WaWa Posted December 7, 2005 Report Share Posted December 7, 2005 Hey StaticZero, thanks a ton for writing yet another compreheansive review!!!!! Anychance that video is ready for my viewing pleasure? Our Airsoft click is looking at this for a team saw... and with your review and the price, I don't see where we could go wrong! Thanks again and keep up the GREAT WORK! WaWa Quote Link to post Share on other sites
staticzero Posted December 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2005 I actually just got done shooting some video. I just have to find time to capture and edit it. I'll be available soon. I shot some footage meant to help me figure out the ROF. I tested it with the stock spring and an 8.4v battery, and an upgraded spring with each of my large 9.6v batteries (the old one and my new IB3800 pack). I also shot some footage with the feed cover open while zoomed in on the gearbox cycling, and a bit of the release button in action. Plus, I shot a couple takes demonstrating the quick spring change feature. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kong Posted December 7, 2005 Report Share Posted December 7, 2005 what is the wiring like in-side the box mag ? i will have to get one of these Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rapier Posted December 7, 2005 Report Share Posted December 7, 2005 I sold a MKII the other day but didn't have the adapter for the battery so I called a battery store down the street and told them what we wanted. The guy said to just take the box mag down there and he'd swap the plugs for free! Batteries Plus kicks a$$! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
evil Posted December 7, 2005 Report Share Posted December 7, 2005 Has anybody fitted a RIS rail yet?? If so can you post up some pictures of it and how you fitted it on please. Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hillslam Posted December 8, 2005 Report Share Posted December 8, 2005 maybe its just me, but i've read/heard about many CA 249's sustaining serious breakage right out of the box. but i still haven't heard of any STAR m249's having any real serious problems. i know i know, "its still new", "hasnt been out long enough", blah blah blah. The fact is, CA releases guns before they should ever leave the factory. I'd rather have my 600$ plastic SAW that i cant take on the field with confidence, than a 1000$ heap of scrap metal in which the piston may blow apart simply because i over-adjusted the hop up. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> So then you're not counting the posts, some in this very thread, of new Star owners with problems: melted leads, tempermental power connectors, broken sights, split piston....? Good thing you avoided the CA, those piles of junk practically crumble when you lift em out of the box... whew that was a close one. Oh, and: 70k rounds and counting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WarMonger Posted December 8, 2005 Report Share Posted December 8, 2005 kong, this is whats inside the box mag, pretty simple. two screws in the bottom of the box hold it in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WarMonger Posted December 8, 2005 Report Share Posted December 8, 2005 So then you're not counting the posts, some in this very thread, of new Star owners with problems: melted leads, tempermental power connectors, broken sights, split piston....? Good thing you avoided the CA, those piles of junk practically crumble when you lift em out of the box... whew that was a close one. Oh, and: 70k rounds and counting. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> [/quote the only posts i read about split pistons and melted leads were about CA models. as for the power connector, i've plugged, and un-plugged mine about a thousand times now, and haven't broken the clips. Also, broken sights don't happen out of the box. thats something that is done by the user. i didn't mean it to sound like they are all junk out of the box, i'm sure they aren't. what i should have said was, they BECOME peices of scrap metal, AFTER they breakdown, which seems to happen all too often Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hillslam Posted December 8, 2005 Report Share Posted December 8, 2005 (edited) the only posts i read about split pistons and melted leads were about CA models. as for the power connector... Then you're not reading all the Star posts then, are ya? Go back a couple pages in this very thread for a nice juicy pic of a split-entirely-in-two Star M249 piston. Hey look, both are good guns. I'm not knocking the Star at all, but before you get done knocking the CA on anecdotal evidence we can do an easy experiment to demonstrate what the extra ~$350 buys you: Lets both go outside and run our guns into a brick wall or tree (happens all the time in events, banging equipment