There are a huge number of different models from various manufacturers available on the market, each with their own pros and cons for their price range. In order to clarify the differences between each, we've taken a look at three models from the manufacturer Tippmann, as well as one from the manufacturer Dye, with a specific focus on the Tippmann X7 Phenom.

Paintball is becoming more popular than ever, due in part to the many ways it can be enjoyed. Not only can it be a uniquely complex hobby for those looking to create the most efficient and personally tailored paintball gun, but it has also become a thrilling and rather athletic team-oriented sport. Whether you intend to use your paintball gun for shooting cans in the backyard or for strategically winning competitions with your teammates, choosing the most ideal paintball gun for your purposes is an important step of the process.


Comparison Table

What Is The Tippmann X7 Phenom?

The Tippmann X7 Phenom is a popular, high-end, and attractively designed gun for those looking for a high-performance option. Its high rate of fire and streamlined components make it excellent for those looking to take their paintball guns into a competitive scenario as well as weapons fans or hobbyists looking to tailor the outward appearance of their unit to taste.

Product Specs  

The Tippmann X7 Phenom features a high amount of aesthetic customization, with the ability to exchange various components to mirror military grade models such as the M-16, MP5, MP5-SD, G36, AK-47, UMP, and Assault designs. For extreme on-field versatility, a selector switch is incorporated which toggles the unit's internal operation from mechanical to electronic and back. This model is capable of operating under 300PSI, which reduces recoil and extends the usage of individual air sources.  A higher than usual number of firing modes are on offer here, with 5 trigger modes including Safety Full-Auto, NPPL, PSP, Response, and Semi-Auto, made possible by a magnetically activated Hall-Effect electronic trigger. A high rate of fire is available even in the mechanical operating mode with a Cyclone Feed System, which feeds 15 paintballs per second. 

Tippmann x7 phenom

Image by: e-paintball.com

The Tippmann X7 Phenom is a .68 caliber paintball gun with a semi-automatic open bolt blow forward spool valve system action. As an electro-pneumatic model, it's capable of being powered mechanically, but also by a 9V battery. Compressed air, nitrogen, and CO2 are all compatible air supplies, with a total hopper capacity of 200 paintballs.

It possesses a maximum feed rate of 20 paintballs per second, with a maximum firing rate of 15 per second. The standard barrel length is 9.5", with a complete length without air supply cylinder of 19.75". This model has an effective range of 150+ feet, as well as an adjustable velocity.

Pricing  

The models outlined on this list range in price with an increase in price coinciding with increased customizability, firing functionality, quality of build materials, and overall build quality.

How It Compares

We picked a few products similar to the Tippmann X7 Phenom available on the market both from the same and different manufacturers to see how they compare.     


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The Tippmann X7 Phenom offers broad customizability in both appearance and operation, and those with the money to spend will be pleased by its extremely versatile functionality, although its relative complexity might not make it an ideal first paintball gun purchase.

Accuracy

Range

Design Quality

Warranty

Although the Tippmann X7 Phenom doesn't feature a fixed sight, it possesses the capability to be fitted with one, and a high number of firing modes makes it an effective and highly accurate option if the attention is given to tailoring it for the purpose.
The Tippmann X7 Phenom sports an effective range of 150+ feet, and with an adjustable firing velocity, it's easy to keep the forcefulness of the shots within a safe and comfortable zone at all firing ranges.
The Tippmann X7 Phenom's thoughtful incorporation of a high number of customizability options speaks to the quality of its design, with the ability to toggle between pneumatic and electronic firing, as well as a high number of trigger function settings. This is to say nothing of the endless aesthetic configurations available for the unit.
The Tippmann X7 Phenom is covered by the manufacturer under a 2-year warranty following the date of purchase for repairs and replacements of parts proven to be defective in materials or workmanship. All accessories offered are covered for 90 days.

PROS

  • Highly customizable exterior appearance
  • Large number of firing options
  • Ability to toggle between electronic and pneumatic operation

CONS

  • Potentially not an ideal first time purchase with complex operation

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This model is a reliable and affordably priced option, offering accessible durability, high performance, and a potentially desirable military simulation body. With four Picatinny rails, the option to mount a variety of useful accessories exists. Incorporated is a classic and time-tested in-line bold design, with a convenient internal gas line which contributes to this model's staying power along with its high-impact composite body. Ergonomic vertical grips make this model easy to handle on the field and included front and rear fixed sights contribute to the model's accuracy and usability.

This paintball gun is a .68 caliber model with an open bolt blowback valve system action and is usable with compressed air, nitrogen, or CO2 as an air supply. It makes use of a gravity-based ball feed and features a semi-automatic mechanical trigger and collapsible stock for increased portability. The length of the barrel is 9.5", with the total length of the unit being 27.5" with fully collapsed stock and excluding the air cylinder, and 31.5" with extended stock and excluding air cylinder. Its effective range is 150+ feet, and its weight excluding air cylinder is 3.7lbs. The firing velocity is fully adjustable.

