There is much discussion of Bumper Boys in this forum. I suggust you read all of it, carefully, before deciding.
As a BB rep in Virginia, naturally I would suggest the BB. I have 4 of them and considering another 4 shooter.
I have seen the Max 5000 in action and it does a nice job but consider these facts.
The Max 5000:
Has no attention getting sound, prior to launch!!! This is a "big" thing. If the dog, especially a young dog, is looking the wrong way the dog will not get a good look at the mark. That's self defeating, isn't it? How can they mark it if they don't see it in the air? :?: That's where the "sound" from the BB is so important! :!:
Distance of the launch is somewhat less than the BB. The BB launch distance and height can be adjusted in two different ways.
With the Max 5000, you are carrying around compressed gases (under high pressure).
In my opinion, the Max 5000 bumpers get dirty faster than the BB bumpers and they are lighter than the BB bumpers. This could cause trouble when launching Max 5000 bumpers into the wind.
I trained with 2 Max 5000's today, 2/8. Again I noticed, because of the dirty bumpers of the Max, they were very hard to see at 250 yards. One of the guys training has BB's and I asked him what he thought about the visability of the Max bumpers and the BB bumpers. He stated that he believed the BB bumpers were easier to see at a distance.
Talk to owners of these products, and arrange to see them in action.
If I can be of further help, please send me a PM and we can discuss your concerns.