Bob Long Intimidator
Encyclopedia
The Intimidator is an electropneumatic
paintball
marker
manufactured by former professional paintball player Bob Long and his company, Bob Long Technologies. First introduced in 2000, it was, along with the Smart Parts Impulse, one of the first fully electropneumatic markers to be adopted by professional tournament teams on a widespread basis. There are currently over 28 versions of the Intimidator, spread over six "generations."
. The marker was tested using computer controlled shooting machines and ballistic chronographs, invented to test machine guns.
In 2004, Bob Long introduced the Alias Intimidator. The marker was redesigned from the ground up. Features like the regulator and valve were made smaller to increase flow and lower the pressure of the marker. The LCD was moved from the top of the trigger frame to the grip frame, and the internals were modified so that it cycled faster. As a result of these modifications, the Alias was more compact than the original Intimidator, and about 20% more air efficient. This version of the Intimidator served at the basis for all subsequent markers under the Intimidator name until 2006 when the Generation 4 Intimidators were released.
At the peak of its popularity in the mid-2000’s, the Intimidator saw widespread use in national and international tournament play. Its popularity began to decline however in later years as other poppet valve markers with similar rates of fire (such as the Planet Eclipse Ego
) became available. As a comparison a brand new Bob Long Vice Intimidator retails from the company at $749.99 USD whereas the Planet Eclipse Etek3 (aluminum body style) and Planet Eclipse Ego 9 retails at the company's site at $595 and $1,095 USD respectively. Nonetheless, the Intimidator can still be seen in use today at many paintball fields.
Generation 5 markers are four-eye capable which is a Bob Long design to incorporate four breakbeam eyes rather than the usual two. This design is intended to improve the reaction time of the board and bolt for an extremely efficient cycle and timing. Generation 5 markers are also in the category of very light guns weighing in at 1 lb. 13.2oz without a barrel.
, poppet-valve-based markers, the Intimidator uses a solenoid
to drive a pneumatic ram into a poppet valve
, which causes it to open, firing the paintball. On earlier Intimidators, one of the most recognizable external features was a dual low-pressure chamber.
Electropneumatic paintball marker
An electropneumatic paintball marker is a paintball marker that utilizes a pneumatic solenoid to actuate the hammer and/or bolt's movement.-History and basic operation:...
paintball
Paintball
Paintball is a sport in which players compete, in teams or individually, to eliminate opponents by tagging them with capsules containing water soluble dye and gelatin shell outside propelled from a device called a paintball marker . Paintballs have a non-toxic, biodegradable, water soluble...
marker
Paintball marker
A paintball marker, also known as a paintball gun, is the main piece of equipment in the sport of paintball. Markers use an expanding gas, such as carbon dioxide or compressed air, to propel paintballs through the barrel. Some paintball players refer to the piece of equipment as a "marker" rather...
manufactured by former professional paintball player Bob Long and his company, Bob Long Technologies. First introduced in 2000, it was, along with the Smart Parts Impulse, one of the first fully electropneumatic markers to be adopted by professional tournament teams on a widespread basis. There are currently over 28 versions of the Intimidator, spread over six "generations."
History
The Intimidator was developed and tested by Bob Long personally, and manufactured in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The marker was tested using computer controlled shooting machines and ballistic chronographs, invented to test machine guns.
In 2004, Bob Long introduced the Alias Intimidator. The marker was redesigned from the ground up. Features like the regulator and valve were made smaller to increase flow and lower the pressure of the marker. The LCD was moved from the top of the trigger frame to the grip frame, and the internals were modified so that it cycled faster. As a result of these modifications, the Alias was more compact than the original Intimidator, and about 20% more air efficient. This version of the Intimidator served at the basis for all subsequent markers under the Intimidator name until 2006 when the Generation 4 Intimidators were released.
At the peak of its popularity in the mid-2000’s, the Intimidator saw widespread use in national and international tournament play. Its popularity began to decline however in later years as other poppet valve markers with similar rates of fire (such as the Planet Eclipse Ego
Planet Eclipse Ego
The Planet Eclipse Ego is an electropneumatic, open bolt, paintball marker manufactured by Planet Eclipse,. The Ego was first introduced in late 2004 .-Operation:...
) became available. As a comparison a brand new Bob Long Vice Intimidator retails from the company at $749.99 USD whereas the Planet Eclipse Etek3 (aluminum body style) and Planet Eclipse Ego 9 retails at the company's site at $595 and $1,095 USD respectively. Nonetheless, the Intimidator can still be seen in use today at many paintball fields.
Generation 5 markers are four-eye capable which is a Bob Long design to incorporate four breakbeam eyes rather than the usual two. This design is intended to improve the reaction time of the board and bolt for an extremely efficient cycle and timing. Generation 5 markers are also in the category of very light guns weighing in at 1 lb. 13.2oz without a barrel.
Operation
Like the Ego (Ego was based on the Intimidator) and other open boltOpen bolt
A semi or full automatic firearm is said to fire from an open bolt if, when ready to fire, the bolt and working parts are held to the rear. When the trigger is pulled the bolt goes forward, feeding a round from the magazine into the chamber and firing it...
, poppet-valve-based markers, the Intimidator uses a solenoid
Solenoid
A solenoid is a coil wound into a tightly packed helix. In physics, the term solenoid refers to a long, thin loop of wire, often wrapped around a metallic core, which produces a magnetic field when an electric current is passed through it. Solenoids are important because they can create...
to drive a pneumatic ram into a poppet valve
Poppet valve
A poppet valve is a valve consisting of a hole, usually round or oval, and a tapered plug, usually a disk shape on the end of a shaft also called a valve stem. The shaft guides the plug portion by sliding through a valve guide...
, which causes it to open, firing the paintball. On earlier Intimidators, one of the most recognizable external features was a dual low-pressure chamber.
External links
- Bob Long Technologies, Inc.
- Delta Paintball Store, owned and operated by Bob Long and his family.
- Unofficial Intimidator FAQ