Posted by pbguide Posted   1021 daysago

Manufacturer:  Invert/Halo
Distributor: Kee Action Sports
Price:  MSRP - $59.95
Capacity: 180 rounds
Operation:  Electro-Mechanical/ 4 AA batteries
Feed Rate: 20 BPS (adjustable)
Availability:  From just about everybody if they’re smart
68Caliber’s test copy of the newly released Invert Halo Too was received directly from Kee Action Sports.  Which prompts us to review our review policy with you - please see the end of this article*.
I’ve personally seen the entire history of paintball loaders unfolding before me - from ten round tubes for tilt-feed guns, through gate feeds, sock-holders, stick feeds, oil cans, spiral feeds, rotating box feeds, the very first Viewloader (90 rounds, no assist), the very first assisted feed Viewloaders (a gear and battery box almost literally stapled to the outside of a modified viewloader) and through the explosion of electronic hoppers.
There have been a few standouts during nearly thirty years of paintball hopper/loader evolution - PMI’s first ‘made-for-paintball’ stick feed, the aforementioned original Viewloader (and it’s nextgen motorized version), AGD’s WarpFeed.
The Invert Halo Too is another.
My first impression out of the box was - what a cool, brushed, smooth flat black color!  I’ve seen this light-absorbing flat black on other ABS plastic items, and a version of it on some anodized guns (and, though I know that there are a couple of other loader bodies with the same finish out there), this is the first time I’ve seen it on a loader body in person.
Whoever mixed that color and got it to stay true with the plastic, got it right.

The color is, at the very least, acceptable for use in any playing environment right out of the box: those using it in MilSim environments will find it a nice match for other black components (the base color is perfect for the quick application of the right paint for a custom cammo job) and those using for tournaments - well, black goes with everything.
My second immediate impression was the robustness of the feed neck.  You’re going to need a crowbar and a mallet to break that thing. (I don’t think an extremely serious gun-hopper-face plant, while running full speed, downhill, on concrete, with stainless ball bearings in the hopper would even come close to cracking it).
In fact, overall construction is pretty darned solid and will be familiar to those using other Halos and related product.
The two shell halves are held together with what appears to be the right number of screws and - despite the fact that a nut is always supplied behind the gun, each of the body screws threads into a nut - not into plastic.  In fact, I should correct myself right now and state that the body retaining screws aren’t screws at all - they’re bolts.
All are the same standard thread, though there are three different lengths (out of design necessity).  This is a nice, simple feature, since if you lose a nut or two, you can replace them with others from elsewhere on the body.
The lid is the standard snaplock pressure-fitted clear plastic cover.  No doubt some will be disappointed that it doesn’t come with magnets, but I expect that this feature can be easily added, a replacement may become available, and that a lot of players are just going to opt for a speed gate anyway, so no magnets isn’t really a downer, expecially when you consider that putting a standard lid on probably saves a few pennies on the manufacturing end.
Operation is simple, straight-forward and clean - always a plus when trying to get up to speed on new gear. One button on the front face of the loader controls everything - on/off, feed rate, feedneck monitoring on/off.  Different colored LEDs (along with a certain number of) flashes let you know what function you’re adjusting and what state that function is in.

The battery compartment door is fitted (tightly) and has its own bolt retaining it in place:  this could be a minor annoyance if you are really pressed for time between games and need to change batteries; on the other hand, battery life is pretty darned good (EASILY enough for a full day of intense play), so unless you forgot to put fresh batteries in before the start of the event, you probably won’t have to worry about it.  It is also about the only alternative to other fastening methods (slots, pressure fit, snaps, whatever) that have an annoying tendency to break and cost way too much to replace.
After giving it the once-over out of the box I took it along to one of the local fields (AG Paintball in Weare, NH:  Alex, the owner, has agreed to make his facilities available for 68Caliber product reviews.)
The Invert Halo Too first passed through AG Paintballs owner’s hands, gun tech’s hands and head referee’s hands. Everyone was suitably impressed.
Next it was off to the field.  I was fortunate enough to run into some pretty hard-core players - the guys from the Big Evil Online forum’s team, including Big E himself.
I asked for test volunteers and the loader was snapped up and quickly fitted to an Ultra E-Mag that has been, shall we say ‘worked’.
The crowbar and mallet were required to retrieve the loader. You can read the player’s commentary in the comments for this review.
The loader had no trouble keeping up, fed flawlessly at a 20 BPS rate and was no trouble for a player unfamiliar with it to: get it up and running on his gun in just a few seconds and figure out the operational controls (without the benefit of the instruction manual which is supplied and is itself a nice example of concise yet comprehensive technical instructions).
Once we did manage to get the loader back and returned to the offices, it was dismantled (you’ll need a very fine, narrow phillips head screw driver).
The bolts were a little stiff to get started, but that’s to be expected - they won’t be the next time.
The two shell halves separated easily and cleanly and the interior components stayed in place once disassembly was completed - a nice bonus since no one wants to lose pieces out at the field.
As you can see from the parts layout, the loader was not entirely disassembled, but even so, there are not a lot of parts to worry about.  It will be very easy for even the novice to replace shell halves or open the loader up for a thorough cleaning.
About the only quibble we had was the use of blue (masking? surgical? electrical?) tape used to retain the leads, again, no doubt, a cost-saving measure considering the alternative - wiring harnesses, channels molded into the plastic, etc.  Quick, easy and just as effective as anything else when you think about it.

That about does it - except for one last thing.  The price.
At a manufacturer’s suggested retail of $59.95, the Invert Halo Too really shines! Way less expensive than other forcefeed loaders with virtually all of the same features.
No doubt that the Invert Halo Too will become one of the main loaders of player choice during the remainder of the 2009 season.
~ ~ ~
*68Calliber will (and has) review any paintball-related product that it receives for that purpose.  We are not under any obligation to do so and do not accept product for review which has “conditions” attached.  If you think getting a little PR for your product by way of 68Caliber taking a look at it and offering our opinion will work for you - please send it along.  If you think you’re going to get a blanket endorsement - you’ll be wrong and if you think you can arm-twist by offering to send us ‘free stuff as long as we give it a glowing review’ - don’t bother sending it.
We know that soliciting product from advertisers or receiving it from the manufacturer/distributor/seller might cause some to question the ‘honesty’ of the review, so we’ve removed all doubt about ‘getting free stuff in exchange for a good review’ with the following program:
Any and ALL product we get in for review will be (and has been) given away - either through contests here, at events or in some other appropriate manner.  The Halo Too in question here is destined for a give-away at a local field during the BT Global Game.  We’re not interested in free stuff, nor do we want to dilute the market by selling it (and don’t).
Hint to charitable events:  if you are looking for some extra gear to sweeten your prize package - get in touch.
Everyone wins: the product producer gets some coverage and exposure, 68Caliber gets some content and some lucky player gets some free gear.
After all of that is said and done - read the review (ours and everyone else’s) and then make your own decisions about how to spend your money.



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