Paintball 2000 | Paintball-News Das Paintball Magazin

Die Jungs von 68caliber haben sich das Evolve Newton Valve Kit für die Angel mal genauer angeschaut.The Evolve Newton Valve Kit for the AngelBy Dale FordEvolve Paintball, Ltd. is a U.K. based company that specializes in making parts to improve efficiency and improve the shooting characteristics of several marker designs, including the DYE Matrix and Smart Parts Shocker. In 2004 Evolve turned their eyes upon the Angel 4 generation markers made by WDP.For the current generation Angels, the Newton Valve Kit adds a new valve system and adjustable Low Pressure Regulator assembly. Included in the foam lined, metal case that the kit comes in is a new volumiser, the adjustable LPR, a new valve, a 10 gram hammer, a ram tool, LPR gauge, and spare parts, and instructions.The test marker for this review is a lightly upgraded 2004 Angel Fly, which is equipped with a Centerflag Products Low Pressure inline regulator and a magnetic trigger job by Russ Urasaki of Angel Service Center. The performance of this particular marker was typical of the Angel 4 generation, getting around 1600 shots off of a 68 cubic inch, 4500 psi Centerflag Dynaflow air system. The current generation Angels is quite a bit more efficient than their IR3 and LCD generation predecessors. One of Evolve’s claims was to increase efficiency of this already very efficient marker.Installation took about an hour to complete. The first step in installing the Newton Valve Kit is to remove the ram from the marker and remove the stock stainless steel hammer. Using a strap wrench’s rubber strap to protect the ram shaft, I clamped down on the ram shaft with a pair of vise-grips to hold the shaft in place while I loosened the set screw holding the hammer on, then carefully unthreading the hammer from the shaft. Next I put a drop of blue (#242) loctite on the shaft and threaded on the Evolve 10 gram hammer. This part is made of a combination of steel and delrin, and would prove to be a central part of the performance increases noted later during field testing. I then reinstalled the ram normally.The next step involved the Low Pressure Regulator, which is adjustable on stock Angels by adding or removing shims to increase or decrease pressure. I disassembled the Evolve LPR Cap and the LPR in the marker and lubed those using Southern Paintball Concepts “Slick”. I then recalibrated the stock LPR to 100 psi using shims per the Newton Kit instructions. It’s very important to get the stock LPR pressure to the recommended 100 psi, to avoid shoot down. I then installed the adjustable LPR cap and adjusted it to a recommended 50 psi, using the supplied LPR gauge that screws into the side of the LPR cap.The final step is to remove the stock cup seal and volumiser to be replaced with the Evolve parts. Instead of a long spring connecting to the cup seal, the Newton valve is a steel rod with a cup seal shaped part on one end, and on the other end, which goes all the way forward into the Evolve volumiser, is a lug to bear against a short spring that keeps the valve closed until hit by the hammer. This lug has an o-ring on it, and once again I used “Slick” to lube it. If this o-ring isn’t lubed properly during installation, first shot drop off and shoot down will result.After the installation was completed, I calibrated the Newton valve to eliminate blowback. This is accomplished by adjusting a set screw in the front of the Newton Volumiser with two paintballs in the feed neck. On ball gets fired, and how far the second paintball jumps out of the feed neck indicates how much blowback is present. The initial shots had the second paintball jumping nearly 2 feet out of the feed neck! After a few minutes turning the set screw in the front of the volumiser out to reduce tension on the valve, the second paintball would stay in the feed neck with no movement whatsoever when the marker fired the first paintball.On the field, the most noticeable change in the marker’s demeanor was the utter lack of recoil. At high rates of fire Angels have a tendency to ‘climb’, bringing the barrel up due to the marker hopping around in the player’s hands. With the reduced reciprocating mass of the 10 gram hammer, felt recoil was reduced to nothing. I also noted that the sound signature of the marker was reduced somewhat as well. Test Crew member Kurt Wise used the marker for a few games and was very impressed with the marker’s change in personality. Kurt is a long time Matrix user, and he is used to the lack of recoil that those markers have. He noted that the Fly was now nearly as smooth as his Matrix, but much, much faster. Observed efficiency was improved as well; to roughly 1800 shots per 68/4500 fill. This was accomplished using a 14” DYE Boomstick which matched the X.O. Industries Velocity and Hot Box paint used during the review. Due to the lack of recoil, perceived accuracy was noticeably improved as well. Without the marker jumping around in my hands, it made it much easier to put the paint on target.With an MSRP of $155, the Evolve Newton Valve Kit is an expensive upgrade. However, the complete change in personality that it provides and the ease of adjustability make the upgrade a worthwhile addition for the Angel user who insists on having as much efficiency as possible. The 10 gram hammer helps immensely with perceived recoil and accuracy. The Angel Force Master Techs are offering the kit for sale in the US, and for those who aren’t confident in their technical abilities, the Master Techs will install the kit as well. For more information on the Evolve Newton Valve Kit for the Angel, or to see the other products that Evolve carries, check out www.evolvepaintball.com . The author wishes to thank 68Caliber.Com Test Crew Member Kurt Wise for his assistance during this review.