Introduction:
What can I say? The theory behind high flow valves is simple. You increase the size of the valve hole to allow a greater flow of air through, hence allowing one to shoot at a lower operating pressure. What benefits might you say this offers? Theoretically, they have been claimed to allow the following: Better air efficiency, less ball breaks, increased accuracy, lower operating pressure, etc. From my personal, highly unscientific, but very practical tests with my Defiant and my incorporation of the new Check-It high flow valve, I found only a couple of the former claims to be true.
Equipment Used:
Defiant
Check-It High Flow Valve
Check-It Vertical ASA w/Pro Team Micro Gauge
10 inch SS Dye
Vigilante w/LP Spring
AA 68ci 4500psi Armageddon
Installation:
The stainless steel valve comes complete with a nylon cup seal. The only items not supplied are the valve o-rings of which are easily transferable from the stock valve. While installation was rather simple, there was one minor design idiosyncrasy of the valve which left me a little puzzled as to its presence there. The length of the valve is equal to that of the stock valve, but the circumference is not equidistant from one end to the other. While the stock valve eventually hits the inner border of the valve passage of the body, letting you know the distance into the body is ready for alligning the set screw, the Check-It valve can be pushed in too far. Looking below from the valve set screw hole, you must visually push it in far enough, and allign the hole. Since one must allign the hole regardless to set the valve properly, this isn¹t such a big deal. However, it did leave me a little curious as to what benefits this design would offer.
The valve comes with a cup seal. The seal itself is actually made with a nylon material, as opposed to the brass of the stock system. After assembling back the whole valve unit with both the stock spring and LPR system, I immediately gassed the gun up. To my delight, there were no leaks. The valve also allows you to use various cup seals for the Autococker. I have heard positive results with a KAPP cup seal. As long as I don¹t hear leaks, I¹m quite the happy camper.
Field Results:
As far as accuracy and performance, there really wasn¹t a noticable difference between the stock and Check-It valve. However, my operating pressure was lowered to 150-200psi, allowing me a velocity of 265-300 fps, This is a result of the combination use of a Vigilante regulator with low pressure spring. I did notice better gas efficiency, adding on 200-300 extra shots on a 3000psi 68ci tank. However, this information wasn¹t received with highest fidelity to the scientific method, so take it on your own discretion.
Check-It Verticfal ASA Adapter:
While there are more and more vertical ASA adapters being made for the B2K/Defiant, non of them except for the Check-It allows for the placement of a gauge. Not only can you add a gauge, but you can position it any way. It installs simply, so not much more to say. However, the finish leaves a little more to be desired. It is a plain alluminum that hasn¹t been coated with any protective anodizing. It is a little long compared to other ASAs too. However, the ability to add a gauge is a definate plus to those that care to see the operating pressure.
Conclusion:
Some people just cannot snuff the urge to upgrade their guns. Whether they be cosmetic, beneficial to the performance of the gun, or purely for the sake of knowing that one has upgraded, people will always upgrade. However, the Check-It vertical ASA are one of those upgrades that are mandatory if one wishes to move on to an aftermarket regulator. I will not go as far to say whether aftermarket regulators such as the vigilante are indeed better than the stock Bob Long regulator the Defiant/B2Ks come with. That is for you to decide. In addition, the same goes for the new high flow valve. The only benefit that I have noticed is the increased air efficiency. Efficiency doesn¹t mean that much to me since I always have the ability to fill between games, or at a tournament, fill to the max of 4500 psi. However, if a couple extra hundred plus shots is what you need, then this valve might be for you. Just don¹t think you¹ll be getting any better performance as far as accuracy and range. I just didn¹t see it. The only things visible was the decreased operating pressure.