Smart Parts

Their first product was the Smart Parts aluminium one-piece barrel made for the Tippmann 68 Special and the PMI-3 semi automatic markers.

Called the Boss, the Smart Parts pump marker featured a spiral ported barrel and a 'shoebox' style body (which would be mirrored in their first electronic gun design); The Boss was targeted at high-end woodsball tournament players but was not well-received, being considered to be too heavy and too large (when compared to offerings such as the Carter Comp or LAPCO Grey Ghost).

This original Shocker was a dual-solenoid, closed bolt, hammerless marker that was large, heavy, inefficient, and could fire a maximum speed of nine shots per second.

Other companies that had been working on their own electronic markers also released them about the same time (WDP Angel – 1996, Brass Eagle Rainmaker – 1997).

[citation needed] Turbo mode became illegal to use in tournaments and on some open-play recreational games due to the obvious advantage it gave the user.

Over the course of its lifetime the Impulse became one of the most popular markers available, and was notable for following many trends for parts, style, and features in the paintball industry on the turn of the century.

In contrast to the Shocker Sport, Impulses were capable of faster fire rates, were more lightweight, were cheaper, and also experienced greater tank efficiency.

Markers such as this were considered to be the top-end by many players (typically those involved with tournaments), and as a result the cost for upgraded versions was quite high ($1000+).

The Vision electronic eye system was particularly popular since few other markers were available with such a part from the factory (this has since changed, and the feature is a near-requirement from manufacturers).

The other growing trend that Impulses followed were the addition of stylish milling patterns and designs, suited for different retailers and sponsored teams.

It incorporated several features used by Smart Parts' highest-end marker, the DLX Luxe, such as an internal gas system.

The Shocker SFT was a redesigned marker that used a single solenoid open bolt, cock valve operation capable of high firing speeds, small body size, but an average efficiency without a Smart Parts High Efficiency Bolt.

Ever since having been released in July 2003, the Shocker SFT has remained the premier Smart Parts marker, representing top-of-the-line performance and reliability.

The Shocker's popularity also brought along many upgrades and customized versions, available from various manufacturers and developers, similar to its older brother the Impulse.

In late 2006 (sometimes described as 2007 for simplicity) the Shocker SFT was redesigned into the newer "Shocker NXT" version, which is the same internal marker as the SFT, except it uses upgraded parts from the factory, and has a few enhancements to the frame, in-line regulator, and other parts of the marker to increase performance and reliability.

Private Label Shockers Include: (SFT) The other new-to-2003 Smart Parts marker was called the Nerve.

Nerves are a next-generation Impulse design, featuring a smaller and lighter profile, improved internals, upgraded and streamlined components from the factory, and a sleeker external look.

When Nerves were first released (several months late due to manufacturing and development issues), it was designed to be Smart Parts flagship "no upgrades needed" marker.

The high-end features resulted in the MSRP costing $1200 for the base model, or $1500 for the upgraded package with HPA tank included.

The reasoning for this was based on the previous customized Impulse markers, which retailed for $1000+, however the Nerve's high price tag did not fare as well with the public.

In late 2005 SP produced an additional large batch of Nerve parts, however after this the line was halted and the marker was unofficially discontinued in light of other products.

A few years after having been released, the wake of the Ion's blow to the paintball industry actually hit Smart Parts themselves, which contributed to the temporary increase in MSRP.

However, these competing products are notably less popular in comparison, likely due to their higher price tags, although still remaining very economic alternatives to their respective "high-performance" counterparts.

The popularity of the Ion also allots it a massive amount of upgrades and specialized products, and like the older Impulse literally every part of the marker can be replaced with an aftermarket version.

The most noticeable difference is that the SP-8 has a milsim body, designed to mimic the appearance of a Heckler & Koch XM8 assault rifle, and is designed to easily allow the addition of a stock, as well as military accessories such as bipods, tactical flashlights, or red dot sights using weaver rails.

Besides for the obvious cosmetic difference, Epiphanies feature a metal exoskeleton and frame (with plating, to avoid threading problems), upgraded Firebolt, Freak barrel starter, integrated ASA dovetail, Q-Lock Feed Neck (Eos only), and Smartvalve ASA among other things.

This is carried out by select from three different internal air volume "inserts" which are used to take up slack space in the marker's fire chamber.

The fire chamber inserts allow fine-tuning and adjustment that wouldn't be previously available without developing a homemade modification.

Vibe is the latest marker in Smart Part's low cost lineup, as it was released at the same time as the SP1, the EOS, and the Ion XE.

In addition to equipment, Smart Parts manufactured different types of apparel, such as jerseys, pants, pod packs, barrel socks/plugs, and casual wear.