Reviews
The Dangerous Power IQ
By Dale Ford
Apr 23, 2008, 21:06

The Dangerous Power IQ

Dangerous Power's newest entry into the high end marker market is inspired by the Limited Edition Threshold.  When we reviewed the Threshold, we'd heard rumors about another marker being developed from the Threshold for the mass market, but represnatives from Dangerous Power would never confirm or deny the rumor.  In the IQ and G3, the rumor appears to be true.   While a few Thresholds are still floating about, the bulk of them were sold out very quickly. 

The IQ is a a European market marker, destined for use overseas.  The American counterpart is available now in the US as the G3.  The IQ is the marker reviewed here, and we'll note the differences between it and the G3 as the review unfolds. 

First and foremost, the IQ is tiny.  Weighing in at a minuscule 1.86 pounds, making it the lightest marker on the market currently.  With a height and length of 7.84 inches and 19.5 inches respectively, the IQ without a barrel is roughly the size of a medium framed handgun.  We observed only a minor difference in size between the IQ and the Empire Mini.  Despite the marker's overly small size, the ergonomics are set up quite well. 

In the box that the marker comes in, there's a tool kit, a set of o-rings, a barrel blocking device and a one-piece barrel.  The feed neck on this marker is a non-clamping variety, and has o-rings inside to hold a hopper in place.  There's no on-off feature to the ASA.  On the American G3, Dangerous Power supplies a clamping feed neck and DP's RAPS ASA.   Dangerous Power claims that the IQ runs at 180 psi.

The marker's board is controlled by a single pushbutton switch in the back of the grip frame.  A single multi-color LED indicates power on and off, status of the eyes, and whether or not the IQ's break beam eyes are activated.  Trigger actuation is accomplished by using a board mounted photointerruptor, and adjustments to fire mode and dwell are controlled by DIP switches.  Mode of fire include NPPL/Semi, PSP Ramp (at 15.4 bps) Millennium Series Mode, and NXL Mode.  While the stock board uses old technology, it's proven technology, so breakdowns attributed to the board should be minimal.

The IQ's bolt

Two set screws adjust back travel and pull length on the trigger, which while having a nice shape, was afflicted with a small amount of side-to-side play.  The dump valve makes for a very simple marker, using one moving part, and 6 o-rings total.  The marker's grip frame is a standard .45 style, which allows a player to replace the grip panels with after market offerings to enhance the marker's appearance to an individual's tastes.  A decorative piece mounts on the marker's snatch grip, we assume to protect the back cap, but we didn't like the looks of it and removed it during the course of testing. 

As tested, the marker was upgraded to a Custom Products inline regulator and a CP Clamping feed neck. These are proven parts, and while Dangerous Power's inline regulators are as good as many OEM regulators, we wanted to take advantage of the marker's size, and the CP inline offered both a smaller size and allowed us to evaluate the marker's performance without having to make allowances for a regulator breaking in. 

The marker was fed by LP versions of  Guerrilla Air Myth air system, a CP air system, and a Centerflag 420SV.  We used the stock barrel as well as a St!ff! Barrel.  The IQ is autococker threaded, which is rapidly becoming the standard barrel thread among mid- and high-end markers.  Paint feeding duties were handled by a Hard Corps Torque.  We used ProCaps RecSport and Podium Series Bronze paint throughout testing.

The marker was tested over the course of two weekends of scenario play.  During the course of testing, two separate markers were used by two separate players.  Both are early production run markers, #17 and #59, respectively.  The marker's firing impulse has a snappier feel to it than it's older brother the Threshold.  Sound levels were best described as medium, somewhere between the bark of an Ego and the soft thump of a true spool valved marker.   Over the course of the two weekends, the marker's light weight was a boon when spending lots of time on-field.  Despite the marker's lack of weight, perceived accuracy was comparable to any other high end marker, and felt recoil was noticeable, but easily handled once a player familiarized himself with the marker. 

The brains of the IQ

Efficiency was a respectable 1000 paintballs on a 4000 psi fill.  We did notice that efficiency went up as the marker's internals broke in.  The factory recommends Dow 33 as a preferred lube, but we found higher efficiency and smoother operation using Slick and Hater Sauce.  During the course of testing, the only issue we ran across was the IQ's  ASA's tendency to cut the o-ring on the air system, but only on serial #59.  Serial #17 didn't have this issue, so more than likely the threading on #59's ASA was sharper than #17.  The American market G3 uses the DP RAPS ASA, which gives an on-off function for the air supply.   As expected, using the higher-grade Bronze produced better perceived accuracy with both barrels, even using the lower grade RecSport and the stock barrel produced small groups.  Players who encountered the IQ both on and off field loved the marker's small size and weight. 

The IQ and the G3 are available now.  MSRP is set at $495, with color choices including red, blue, and black..  For those looking to get maximum bang for their buck, the high end performance of the IQ and it's mid-range price make for a great combination. The marker's tiny size and miniscule weight are major strong points going for the maker as well.  Dangerous Power will be making an microswitch based board in the near future, as well as an optional trigger. Aftermarket board manufacturers are already looking at the IQ and G3 to allow players to update the marker's electronics.  

For more information on Dangerous Power's lineup of markers, including the IQ, G3, Fusion F8, Threshold, and the upcoming RevI, check out www.dangerouspower.com