E-Blazer

A short review and pictures of the Punisher Customs "E-Blazer" - BABEL (Brent's Altruistic; Blazing, Electro, Launcher)

NOTE: MoDem Users - there are many pictures on this page and may require several minutes to download.


7/2000 - Obviously there had been some changes from the original design. Original pictures, sent to calm my nerves about any work that was being done.	7/2000 - The "black-box" is now under the barrel. Originally, the Black-Box was going to contain the electronics and was going to be mounted under the grip.	7/2000 - early version of the prototype. - I am glad that some of the changes were made from this early version.


3/2001 - More pics to calm me down... When I was told that he Punisher also wanted to build a PA-pum kit, I was all for it.	3/2001 - I don't know why this early version of the pump kit was not used (except for the zip-tie). It looks like it might have been a much nicer piece of work.	3/2001 - There looks like there even might have been a return spring on this version. - also note that the hose barb on the gun is facing the other direction from the delivered version.	3/2001 - (The hack- job on the DF is mine NOT Punisher work.) - once again, I am glad I didn't have to deal with the box on the bottom, now that I have handled it with it under the barrel.


7/2001 - received product. left view	7/2001 - received product. right view	7/2001 - the x-way in the battery box. 0 X-way switch, the battery and the on/off switch.	7/2001 - yes the wires are exposed, but besides the fact that this is a prototype, it is also a "convertible", in that there is a pump kit and the wires as well as this entire "black-box" is removed for the pump-kit

7/2001 - The 9V battery is used for the electronics. It is stored in the same box as the x-way switch.	7/2001 - no hogue grips.	7/2001 - no grips - the other side, showing the micro-switch and "protected" electronics board.	7/2001 - woohoo - a green LED (under the grips) - it was kewl to watch while I was testing, but I wouldn't use it with the grips off, in the field!

7/2001 - really great looking mill-work.	7/2001 - the pump-kit - Once I received instructions on it's installation and I tweaked it a bit - woohoo!!!	7/2001 - another view of the pump kit. - it was designed to slide on the HV/LP chamber that is used on the front of the ASA.	7/2001 - the "black-box" (battery and x-way) removed. - no electronics here, only the x-way switch and the battery :)

7/2001 - another pic of the PA-pump kit. I was VERY impressed with using a PA-Pump Blazer.	7/2001 - the ring-clamp to adjust travel to minimum on the pump-kit - a little large, I had to put a strip of electrical tape on the barrel first to make it not slip	7/2001 - the pump-kit (almost) installed (except the hoses). Once I learned how to hook up the hoses, this thing rocked!

After using my "real" Blazer for some years, and being very comfortable with it, I decided that I would try something different. I am not much of an electro-paintgun fan, but after reading many posts on many forums about people wanting an electro-PPS gun, I sought out help to take this project on. After some major time consumption, I happened on "Punisher Customs" at the Doc Nickel Technical Guild Forum. After many an email, he decided to do a prototype using my Blazer as the R&D model.

I wanted to do this project so bad, I could almost taste it, even though, like I said, I am not much of an electro-fan. I wanted to help other Palmer Owners and write this review so they could see what third party options could be had. I decided that I wasn't going to "do it" to my original Blazer, after all, she is my pride and joy and I am very comfortable with her, just in case. I went looking for a used stock Blazer. Man what a job. found several Blazers, but everyone had tricked this and that, and seemed as though the ones for sale were guys that were wanting to make money by adding stuff and "tricking". I just wanted a functioning stock Blazer to have R&D done to it.

Finally after a couple months of looking, I just decided to buy a bone stock one from PPS. I did, and just for a twist, I bought a LH feed version.

Though this is not a comprehensive covering of the E-Blazer, it is a recreational players judgment. I will refrain from getting into very many technical details as there are other better suited writers and reviewers...

Not much else to say at this point as it is currently non-functioning. I removed the black-box to send it back and I have the pump-kit semi-installed, but am not an airsmith enough to know how to hook the hoses up to the body. I am awaiting an email from Punisher Customs.

I know that some may say that it is a bit rough, but I accept this roughness as part of the prototype. I can only assume that if he does decide to do the electro-conversions that the wiring will be a little less obtrusive. In my case, I completely understand where they are and the availability so that they can be removed to add the pump kit.

For those who need to know, I paid for this in advance, and had no problem doing it. It took over a year and a half. Personally, I think that may have been a bit too long, even though it was the prototype, BUT I do understand that "stuff happens", especially when building something new like this. It is up to Punisher to say how much I paid, though. I do know, and will say that the conversion was not "cheep".

PA-PUMP REVIEW:
The pump kit was a little bit difficult to install at first. I didn't know how or where to hook up the hoses. Once Punisher had instructed me on how to do it, I got it dry-fire running.

That weekend, was "pump day" at the field, so I took her out. Leaving behind my Super Stocker and my Sniper and Paladin etc... The day started a bit slow for me, the first game, I took her out and the x-way kept staying plunged, I would deal with it during play by using my thumb and bumping it out.

At first, I thought it might just be a bit sticky, so I oiled the plunger a bit. It still stuck intermittently at the chroney. Remembering my "cocker-smithing", I then tried to reduce the Rock (pneumatics) pressure, and it did the trick. The next game was much better, but now the bolt wouldn't cycle sometimes - I must have turned the rock down too much! I dealt with it, though for the game, until the hose popped off the middle barb on the x-way.

Couldn't be too much pressure, it was so low that the bolt wouldn't even cycle sometimes. back in the containment area, I took a closer look, the barb was pretty smooth. I bought a cocker kit and used a hose sleeve to keep it pressed down at the chroney. The next game or two went pretty well, as I did minor tweaking to input pressure (Stabe) and the pneumatics (Rock). After that the rest of the day was just about flawless. I have taken it out several times since to test-shoot it and have not had a problem since.

