A little help for the noob?

[e-dub]

Before anyone wonders, this is my first post on the forum so if it is in the wrong section or anything feel free to move it.

Alright so I am looking to become a bit more serious in airsoft. A few years back, I would host little backyard wars with my spring rifle (laugh at me all you want) and I found it very fun, even though some of my friends had $200 AEGs. I also have a YouTube channel that I am looking to expand, and I thought airsoft would be a perfect avenue for me to do it with. I have about $600-700 dollars to work with, and I have come up with a short list.

Bravo M4RIS - $100
Matrix High Performance 9.6V 2300mAh Ni-MH - $30
Avengers Fast Helmet With Rails (I need it for the camera) - $60
Universal Smart Charger - $28
Goggles - $25
Half Face Mask - $25
Foregrip - $30
.2g BBs (20k Total) - $39
Barrel Covers - $2
Matrix Panorama Red Dot - $40
Lens Protector - $15
350rd M4 Mag (So I will have two total) - $12
GoPro White Edition - $200
NVG Mount - $30
32 GB SD Card - $50

$686 Total (All prices except last 3 from evike.com)

I am going for all the gear because I want the videos to look professional with decent gear in them. Do you think I could balance my budget more to accommodate my needs?

Thanks, Carson

[Abbot]

Ok, here we go. Congrats on entering the wonderful world of airsoft! Great place to be.
First off, read the stickies. Good stuff. Very important stuff. Now to your list:
1. Bravo M4RIS - $100
2. Matrix High Performance 9.6V 2300mAh Ni-MH - $30
3. Avengers Fast Helmet With Rails (I need it for the camera) - $60
4. Universal Smart Charger - $28
5. Goggles - $25
6. Half Face Mask - $25
7. Foregrip - $30
8. .2g BBs (20k Total) - $39
9. Barrel Covers - $2
10. Matrix Panorama Red Dot - $40
11. Lens Protector - $15
12. 350rd M4 Mag (So I will have two total) - $12
13. GoPro White Edition - $200
14. NVG Mount - $30
15. 32 GB SD Card - $50

Q: Ok, what do you need to airsoft?
A: A replica (be it AEG, GBB, or Spring), a magazine, full seal eye protection, and whatever is needed to proppel the bb (be it gas, batteries, or muscle), and the bbs themselves.

So you want to film your games. Ok! Now, I'm not too up to speed s when it comes to cameras, but I'm pretty dang sure it can be mounted on any NVG mount.

1. Bravo M4 RIS: My advice? Ditch it. Don't waste the money on it. Everything but the top rail on the receiver is plastic, so that barrel will undoubtedly snap. If you still want to go the cheap route, get the G&G CM. I'm sure 3/4 of this forum will back me up on this. I and many others on here have them and they work like a dream. Go with those, if you still want to go cheap. Don't cheap out on things that are important. And your gun definitely is.
2. Batteries. Buy a couple nunchuck batteries for $25 each. Easy.
3. Fast Helmet: Why? You're sinking money on something you don't need. As I said, your camera will mount on any NVG mount with the propper stuff attached. Get a MICH (2000, 2001, 2002, doesn't matter) and an NVG mount. And buy this to mount onto the NVG mount:
www.evike.com/product_info.php?products_id=36511
4. Smart Charger: Good buy.
5. Goggles: Get some ESS goggles with the turbo fan, those are nice. Or, just go with some FlakJak goggles.
6. Half face mask: Well, if you really want one, go for it, but I think it just sucks money. All you need are some simple goggles in order to play.
7. Foregrip: $30? Heck no. If you really want one, fine. But I say just scrap it, or buy a nice one like this one for about $10:
www.evike.com/index.php?cPath=28_25_115&sort=6a&filter_id=
8. .2 bbs. Yep, you'll need 'em.
9. Barrel Cover: Ok. Good idea.
10. Red Dot: IF you want one, I guess it'll be a good buy, but I'd save the money and just get other important stuff. Remember, all you need is a gun, battery, mag, eye pro, and bbs.
11. Lens Protector: Only if you get a Red dot...
12. Hi-Caps: ...High caps? No. If I were you and just starting, I'd get myself some mid-caps and or just stick with buying one more hi cap. The Elite Force 140 rd. mid caps are pretty superb.
13. And then you have all the camera stuff.

