This page is here to answer those questions for you, and help you decide on the marker to buy. We have approximate prices quoted for you, in CANADIAN funds, info from FAQs and the Paintball Gun Digest, and pics to help you decide on the marker for you.
The Trracer from P.M.I. (Pursuit Marketing International) is a mid range pump marker ranging around $130-150 without tank. The pictured marker here has a bottom line and 12 oz tank, add $70-80 for the bottomline and $70 for the 12 oz. The Trracer is available from most mail order locations and is the backbone for many field rentals.
"This gun is one of the most popular pumps on the market. It is a great entry level gun. Lots of accessories are available--even several different kits to convert it to semi-automatic.This gun is often compared to the SL68. It does not come with a built-in bottom line, like the SL68-II, however, and is not made of quite the same high quality materials."
Excerpt from the Paintball Gun Digest maintained by dawn@warpig.com, located at Warpig.
Trracer FAQ by Ryan McNeilly at Warpig.
The SL-68II is another of the great markers available from Tippmann Pneumatics. It comes with a built in bottomline, a slot in the casing to feed a pull-through squeegee, comes with a Tippmann tank, and has the great service and warranty of every Tippmann product. The marker will cost you around $220 and is available from Superior Firepower in London, Ontario (check out resources page for store info).
"A classic pump by Tippmann. This is one of the best mid-range pumps made. It is accurate, reliable, simple, and made with excellent materials. The SL68-II has a built-in bottom line, as well as a velocity adjustment on the bolt (accessible externally). Find a good deal on a used SL68-II at about $100+(US funds-sparkie).This gun is often compared to the Trracer, but is generally thought to be better built."
Excerpt from the Paintball Gun Digest maintained by dawn@warpig.com, located at Warpig.
The Phantom from Component Concepts is considered one of the best pumps available. The pump action is smooth, the accuracy and distance is excellent and they have the cleanest lines of any pump marker. I also have one and love it :-), so I am slightly biased. You can pick one up for about $350 without tank from MR. Paintball in Calgary, Alberta (check out the Resource main page for a link to MR). The price is steep, but this high range pump is worth the extra cash if you want the best.
The Phantom FAQ at Rob Griffin's page. Rob has a great FAQ for those of you interested in this pump.