My overall thoughts on the Pump Kit: I would like to know if Punisher will actually be doing these in "production". And the turnaround time. If it is reversible, I may even consider doing it to my baby (#006). The barrel clamp needs to be a bit smaller in diameter, Punisher offered one to me, so maybe that will be better.

E-BLAZER REVIEW:
BABEL, was a little tougher to review at first, since I had developed a leak in the HV/LP chamber connection, and had dumped my HPA tank in the process. So, I did the pump kit review first, since I was going to the field, and while there, I could get my HPA refilled.

I am told that BABEL requires HPA when in "E"-mode, so after filling my HPA, I started taking a closer look at the e-blazer. Because I had done allot of tweaking on the Rock and Stabe, I was concerned that I would have to do more when converting back to semi. I did not have to make any pressure changes. The input pressure remains at just below 300psi, and the rock ran the electronic pneumatics great.

My next challenge was the the DF was cut too short and the power feed wouldn't let the balls flow as well as I was expecting. I think it was a challenge for Punisher to "fix" my dremmeling of the DF. Anyway, I just removed the PF and attached the elbow right to the DF. woohoo - the balls would make a steady stream.

I first started my test using a 9v VL2000 (pre-BE). I could easily out-shoot the hopper, though I wouldn't actually shoot that much or fast in an actual game. Then I switched to my BE vl2000 (12 volt). I was not able to out-shoot it at all now, but when I tried to "fan" the trigger (pretty easy to do with this combination of electro/physical seer switch). I was then able to out-shoot the VL.

So, I then switched to my European twin loader, and couldn't outshoot it (that I noticed) even when fanning the trigger. I am not sure if there is a limiter in the electronics on how fast it can cycle, but it kept up, very well. The electronics in BABEL is not a pretty PC board with a chip and socket. Well, actually, it may be, but it was covered with a black plastic hardened material. I am glad it was after taking a couple hits to the fingers and grip frame. It was nice, also, when cleaning it up that I didn't have to treat it like it was fragile glass.

The EAER of the blazer remained the same as a blazer, so that wasn't an issue, though it was a bit front heavy without a tank. But with the back-bottle tank, it balanced back up again.

My overall thoughts on the E-blazer: Well, electronic markers is not my thing. Many have told me that the people who complain about or don't like Angels (for example) is because they can't afford one. Well I can, and I have used several - sorry, not my bag. Anyway, just wanted to interject that so you all know where I am coming from.

It worked pretty well and I wasn't disappointed in the performance aspects of the e-blazer. I was initially disappointed in not being able to use the power feed, but I understood why it didn't work in this circumstance. With the combination of the pump kit and the electro conversion I thought that the hose connections could have been done better, but I don't know how.

The hose barbs are brass and nickel are screwed into aluminum. And my original thought to use the angled barbs with the removable screw type probably wouldn't do so well screwing and unscrewing into the aluminum body. I suppose if there was some very intricate and special work done, it might have been nice to have some sleeves inserted in the holes, then screw the barbs in, but hay, I am not a machinist.

It took some getting used to on the trigger, but with the electro-mechanical hybrid trigger, it didn't take me long. At least it wasn't a mouse-click trigger (I hate them). The trigger has som play from side to side, but didn't affect performance or my shooting. I just noticed it because my other guns don't have it. Punisher tells me that is how they come when he buys them, though he could "shim it up" if it was an issue.

So, overall, I wasn't disappointed. I think that it is a great setup. I am not sure of the "production costs", you will need to ask Punisher about that. But I do know that a Stock blazer is $400 and if the cost is anywhere around the price I paid (though he spent Much more developing and designing, using my gun), you are approaching the price of an Angel or other high-priced electro. Obviously that isn't an issue if you are a "Palmerite" - heheheee

I am certain that PPS will probably not warrantee anything on the gun anymore, since there has been some radical changes, but because it is based on a PPS Blazer, that shouldn't be a problem anyway.

I know that Punisher regrets sending it to me in the state that it is in, and considering his "prototype-itis". But I also understand that he was probably under allot of perceived pressure (though not from me) to get this (and other) projects out of the shop. In the "one-of" custom smiths there is a prevalence of taking on too much work and allot of people that voice complaints about taking so long.

I normally don't chime in on those emails and forum posts. I felt like I had allot of patience during that last year and a half. My main concern was in communications. Sometimes all I wanted was a status, and because of email problems and otherwise being too busy, it was sometimes hard to get through.

If you all didn't know, I did all this for several reasons and in no particular order:

Many of you may know that BABEL is no longer my marker. Last winter, I traded it to a fellow CPPA (Cris "JesusFreak" Cantrel) member. He wanted it and I wanted a Play Station2 (that he had 2 of). he shipped it to me, without even seeing a picture of BABEL. I was up-front with him and told him that communications was sketchy at best and that I didn't know when it would be done (though, base on Punishers reputation, it WOULD be done). I also told him that I would need to keep it for a while when I received it so that I could do this review. Dang... Looks like I am going to be shipping a box off to Main this week!

If there are any questions you would like me to answer about the BABEL system, please email me and I will answer to the best of my ability. I do not have any technical details about the electronics, you will have to ask Punisher about that. My review and pictures was done for fun and for players. I know that the Tinkers Guild engineers may be a bit disappointed in my review and lack of tech-geek stuff, but I wanted to give everyone a bit of how I "felt" about it and my initial feelings and playabilities toward the performance.

The Glenn Palmer, Palmer Pursuit Shop: Blazer, Customized by Punisher Customs

The Glenn Palmer, Palmer Pursuit Shop: Blazer,
Customized by Punisher Customs