I was Semi-Pro for a good stretch. When I brought out "Bessie" folks laughed at the "plain marker". They had the "false sense of security" with an Auto. They thought that just because they could spray paint like "Dutch Boy" (was a term I got a few of the refs at Hell Survivor's to start using as well), that they would be "Better". I love the Dye Boomstick. I got it when they were first released for the 68 Carbine and my wife still doesn't realize I paid more for that barrel than the marker.
Many of those who would laugh, ended up doing the "long walk back" as they never heard the Semi-Auto Tippmann firing. It is now 10 years old, sits lonely in the basement, but without a doubt, if I were to go and play tomorrow, it would be there.
It has been dunked in rivers, pond edges, swamps and never let me down. It has been struck by MANY 1-3" trees and only had to replace the original copper tube (that is the only repair ever done to this marker). I have seen many Autocockers go down, but I chalk it up to "owner care". Indy, you seem like one of the few I've veer come across that take care of their Autococker.
Zoozoo, don't waste your money on Spec. Ops. They're junk and I have a few buddies who cannot get rid of them, they suck so bad. Dial down your PBS and use what you have. Don't buy into "trends". It's why I stood pat, instead of getting an A-5 when they first came on the scene. But, the A-5 is proven, Spec Ops isn't.