Indeed, they were good times. I have my brothers Smart Parts Impulse and my first generation (or maybe 2nd edition?) Dye Matrix is upstairs somewhere, gotta dig it out. I had all different markers during the time I played though, first marker ever was a Spyder, then I had a Tippman 98, then multiple Angels and ended with the Dye Matrix.
I was looking at some markers and gear at some point last year, just for fun, doesn't look like things really advanced or evolved too much from back then. Kind of a bummer I thought they would have way cooler stuff by now but looks to me like the hype for the hobby/sport really died down.
I always wanted to be part of the Cali scene back then, seemed so much more competitive, cool and could play year round comfortably oh man.