| Remote Lines: Yea or Nay?
Remotes are all about personal preference. It's really not something you can just take advice from others on, in my opinion. The best that I can give are some pros and cons of remote vs. tank on marker setups as well as some general info on remotes themselves.
What is a Remote Line?
Remote lines are essentially just an extension of your air source adapter ( ASA. ) They may be coiled tubing or steel braided line. The style is essentially up to you. Coiled lines are nice for giving yourself extra length when needed since they auto-retract on their own and they hug your body curves tighter. Steel braided lines are shorter and straighter ( at least I've never seen a coiled steel line ) so they can't get tangled on themselves ( think of old phone cords, ) but they tend to hang out to the side due to their extra stiffness. They are stronger than coiled lines though. However, unlike macroline, most remote lines I've seen are rated at 3000 psi or above so they won't burst in high temperatures. However, this does not mean you can't use a 3000 psi remote with a 4500 psi tank. Remember, HPA tanks have output regulators on them that are about 850 psi and below while CO2 tanks don't go above 1500 psi.
On one end of the remote is the tank adapter. These usually just screw onto the tank nozzle. The adapter has a screw activated valve just like your kitchen faucet or an outdoor spigot. Screwing it in will depress the pin on the tank valve opening it up. How much you need to tighten it depends on the make. Generally 1/2 turn past the point where the line gets pressurized is enough. The other end of the hose usually has a spring loaded quick disconnect adapter that attaches to a standard air nipple. Both these are just smaller versions of air fittings you'd see on normal compressors like those on construction sites and in auto mechanic places. Most remotes come with a nipple adapter that screws into a normal ASA. Some remotes also come with a slide check. These are small valves on the quick disconnect end that act as on/off switches so you can disconnect air lines without turning off your tank.
Remote Advantages
So that's pretty much what a remote is, but how do they perform?
1 ) Ergonomics - First, removing the tank from your marker sheds a lot of weight. It also gives the marker what many consider to be a more natural balance. The A-5 in particular, being modeled like an H&K MP5, balances and feels like an actual firearm without the tank, especially when used with a buttstock. Some may not like this, some do. Personally, I grew up with real firearms so having something that mimics that feel is more natural to me. If your tank attaches on a bottomline, this also allows you to get lower to the ground by letting the grip, not the tank, rest on the ground. When crawling around in soft cover, a lighter, lower marker can make a huge difference. Overall, your arms will likely be less fatigued at the end of the day since your back can carry a tank easier.
2 ) CO2 Anti-siphon - This isn't necessarily always the case, but if you carry your tank vertically on a belt ( nozzle up ) it can greatly decrease the chance of drawing liquid CO2 into your marker. Also, if you get in an awkward shooting position during a match, the added length of the hose makes it extremely difficult for any liquid to get sucked up before it evaporates. The line doesn't have enough volume to act as an expansion chamber, but you shouldn't be in a situation where one would help.
Remote Disadvantages
That sounds pretty good, but what about drawbacks?
1 ) Price - This isn't just about dropping $30 for the remote line itself, but some other things that may or may not go with it. After a remote, the first thing you'll need is something to carry the tank in. Now some people already have pod packs or belt pouches that can do the job so no extra expense is required. If not, you'll have to buy some type of harness that can hold your tank. Also, if you were used to using the tank to brace against your shoulder, you might start wanting to get a buttstock. However, getting an air-through stock can ease some tension off the remote line by putting the hose adapter farther back.
2 ) Tethering - A remote effectively ties you to your marker, you can't just set it down. In order to free your hands, you have to do one of two things: get a sling, or detach the hose. If you have a slide check, it's pretty easy to click it off and take off the remote. But it's kind of a hassle to do this every time you want to put your marker down. Also, doing it during a game isn't the best decision since the hissing gas escaping the marker gives away your position and your situation. So most people get a sling of some sort. This ties into the paragraph above, adding more cost.
3 ) Shooting Switch - Most people run their remote line to ( or have their tank nozzle pointed toward ) their dominant side since that's the shortest distance to the marker. Other people point their tank the other way to stretch the remote a little and keep it closer to their body to avoid brush tangles ( like me. ) Either way, when you switch the marker to your other side, unless you're particularly quick and coordinated you can't pass it behind your back. This means the remote gets stretched even more. This can lead to some uncomfortable tension and torque while shooting switch.
4 ) Comfort - Some people complain about having a tank on their waist/back. I'll agree to some point, it's not comfortable sliding somewhere only to have a pressure guage dig into your spine. But if you're already wearing a vest, pod pack, or other load bearing equipment, chances are you're already used to the weight distribution.
5 ) Terrain Hangups - Some people complain about the line getting tangled in trees and bushes while playing in the woods. I've never had a problem with this so it may be dependent on the local flora. However coiled remotes can get tangled on themselves just like old coiled telephone lines. Getting a remote sleeve solves both these problems, but again that's some more money.
On-Marker Advantages
So what about keeping your tank on the marker? Well mostly it will flip flop the reasons listed above.
1 ) Cheap - It won't take you any extra money ( well, shouldn't, ) to put a tank on a stock ASA. You don't need any extra hardware or anything.
2 ) Freedom - Your marker stays free to place where you want. You can pick it up, put it down, shoot switch, and other like things easier. Since the marker stays "encapsulated" in that everything needed is in one package, it can keep things much simpler. Getting things like cradles and drop-forwards can also help the overall compactness of it, allowing you to keep it nice and tight.
On-Marker Disadvantages
Like everything, there's usually a downside too.
1 ) Ergonomics - Like above, this can come down to personal taste. However, having a heavy tank on the back makes it uncomfortable for some people, especially those used to handling firearms. A drop forward can help balance it a little better, but this shortens the marker forcing you to adopt a "tourney" style hold on the marker, again something that may be unfamiliar to some people. Tanks also heighten the profile of a marker making it harder to get a low position on the ground when prone or crawling.
2 ) Size Limit - Using most stock ASA's you can put just about any size tank on a marker. However, most people shy away from using something like a 92/4500 tank as a stock since it's particularly large. Also, not all cradles and drop-forwards have adequate clearance to be used with fatter tanks.
3 ) CO2 Siphoning - While it can happen with just about any configuration without proper regulators and what not, it's much easier to siphon liquid CO2 into a marker with the tank on the marker. It has a much shorter distance to travel and is easier to be held at attitudes where the liquid is right at the valve.
Summary
Is a remote right for you? Like most things in paintball it's up to personal preference. No one has the "perfect" set up for everyone, nor can one person dictate what you should and shouldn't get. I always advocate a "try before you buy" mentality so you can see if it's something you may like. Just use the points listed above as a general guide in making the decision
Last edited by Jaron : 01-16-2008 at 03:43 AM.
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