Admin: Created article on the Bob Long Intimidator electronic paintball marker, covering its 2000 introduction, GZ and Alias models, six generations, technical design, tournament use, custom variants and G6R development. Includes manufacturer manuals and contemporary sources.

2026-10-21T16:45:57Z

Created article on the Bob Long Intimidator electronic paintball marker, covering its 2000 introduction, GZ and Alias models, six generations, technical design, tournament use, custom variants and G6R development. Includes manufacturer manuals and contemporary sources.

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{{Short description|American electronic paintball marker series introduced in 2000}}

The '''Bob Long Intimidator''', commonly known as the '''Timmy''', is a series of electronic [[paintball marker]]s developed by American professional player and equipment designer [[Bob Long]] and manufactured by [[Bob Long Technologies]] (BLAST). Introduced in 2000, the Intimidator became a widely used high-end tournament marker during the early 2000s, competing with products such as the [[WDP Angel]], [[Smart Parts Impulse]] and later [[Planet Eclipse Ego]].[1][2]

The Intimidator uses an electronically controlled, pneumatically operated, open-bolt design with a stacked-tube body and poppet valve. The product line developed through six generations, culminating in the [[Bob Long G6R]], introduced in 2011.[3][4]

== History ==

=== Development and introduction ===

Bob Long developed the Intimidator following his involvement with customised mechanical paintball markers and earlier electronic designs, including the Bob Long Defiant.

The original Intimidator, subsequently known as the Classic Intimidator, was released in 2000.

According to the manufacturer's later historical account, the original marker combined electronic firing control, break-beam anti-chop eyes, separate pressure regulation, a two-piece barrel and decorative anodised finishes.[1]

The design was intended for competitive paintball, where electronically controlled firing systems were becoming increasingly common.

=== Ground Zero Intimidator (2001) ===

In 2001, Bob Long Technologies released the '''Ground Zero Intimidator''', commonly abbreviated '''GZ'''.

The GZ introduced a more compact body configuration, a conventional 45-style grip frame, revised electronics and the Bob Long Torpedo regulator.[1]

The marker was associated with the professional tournament team [[Ground Zero]].

Contemporary [[WARPIG]] coverage of the 2002 Mardi Gras Open documented Ground Zero Bedlam using a new Intimidator variant. The report described the marker as lighter and more compact than the original model.[5]

=== Second generation (2002) ===

The Intimidator range expanded during 2002 with additional models, electronic improvements and customised body designs.

The manufacturer's August 2002 manual documented the second-generation Intimidator alongside the Dragon and Ripper variants.[3]

These markers used electronic solenoid control, dual pressure regulation and infrared anti-chop sensors.

The range included customised models associated with professional teams, retailers and equipment distributors.

At the October 2002 NPPL World Cup, National Paintball Supply displayed new Ironmen and Ground Zero Intimidator models intended for the following season.[6]

=== Alias and subsequent generations ===

The '''Alias Intimidator''' was introduced during the mid-2000s as a substantial redesign of the established platform.

It incorporated a smaller body, revised internal components and a redesigned grip frame with integrated electronic controls.

Further developments included the third- and fourth-generation Intimidator models, alongside numerous customised and team-associated versions.

The fifth generation included the '''Vice''' and '''Protégé''', which were documented in the manufacturer's technical manuals.[7]

The Protégé was introduced for 2008, incorporating a revised stacked-tube poppet system and an optional four-eye anti-chop system.[1]

=== Sixth generation: G6R ===

The '''G6R''' represented the sixth generation of the Intimidator platform.

Introduced in 2011, it retained the stacked-tube poppet-valve operating system while incorporating substantial changes to the marker's construction.

The redesigned body used separate front and rear sections and internally routed air passages, eliminating the exposed macroline air hose used on earlier models.[4]

The manufacturer's manual also documented a revised trigger assembly, updated electronics and optional four-eye detection.

A revised G6R version was released for 2012, incorporating changes to the electronic display and air-source adaptor.[8]

== Operating system ==

The Intimidator is an electronically controlled, open-bolt, pneumatically operated marker.

Its operating mechanism uses a solenoid-controlled pneumatic ram to move the bolt and operate a poppet valve.

When the trigger activates the electronic circuit board, the solenoid redirects compressed air to move the ram forward.

The ram advances the bolt, chambers a paintball and opens the poppet valve, releasing compressed air to propel the paintball through the barrel.

Air is subsequently redirected to retract the ram and bolt, allowing another paintball to enter the breech.[3]

The operating system differs from mechanical blowback markers, which use a spring-loaded striker and blowback pressure to recock the mechanism.

=== Electronic controls ===

Intimidator models incorporated programmable electronic circuit boards controlling firing behaviour.

Depending on the generation, settings included:

* Firing mode.
* Rate-of-fire limit.
* Solenoid dwell.
* Trigger response.
* Anti-chop eye operation.
* Tournament lock settings.

Early models used electronic displays and external adjustment controls, while later versions incorporated revised circuit boards and operating interfaces.

The Intimidator platform supported manufacturer and aftermarket electronic systems, including Bob Long's Frenzy boards and products developed by Wicked Air Sportz, Virtue and Tadao.[3][9]

=== Anti-chop eyes ===

An important feature of the Intimidator was its electronic anti-chop eye system.

Infrared sensors positioned near the breech detected whether a paintball had entered the firing chamber.

The electronic board could prevent the marker from cycling before a paintball was correctly positioned, reducing the likelihood of paintballs breaking during loading.[3]

Later models introduced revised optical detection systems, including the optional four-eye configuration available on the Protégé and G6R.[1][4]

== Models and variants ==

The Intimidator was produced in numerous configurations, including standard production models and customised editions.