into stuff - so its a fair experiment), or heck even just drop them. Just stand right up and let er go. Then come in and post a pic. I'm game, are you? Actually I've already done this experiment (involuntarily) -I've dropped it, had the sling let go and watched it go down, ran it into trees, whacked it into walls, concrete blocks, and the front bumper of broken down 5-ton transport... and these weren't "love taps" either. One of those I completely "clothes-lined" myself with it at almost a full run and got knocked on my *albatross*. To put that in perspective; with my gear on thats stopping about 290lbs of clumsy dumbass cold. I don't know about the Star but I *know* that would have split a TM Colt clean in half. The CA didn't know anything happened to it. Anyway, here's my "after" pic: Your turn. Orrrr, we could both set our guns down side by side, wedge something in the triggers to stay on, and walk away til one dies. I'm game for that too. That'd actually be pretty cool to film. Sorry if this sounds antagonistic - I'm just having some good natured fun. Seriously just enjoy your saw - and light up some c-mag sporting poseur but good for me. Edited December 8, 2005 by Hillslam Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Th3_Jester Posted December 8, 2005 Report Share Posted December 8, 2005 thank for the review on this it made my mind up or persuaded me for this as i have loads of ppl on my back about getting one cuz theres like 4 more ppl getting them and going round in like a fireteam all with m249s kinda miffed at the lack of working bits ie cocking handle and stuff but the case and its sheer rof compensates for that im getting mine on the 18th and being skirmished same day so should be loadsa fun oh btw ill be getting the mkII full stock Quote Link to post Share on other sites
D-O-C Posted December 8, 2005 Report Share Posted December 8, 2005 hello, thank you for this review. i want only change the spring on white gearbox but wich one? i dont want to crack my gear box pdi130% or it s too strong? DOC Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WarMonger Posted December 8, 2005 Report Share Posted December 8, 2005 (edited) hello, thank you for this review. i want only change the spring on white gearbox but wich one? i dont want to crack my gear box pdi130% or it s too strong? DOC <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ive got a PDI 150% and its shoots at 30 to 40fps higher than stock without any noticable drop in ROF. i wont say exactly how fast it shoots because of the forum rules. but i would go for a 150%, a 130% might not give you much of a boost. hillsam-if you go back an read my posts you will see that i did drop my gun, from chest height, breaking the box mag right off the gun leaving a nice big hole in the top of the box where it used to attach to the gun.it also pulled off the feed spring. there was no other damage besides the box. the power connector wasnt even damaged, none of the soldering broke, nothing. i fiberglassed the clip back on from the inside and good as new, probably stronger. i do like your idea about setting them side by side and wedging the triggers down though. that would make a cool film. Edited December 8, 2005 by WarMonger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Slo Posted December 8, 2005 Report Share Posted December 8, 2005 About the springs - I have a PDI 170 in mine. Also no noticable drop in ROF in mine either. Definitely above forum limits, but I've put about 5,000 rounds through mine on this spring - no problems. -Slo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spartan490 Posted December 9, 2005 Report Share Posted December 9, 2005 (edited) WarMonger and Slo, what other nonstock parts are your using in your gun? I wanted to use a PDI 150 in mine, but i wanted to know what other internal upgrades you suggest. Thanks Edited December 9, 2005 by spartan490 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WarMonger Posted December 9, 2005 Report Share Posted December 9, 2005 WarMonger and Slo, what other nonstock parts are your using in your gun? I wanted to use a PDI 150 in mine, but i wanted to know what other internal upgrades you suggest. Thanks <{POST_SNAPBACK}> mines been running fine with the 150%, everything else is stock. i dont feel anything else is really neccessary with this spring in my opinion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shankskank Posted December 9, 2005 Report Share Posted December 9, 2005 does the star gearbox have metal bushings already installed? if so, there would really be no need for anything else, at least, for awhile Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blackstripes Posted December 9, 2005 Report Share Posted December 9, 2005 Nice review, StaticZero. And great inputs, guys. I just want to add this link to another review, but it's in French. The forum author stated that his M249 Para has already fired 10,000 rounds, without any problem at all. One of his very few complaints was the price (he purchased it in France @ 785 Euros! (I guess it's really THAT expensive in France!) