Editing Smart Parts Impulse (section)

== History ==

=== Introduction (2000) ===

Smart Parts developed the Impulse as an alternative to the Shocker Sport, which used a different pneumatic operating system.

The new marker incorporated a stacked-tube body with an electronically controlled solenoid, pneumatic ram and poppet-type valve.

Adam Gardner, a co-founder of Smart Parts, is identified in technical histories as a principal figure in the Impulse's development.[1]

The Impulse offered electronic firing controls, an adjustable trigger and compatibility with aftermarket components. It became part of Smart Parts' growing range of electronic tournament equipment.

=== Vision system (2001) ===

In early 2001, Smart Parts introduced the '''Vision''' anti-chop eye system for the Impulse.

Vision used an electronic sensor to detect whether a paintball was correctly positioned in the breech before permitting the marker to fire.

The system was intended to reduce paintball breakage caused by firing before the loading cycle had been completed.

Some early Impulses required modification to accommodate the system, while later bodies incorporated the necessary openings for its installation.[1]

=== Cricket electronics (2002) ===

Smart Parts introduced the '''Cricket''' electronic control board in early 2002.

The revised board replaced the earlier electronics and changed how users adjusted the marker's firing characteristics.

The Cricket system incorporated changes to dwell adjustment and anti-chop eye operation.

The original Impulse also supported an extensive aftermarket, including replacement bolts, valves, regulators, trigger frames and electronic boards.[1]

=== Private-label Impulses ===

During the early 2000s, paintball equipment companies and tournament teams offered customised Impulse markers.

These editions commonly incorporated distinctive body milling, finishes and selected aftermarket components.

Documented private-label versions included:

* Adrenalin Impulse
* Strange Vision Impulse
* Nasty Impulse
* Toxic Impulse
* Rat Impulse
* Eclipse Impulse
* Shocktech SFL Impulse
* Dark Impulse
* Evil Impulse

The different editions reflected the wider custom-marker industry that developed around electronic tournament paintball during this period.[1][4]

=== Related Nerve marker ===

Smart Parts subsequently developed the '''Nerve''', a premium electronic marker using a related stacked-tube, ram-driven operating system.

The Nerve incorporated a smaller body and additional standard components, including a low-pressure regulator.

Although related to the Impulse, it was marketed as a separate marker rather than a numbered Impulse generation.[1]

=== Redesigned Impulse (2009) ===

Smart Parts introduced an extensively redesigned Impulse in 2009.

Commonly known as the '''09 Impulse''', the new marker retained a ram-driven poppet-valve operating principle but differed substantially from the original Impulse in its construction and internal components.

The marker featured a compact body, internal air-transfer arrangements and components related to the [[DLX Technologies|DLX Luxe]] platform.

Smart Parts publicly unveiled the marker in May 2009 and released it at the PSP Chicago Open in June.

It was marketed at approximately US$1,000.[3]

The company's financial difficulties later in 2009 curtailed the marker's production and after-sales support.

The 09 Impulse is therefore considerably less common than the original Impulse family. A technical history estimates that approximately 900–1,100 examples were sold, although this figure is not an independently confirmed production total.[3]

=== Later use of the Impulse name ===

A new marker using the '''JT Impulse''' name appeared in 2013.

Although it reused the historic name, the JT model was mechanically distinct from the 2009 Smart Parts Impulse.

Its development followed the acquisition of Smart Parts intellectual property by KEE Action Sports. The later marker was sold under the [[JT USA]] brand.[3]