Diablo E-matrix

This is Tiny Tim's review of the Diablo E-matrix.

First impressions- After holding it, I learned the gun is huge. It's around shocker sized. I also noticed that it was very heavy. I had the model with pewter grips, which weighed 1 pound alone. On top of that, I had heard the E-matrix was a gas hog, so I got an 88ci tank ready. A combination of all those and a full hopper made for one heavy gun. The pewter grips look nice and are very comfortable also. I've held the newer models with rubber grips, and they are quite comfortable also. The stock trigger pull is about a half centimeter. It is very easy to adjust the pull, and in no time I had it down to 1.2 millimeters. The beehive regulator that comes stock on the gun is exceptional. It looks a bit ugly, but it is comfortable and is a superb stock regulator. Besides the size, it looked to be a very promising gun.

Stock- The E-matrix is exceptional stock. It has no kick, and comes with one of three barrels. The original Matrices (plural of Matrix) had 12" or 14" CP barrels with a bore size of .689 inches. Then the ones with rubber grips came out and they had 14" J&J barrels. The J&J barrels' bore sizes varied from batch to batch, usually ranging from .687-.691 inches in diameter. The newest Matrices come with OTP barrels, which are rumored to be the best of all. Mine came with a CP barrel, which was a great barrel. The stock regulator gave me +/- 5 over the chronograph. The first time I fired the Matrix it was quiet, and barely moved. There was no kick whatsoever. There is a front regulator that lowers the bolt cycling pressure to lower than 100 psi, which isn't necessary in my opinion. As long as you keep the maximum rate of fire down (adjusted via dip switches in the grip frame), you won't chop. Revolutions usually feed 10-11 balls a second. I always kept my maximum rate of fire at 10.0 balls a second and the gun only chopped when my friend forgot to turn on his Revolution. There is a new bolt kit from Aardvark Custom Paintball Products that increases the efficiency by 33%! It costs \\$150, and comes with special o-rings, lube, and a special microchip for the marker. This is a necessity. It also makes the marker fire faster and quieter. The matrix is almost perfect stock, it just needs the bolt kit. The Matrix has only one firing mode, semi-automatic. That is because of the new NPPL rule outlawing all guns that are capable of shooting in other firing modes.

Speed- The Matrix is known for it's angel-like trigger. After getting used to walking the trigger (drumming on it with two fingers), I could easily reach the 10 balls per second cap I had set. I had no problems jammin on the trigger. I had also put in new springs to make it a bit stiffer, and the return force was great. Adjusting the trigger was a matter of unplugging a wire, taking off the grips, taking off the grip frame, and sticking in a hex key. Anyone can do it. The speed of the Matrix is astounding, and far superior to most other markers.

Accuracy/Consistency- The Matrix operates at 180-200 psi stock. That leads to a very low amount of kick when fired and ultimate consistency. Although accuracy is a matter of paint/barrel match and velocity consistency, the Matrix has both of these categories down pat...and more. It comes stock with a great barrel, no need to purchase an aftermarket one. The way the bolt moves, there is no blowback. There is actually a sort of vacuum created when firing. This and the double rubber ball detents make for consistent feeding. This leads to great accuracy. I matched up Team Colors paintballs to my CP barrel, and I was launching darts at 9 balls a second. The Matrix shoots with extremely flat trajectory and is one of the leaders in accuracy of paintball markers today.

Reliability- Here is where the Matrix isn't so great. The spool valve design means that there are about 30 o-rings in the gun. There is a lot to go wrong. The Matrix also needs LOTS of lubrication, every 1500-2000 cycles. The Matrix is infamous for bolt stick, where the bolt gets stuck either backwards or forwards. This is because of the programming (for older models) or because you don't have enough lubrication. The input pressure needs to be set just right also. The newer models are more reliable, and there are chips out there you can buy to give new firing modes and prevent bolt stick. Between all the o-rings, the bolt stick, and the lubrication needs, the Matrix is a very high-maintenance gun. Newer models have newer solenoids that can handle more input pressure and are more reliable. If you get a Matrix, make sure to get one with rubber grips and a serial number above 1000.

Overall Value- The Matrix is a low pressure angel with a few changes. It is terribly inefficient, big, heavy, and unreliable. It does have superior accuracy and consistency however. The choice is yours. Some people don't mind picking up the Matrix for \\$650 on-line, throwing on a bolt kit and getting it milled, which all costs almost \\$900. I really think that the newer models are better because they are more reliable, and have an LED light on the back. The newer models however have a very annoying push-button, whereas the older models have an on/off switch. I would wait a bit for Diablo to work out some bugs in the E-matrix before I bought another one.