Hyper Sport Works V3 I Frame

The FAQ was born: February 9, 2001.

Last Updated: March 09, 2005

Hyper Sport Works I Frame Version 3 for the Impulse

From the Web site:

Nothing. Their web site is still down since the fire at their shop. Hypersportworks is currently selling products on eBay as hswseller. You can also buy their products from the various distributors.

From their eBay listing:

I Frames feature a unitized grip/solenoid housing, funky styling, fully polished bodies, a FULLY adjustable double trigger (pre, post travel and spring weight are adjustable with the frame ON the gun) with no side to side play, and better marker balance due to the grip being moved forward a full inch. Note that the grip only has moved, not the solenoid housing, so all your vertical reg and fore grip mounts will work just fine. There are a total of 6 tank mounting holes so you can easily place your air system where its most comfortable. They weigh a little less than the two separate stock parts do together plus they are 1/2 an inch shorter overall making your Imp not only shorter front to back, but shorter top to bottom! The rounded grip frame is very comfy in your hand. Installing them is even easier than installing the stock frame due to the one piece construction. The Version 3s work with Cricket/Blue Light and WASP boards.

Picture taken from www.hypersportworks.com

So what's new with the V3?

Before you read on, I want to specifically point out this is a GREAT trigger frame, I do truly love it. Now with that said, I am going to be a little more harsh than I normally am. The reason is, I think this great product could be a little better, perhaps a V3.5 or V4 will happen from my review.....ya never know.

The V3 I Frame was made specifically for the Smart Parts Cricket board (blue light board) which also works with the Wicked Air Sportz Equalizer board. With this in mind I could not help but wonder why the solenoid tray portion still has the box openings for the old Amber board Potentiometer? The Equalizer board does not need the openings as all adjustments are done via the trigger and for the cricket board you only need a small hole for the allen key for the dwell buttons.

A really nice feature that is an improvement from the original I-Frame (did you know I did a review of the original I-Frame, check it out) is externally adjustments. The V3 features externally adjustable Pre-travel, post travel and spring tension. The Pre travel is inside the grip frame where the battery is stored and features a nylon tipped set screw.

Underside of the V3 I frame shows the 6 drop forward mounting holes on the bottom of the grip frame and the pre travel set screw inside the grip frame where the battery is stored.

The post travel is the lower set screw on the front of the trigger. This set screw is also nylon tipped. The spring tension is the set screw on the top of the trigger and controls the force required to pull the trigger. I found that the only way to make the spring tension acceptable was to either back out the set screw to the point that it was sticking out of the trigger and poking my finger, or to remove it all together and let the micro-switch provide the trigger return pressure. I went with the spring removal. If HSW decided to work on the V3.5 this would be another area I would ask them to address. They either need to install a smaller spring, a shorter set screw or drill the back of the trigger frame out a little to allow less spring tension from the spring. I will say that without the spring the trigger felt great, but it did tend to bounce a lot more.

A really nice feature is the trigger guard. While there is plenty of room, the bigger benefit is that the guard is cut in such a way that you can easily adjust the two set screws found on the front of the trigger.

The front of the trigger has a spring tension adjustment (on the top) and a post travel adjustment (on the bottom).

As with all of the earlier versions of the I frame, the V3 features the integrated solenoid tray, which is IMO a must have and the curved back. The frame still uses standard 45 grips although it is not cut to the same angle as a standard 45 frame. I once read on one of the forums that all I-frames are 80* frame which tend to be more comfortable than standard 45 frame. Also, because of the curved back you can not use any of the wrap around style grips.

Unlike the stock Smart Parts trigger frame, the I-frame uses a single pivot pin. This pin is located further forward than the stock frame pivot which allows sharper trigger adjustments. The pivot pin is held in place by a small set screw, so there are no flying c-clips to lose.

Silver V3 I Frame

My only other minor complaint is that the V3 I frame is taller than it needs to be. There is a lot of material at the bottom of the trigger frame and to remove a 1/4" would not hurt this frame at all. I went from an AI frame to the I frame and this was the first thing I noticed, the frame added a little height to my marker and overall profile. Upon closer inspection the solenoid tray portion is about the same size, although the screws that worked on the AI frame would not work on the I frame so I needed to buy some longer screws. Its the trigger frame portion on the V3 I Frame that is noticeably longer than the trigger frame on the AI. This lowered my tank, which raised the overall marker once the setup was shouldered. While not a big deal to some, those of you that are true paintballers will know the value of a short and tight setup!

The Details

Installation: Installation is easy.
MSRP: $154.95
Options: Currently available in Red, Blue, Silver and Black.
Pro's: A super fast trigger frame the integrates the solenoid try.
Cons: They could have done just a couple more little things to make it that much better. However, I'm sure the average paintballer will not think of these things.