{| class="wikitable"
! Model
! Period
! Notes
|-
| Classic Intimidator
| 2000
| Original production model.
|-
| Ground Zero (GZ)
| 2001
| Compact redesign with 45-style grip frame and Torpedo regulator.
|-
| 2K2 Intimidator
| 2002
| Second-generation platform with revised electronics and body components.
|-
| Dragon
| Early 2000s
| Custom-machined Intimidator variant.
|-
| Ripper
| Early 2000s
| Custom-machined series produced in several versions.
|-
| Alias
| Mid-2000s
| Redesigned platform with smaller body and updated grip frame.
|-
| Vice
| Late 2000s
| Fifth-generation Intimidator.
|-
| Protégé
| 2008
| Fifth-generation model incorporating updated electronics and body construction.
|-
| G6R
| 2011
| Sixth-generation redesign with internally routed air passages.
|}

This is a selection of documented models rather than a complete catalogue of all Intimidator variants.[1][4][7][10]

Other documented custom and team-associated versions included the Ironmen, Empire, Naughty Dogs, Texas Storm, Russian Legion and Infamous Intimidators.

== Professional tournament use ==

The Intimidator became closely associated with professional tournament paintball during the early 2000s.

Teams using Intimidator markers included [[Bob Long's Ironmen]] and Ground Zero.

The marker appeared in major competitions associated with the [[National Professional Paintball League]] and later tournament formats during the expansion of professional speedball.

Contemporary WARPIG coverage documented Ground Zero players using Intimidators at the 2002 Mardi Gras Open and new team-associated models being displayed at the 2002 World Cup.[5][6]

The platform competed in the high-end tournament market against electronic markers from WDP, Smart Parts, DYE and Planet Eclipse.

Its development coincided with the wider adoption of electronically controlled markers, anti-chop systems and increasingly compact tournament equipment.

== Later history and legacy ==

The Intimidator remained an important product line for Bob Long Technologies throughout the 2000s and into the following decade.

The platform's successive generations documented developments in electronic firing control, pneumatic operation, body design and marker ergonomics.

In late 2016, the assets and designs of Bob Long Technologies were acquired by the newly established [[Field One Paintball]], with the arrangement announced publicly in January 2017.[11]

Field One has retained an online archive of technical manuals for the Intimidator generations, including the G6R, Vice and Protégé.[10]

These records continue to provide historical documentation of the marker's design and development.

== See also ==

* [[Bob Long]]
* [[Bob Long Technologies]]
* [[Bob Long's Ironmen]]
* [[WDP Angel]]
* [[Smart Parts Impulse]]
* [[Paintball marker]]
* [[Field One Paintball]]
* [[History of paintball markers]]

== References ==

# [https://pbmanuals.com/download-manual/164/bob-long-protege-manual Bob Long Technologies – Protégé Owner's Manual]. 2008. Manufacturer's account of the Intimidator's development from 2000 onwards.
# [https://ansgear.com/info-center/paintball-history/the-history-of-paintball/ ANSgear – The History of Paintball]. Retrospective account of the development and adoption of electronic tournament markers.
# [https://pbmanuals.com/download-manual/168/bob-long-intimidator-gen-2-manual Bob Long Technologies – Intimidator 2002, Dragon and Ripper Owner's Manual]. August 2002.
# [https://pbmanuals.com/download-manual/152/bob-long-g6r-manual Bob Long Technologies – G6R Intimidator Owner's Manual]. Manufacturer documentation of the sixth-generation design.
# [https://warpig.com/paintball/tournament/mardigras/2002/index.shtml WARPIG – 2002 Mardi Gras Open]. Contemporary tournament report documenting Ground Zero's use of the Intimidator.
# [https://warpig.com/paintball/tournament/nppl/2002/worldcup/index.shtml WARPIG – 2002 PSP/NPPL World Cup]. 19–27 October 2002. Contemporary trade-show coverage of new Intimidator models.
# [https://pbmanuals.com/download-manual/171/bob-long-intimidator-gen-5-manual Bob Long Technologies – Generation 5 Intimidator Vice and Protégé Manual].
# [https://gonepaintballing.blogspot.com/2012/01/bob-long-g6r-paintball-marker-review.html Gone Paintballing – Bob Long 2011/2012 G6R Paintball Marker Review]. 27 January 2012.
# [https://pbmanuals.com/by-brand/3/bob-long Paintball Manuals – Bob Long Technical Manual Archive]. Includes Intimidator circuit board and electronics manuals.
# [https://fieldonepaintball.com/pages/previous-field-one-bob-long-generations-of-markers-and-parts-downloadable-manuals Field One Paintball – Previous Field One/Bob Long Generations of Markers and Parts]. Manufacturer's historical technical archive.
# [https://www.ryangreenspan.com/2017/01/18/dynasty-signs-with-field-one-paintball/ Ryan Greenspan – Dynasty Signs with Field One Paintball]. 18 January 2017.

== External links ==

* [https://fieldonepaintball.com/pages/previous-field-one-bob-long-generations-of-markers-and-parts-downloadable-manuals Field One Paintball – Historical Intimidator manuals]
* [https://pbmanuals.com/by-brand/3/bob-long Bob Long marker manuals at Paintball Manuals]

[[Category:Paintball markers]]

Bob Long Intimidator - Revision history

Admin: Created article on the Bob Long Intimidator electronic paintball marker, covering its 2000 introduction, GZ and Alias models, six generations, technical design, tournament use, custom variants and G6R development. Includes manufacturer manuals and contemporary sources.