Paintballs are dropped into the breech and subsequently into the barrel of a semi-automatic paintball marker by a hopper or loader that is attached to the top by the feed neck. The hard plastic is the material used to make hoppers. There are various varieties of paintball hoppers, namely the Electronic, Gravity-fed, Eye-activated, Sound-activated, and Cyclone. Each type has a different mechanism.
Complete Guide Paintball Hoppers Work
Electric Paintball Hoppers
A gun with an electronic hopper powered by batteries can fire around 16 paintballs per second. Additionally, variable electronic hopper levels allow for the firing of even more paintballs. A paintball gun with an electronic hopper may fire more than 50,000 paintballs before the battery runs out.
If you play paintball frequently, the battery will probably need to be changed after around seven months. Since paintballs can frequently become lodged, many people believe that pure gravity-fed hoppers are untrustworthy.
Additionally, the marker will malfunction if you try to force-feed more than 40 paintballs per second through it. Beginner paintball players frequently use gravity-fed hoppers or the most basic electronic hoppers.
Gravity-Fed Paintball Hoppers
Paintballs are dropped into the marker’s breach by gravity from the gravity-fed hopper. As a result, it is regarded as the most fundamental hopper style. Although this hopper is claimed to function effectively, paintballs are not fed quickly. In reality, the pistol can only fire eight paintballs per second, which is a low rate. Therefore, it is not unexpected that seasoned players favor speedier hoppers.
Must Read: How fast do a Paintball Shots?
Eye-Activated Paintball Hoppers
You are able to see how many paintballs are in the tube with the eye-activated hopper. The motor shuts off if the tube is filled. The motor starts up, and more paintballs are pumped into the tube if it is empty. This kind of hopper allows a rifle to fire 20 balls per second.
Read More Pro-Tips to Clean a Paintball Gun
Sound Activated Paintball Hoppers
The microphone on the sound-activated hoppers is connected to the releasing mechanism. The noise triggers the mechanism, which then releases a new paintball each time you fire a paintball. This type of hopper allows a gun to fire 20 paintballs in a single burst.
Cyclone Paintball Hoppers
Gas is used to feed a gun with a hopper that is actuated by a cyclone. The hopper is powered by gas; thus, there is no need for a battery. This hopper-equipped gun can fire 15 paintballs per second. This kind of hopper also lessens the possibility that paintballs will shatter while being fired.
The Right Paintball Hopper
The paintball hopper that is right for you is dependent on several factors. Let’s take a look them.
The Degree To Which You Plan To Compete
When selecting the right hopper, keeping in mind the degree of paintball game competition you intend to play is crucial. Of course, it will have an impact on the hopper’s price, and it will influence how many paintballs you wish to fire every minute.
Ensuring That Your Rifle Fits The Hopper
Most paintball guns can fit most hoppers. Some commercially available firearms, meanwhile, might not work with your hopper. Many paintballers advise you to check with the business that made the pistol you use to see if the hopper you’re thinking about will fit.
Quantity of Paintballs It Can Contain
Choose a hopper that can contain at least 100 paintballs if you’re looking for one that can hold a lot of paintballs. By doing this, you’ll avoid having to stop and reload your gun with paintballs. A high-end hopper should ideally be able to carry 200 paintballs.
How Much The Hopper Weighs
A hefty hopper will make it difficult for you to use the gun comfortably, so you should avoid using one that is too heavy. To ensure that carrying the rifle around won’t make you too exhausted, you should look for a hopper that is both lightweight and strong. The general consensus is that the hopper shouldn’t weigh more than two pounds.
Hopper Dimensions
A paintball beginner should seek out a hopper that can accommodate at least 50 paintballs. A hopper that stores at least 100 paintballs will be preferred by players with greater experience and players with higher skill levels than novices. This guarantees that you can keep firing while your opponents must reload.
Convenient to Use
You ought to find the rifle with the integrated hopper easy to operate and carry. Keep in mind that this competition will involve a lot of running, crouching down behind bushes, trees, or other obstacles, and possibly even touching the ground. Most importantly, the firearm must match your shooting style.
Matching The Desired Rate Of Fire
You want a gun with a hopper that will deliver a rate of fire that outperforms your opponent, depending on the level of competition. Your best option is definitely a hopper that falls into the midrange or high-end category.
Durability
If you take paintball seriously, you can play the sport in almost any kind of weather. To ensure that the color of the hopper won’t fade and that it will last for a long time, you need a strong hopper that can withstand the sun’s rays.
A Reasonable Cost
Your willingness to spend money on a hopper will rely on how enthused you are about the game. Any price is obviously too high if you have no interest in the item. But if you love playing paintball games, you’ll probably be more eager to shell out cash for a better hopper.
The basic rule of thumb with paintball hoppers is that the more money you are prepared to spend, the better the hopper. However, certain brands may mark up their products inexplicably. Therefore, think about your budget before you even reach the stage when you’re prepared to choose a hopper.
Adequate Warranty
Get the hopper covered by a solid guarantee if you want to use it frequently. Choose a hopper that comes with a warranty that is at least 30 days or better.
Looks
For some people, the way your gun looks is more significant than for others. Choose a hopper that matches the color and style of the gun you’re using if that’s essential to you.
Conclusion
Paintballs are dropped into the rifle or marker’s barrel via hoppers. The gun’s piston is propelled by compressed air. Gas ignites the piston and launches the paintball when the trigger is pressed. There are various hopper designs. They consist of high-end, electronic, sound-activated, eye-activated, gravity-fed, and electronic. Selecting a hopper involves many factors. They range from affordability to the intensity of competition.
