Funny I should come across this thread, Im actually sitting at the local paintball store (summer job) as we speak. I would say go with a Tippman 98 Custom or a BT-4 Combat (BT = Ben Tippman, his new company). I generally tell that to anyone who comes in here looking to buy a new setup. The Tippman/BT Products will outlast almost anything out there, they require very little maintenance and shoot consistantly well, even when neglected (not that I recommend that). The Spyders are decent guns, but in my experiences the Tippman/BT have always been more durable and user friendly.
Also I recommend a decent Thermal/Anti Fog lense mask. It may be a little extra coin, but nothing sucks worse than spending $200 on gear and then not being able to see through a thick layer of fog on your mask when you go to play. The Proto FS or Proto Switch are good anti fog masks which arent too expensive.
Also a very important rule of thumb about marker care, **IF IT AINT BROKE, DONT TRY TO FIX IT**. There are many small springs and pins within your marker that are very easy to lose. Cleaning should be a very simple process:
1.Wipe off any paint on your marker after you play
2.Clean the barrel/breach of any paint/dirt
3. Once every 2000 rounds or so, drop a few drops of paintball gun oil in the ASA (where the co2 goes) and fire a few dry fires (no paint, no barrel) to blow the oil into the working parts of the gun and keep the Orings from dry rotting.
THATS IT, Take the Gun to your local Paintball store for any major problems (which should be few and far between if you keep your equipment clean)
Finally, with regard to the comment below...
But beware, they are a bunch of immature kids on there with the occasional adult.
Ive found this comment to be nothing but a common misconception about paintball... When paintball first got started 20-30 years ago this may have been the case, however if you go to any large scenario event you will find fathers, sons, uncles, nephews, and yes, even daughters and SWMBOs. My boss (pushing 50) still goes out every sunday to play and on the sundays that I can get off work I tag along and there are plenty of guys (and girls) in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. If you take a trip to your local commercial field on any given sunday Im you will find the same.
Sorry for the long post
, I tend to rant lol. Hope I was Helpful
Peace:rockin: