| PCRI Product
Evaluation
Tippman Minilite Semi-Auto
 Design/Construction:
The Tippmann Mini-Lite is manufactured from a variety of materials...the
main body, vertical bottle adapter, and barrel (10" removable) are manufactured
from aluminum, the hand-grip and foregrip (which includes an integrated feed
port that does not require an elbow) are made from a very durable man-made
carbon fiber material. A bottom-line ASA (air source adapter) is built into
the hand-grip. The Mini-Lite comes with a sling that attaches to the foregrip
and hand-grip. An integral sight rail is incorporated into the Mini-Lite.
The Mini-Lite is 22-inches in length and weighs just over two and one-half
pounds. The dual tank set-up of the Mini-Lite allows you to use a tank in
the vertical or bottom-line position, or both (A plug is included for use
with one tank). When using only one tank, the other ASA must be plugged (both
are "live" ports).
The Mini-Lite come with a steel cable pull-through squeegee and instructions.
Design/Construction rating (4)
Accuracy:
PROCEDURE: With a securely bench-mounted gun, we fire 200+ rounds
of paint (three brands) at four target distances. At 100 & 125 feet,
the target size is 22" x 22". At 75 & 50 feet, the target size is reduced
to 8" x 11". All accuracy testing is performed indoors at 60 - 80 degrees
(f). The gun is re-sighted at each target distance change. For this accuracy
test we used California Magnum, Proball, and Players Choice. All testing
was done using a regular (gas) tank.
Out of the box, the Mini-Lite chronographed in the 280's (feet per second)
with a vertical twenty-ounce gas tank.
Using "Cal Mag" paint we fired 200+ rounds of paint at a distance of 125
feet, hitting the target at a rate of 55%. Proball's accuracy ratio was 58%,
and Players Choice followed at 56%. At 100 feet Proball led the way with
a ratio of 69%, and was followed by Players Choice and Cal Mag at 62% and
61% respectively.
With the target size reduced to 8" x 11" at 75 feet, the ratios were 57%
for Proball, 51% for Cal Mag, and 49% for Players Choice. At 50 feet the
ratios increased to 92% for Proball, 87% for Players Choice, and 82% for
Cal Mag.
Accuracy rating (3)
Performance tests...
(Maintenance of Velocity, Velocity Consistency, and Field Testing)
Maintenance of Velocity:
This test shows a gun's ability to maintain it's velocity during rapid fire
situations.
1st shot 287 FPS
2 shots 288 FPS (last shot)
3 shots 284 FPS (last shot)
4 shots 286 FPS (last shot)
5 shots 287 FPS (last shot)
6 shots 283 FPS (last shot)
10 shots 288 FPS (last shot)
Velocity Consistency:
This test demonstrates a gun's ability to maintain consistent velocities
at a slow rate of fire (read sample from left to right).
287 FPS 288 FPS 288 FPS 290 FPS 283 FPS 287 FPS
281 FPS 285 FPS 291 FPS 290 FPS 282 FPS 283 FPS
Of the 200+ rounds fired, the high feet per second was 294, and the low was
281 FPS. The average chronograph speed was 287 FPS.
Field Testing:
During the field test portion of this evaluation, the Mini-Lite proved very
reliable. We fired about 2,500 rounds with the Mini-Lite and experienced
average ball breakage (three breaks, all Players Choice). We had no double
feeds and no other problems. The Tippmann Mini-Lite is one of the best two
or three cold weather guns...we used siphon and regular tanks in thebottom-line
position as well as the vertical position with equal consistency (in accuracy
and velocity). Ball breaks in the barrel will cause your accuracy to diminish.
However, like the Pro-Lite, the Mini-Lite offers easy access to the breach
and barrel by sliding the foregrip forward and running a squeegee through
the barrel (the barrel does not need to be removed).
Performance test rating (4)
Maintenance:
The Mini-Lite is fairly easy to clean and maintain. As described above, a
quick cleaning of the breach and barrel takes just a few seconds. A few drops
of oil placed on the linkage arm and in the C/A adapter will be all you need
for lubrication. If you need to get further into the gun, you'll need to
remove the end cap, spring, bolt, bolt handle, bushing and rear sight jam
screw. You'll also want to disconnect the air line (make sure your C02 tank
is removed before attempting to strip down the gun).
Maintenance rating (3)
Warranty/Customer Service:
Tippmann Pneumatics offers customer service that no other Paintball gun
manufacturer has been able to match. Tippmann warrants the Mini-Lite for
a period of one year from the purchase date. However, that's only a small
part of what Tippmann Pneumatics has to offer. We've sent more than ten guns
to Tippmann for repair, many of them out of warranty and all but one came
back free of charge. In addition, most of the guns were returned within two
days.
Warranty/Customer Service rating (4)
Versatility:
The Mini-Lite is one of the more versatile mid-priced paintguns. The Mini-Lite
can be set-up to run C02 in many different configurations. The built-in sight
rail makes attaching a sight or scope simple. Also, the foregrip can be replaced
by a Power Feed, available from several third party manufacturers. There
are many upgrade barrels available for the Mini-Lite, including the Tippmann
Sniper barrel.
Versatility rating (4)
Price:
The Tippmann Mini-Lite is priced as an upper mid-level semi-auto. There are
many guns priced both above and below the Mini-Lite. The Mini-Lite is an
excellent value.
Price rating (3)
Conclusion:
The Tippmann Mini-Lite is an extremely well made/designed paintgun. It's
very durable, works well in all weather, and is fairly priced.
PCRI IS PLEASED TO AWARD THE MINI-LITE OUR FOUR STAR SEAL OF QUALITY.
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