u/RogueStone

Hi all.

TLDR: $150, for non-competitive funsies, with variable dart velocity, standardized mags, and at least semi-auto in a rifle/carbine format. Hotswap batteries and picatinny rails preferred.

I've got about $150 to spend on a primary blaster and I simply don't know what I don't know. I played with blasters purchased at big-box shops as a kid, haven't touched one in years, and let's just say things have changed a wee teensy bit. I'm the dad who is really a kid, now has a comfortable adult income stream, and wants to win based on technical superiority because he knows the athleticism bit, well... yeah, let's go with technical superiority.

Usage: Kids around the neighborhood, broad age range, nothing organized. Suburban sprawl, so target distance varies dramatically. Eye protection in place.

Modding: Not planning on it unless necessary/easy. I can, but know I'll end up with a blaster, sitting for 2 years while half disassembled, $400 in parts strewn about, paused because it pissed me off after tearing an o-ring, stripping at least 2 screws and launching another into the carpeted abyss, and being objectively inept at soldering. (I'd probably be just fine, but my book says laziness is a virtue)

Preferred Criteria: (I'll spare you the obvious ones like accurate/reliable)

1. Variable Speed
   1. As mentioned above, I'm playing with age variance from 8 year old's up to high school/college. I both want to be able to take out the tykes without excessive waterworks, then turn around and pop the older ones at distance where they presume nerf guns can't reach (they all play with cheap springers. Peasants...).
2. Mag fed semi-auto
   1. I don't particularly care if it has burst/auto, but I'm not going to say no to it either. I'm just lazy and don't want to fart around with pumping.
   2. I would like something that takes a commonly used/standard mag so I can buy extras or replace them should they bite the dust.
3. Longer distance
   1. I don't need 300fps, but would like to maximize range for my buck.
4. I would prefer something in a rifle/carbine format.
5. Hot-swappable batteries if possible.
6. Bonus points for having picatinny rail for optic and grip.

I really want to get an X-Shot Pro Piston, but it doesn't look like it has variable speeds and also was really crushing on a BK1s, but that one went way over my price range after factoring in things like batteries, battery alarms, etc. and that whole soldering business The DZ Omnia 3 looks promising as well as the AF Axis Switch Pro, though.

If you could also make recommendations for what darts you might recommend. That, too, has become very interesting in my absence. There's gen2/3/4, waffle tips, acc tips, bamboo profiles, MODs, stefans, dragons that are azure, and even one that appears to be ribbed for my blaster's pleasure and that only looks at Worker. Throw in that there are weight variants, length variants (36mm-38mm) and some darts work in some blasters whereas they'll jam in others. Seems like the standard Worker Gen3's are kind of the Honda Civic Type-R in that they're reliable, with above average performance, but at a reasonable price? (NO GREEN/RED DARTS - BECAUSE COLORBLIND)

Thanks all (and happy plinking)!

(edited for grammar, word choice, and clarity)

I'm currently running a Nikon D750 and various lenses. It takes great pictures and results are limited more by me as a novice than the equipment. It's also heavy. And large. And I've noticed I don't take it out as often because of it. And so, here we are.

I've found that I gravitate to a 3 lens setup (in full frame):

Wide angle/normal zoom - I have a Tamron 24-70.

35-45mm - 50mm seems too high for me. I liked my 35mm on the old d7200 and a Tamron 45mm on the D750.

Long tele zoom - I use a Nikon 70-300mm

Main uses: kids doing kids things + landscape/travel. Accurate and fast auto focus is necessary.

Here's what I was looking at:

Panasonic G9 II

Panasonic Leica 15mm f/1.7

Panasonic Leica Lumix 12-60mm f/2.8-4 DG Vario-Elmarit O.I.S.

Panasonic Lumix G Vario 45-200mm f/4-5.6 (II) Power O.I.S.

Thoughts?

What would be best for a forced patina (CPM-M4): The regular 5% distilled vinegar from the grocery store vs concentrated 30%-50% cleaning vinegar from the hardware store?