Customer Reviews

TIPPMANN Flatline Barrel (For 98 Custom and Custom Pro Paintball Markers)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In order to properly make use of a flatline barrell system, u have to do the homewrk. This upgrade is ideal for WOODSBALLERS and SCENARIO players where distance and shooting thru tight spots is important. DO NOT get it for speedball and complain about breakage. Spend the $ on expensive paint because u need a hard, dry shell w/ small bore size to maximize effectiveness. Not like a normal barrell sizing where you want a close match of bore to ball. Besides, cost is only relative to how much paint you need. If you're accurate, you'll need less shots, the cost of paint will balance. A crono and expansion chamber are almost mandatory b/c when you you it locked in, u want it to stay locked in. (Settings/Sittings wise) This set-up will allow u to effectively use a BB Gun scope! Me: 98 Custom, Expansion Chamber, Flatline, Daisy Scope. In the woods, NO GUN compares. Thats the bottom line.

The Flatline barrel system uses a curved barrel to create a backspin on your paintball as it leaves the barrel, similar to the way a baseball pitcher throws a fastball. This will give your shot a flatter trajectory and more distance, at the expense of some accuracy (since every paintball is a little different - and none are perfectly spherical - each ball will react to the backspin a little differently).

This upgrade is ideal for those players that like to lay a lot of paint down from a distance, like those who specialize in suppressive fire. This will keep your opponents' heads down beyond their max range but within yours, allowing your teammates to advance safely. Since the ball travels in a flat line - hence the name - it's easier for beginners to use, as they don't have to adjust for distance as much when shooting, and ideal for the woods, where high-angle shots tend to hit foliage. The ball drops off quickly at the end of the flight, and the sneaky player can use this to drop shots in behind cover a la the Apex barrel (but without the hassle of having to adjust mid-firefight).

While I like the Flatline on the A-5 and the X7, I found the 98 version to be lacking compared to them. First off, the actual construction is not as good. Whereas the other two variations are a single unit, this incarnation is three components - an adaptor that screws into where the barrel normally goes, the curved barrel, and the plastic shroud.

First off, the shroud is fragile compared to all the other parts of the marker, and woodsball can be punishing on a marker. Second, since all three parts have to be fit together, it's very easy to install them slightly crooked, and this will murder any accuracy you had. Third, rather than the more gentle S-curve of the other Flatlines, this one only has one gentle curve - the adaptor acts as sort of a redirector, suddenly changing the paintball's path from flat to about 30 degrees upward. I found that this shreds field-grade paint fairly regularly above 265 fps (especially on humid or colder days), and shooting that low compromises a lot of the distance gained by upgrading to a Flatline in the first place.

The Flatline system is a great idea. It works well on the A-5 and the X7, but on the 98 it's just so-so: you get the advantages of range and trajectory, but it has some significant drawbacks.

This is the best barrell I have ever used! I took it out of the box and installed it. It is kind of hard to install, but it is worth it! It shoots AT LEAST 100 feet farther and is a lot more accurate than the 32 degrees Whisper barrell that I owned before this. I would reccomend this barrell to anyone who owns a tippmann.

As advertised. Easy install. You will need better than average paintballs. The bottom line ones tend to break in the barrel.

Initial installation was frustrating. After figuring it out, I installed it "my way" and it was straightforward. Have only tried it once so far. Must adjust velocity! Seems to work but may need a tweek.

this barrel takes you to a diffrent level than the other guys you will dominate if you play woods ball or need to shoot a long way

everything went fine product was received in a timely manner. Product worked as promised, i am happy

It is a little more time to install than a screw barrel, but once you got it it is good. There is an alan bolt at the base of the barrel that stops it from "just popping out" you just need to tighten it up. The balls do look like they are flying in slomotion because of the extra spin the barrell puts on them but trust me they are not. How straight they fly and how well they break depends on the paint you run through your marker.(cheep V.S not-so-cheep)or try turning up your marker.
No doubt about it it improves accuracy and distance, if you install it correctly (Which is not that hard)and it adds a nice look to your marker.

This product is not for all players. If you can't understand the simple logistics of installation and proper tuning then stick with the stock barrel, or by an upgraded barrel. The top piece that attaches to the gun is kind of a crappy plastic, but once you screw it on it's not as bad as once thought. Installation takes about 30 minutes given how much you know about your gun, and how to assemble it.
Proper assembly will require you to take the gun apart. I haven't met anyone who has been able to screw it in without taking the gun apart, but that's the most difficult part. Take the time to install it right and you'll be surprised at the results it gives you.

You have to have a constant pressure from your CO2 tank. I might suggest purchasing a regulator otherwise when your tank gets low you'll see bad results, but that would happen for any barrel really.

I purchased this barrel for my 98 Custom some time ago. After using it for a whole summer and struggling to keep my shots in a tight group I would not reccomend this "upgrade". The installation has to be just right for this barrel to even work, and before anyone flames me I used Marbalizer paint and a nitro tank for consistency. My biggest problem however is the lack of speed toward the end of the shots. Sure an extra 50-100 feet of range is nice, but not if your target can literally dodge your paintball. I have been on the recieving end of the flatline at range and it is little more than a joke. I'm midly out of shape but I can still easily dodge the incoming rounds from a flatline at 150-200 feet, or better still stand up and let them bounce off of me. Save yourself $100 and buy a J&J ceramic or the like. The end shot velocity with this barrel is almost useless.