PBX Autorocker Prototype

PBX ‘autorocker’ prototype.  This was definitely one of the more unique pieces in my collection.  The story goes like this: 

In 2003-2004ish PBX developed the MQ valve for the autococker, basically replacing all the lower tube mechanical internals with an electronically driven solenoid/poppet setup (no – I am not an electrical/mechanical engineer, so that description is probably wrong and I don’t feel like looking it up – but you get the idea). 

Anyway, there were many delays in getting it to market, and major supply issues.  After the first batch of valves went out, they began advertising that they were going to be building a limited run midblock autococker and aftermarket grip frame based around the MQ valve (which eliminates sear geometry issues and allows some cool stuff – like my raced nasty typhoon attempt). 

They made a few prototypes (using legit WGP bodies as a base) and posted some videos on the internet of them shooting ~30 balls per second – very impressive and getting a lot of attention from the autococker community. 

Unfortunately, things fell apart at PBX in 2005 and the company effectively dissolved.  A second wave of MQ valves had come out but the supply has since evaporated, and the ‘autorocker’ never hit the market. 

In mid 2006 I started talking to 2 of the original designers of the MQ valve who had left PBX and who had one of the prototypes of the autorockers for sale to fund other projects.  Apparently there are less than 10 other working models out there, and maybe another 30-50 bodies and frames that will probably never be put together or see the light of day. 

The code for the frame board for example was largely lost in a hard drive crash…

As mentioned, this bad boy was based on a true WGP body with an eblade style MQ valve as the “guts.”  The entire cocking mass was ~25 grams, with an ultra light delrin bolt and pull pin (even the bolt retainer is delrin – cool!) and tiny delrin sled.  For maximum speed, they used an small bore ANS/Clippard miniram with QEV’s.  It runs at a slightly higher pressure than a Nexus ram, but it is faster. 

The milling is conservative but looks nice, but at the end of the day the trigger frame is where the magic is.  It is a timmy (!) style trigger pushing on a 25g microswitch.  Since there is no solenoid issues with the MQ valve, they could fit a much smaller board run off a 9volt and even implement wrap around 45 grips (awesome).  It also supports beam break or reflective eyes. 

On this one, they used beam break eyes that are very similar to Racegun’s in the way that the eye covers hold down dual delrin detents and springs.  As far as interface goes, it uses a very eblade like green LED screen and three button interface. 

Here is a link to the frame manual put out be the original inventor: http://www.kajohnson.com/files/frameman.pdf.

Shooting the marker is very impressive – true to marketing claims, there is almost ZERO kick.  The marker just doesn’t move at all.  And the trigger feel is fantastic.  Since this is a prototype, it also has full auto available (but no ramping), but I haven’t played with that yet.  Other thing that is interesting – apparently there was a manufacturing error on the first batch, that resulted in the geometry between the ram an sled being off.  Because of this on my autorocker they had to use a stainless (heavier) pump arm and lock it into the sled with pins.

Lately I’ve picked up a clamping feedneck, a Deadlywind carbon fiber barrel, and a Palmers Stabilizer for it.  I’m also going to put an MQ2 in soon.  Its really a shame this never got widely distributed – its a great marker with lots of potential.

Update:  I bought a second of the kits and now have TWO.  Will finish one and probably sell it… (update- which is exactly what I did).