Nova Phantom Duckslide kits

[Chuck E Ducky]

They add a Delrin sleeve on the V2. They are posted now. Barrel kit is like $70 if you want it. I got one without it.

https://novapb.com/collections/phant...duck-version-2

[Murph]

I already have mine coming thanks to an RA. In theory. I hope these come out better.

[BubbleHead87]

I managed to grab one. Also got the barrel kit. Figured it will be the same price if I got a 6" and get it bore.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Probably right I just have a CF Deadly winds already that takes freaks.

[$L!mBo]

looks like these are just sitting now.....
This whole release was a case study in terrible business practice.
Changes and cost cutting at the cost of product quality, practically zero research into the target audience, and lazy, insincere damage control.
The whole things screams cash grab.
pretty disappointing.

[screwloose45]

According to their site stock they started with 100...which is much higher than the demand imo. I expect the remaining to be heavily discounted in the future. Phantom market is pretty niche

[binson]

I missed the v1 Nova slide sale for comparison. I grabbed this V2 to see how it compares to the original duckslide.

[XEMON]

@screwloose45
This is likely the minimum order and/or quantity discount form the fab shop ...

[BubbleHead87]

looks like these are just sitting now.....
This whole release was a case study in terrible business practice.
Changes and cost cutting at the cost of product quality, practically zero research into the target audience, and lazy, insincere damage control.
The whole things screams cash grab.
pretty disappointing.

My dumbass thought it was going to be sold out again. So I woke up just before 4 in the morning to put my order in. (I'm in Hawaii.)

[$L!mBo]

BubbleHead87 i think maybe you missed the point of my post.....
goodluck with it

[Chuck E Ducky]

Stock phantom barrels work fine on the new body. The one piece feed causes binding issues you will need to do some file work to open it up a lil for that feed. I have a different one in mind anyway. But something to consider. I haven’t tried the round head body but they may have added some extra clearance in the front.

[Lt. head-shot]

All that work and they still don't get it wide enough for the current feed...

[Chuck E Ducky]

Early feeds fit perfectly but there is still issues with the one piece. Zero wobble it’s tighter than a Regular Duck. Should be just quick work with a file. The sides come to a pretty sharp edge so it would be quick easy. Polling it would probably knock it down enough honestly. It dose operate a lot better it’s smooth with the Delrin sleeve. I’m going to knock the edges over with some wet sand paper and polish them just so it don’t catch an edge. I mig use some of that self adhesive material on the body just to give it a lil space so it rides on slick plastic keep the Aluminum on aluminum.

[Lt. head-shot]

Fair, at least they got that one.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Yeah that one don’t have an issue. 1 it’s plastic. 2 it don’t wrap as far over the body. It literally the very top edge that rubs and throws it out of alinement it’s super close.

[Psycho91]

From what I keep seeing about Nova I'll never buy a nova product I don't see them staying in the business for very long tbh, seems like they are putting out half ass products

[russc]

Tarrifs are going to nuke them

[Chuck E Ducky]

Honestly I was concerned they would remove to much material and it would make it more sloppy. But with the insert and tight tolerances on the feed area it’s very smooth. The machining looks good it won’t take much to get it to a polished finish. Im happy with it. It would take 15min a hand file and some wet sandpaper I could make it work with the one piece feed.

The fact it’s tighter and still raw it’s an easy fix by hand.

I haven’t Checked the clearance on the ASP body yet but it looks like they made some room at the front.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Tried it on the Dukie frame and I really like it. My Dukie is a right feed so I put an asp detent phantom center feed body and the nova slide converts my Dukie to center feed. I might grab another body tonight for my Dukie.

[$L!mBo]

lookin real cool with that feed

[Chuck E Ducky]

Yeah I got that from Colby. Another member made the Carter style feed gate that uses standard CCI style speed gates. I wasn’t a fan of the Oring style. Dan got me one of those stick feeds off Facebook to that thread together he made a few with standard gates for us as well. So I got one for each build. Got to figure out what Ano to go with. I’m thinking like a High gloss blood red for at least one of them.

[binson]

I was thinking of using a similar feed that vindicate sports made. This looks nice!

[Jordan]

From what I keep seeing about Nova I'll never buy a nova product I don't see them staying in the business for very long tbh, seems like they are putting out half ass products

This sort of thing happened all the time 30+ years ago - the early Cockers were horrible, Mags had problems, a lot of early blowbacks had major cycling problems, etc.

We've been spoiled the last 10 years or so with the benefits of that experience that the major paintball manufacturers have now.

To me, at least, the big thing is that someone is doing it. And not a flash in the pan hobbyist who makes a couple, drums up interest, runs a pre-order, and then disappears with the money like so many have in the last two decades.

[redsquirrel]

Well said.

[screwloose45]

Two things people need to consider. 1. it's a raw part made by a small shop, it should be polished and anodized before use which will fix most of the 'QC issues' people are upset about. 2. There seems to be an unusual amount of phantom variations / generations / combinations and I don't think nova was aware of this (I wasn't honestly and it's still confusing to me). At the end of the day they're a small shop making niche pieces for a niche consumer base. Yeah the launch hasn't gone smoothly but like Jordan said, at least someone is making them. Also can't imagine how much revenue they lost having to remake all the slides and offer an exchange for free. Again, small shop who has to eat the costs.

[Moodog]

“A small shop who has to eat the costs” - of their own mistakes. Nova wouldn’t have to eat any costs if they had just tried a little harder than scanning and shipping a part out. Lots of people on this forum offered their advice and to test parts, and Nova did what they wanted instead. Being a small shop doesn’t prevent you from learning from your mistakes. Design is an iterative process and Nova is learning that lesson the hardest way possible.

[Ecapnation]

Remake... They are likely going to fix and flip the gen 1's they get back

[binson]

Did anyone try out their phantom threaded barrel bored for nov inserts?