Now, the above is a good plan, but a great plan would be this:
1. G&P M4 Crane Stock $250:
www.evike.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_44_219&products_id=37369
Everyone one here but those few dirtbags will agree that G&P's are some of the best guns out there. Definitely more than worth the money they cost.
2. 2 Nunchuck Batteries (Deans Connector) $58
3. 5 Elite Force Mid Caps: $37.50
4. Chargers, barrel covers, etc.
5. Camera: $200
6. Camera mount $12.99
7: MICH 200 Helmet w/ NVG shroud $60
8. 32 GB SD Card $50
With Evike's 20% off, and with shipping, it'd be about $550. And believe me, you'd have a better time with the above mentioned stuff.
As I said, welcome to the world of airsoft! I hope you have a great time! Read the stickies, obey rules and regs, take advice, and you'll enjoy yourself. Most importantly, have fun!

[Puma1]

Oct 30, 2013 17:17:50 GMT -5 Abbot said:

Ok, here we go. Congrats on entering the wonderful world of airsoft! Great place to be.
First off, read the stickies. Good stuff. Very important stuff.

1. Bravo M4 RIS: My advice? Ditch it. Don't waste the money on it. Everything but the top rail on the receiver is plastic, so that barrel will undoubtedly snap. If you still want to go the cheap route, get the G&G CM. I'm sure 3/4 of this forum will back me up on this. I and many others on here have them and they work like a dream. Go with those, if you still want to go cheap. Don't cheap out on things that are important. And your gun definitely is.

Seconded, They're little workhorses.

Mine's still kicking after 2 games and numerous plinking sessions, not to mention the time it spent with T6e9a before me. I've actually never heard of someone getting a CM they didn't like.

As far as the high cap mid cap debate, mid caps are really nice for milsim's sake, and they often feed a lot better than high caps. As Abbot said, the 140 Elite force midcaps are the best out there for the price.

A 30$ foregrip, really? Go wtih Abbot there too.

The lower mesh mask is mainly a personal preference. I've been popped in the chin, and let me be the first to say IT HURTS. It may be worth the money depending on your pain tolerance

The red dot sight from Matrix isn't a bad idea, in fact I'll be picking one up soon if I can ever get my car fixed. However, it isn't really necessary. Most Iron sights will do just fine for the ranges and accuracy of airsoft.

Get the 9.6v butterfly batteries. It's nice to have some spares.


As for the G&P, its an insanely good rifle platform. The major added benefits of the G&P is the metal receiver, some nice internals (probably slightly better than G&G's) and the deans conectors. It seems to be a preferance thing to me as well.

That's my two cents. PM me if you need to.

Good luck!

[e-dub]

Oct 30, 2013 17:17:50 GMT -5 Abbot said:

1. Bravo M4 RIS: My advice? Ditch it. Don't waste the money on it. Everything but the top rail on the receiver is plastic, so that barrel will undoubtedly snap. If you still want to go the cheap route, get the G&G CM. I'm sure 3/4 of this forum will back me up on this. I and many others on here have them and they work like a dream. Go with those, if you still want to go cheap. Don't cheap out on things that are important. And your gun definitely is.

I respect an actual opinion, finding a good non-biased review has been hard to find. I will definitely look into that gun first thing.

2. Batteries. Buy a couple nunchuck batteries for $25 each. Easy.

As I am new to the AEG world, what would exactly be described as a nunchuck battery and would it fit in a G&P (Do you know where the battery compartment is?). I know it seems like a stupid question to you probably, but I just haven't learned yet


7. Foregrip: $30? Heck no. If you really want one, fine. But I say just scrap it, or buy a nice one like this one for about $10:
www.evike.com/index.php?cPath=28_25_115&sort=6a&filter_id=

Agreed, I just didn't know the general price range for a foregrip. My bad.

12. Hi-Caps: ...High caps? No. If I were you and just starting, I'd get myself some mid-caps and or just stick with buying one more hi cap. The Elite Force 140 rd. mid caps are pretty superb.

I was just planning on getting one more as the gun came with one, sorry for confusion, but do you still think I should stick with mid-caps? Keep in mind I don't have a chest rig to carry all the mags around.

As I said, welcome to the world of airsoft! I hope you have a great time! Read the stickies, obey rules and regs, take advice, and you'll enjoy yourself. Most importantly, have fun!

