| Top 5 Gadgets That Could Get You Arrested OK, we'll admit it. Some of us are drawn to dangerous gear like bears to a picnic basket. There's just something devilishly appealing ... propeller.com |
The Tactical Operations Custom Tippmann A5 Foregrip Are you Into paintball? Do you own a Tippmann A5? Check out the story on this custom grip! propeller.com |
Is Smart Parts Going Out of Business? For about a week now there's been a rumor going around that Smart Parts will be closing its doors at the end of the year. Similar rumors have popped up in the past, especially when they laid off numerous employees earlier this year. Previously, though, Smart Parts released an official statement that discounted the rumors, but nothing has come up this time and store owners report an inability to order products. If Smart Parts has an official statement to make about the status of their company, I'd be happy to publish it - just contact me.Whether or not Smart Parts is dying, the fact that the rumor seems so plausible is just another indication of the current troubles of the paintball industry. A few years ago it would have been unthinkable for one of the largest and longest-lived paintball companies to close its doors, but now I almost expect a major manufacturer to announce plans to end its operations. When Smart Parts released the Ion a few years ago, it really was at the top of the paintball world. Of course, at that time, GM was also still the world's largest auto producer. Times have changed.Is Smart Parts Going Out of Business? originally appeared on About.com Paintball on Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 at 13:53:40.Permalink | Comment | Email this paintball.about.com |
Smart Parts is Closed (Temporarily) Smart Parts is temporarily closed while they go through corporate restructuring. They claim in their press release that they will be finished by the end of January, but it will be interesting to see what type of company (if any) emerges.The press release reads in part:During this time, the company will not be able accept or process orders, ship or receive products or perform repairs. The restructuring process is expected to be completed by the end of January 2010."It is important that people do not send equipment in for service during this time," said company Vice President, Adam Gardner. "Our buildings will not be staffed during the restructuring, so there will be no one there to receive packages. They will automatically be refused and returned to the sender.Smart Parts is Closed (Temporarily) originally appeared on About.com Paintball on Friday, January 8th, 2010 at 16:53:22.Permalink | Comment | Email this paintball.about.com |
What Makes A Good Paintballer? I've played with some good paintballers in my day and a few really exceptional players. I've also played with countless average players and a handful of down-right awful players. I wish there were some magical rule that could explain the differences between the best and the average (such as being a great shot or knowing when to move), but I'm convinced that good players come in many different forms.Just like in basketball where a point guard excels in ways a center doesn't and vice versa, paintball players have different attributes that can help them excel at different aspects of the sport. Some people have a sixth sense about when to move and when to stay put while others have a knack for hitting the competition from anywhere on the field. Others are leaders that move their team and get others in the right position to make the winning move. Some really successful players, though, don't seem to do anything particularly well but end up winning time after time.My personal opinion is that the one thing ability is most prevalent amongst good paintballers is their ability to mentally keep track of the field and know what's happening. Average players usually know what's going on directly in front of them, but the best players have a good idea of what's happening behind them and on both sides at the same time as they're shooting it out with a bunker straight ahead. That allows them to know when it's a good idea to move or retreat and they almost never end up getting hit unawares.There are countless good paintball players out there. What makes the best players you know so special?What Makes A Good Paintballer? originally appeared on About.com Paintball on Sunday, February 14th, 2010 at 21:21:23.Permalink | Comment | Email this paintball.about.com |