Accuracy

Range

Design Quality

Warranty

Although this model lacks the high degree of control over firing modes of the above model, the included fixed front and rear sights greatly increase the unit's potentially usable accuracy.
This model sports an effective range of 150+ feet, and with an adjustable firing velocity, it's easy to keep the forcefulness of the shots within a safe and comfortable zone at all firing ranges.
The inclusion of four Picatinny rails opens this model up to further customization, but the included fixed front and rear sights, as well as the internal air hose and high-impact composite body, are already hallmarks of a well designed entry-level unit.
This model is covered by the manufacturer under a 1-year warranty following the date of purchase for repairs and replacements of parts proven to be defective in materials or workmanship. All accessories offered are covered for 90 days.

PROS

  • Expandable option with Picatinny rails for accessories
  • Front and rear fixed sights standard
  • Most affordable option of the list

CONS

  • General lack of control over firing functionality 
  • Lower firing rate than many more expensive options

Tippmann A-5 .68 Caliber Paintball Marker, Black
  • Cyclone Feed System can Fire 15 balls per second without batteries
  • Can be field stripped in less than 60 seconds without tools
  • Enhanced ergonomics with a longer front grip, lighter weight body and easier to Remove push pins


This model's affordable yet highly upgradeable nature makes it an excellent stopgap purchase as well as an ideal first-time purchase, which is nonetheless suited for competitive and field usage. It features the high-end Cyclone Feed system often found in more expensive models from this manufacturer, with the capability to fire 15 balls per second without electronic assistance.  Further adding to its versatility, this model can be field stripped in less than 60 seconds without tools for on-the-spot repairs. It also possesses an ergonomic design with a long front grip and lighter body weight, making it easy to carry on one's person. Its aluminum body is durable, with a low-profile hopper and 8.5" barrel. 

This paintball gun is a .68 caliber semi-automatic open bolt blowback action model, with compressed air, nitrogen, or CO2 available for use as the air supply. The hopper capacity of this model is 200 paintballs. The barrel length is 8.5", with the total length of the unit measuring 20" without air cylinder. The effective range of this model is 150+ feet, and it makes use of an adjustable velocity. It has a maximum cycle rate of 8 paintballs per second. The model weighs 3.11lbs. 

Accuracy

Range

Design Quality

Warranty

This model is highly upgradeable but doesn't ship with fixed sights or with any particular eye towards accuracy, with the included features oriented more towards firing rate and comfortable use on the field.
This model sports an effective range of 150+ feet, and with an adjustable firing velocity, it's easy to keep the forcefulness of the shots within a safe and comfortable zone at all firing ranges.
This model's eye towards upgradeability without sacrificing high-end base specs as well as its ergonomic and easy to maintain design make it an excellent entry-level choice.
This model is covered by the manufacturer under a 2-year warranty following the date of purchase for repairs and replacements of parts proven to be defective in materials or workmanship. All accessories offered are covered for 90 days.

PROS

  • Affordable yet highly upgradeable
  • Incorporates the firing rate of more expensive models
  • Convenient, toolless deconstruction and reconstruction

CONS

  • Not designed with accuracy in mind 
  • Relatively low number of aesthetic options

Dye Proto Rize MaXXed Paintball Marker

This model sports a high-end feature set and a design oriented towards convenient maintenance and high performance out of the box. It's composed of a durable aluminum body, bolt, and adjustable trigger and boasts a consistent airflow via the fully incorporated Rail solenoid. It features color-coded O-rings, which makes keeping the model at top performance through maintenance easy. Its Eye Pipe design is self-cleaning and designed to prevent missed feeds and double feeding. It also features a sleek, in-line regulator for precise adjustments to air pressure as well as a reduced overall size for the unit.  

This paintball gun is a .68 caliber model, with a spool valve action and an operative pressure of 155psi. It requires HPA as an air source and features an external hose. An autococker barrel thread is included, with a barrel length of 14", complete length of 17.5", and a barrel bore size of .690, as well as a matrix style feed neck thread.

Accuracy

Range

Design Quality

Warranty

Although it lacks anything like a fixed scope, this model's highly adjustable air pressure and configurable trigger make it highly accurate and versatile.
This model sports an effective range of 150+ feet, and with an adjustable firing velocity, it's easy to keep the forcefulness of the shots within a safe and comfortable zone at all firing ranges.
This model's self-cleaning and self-regulating functionality makes it the easiest to take out of the box and use without worry of future issues. The addition of color coding for maintenance increases this model's overall design quality.
This model is covered by the manufacturer under a 1-year warranty following the date of purchase for repairs and replacements of parts proven to be defective in materials or workmanship. All accessories offered are covered for 90 days.

PROS

  • Self-cleaning components
  • Precisely adjustable air pressure
  • Adjustable trigger

CONS

  • General lack of expandability or customization options
  • Only accepts HPA as an air source

Conclusion


Choosing the best paintball gun model for you or a loved one hinges heavily on the individual specs of the unit at its price as well as the overall complexity and versatility of the functionality on offer. If you're making a first time purchase, you'll want to seek an option that's lower in price and complexity while still offering the baseline of functionality you're looking for.

However, if you're an adept paintballer looking to upgrade or seeking alternatives for competitions, you'll want to pay attention to the specifics of operation to make sure you're not overpaying for capabilities a model you already own might already have. We hope that by exploring these paintball gun models in further detail by comparing them to the Tippmann X7 Phenom we've made it even more obvious which models will best suit your purchase. 

Last update on 2023-07-25 at 16:07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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