Pinokio Hoppers
Pinokio Hoppers is a paintball equipment brand developed by inventor Evan Estrate. Its products have included the original Pinokio loader, with interchangeable front sections for different paintball capacities, and the more compact Speed loader.[1][2]
HK Army acquired Pinokio Hoppers in 2018 and subsequently marketed the Pinokio Speed as the HK Army Speed.[2]
History
[edit]Origins and early development
[edit]According to a company history published in 2010, Estrate developed the Pinokio concept after playing paintball with his son and identifying a demand for greater hopper capacity.[1]
A United States patent application filed by Evan A. Estrate on 16 May 2007 described high-capacity reservoirs that could be attached to paintball feeders. The application used the Pinokio name for the proposed family of hopper and loader designs.[3]
The original Pinokio loader was introduced in 2007. Its distinctive feature was an extended front section that increased the amount of paint it could carry. This projecting nose gave the product its name.[4]
By January 2009, Estrate was identified as president of Pinokio Hoppers in an announcement of the company's sponsorship of the University of South Florida Bulls paintball team.[5]
Development of the Speed
[edit]Pinokio subsequently developed the Speed, a smaller loader that dispensed with the original model's long capacity extension. The Speed was receiving industry coverage by the end of 2013, including a review in the December issue of PaintballX3.[6][7]
The two products served different preferences: the original loader offered an enlarged paint reservoir, while the Speed provided a more compact option for pump, mechanical and tournament players.[7]
Original loader close-out
[edit]In February 2017, Paintball Media reported that company owner Evan Estrate had announced plans to close out the original Pinokio model with a final production order. The proposal was accompanied by a promotional preorder campaign.[7]
Acquisition by HK Army
[edit]HK Army acquired Pinokio Hoppers in 2018. It retained the Speed design and sold it under the HK Army name, alongside its other loader products. A 2019 review also documented the Speed's use by San Diego Dynasty.[2]
HK Army reintroduced the original Pinokio loader in 2020.[4]
The later HK Army Sonic was described in 2023 industry coverage as a follow-up to the Speed, continuing the use of a sensor in the feed path with a redesigned shell.[8]
Products
[edit]Original Pinokio loader
[edit]The original electronic Pinokio used interchangeable front sections, described in contemporary promotional material as Stage 1 and Stage 2. The standard configuration was advertised as holding approximately 250 paintballs, while the extended nose increased capacity to approximately 400. A sliding attachment and spring-loaded latch allowed the front section to be changed without tools.[9]
The loader used a motor-driven paddle system and a flexible sensor in the feed path. It was powered by two 9-volt batteries and operated through a single on/off button at the rear. Its battery compartment could also be opened without tools.[9]
The larger configuration was marketed particularly towards scenario and woodsball players, while the shorter front allowed the same main loader body to be used with a reduced profile.[9][5]
A-5/X7 hopper range
[edit]In March 2010, Pinokio announced a hopper range for Tippmann A-5 and Tippmann X7 markers using the Cyclone Feed System. These hoppers applied the interchangeable-nose concept to the markers' existing feed system, with advertised capacities of 250 and up to 400 paintballs. The announcement anticipated retail availability in May 2010.[1]
Pinokio Speed
[edit]The Speed used a smaller body than the original Pinokio and omitted its long capacity extension. The later HK Army version retained a removable front section and a battery compartment that could be accessed without tools.[7][10]
HK Army's product specification lists a nylon shell, two 9-volt batteries, a single power button and an upgraded P board.[10]
Sponsorship
[edit]Pinokio supported players and teams across tournament, college and scenario paintball.
- University of South Florida Bulls: a January 2009 announcement confirmed the college team's agreement to use Pinokio hoppers for the 2009 season.[5]
- Bad Karma: in March 2010, the Salt Lake City scenario team announced that it was the first team sponsored to use Pinokio's new A-5/X7 hopper range. Its equipment was to feature a tiger-stripe finish.[1]
- Mike Paxson: contemporary industry coverage identified Pinokio's sponsorship of Mike Paxson, then associated with the Los Angeles Ironmen.[7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- Bad Karma Backed by Pinokio. Bad Karma and Pinokio announcement dated 25 March 2010, reproduced by WARPIG.
- HK Army Speed Review: Lightweight and Baby Tiny. Brad Johnson, Paintball Ruined My Life, 17 October 2019.
- High capacity paintball hoppers and loaders and paintball feeder combinations with quick disconnect, permanent and integral connection configurations. United States patent application 20080053422, inventor Evan A. Estrate; filed 16 May 2007, published 6 March 2008.
- The Pinokio Hopper. Paint, historical account. Accessed 27 October 2026.
- USF Paintball Teams Up With Pinokio. Cody Larson, USF Paintball announcement dated 29 January 2009, reproduced by JR Dominguez 32 Paintball, 3 February 2009.
- Paintball X3 Magazine, December 2013 Issue is Live. Israel L., Social Paintball, 30 December 2013.
- Pinokio Closes Out Original Hopper, to Give Away $10,000!. Staff report, Paintball Media, 19 February 2017.
- HK Army Sonic Review. Brad Johnson, Paintball Ruined My Life, 21 March 2023.
- The Pinokio Electronic Paintball Loader. Paintball Online Team, 15 December 2008.
- Speed Electric Loader, Black. HK Army, official product description. Accessed 27 October 2026.