I got to try this thing out Friday, and boy is it a hoot. Here are a few new things to play with:

Choppers:
-ALL choppers now have an auto-hover feature. No more need to tap the up button ("W"). Simply hold the button down until you're reached altitude, and then you can leave it alone. Of course, in forward flight (or while performing any maneuver), you need to hold the button. In order to come down, you need o hold "S" (much like applying negative collective. Took some getting used to, but I like it!).

-Heuy's have a winch. Want to pick up your buddies in that Mike boat or PBR and get them (and their firepower) to another area quick? Or how about moving that Sherman to the NVA's spawn point? No problem. Just hover over the item you want to move, drop the winch, wait for it to hook up, and boogey.

-A Chinook is available in certain levels. Great fun, and you can land on water! Cobra's are also available.

Planes:
-Include F-4, MiG-21, MiG-17, A7 Crusader, etc. Napalm included with the Phantom. [}:)] They are missing the OE-1 Bird Dog for FAC. I'd like to be able to launch smoke rockets to mark heavily populated areas to maximize the damage that napalm does. [}:)]

Weapons:
-The "Sniper Rifles" are actually accurate (so you don't need to mess with your gun to find out where your bullets impact in relation to your crosshairs). One shot kills are a breeze with any of them. Leading running targets is also easy.

-The M60 is a little too accurate I think. It is FAR more affective than it should be (the NVA's RPD is no match, and they should at least be close).

-Engineers can "disassemble" tanks with their torch. You're basically destroying them, but much faster than a LAW would.

-I've heard that the shovel you can get is for moving spawn points. Not sure on that one.

-NVA get punji stakes, but I never used them.

-Handguns are accurate and deadly.

Maps, Environment, etc.:
-If you lay down in tall grass, you almost disappear. You are VERY difficult to see, and you usually need to use binoculars to spot good players.

-There aren't a lot of maps, but there are enough to keep you busy.

-You can also change how your character looks. That's fairly helpful when you want to make yourself difficult to see (only a vest up top, or do you want full sleeved Tiger Stripes?).

There's more, but I can't list everything. I enjoyed it quite a bit, and the music is great. Perfect for the time period, and all are good selections. I've heard that if you press "O" while you're in a vehicle (any one), you can listen to some tunage while you're flying/driving around. You even get to pick from a playlist! I never knew about that until after we left Xtreme Gaming. Anyway, I'd suggest it. Two thumbs up. []

Anyone tried this yet? Probably not since it's not out yet (Tuesday is release day). However, Xtreme Gaming on Alma School and the 60 is a member of IE Games or something like that, so they got an early release for promotion. It's a lot like Battle Field, but you can't fly choppers or drive the Hummers. You can ride in them and use the guns, though. The graphics are amazing compared to BF. I

t's game play is like the old HL (every man for himself). You pick a specialty (Sniper, Gunner, CQB, etc.) and you can use the corresponding weapons that would fit that character. Also, you're not limited to just one gun for that role (ie., Battle Field only lets you use an M25 for sniping, or an M16 for assault. This game gives you at least 4 main weapon choices and 3-4 secondary choices). However, you can stop by the armory mid-game and switch roles to get different weapons. Accessing the armory menu also replenishes ammo automatically. I haven't figured out how to host games yet, or play single player (those options weren't available). Xtreme Gaming (XG) had a game running already, though.

Sniper is great in the game. Everything is real accurate (like it should be), and one hit from a .308 in the upper chest or head is a one-shot kill (as it should be). You are awarded pointed for different kinds of kills (long-range sniping, long-range non-sniping, knife kills, etc.). There are also binoculars, which are VERY handy (I know), and night vision. You also have the lean feature found in Call of Duty and Raven Sheild. All in all, if you can get used to the game play (and how technical the game is), it's very fun. []

Any give this CS mod a try? I find it to be rather entertaining. Think of Max Payne crossed with Firearms and CS. You can dive, do backflips, slow down time, freeze time, dodge bullets (it's designed to play out like the Matrix), and run along walls. Also, you can switch between guns and "Kung Fu" mode, which involves numerous hand-to-hand fighting moves that are very entertaining to watch. By pressing "X," one can watch their player third-person (it's like a chase camera), so you can see all the action. Graphics are incredible, and the maps are very good. Once you have things figured out, you can learn advanced tricks like jumping from building to building (ala Matrix), superdives (looks like you're flying), and a few others. The action is intense on some maps.

You get enough people playing on the smaller maps, and it's constant mayhem. Dojo is great, sinceit's real small map good for Kung Fu, slow motion, bullet dodging, and akimbo handguns. Pick it up at www.specialistsmod.net (I think that's it).

Anyone give this a try yet? It's still in Alpha version, but it plays great. F16's, Harriers, MiG 29's, A10's, Apaches, UH-60's, M16, Beretta, M14, AK47, RPG, all those goodies. It's a great game! Thoughts?

Nick R.

Not knowing how to get the gearbox out of the body stopped me from getting a job today. So, now I want to know. What I needed to fix was a broken tappet plate, or so I think. I was told that, with a loaded mag, the AUG would "fire," but nothing would be fired. Dry shots basically. My MP5 did that a while back, and it was my tappet plate. So I knew how to fix that problem. I was told if I could fix it, I could have the job, right then and there. But I just didn't know how to get the flipping thing out! Somebody has to know how, so I can put this thing to rest. I still can't believe I missed getting the job by so little. [!][][V][xx(]

If I'm lucky enough, I may be able to secure a job at the Tempe location of the Command Post. I've contacted John, the owner, via e-mail and expressed an interest in a position. He responded, and let me know that there may be a "temporary" opening. My next step is to go see him in person for an interview of sorts. I feel confident I can perform the tasks usually performed at a paintball shop, as well as those that involve airsoft. My main interest right now is trying to improve their selection, and to see if I can't get them to use dedicated wall guns, so you aren't buying a "used" gun from them when you buy one off the wall (or shelf, for GBB's). On top of this, is there anything that anyone would like done in specific to the airsoft side of things? Maybe see if I can't get a wider selection of guns, and lower the prices? Better BB's? I'm just feeling the water here, as I don't have the job, YET! But I'd like to know what they majority of the local customers (you guys) would like to see.

Nick R.

Due to recent events (in my personal life), I have chosen to take a break from the airsoft world and move on for a while. Money is need elsewhere to pay off a Defensive Driving Course, etc. So, I'm selling my SVI. It has been VERY well cared for. Periodically taken apart (bench stripped, to the last screw), cleaned, greased and oiled, and reassembled. It functions flawlessly. The mag well is a little worn, but any well loved pistol would be worn here as well. Nothin major, just a little scraping inside from quick changes. The finish is slightly worn off on all the normal handling places (beavertail, safety, sides of frame, etc.). WA hasn't yet perfected the art of finishing metal, methinks. []

Two mags, both standard 30 rounders, both have had NOTHING, and I MEAN NOTHING in them but 134a (or well oiled Duster, using Chase's method). Nothing but Excel .2g BB's have been through this gun. There is a slight bit of orange on the grooves atop the barrel, as Chase couldn't get it all. I still have all the trigger's (extended, short, and competition), all hex wrenches (hop-up and trigger change), loading tools, manuals, targets, warnings, tags, and the original bag of factory BB's, as well as it's box. The box got a bit beat up during shipping, but it's in pretty good shape otherwise.

I'd like to get about $175 for for all of this. I'd also throw in the rest of my Excel BB's (about 800 or so). Cost me $240 brand new. E-mail me if you're interested at NickRas@cableaz.com . Please don't post. I don't get on often enough to check. Thanks!

Nick R.