Paintball - What's there to know?

[Krypt_]

Hey guys. I'm a noob when it comes to paintball (only played with my friends twice) and I've been checking out various sites searching for a nice beginner set of gear so I can finally stop borrowing my friends Tippmann. 

I'm looking for a gun that is at a reasonable price, yet it very effective and of good quality (if at all possible), and possibly a new mask and other apparel.

I have a total of $650 to spend. Tell me what you think I should get!

[PANZERCATWAGON]

$650 isn't going to get you very far I'm afraid. The paintball buisness is a rip-off buisness, they like to get every last half-penny out of you.

[reckon]

Ebay is the best way to go for paintball.
I got a spyder and all my gear for under 150.

[SDFilm]

The paintball buisness is a rip-off buisness

Maybe so, but no-one beats GamesWorkshop at unashamed rip-offs

[BondJamesBond]

If you're still a beginner, stick with Tippman.

[Krypt_]

If you're still a beginner, stick with Tippman.

Yea, my friend suggested I stick with one as well. I took the liberty to check out their page and there is this little ad thing for creating your own special custom A5 or X7 model...should I stick with a newer model like the X7 or A5 or go for something a little more classic and maybe simple? I really like the hopper on the X7 model a lot. It's nice when I added the railguards on too...but it may just be overkill for a first gun.

If possible, I'm willing to spend a little more for quality if it gets me anywhere. Dunno.

[Pred]

Don't they have guns at your paintball place?

They do at mine, and you always see jackasses walking around with big silver guns that do sweet f.a. when it comes to the game. Sure, they might make you better at shooting other people, but what really counts  is how much you get hit. Besides, the raise in your shooting ability to small to justify spending hundred of dollars on a gun.

[a-4-year-old]

Tippmann is pneumatic, that is very important. If you play in the woods then it isn't a problem, but if you play speed ball you need a electronic.

You want to spend the majority of your money on extras. I would infinitely recommend tippmann 98 custom. It is reliable and the gun itself is cheap.

Get aftermarket:
Barrel (I have had bad experiences with the flatline,
Goggles (they fog up like london)
a 20 oz tank
A remote (it takes the very heavy tank off of the gun, so it is balanced and lighter.
a belt or vest to hold the remote and Pods for extra paintballs
a squeegy for the barrel
a parts kit

[Dio]

I'm not sure if they'll fit into a paintball mask, but definately look at getting a pair of KTM Dragon goggles. They're super comfortable, don't fog up too bad, insanely tough (I've run over them several times with an ATV) and look cool to boot.

[Funky monkey]

I've got maybe some thing (a site like ebay), but the problem is that its fully for the netherlands (you still can try ^^)