My past forum experiences have started on the bad side, hopefully I will be successful this time, it sure started well! Thanks for your time in the reply.


P.S. I think I need to work on my quoting skills

[Puma1]

Oct 30, 2013 19:33:18 GMT -5 e-dub said:

Oct 30, 2013 17:17:50 GMT -5 Abbot said:

1. Bravo M4 RIS: My advice? Ditch it. Don't waste the money on it. Everything but the top rail on the receiver is plastic, so that barrel will undoubtedly snap. If you still want to go the cheap route, get the G&G CM. I'm sure 3/4 of this forum will back me up on this. I and many others on here have them and they work like a dream. Go with those, if you still want to go cheap. Don't cheap out on things that are important. And your gun definitely is.

I respect an actual opinion, finding a good non-biased review has been hard to find. I will definitely look into that gun first thing.

2. Batteries. Buy a couple nunchuck batteries for $25 each. Easy.

As I am new to the AEG world, what would exactly be described as a nunchuck battery and would it fit in a G&P (Do you know where the battery compartment is?). I know it seems like a stupid question to you probably, but I just haven't learned yet


7. Foregrip: $30? Heck no. If you really want one, fine. But I say just scrap it, or buy a nice one like this one for about $10:
www.evike.com/index.php?cPath=28_25_115&sort=6a&filter_id=

Agreed, I just didn't know the general price range for a foregrip. My bad.

12. Hi-Caps: ...High caps? No. If I were you and just starting, I'd get myself some mid-caps and or just stick with buying one more hi cap. The Elite Force 140 rd. mid caps are pretty superb.

I was just planning on getting one more as the gun came with one, sorry for confusion, but do you still think I should stick with mid-caps? Keep in mind I don't have a chest rig to carry all the mags around.

As I said, welcome to the world of airsoft! I hope you have a great time! Read the stickies, obey rules and regs, take advice, and you'll enjoy yourself. Most importantly, have fun!

My past forum experiences have started on the bad side, hopefully I will be successful this time, it sure started well! Thanks for your time in the reply.


P.S. I think I need to work on my quoting skills

When you want to quote something, all you need to do is start under the quote coding, which is the [ / quote ] thing.

If you have no vest, it would probably be advisable to stick with the hichcaps.

In M4 variants, the batteries are either stored in the buttstock or the fore grip: (The areas circled in red) Usually, if the gun has rails (RIS) the batteries in the crane stock. This will be most of the CM series.



Butterfly batteries look like this:

www.evike.com/product_info.php?products_id=29458

I've had no real problems getting them into my crane stock.

Nunchuck batteries look like this:

www.evike.com/product_info.php?products_id=38345

I have no real experience with them, but Abbot probably does.

Finally, the G&P has the battery stored in the crane stock.

hope I helped.

[Abbot]

Actually, nunchuck batteries and butterfly batteries are the same thing. Labeled differently sometimes, but they are the same thing.

Agreed, if you don't have a chest rig or vest, stick with hi-caps. My brother owns this chest rig and it's held up pretty good to a lot of beating over the year or so he's owned it:
www.airsoftmegastore.com/2337-NCS-CVAKCR2921T-NcStar-Tactical-6-Pocket-AK-Chest-Rig-TAN.aspx
Pretty cheap, and it'll hold the mags for you.

[Gimpalong]

Oct 30, 2013 16:14:54 GMT -5 e-dub said:

Before anyone wonders, this is my first post on the forum so if it is in the wrong section or anything feel free to move it.

Alright so I am looking to become a bit more serious in airsoft. A few years back, I would host little backyard wars with my spring rifle (laugh at me all you want) and I found it very fun, even though some of my friends had $200 AEGs. I also have a YouTube channel that I am looking to expand, and I thought airsoft would be a perfect avenue for me to do it with. I have about $600-700 dollars to work with, and I have come up with a short list.

Bravo M4RIS - $100
Matrix High Performance 9.6V 2300mAh Ni-MH - $30
Avengers Fast Helmet With Rails (I need it for the camera) - $60
Universal Smart Charger - $28
Goggles - $25
Half Face Mask - $25
Foregrip - $30
.2g BBs (20k Total) - $39
Barrel Covers - $2
Matrix Panorama Red Dot - $40
Lens Protector - $15
350rd M4 Mag (So I will have two total) - $12
GoPro White Edition - $200
NVG Mount - $30
32 GB SD Card - $50

$686 Total (All prices except last 3 from evike.com)

I am going for all the gear because I want the videos to look professional with decent gear in them. Do you think I could balance my budget more to accommodate my needs?

