These are some of the questions pretaining to the Nerve that I hear asked most often. If you wish to know more detail about one or more of the topics, consult their seperate section of my site.
Please note that this is not a FAQ for electronic markers. If you are unfamiliar with terms used when describing electronic markers (dwell, input pressure, LPR, etc), then read my Electronic Markers FAQ.
General Questions:
Q: Why has the price of the Nerve dropped from $1200 to $1000, then to $800, then to the current price of $475? Is the Nerve being discontinued?
A: Nerves are not being discontinued. Nerves weren't able to compete very well with Ions once they were released in early 2005. As a result the price was dropped to the current levels so the marker would sell better.
Q: What is the difference between an 04, 05, 06, etc Nerve? Which do I want to buy? How can I tell the difference?
A: Although there are many small production differences over the years, the question "what year Nerve" is not something you need to worry about. Simply put, if you plan on purchasing a new-in-box Nerve, you will receive the newest model that is in stock at that particulat retailer. Smart Parts doesn't wait until the new year to upgrade their guns; all the upgrades for the gun are included as soon as they become available. Therefore, for all intensive purposes, an "05 Nerve" is simply a Nerve produced in 2005, etc.
Q: Which is better: Shocker or Nerve? Upgraded Impulse or Nerve? DM4 or Nerve? etc.
A: This is a matter of personal preference more then anything else. The only real advantage that all users can agree on is that the Nerve requires no upgrades in order to function at its best. Most other characteristics of the marker are up to personal prefrence. The generic answer is to simply go out and shoot both markers and see for yourself. Of course if you ask this question on a Nerve forum, most of the players there will tell you "Nerve" however if you go to another forum for the other marker it will most likely be the opposite.
Q: How does the Nerve work? Are there any other markers like it?
A: The Nerve uses the same popular stacked tube, open bolt electropneumatic design that can be found on many other markers, including the Bushmaster, Impulse, Defiant, Intimidator, Angel, Viking, NME, Cyborg, and others. There is a piston located behind a valve, and a hammer at the end of the piston. When the marker fires, the hammer moves forward to open the valve, which releases air down the barrel to propel the paintball. When the hammer moves forward, so does the bolt, becuase they are mechanically linked.
Questions Asked Prior to Purchase:
Q: Are there any private label Nerves?
A: The Nasty Nerve was released some time ago, however it was unpopular and was discontinued. There haven't been any other PL Nerves since.
Q: Does the base/stock nerve come with a Max-Flo regulator?
A: Yes, all Smart Parts markers come with one. If not then the solenoids and a number of internal seals would burst.
Q: Does the Nerve come with a vertical reg or a gas-thru grip?
A: The Nerve comes with a vertical regulator and a bottomline dropforward with ASA. If you purchase the Nerve package it will still come with a vertical reg, except it will also have an HP tank system as well.
Q: What kind of efficiency can I expect from the Nerve?
A: The Nerve gets average efficiency rates of around 1100-1300 or more shots from a 68/4500 HPA tank. Efficiency can be increased with a fine-tuning of the settings.
Q: What barrel threading does the Nerve use?
A: The Nerve accepts Impulse/Ion threaded barrels. Barrels from an SP8, Epiphany, or Shocker NXT will also work.
Q: What are the threads on the vertical feed tube?
A: The vertical feed is threaded for the Ion, Impulse, Shocker Sport, Shocker SFT, Omen, Bushmaster, and "new-style" Piranhas. There are many aftermarket tubes available.
Q: Does the marker come with Vision?
A: Yes.
Q: What tank output pressure can I use?
A: I personally suggest buying an HP tank. The only markers that require LP tanks are specific types of Angels (basically). HP tanks will work on just about every other gun out there.
When an LP tank is used, there is a danger of the tank not keeping up with the high rates of fire that the Nerve is capable of. Only the highest-flowing LP tanks will work without problems. This includes Guerilla Air systems, Crossfire systems, and scarce others.
Q: What is the Nerve's maximum rate of fire?
A: The board is electronically capped at 24-bps with Vision enabled, and also includes a ramping mode which will accellerate your fire rate as high as you have it set if desired.
Technical Questions:
Q: What is the best dwell setting to use?
A: There isn't such thing as a "perfect" dwell setting (if there were then it wouldn't be adjustbale). Every marker operates a little differently and every marker requires a bit of tuning to get performing well. Instructions for this and other tasks can be found on this website under the Adjusting & Maintaining pages.
Q: Where can I find a diagram of the o-ring sizes and locations?
A: Check the Nerve maintenance guides of this website.
Q: What types of regulators can be used on the Nerve?
A: Most aftermarket regulators that will work on other electropneumatics will function on the Nerve, so long as they can regulate to a low enough pressure and be able to keep up with the necessary recharge rates. The following is a short list of several of the regulators which can keep up (there are more, threse are just some examples): Smart Parts Max-Flo, AKALMP regs, MacDev Gladiator, Dye Hyper2, Palmers Stab, Air America ??, CP reg, Bob Long Torpedo, Evolve Pi, and others.
Q: What hopper should I buy?
A: This is also a matter of personal preference. I suggest you try both and see how they compare. Remember the vast balance difference between the eVolution and the Halo.
Q: What Shocker SFT upgrades will work on the Nerve as well?
A: Nerves and Shockers share triggers, frames (more or less), circuit boards, feed tubes, ball detents, solenoids, and vertical adapters. The firing assemblies for the guns are different.