The Intimidator (or Timmy for short) is an electropneumatic paintball marker manufactured by former professional paintball player Bob Long and his company, Bob Long Technologies. First introduced in 2000,[1] it was, along with the Smart Parts Impulse, one of the first fully electropneumatic markers to be adopted by professional tournament teams on a widespread basis.[2] There are currently over 27 versions of the Intimidator, spread over five "generations."[3]
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History
The Intimidator was developed and tested by Bob Long personally, and manufactured in the United States.[4] The marker was tested using computer controlled shooting machines and ballistic chronographs, invented to test machine guns.[4]
In 2004, Bob Long introduced the Alias Intimidator.[3] The marker was redesigned from the ground up.[4] Features like the regulator and valve were made smaller to increase flow and lower the pressure of the marker. The LCD was moved from the top of the trigger frame to the grip frame, and the internals were modified so that it cycled faster.[4] As a result of these modifications, the Alias was more compact than the original Intimidator, and about 20% more gas efficient.[4] This version of the Intimidator served at the basis for all subsequent markers under the Intimidator name.[3]
At the peak of its popularity in the mid-2000’s, the Intimidator saw widespread use in national and international tournament play.[4] Its popularity began to decline however in later years as other poppet valve markers with similar rates of fire (such as the Planet Eclipse Ego) became available. As a comparison a brand new Bob Long Vice Intimidator retails from the company at $749.99 whereas the Planet Eclipse Etek3 (aluminum body style) and Planet Eclipse Ego 9 retails at the companies site at $595 and $1,095 respectively. Nonetheless, the Intimidator can still be seen in use today at many paintball fields.
Gen 5 markers are 4 eye capable which is a Bob Long design to incorporate 4 breakbeam eyes rather than the usual 2. This design is intended to improve the reaction time of the board and bolt for an extremely efficient cycle and timing. The Gen 5 are also in the category of very light guns weighing in at 1 lb. 13.2oz without a barrel.
Bob Long has stated that a new model of the Intimidator is in the design phase and should be received sometime in the future.
Operation
Like the Ego (Ego was based of the Intimidator) and other open bolt, poppet-valve-based markers, the Intimidator uses a solenoid to drive a pneumatic ram into a poppet valve, which causes it to open, firing the paintball.[5] On earlier Intimidators, one of the most recognizable external features was a dual low-pressure chamber.
References
- ^ Has Paintball Technology Reached a Plateau? by Mohammed S. Alo, April 2004, The Paintball Times
- ^ Intimidator Tech Page - Timmy History at Ultra Twisted Paintball
- ^ a b c Intimidator and Ego Comparison: Fair and Balanced at pbreview.com
- ^ a b c d e f Mini Interview: Bob Long and the Intimidator, March 2, 2004, at Paintball Star
- ^ Intimidator Tech Page – How It Works at Ultra Twisted Paintball
External links
- Bob Long Technologies, Inc.
- Delta Paintball Store, owned and operated by Bob Long and his family.
- Unofficial Intimidator FAQ
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