Thanks, Carson

What things do you absolutely need to play?

AEG
High-capacity magazine
Batteries
Battery charger
Eye protection
Decent footwear


I'll go through point-by-point.

1. AEG

I'll say flat out that you're not spending enough on your AEG. $100 is simply too little to get you a decent quality rifle that will be durable and reliable in the long run.
Take a look at some of the mainstream brands (CA, G&G, G&P, KA, VFC, ICS, TM, KWA, Ares, LCT). If you buy a rifle from one of these manufacturers, you're going to get something that is solid and reliable. I would avoid anything that is a so-called "clone" or "All China Made" (ACM) like products from JG, Dboys, Lancer Tactical, Cyma, Javelin or any of the re-branding companies like UTG or Echo 1.

I'd say you're going to want to spend at least $200-$300 on your AEG. You've already got a $600-$700 budget which is more than ample to buy a really nice rifle. To think about it another way, you wouldn't buy a $100 mountain bike and put $400 tires on it, would you? Or a $400 hard-drive for a computer with a $100 CPU?

In airsoft you really do get what you pay for. If you buy something cheap you'll end up paying more in the long run as you'll need to either replace or upgrade.

2. Helmet

Have you worn a helmet in an airsoft game before? If not, you might want to go out to an actual game and try one for a few hours. Some people love helmets and other people hate them.

3. Goggles

You've only got one set of eyes. Don't skimp on protecting them. In addition, even if you have an amazing rifle, it won't matter if you can't see anything. Invest in some ESS, Wiley-X, Bolle or similar goggles that have a fog-proof or fog-resistant lens. Fogging is a major issue that happens at nearly every event. The less fogging you experience the more fun you'll have.

4. Half-face mask

Are you intending to play in-door or out-door? If you're playing in-door, a face-mask might be a solid buy. For out-door play, I've rarely seen them prove useful. Usually ranges are so great outdoor that BB hits, even in the face, don't hurt much. This is all personal preference, however.

5. High-Capacity magazine

If you must have more than one magazine starting out, think about investing in some mid-caps rather than an additional high-cap. A lot of games place restrictions on high-capacity magazines.

6. GoPro, NVG mount, SD Card

Unless you're buying the GoPro for another activity or because you're really good at video editing, I'd forego buying one solely for airsoft. The vast majority of GoPro videos I've seen are terrible. The camera is either looking at the ground, the sky or some random patch of grass or trees. It's exceedingly rare, in my experience, to capture actual kills on film since a lot of the time the target is beyond the range of the camera or obscured by brush. The money you'd save on not buying a GoPro could go into buying a nice AEG.



To conclude, I would suggest that you buy just the necessities and then play a few games before investing in more items. As you play you'll find out what you like, what items you want and which items you don't even need. Don't rush into spending a ton of money before you figure out what your preferences are. I can guarantee that you'll learn more by getting out to a game and talking to people, asking to see their kit, playing with a couple of different rifles, than you'll learn from asking a few questions on this forum.

Welcome to the sport, and good luck!

[voodoo]

Welcome! And wow everyone before me has a TON of very good input haha. I'll keep mine short and to the point.

1. Get a G&G Combat Machine, in my opinion it's probably the best bang for the buck for a start. (I still use and LOVE my CM)
2. A couple mid cap mags. Having to wind the mag is annoying! Not to mention the unnecessary noise high caps make when you're trying to flank fast and quiet.
3. A good battery. 2 are better but not necessary just to get out and play.
4. Good socks and boots. Make sure they fit right and don't skimp out!

Other than all that you sound like you got it. The camera stuff and helmet are all personal preference. Get what fits your play style. Oh and as for bb's, again don't skimp! You wouldn't put $1/qt oil in your race cars engine! Don't put cheap bb's in your AEG! And for goggles again just look for something full seal, and a pair that fit your play style. Just research to get some that aren't prone to fogging!

Now I've said my thoughts now I'll let it be. Have fun and again welcome.