky.
One thing to note - Emeks are $300 new, so be mindful of the price if you’re considering buying a used one. Personally, I wouldn’t pay anything above $200 for one unless I knew the seller well and had 100% trust in what I was buying.
Also, for gloves you may consider youth-sized, full-fingered mountain bike gloves (or women’s if the boys are big enough). They’ll help protects their hands/fingers without compromising grip or tactile sensation which will help make reloading a little easier.
And lastly, here is a full set-up on eBay. I messaged the member who listed it and the Empire tank is a 68/4500 with a 01/2024 born-on date.
https://ebay.us/m/KcR0WYLast edited by The G-FOURce; 01-18-2026, 04:36 PM.Comment
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Do you need a good mask for him? If you do let me know and I’ll give you one.Red OneComment
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He’s got an old one he’s been wearing. It works ok, has a thermal lens so it doesn’t fog. The strap is cinched up as tight as it can go though. Know of any smaller masks good for kids? -
Hmm. I’ll have to dig around and see if I can find him one. He wore the hood up on his winter coat last time because it was so cold haha
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Personally I would grab him a spyder first. He can learn the basics of it. Anything can be fixed in minutes and most likely by asking the guy next to you spare parts. The emek is great but more of an advanced beginner gun due to price and it's relative complexity compared to a one pin spyder take down.
And let's be honest. He is always going to end up with a second gun like we all do. Might as well make that the emek once he does a few games with the spyder.
I give spyders away all the time to kids because I want them to get into the game as easily as possible. If I'm at a field and he is enjoying playing with his rental gun he is almost certainly going to walk out with his own free Spyder. I like paying it forward.Comment
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I was leaning more toward the spyder because I have a special place in my heart for them. But I made the mistake of letting him play with my Etha2, and he’s very accurate with it, so I decided to spend more and go with the Emek. That being said, I will still keep my eyes open for spyders in the future
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Wilfortina As previously mentioned, I picked up the markers from my friend. You're welcome to one or both of them, but also as previously mentioned, I'd recommend the Spyder for a smaller person. The Tippmann 98 Custom could use a blasting and repainting, but it functions as it should. The Spyder Compact 2000 is in better cosmetic shape, but it could use a spring kit to get the velocity up some. Chrono results on CO2, slow and fast rates of fire, for each marker are shown below.Attached FilesLast edited by nak81783; 01-25-2026, 07:38 PM.Comment
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I appreciate the offer!
Full disclosure: I picked him up an Emek I ran across for just over $200 already, so somebody else probably needs these more than I do. That said, these would make great loaners for his buddies when they come over to play! -
Wilfortina They’re yours for shipping cost. My buddy and I just want to see them get used.
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while i love those grey body spyders, i never did care for the asa regs.
if going with a spyder, id stick with the newer versions, pretty much any of the matte painted spyders.
the Victor is a bare bones honest marker with some good features. Light and simple. Clamping feed neck, bearing detent, double trigger, quick release delrin bolt, and very few o-rings to go bad.
the Xtra and Sonix add a fore grip vertical reg, which is nice.
then then Pilot removes the clamping feed neck but adds electricity with eyes while the Fenix adds the clamping feed neck back on.
Personally, i love the Electra w/ EYE. ive seen a dude with this marker go head to head with a boutique marker and come out victorious; beautiful under dog story.
Clamping feed neck, duel detents, 2 peace barrel, adjustable vertical reg, quick release delrin bolt, 9v battery, on/off asa, and a 3 way(?) adjustable magnetic trigger. its light, short, and shoots nicely.
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when my stepson turned 10 I gave him a choice of 3 markers for a game, spyder, automag, & ats (i made custom grips to fit his hands for both styles), he chose ats for lightness & speed (at10 configuration with hopper mag, everyone loves the full auto switch...). of course, he didn't play again, never caught the bug, but I keep the markers running & the grips around should he change his mindComment
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To add on to the emek option, I highly recommend the 100 rd pal hopper. My wife is on the smaller side so I got her an emek with a carbon fiber stubby tank and the small pal hopper. It's super lightweight and allows her to use smaller pods as well which is a nice bonus for smaller people. I wouldn't use it with the intent of ripping on the trigger but it's a great reliable setup that's lightweight as can be.Comment
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I prefer the JoLo personally it feeds plenty fast enough for the emek it’s super light and excepts a 50 round pod of paint.
My youngest has been shooting my T2 the last few times out he actually dose pretty good with the pump. I flipped the drop back around so it nice and short. Had to spin the reg on then bolt it up to get it to fit. But it’s nice and short and he can get it up to his eye to aim easily.
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