ViewLoader

ViewLoader (also styled Viewloader) is a historical American paintball equipment brand best known for its electronic paintball loaders. The company's products included the VL-2000, ViewLoader Revolution, eVLution series and VLocity, which were widely used in tournament paintball during the 1990s and 2000s. Originally operated by C. M. Support Inc. of Dallas, Texas, the ViewLoader product line was acquired by Brass Eagle in January 1999.[1][2]

History

Early electronic loaders

ViewLoader developed electronic paintball loaders during the early 1990s, when increasing rates of fire from semi-automatic markers exposed the limitations of conventional gravity-fed hoppers.

Dave Bell of ViewLoader developed the VL-2000, an electronic loader incorporating a motorised agitator and optical sensors. When a gap appeared in the paintball stack inside the feedneck, the electronics activated the motor to disturb the paintballs and clear feeding obstructions.[3]

The VL-2000 was followed by the VL-2000 Shredder, which used two 9-volt batteries to provide greater power to its agitator motor. Although this improved performance, the additional voltage could damage the motor and its gears.[3]

Revolution

ViewLoader introduced the Revolution at the 1997 NPPL World Cup. The loader improved on the earlier VL-2000 designs through revised electronics, a more durable motor assembly and improved battery connections.[4]

The Revolution used infrared sensors to detect gaps in the paintball stack and activated an internal agitator when necessary. Unlike later force-fed loaders, the Revolution relied on gravity to deliver paintballs into the marker.

The loader became widely used in competitive paintball. Contemporary WARPIG coverage described it as the leading electronic agitating loader of the late 1990s.[4][5]

Acquisition by Brass Eagle

On 6 January 1999, Brass Eagle announced the acquisition of ViewLoader's product line and related assets from C. M. Support Inc. for US$5 million.[1]

The acquisition included the VL 200 standard loader, VL 104 Attitubes, Revolution electronic loaders, cleaning equipment, loader elbows and barrel plugs.

Brass Eagle retained the ViewLoader name and incorporated the products into its existing distribution network. The acquisition also included patents associated with electronic paintball loading technology.[1][2]

Continued product development

Following the acquisition, ViewLoader continued developing electronic feeding systems.

In 2000, changes to the Revolution's electronics addressed interference caused by sunlight entering translucent loader bodies. However, testing by WARPIG found that the revised circuitry introduced delays in activating the agitator.[6]

During the summer of 2001, ViewLoader introduced the X-Board, an updated circuit board intended to improve response times while retaining protection against sunlight interference. A stronger polycarbonate shell was also introduced.[7]

The company subsequently developed the eVLution, an electronic loader using an impeller to actively sort paintballs into the feedneck rather than simply agitating the contents of the hopper.

The improved eVLution II entered production in 2002, addressing several shortcomings of the original model.[8]

VLocity

In late 2005, ViewLoader began field testing the VLocity with sponsored tournament teams. The loader entered production towards the end of the year and was reviewed by WARPIG in April 2006.[9]

Unlike the Revolution, the VLocity was a force-fed electronic loader capable of maintaining pressure on the paintball stack.

Its electronic controls allowed players to adjust feeding force according to their equipment and the paintballs being used.[9]

Later ownership

ViewLoader remained part of Brass Eagle's business following its acquisition by K2 Inc. in December 2003.

In February 2010, KEE Action Sports acquired the JT Sports business and associated brands, including Brass Eagle and ViewLoader. KEE announced that it would continue manufacturing and distributing products under these names.[10]

The ViewLoader trademark subsequently passed through GI Sportz Direct to Kore Outdoor. Canadian trademark records identify Kore Outdoor (US) Inc. as the current registered owner.[11]

Although the original independent manufacturer no longer operates, the Revolution design has continued under the JT USA brand, including a modern JT Revolution loader marketed by GI Sportz.[12]

Products

Paintball loaders

Notable ViewLoader products included:

VL 200 – Conventional gravity-fed paintball loader.
VL-2000 – Early electronic agitator loader using optical sensors.
VL-2000 Shredder – Higher-powered development of the VL-2000.
ViewLoader Revolution – Electronic agitating loader introduced in 1997.
Revolution X-Board – Updated Revolution electronics introduced in 2001.
eVLution – Electronic loader using an active paintball sorting mechanism.
eVLution II – Redesigned eVLution loader introduced in 2002.
VLocity – Electronic force-fed loader introduced in late 2005.

Accessories

The original ViewLoader range also included:

Paintball loading tubes.
Hopper elbows and feedneck adapters.
Barrel cleaning equipment.
Barrel plugs.
Replacement loader components.

These products formed part of the ViewLoader assets acquired by Brass Eagle in 1999.[1][2]

Significance

ViewLoader was among the principal manufacturers responsible for the adoption of electronic paintball loaders in tournament play.

The VL-2000 and Revolution addressed paintball feeding interruptions associated with conventional gravity-fed hoppers, while the later eVLution and VLocity represented the company's development of more advanced feeding systems.[3][9]

The Revolution became particularly associated with late-1990s tournament paintball, before being challenged by newer electronic loaders during the 2000s.[5][9]

References

External links