Post by Travis on Feb 20, 2013 14:26:41 GMT -3.5
Hey Frontliners! One common question we get all the time is what is the difference between CO2 and HPA and which one is better. Well hopefully after reading this you will have a better understanding and be able to make a more informed decision.
First we will discuss what the 2 different gases are. HPA is simply high pressured air or compressed air. Sometimes you will hear about nitrogen as well. This is - for paintball purposes - the exact same thing. HPA tanks generally come in 2 different styles. A 3000psi (pounds per square inch) tank which are usually made of aluminum and are cheaper, or a 4500psi tank which is generally a carbon fiber wrapped aluminum tank and costs significantly more. There are a variety of sizes for each pressure.
CO2 tanks are filled with carbon dioxide. For paintball, CO2 tanks use both liquid and gas CO2. Unlike HPA tanks which are based on pressure, CO2 is based on weight. For example a 12oz tank would be filled with 12oz of CO2. Almost all new CO2 tanks are made from aluminium and come in a variety of sizes such as 9, 12, 20 and 24oz tanks. The larger the size the more expensive the tank usually is.
HPA
Pros:
- Cheaper to fill (most fields offer all day air/unlimited fills for a set price)
- Not affected by temperature to the same extent
- Cleaner and therefore will not damage the marker
- Will work on high-end guns
- Regulated. No velocity spikes. More accurate.
- More shots per tank (on larger tanks)
- Less “puff” of smoke at the end of your barrel during certain weather conditions
Cons:
- Tanks are more expensive starting out, especially carbon fiber tanks
- Less shots in HPA tanks which are the same size as CO2 tanks
CO2
Pros:
- Cheaper tank for newer players
- More shots compared to basic HPA tanks
Cons:
- High-end guns will not run on CO2.
- Will wear down your marker internals much faster
- Far less shots in cold weather
- Not regulated. Very inconsistent
- Pointing gun down can allow liquid CO2 into the gun causing velocity spikes.
- More expensive to fill.
Basic HPA tanks start around $79.99 for a basic tank and $169.99 for a carbon fiber tank. This may seem pricey to some but will save you money on fill and gun repairs in the long run. CO2 tanks start at $29.99 and go up to $49.99 on average. This is great for someone just getting into the sport.
After seeing the differences for each tank it is almost always better to go with HPA. You will get better performance, it is better for the gun and will improve the overall experience significantly. CO2 does have its place though. It is a cheaper alternative for those who are unsure if paintball is something they really want to get into or for those on a budget. It is also a great alternative for those who can not get their tanks filled easily and need to have multiple tanks.
~ Travis
First we will discuss what the 2 different gases are. HPA is simply high pressured air or compressed air. Sometimes you will hear about nitrogen as well. This is - for paintball purposes - the exact same thing. HPA tanks generally come in 2 different styles. A 3000psi (pounds per square inch) tank which are usually made of aluminum and are cheaper, or a 4500psi tank which is generally a carbon fiber wrapped aluminum tank and costs significantly more. There are a variety of sizes for each pressure.
CO2 tanks are filled with carbon dioxide. For paintball, CO2 tanks use both liquid and gas CO2. Unlike HPA tanks which are based on pressure, CO2 is based on weight. For example a 12oz tank would be filled with 12oz of CO2. Almost all new CO2 tanks are made from aluminium and come in a variety of sizes such as 9, 12, 20 and 24oz tanks. The larger the size the more expensive the tank usually is.
HPA
Pros:
- Cheaper to fill (most fields offer all day air/unlimited fills for a set price)
- Not affected by temperature to the same extent
- Cleaner and therefore will not damage the marker
- Will work on high-end guns
- Regulated. No velocity spikes. More accurate.
- More shots per tank (on larger tanks)
- Less “puff” of smoke at the end of your barrel during certain weather conditions
Cons:
- Tanks are more expensive starting out, especially carbon fiber tanks
- Less shots in HPA tanks which are the same size as CO2 tanks
CO2
Pros:
- Cheaper tank for newer players
- More shots compared to basic HPA tanks
Cons:
- High-end guns will not run on CO2.
- Will wear down your marker internals much faster
- Far less shots in cold weather
- Not regulated. Very inconsistent
- Pointing gun down can allow liquid CO2 into the gun causing velocity spikes.
- More expensive to fill.
Basic HPA tanks start around $79.99 for a basic tank and $169.99 for a carbon fiber tank. This may seem pricey to some but will save you money on fill and gun repairs in the long run. CO2 tanks start at $29.99 and go up to $49.99 on average. This is great for someone just getting into the sport.
After seeing the differences for each tank it is almost always better to go with HPA. You will get better performance, it is better for the gun and will improve the overall experience significantly. CO2 does have its place though. It is a cheaper alternative for those who are unsure if paintball is something they really want to get into or for those on a budget. It is also a great alternative for those who can not get their tanks filled easily and need to have multiple tanks.
~ Travis