Compare the Tippmann 98 Custom Basic and Valken Proton side by side: price, specs, firing modes, weight, and maintenance — and see which paintball gun is the better buy for your style of play.
| Tippmann 98 Custom Basic | Valken Proton | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Tier | Budget | Budget |
| Typical Price | $85-130 | $140-200 |
| Operation | Mechanical inline blowback | Electropneumatic-assisted |
| Firing Modes | semi-auto | semi-auto, ramping, full-auto |
| Caliber | .68 | .68 |
| Feed | Gravity hopper | Gravity hopper / force-fed |
| Air | HPA/CO2 | HPA |
| Operating Pressure | ~250 psi | ~250 psi |
| Weight | 3 lb | 2.4 lb |
| Maintenance | Low | Low |
The Tippmann 98 Custom Basic and Valken Proton are both budget paintball guns, so the choice comes down to how each one fits your game rather than how much you spend. On price, the Tippmann 98 Custom Basic runs roughly $60 less, so budget-first buyers will lean its way. Both fire electronically, but the Valken Proton offers more firing modes for dialing in your rate of fire. At 2.4 lb the Valken Proton is the easier carry over a long day on the field. The Tippmann 98 Custom Basic is built with rentals and budget woodsball in mind. The Valken Proton is built with budget upgraders and rec play in mind. Bottom line: pick the Tippmann 98 Custom Basic for a tight budget, or the Valken Proton for all-day comfort.