| Since 1981, paintball players have been shooting each | | | | Compressed air, on the other hand, is a much more |
| other with marble-sized pellets of paint using a special | | | | stable propellant source for a paintball marker. While |
| gun called a marker. Players launch their paint pellets | | | | temperature changes can alter the pressure inside a |
| by pressing a trigger that releases compressed air or | | | | carbon dioxide tank and drastically impact the |
| gas to propel the paintball out of the marker towards | | | | performance of a marker, external temperatures do |
| the target. New paintball players unfamiliar with their | | | | not affect compressed air tanks. The performance of |
| equipment have always had questions about whether | | | | compressed air tanks and their ability to produce a |
| compressed air offers an advantage over carbon | | | | consistent stable pressure is consistent in any climate. |
| dioxide (CO2). Is compressed air really better than | | | | Its also cleaner than carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide |
| carbon dioxide? To put it simply, YES! | | | | can contain dust and dirt that will clog air paths and |
| Inside your paintball tank, carbon dioxide is primarily in | | | | valves in your marker. Compressed air is typically very |
| liquid form. As the carbon dioxide expands, the liquid | | | | clean. Most compressors used to fill compressed air |
| turns into gas. In its expanded gas state, carbon | | | | tanks are S.C.U.B.A. compressors with air filters that |
| dioxide can serve as a stable pressure that will enable | | | | produce grade E breathing air. If its safe enough to |
| your gun to propel paintballs. Liquid carbon dioxide, | | | | breathe, its safe enough for your paintball gun! |
| however, can have a devastating effect on your guns | | | | In addition to its stability, compressed air is cheaper |
| performance. The presence of liquid carbon dioxide | | | | than carbon dioxide, and the price continues to fall. |
| inside a paintball marker can freeze the guns inner | | | | Many paintball facilities are moving exclusively to |
| seals and cause cracks and leaking. Carbon dioxide is | | | | compressed air rental equipment, and carbon dioxide |
| unreliable because its sensitive to outside temperatures | | | | paintball products will eventually be obsolete. Given the |
| and the velocity with which you shoot. The faster you | | | | performance differences between carbon dioxide and |
| shoot, the colder your tank will get, decreasing the | | | | compressed air markers, the industry is clearly heading |
| likelihood of carbon dioxide converting from liquid to | | | | in the direction of compressed air. You can no longer |
| gas, and thus increasing the chance of liquid CO2 | | | | afford to use carbon dioxide equipmentswitch to |
| entering your marker. | | | | compressed air now! |