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hillslam Posted December 9, 2005 Report Share Posted December 9, 2005 does the star gearbox have metal bushings already installed? if so, there would really be no need for anything else, at least, for awhile <{POST_SNAPBACK}> And are they 8mm? On the CAs, the bushings seem to do well up to a Prometheus 135 (what I'm using, fps at about a PDI 190%) although there was one owner (forget who) who noticed excessive wear on the stock bushings pretty fast (though I don't know what spring). I'm still using the stock bushings (again CA) but I've bought a replacement set from vxb for when I start noticing excessive wear. Kanzen doesn't make 8mm bushings yet but you can go to www.vxb.com and order a set to be safe. And there you can specify different sizes depending on the thickness of the mechbox material for a good fit. Not sure if the CA and the Star mechbox material is the same thickness but if it is you can order: http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PROD/3mm/Kit6915 3mmx8mmx4mm is technically the size http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PROD/3mm/kit714 I haven't installed mine yet, don't need to, so I also ordered a set of 3mmx8mmx3mm just in case (AustinWolf pointed out to me that they may fit better due to sideway shape) Hope this helps. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Slo Posted December 9, 2005 Report Share Posted December 9, 2005 (edited) No, the Star has normal sized bushings as far as I can tell. And all I have in mine is the spring. Everything else is stock. I have a box full of upgrade parts sitting around, but I'm waiting to see how long everything will last in stock configuration. The only other "upgrade" if you could call it that, in my gun, is the Prometheus hard hop up bucking, because the stock one is pretty weak in my opinion and was not standing up to hard usage at all. -Slo PS: 785 Euros. . . wow . . . Edited December 9, 2005 by Slo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hillslam Posted December 9, 2005 Report Share Posted December 9, 2005 No, the Star has normal sized bushings as far as I can tell. By normal do you mean 6mm, 7mm? Those are way easier to find. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Slo Posted December 10, 2005 Report Share Posted December 10, 2005 Looks to me like normal sized 6mm ones. Sorry I didn't clarify, I forgot a lot of manufacturers are putting 7mm bushings in their mechboxes. -Slo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Tiger Posted December 10, 2005 Report Share Posted December 10, 2005 Excellent review; I figure the gun will be a good alternative to the more expensive TOP and CA M249s out there; whish they put more metal in that gun, but then again, the price would increase significantly if they do so. so, eh... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WarMonger Posted December 10, 2005 Report Share Posted December 10, 2005 finally got around to mounting one of my g36 side rails on my saw, just drilled to holes and used two nuts i got a home depot. simple really. stuck my BSA red dot on there for the time being. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Slo Posted December 10, 2005 Report Share Posted December 10, 2005 (edited) Another after skirmish report guys: Today, same as the last three weeks. Gun performed superbly, and even better so with the upgraded spring and the barrel actually not flopping around. Fired about 4,000 rounds today, bringing my total up to nearly 17,000 rounds in three weeks of play. Keep in mind, all mechbox internals are BONE stock, running a PDI 170% spring. Thing just keeps ticking - even I didn't expect the piston or gears to run this long with no problems, even when it was running at stock fps levels. The only problem I've run into, and it happened today, was the box mag kept not feeding initally. Seems the connector had come loose only slightly and it wasn't winding. A little hundred mile an hour tape fixed that right up. I love this gun, plain and simple. I have 8 other AEGs, and this is the only one I've used for the past three weeks. Bravo STAR, you've earned my respect. -Slo Edited December 10, 2005 by Slo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blastyman Posted December 11, 2005 Report Share Posted December 11, 2005 Just got mine the other day. First use was yeterday. 4000 rounds thru a few hours. Gun ran like a clock. No misfires or anything. Was impressed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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