Planet Eclipse Ego
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 2008 Ego |
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| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Type | Poppet Valve Electropneumatic |
| Action | Semi-Automatic with Ramp (NPPL, PSP, Millennium, CFOA modes) |
| Barrel | 14 inch |
| Bore | .693 (stock) |
| Rate of fire | capable of over 30 balls per second |
| Retail Price | ~$1250 USD (Ego8) |
The Planet Eclipse Ego is an electropneumatic, open bolt, paintball marker manufactured by Planet Eclipse. The Ego was first introduced in late 2004 (as the 2005 model) and has since become very popular in a relatively short amount of time, especially on the tournament scene. This is in part due to its stylish milling, ease of maintenance, and reliability.
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[edit] Operation
The Ego utilizes poppet valve technology like the Bob Long Intimidator, Indian Creek Designs Promaster, and WDP Angel. Compared to spool valve markers like the Smart Parts Shocker and the Dye Matrix, the Ego typically is louder and has more perceived recoil, but the marker boasts better gas efficiency (manifested as more "shots" per air tank fill). Fewer internal moving parts also make the Ego operationally simpler thus easier to clean and maintain than many other popular electropneumatic paintball markers.
[edit] Variations
[edit] Stock models
- 2005 Ego: First model year. Built around an adapted E-blade electropneumatic frame, first developed by Planet Eclipse for autocockers.
- 2006 Ego: E-Blade frame further integrated into the marker. Shorter stock bolt lowering recoil. Longer regulator allows lower operating pressure. Improved electronics board.
- Ego7 (2007): Renamed the Ego7, this model featured extensive milling to reduce weight. Almost all of the internal components were replaced and upgraded compared with the 2006 model. Key improvements included an integrated FRM and rammer body, a new board with both a micro and optical switch, standard cure bolt, and T-slot style rail mounting. None of the parts, save for the barrel, detents, bolt, regulator, and break beam eyes, are interchangeable with previous models.
- Ego8 (2008): While the Ego7 was a revolutionary improvement over the 2006 Ego, the Ego8 is more of an evolutionary improvement over its predecessor. Key improvements include more milling to reduce weight, a built-in Zero-Kick ("Zick") kit, and dual QEVs built into a QEV block. A new LCD on the 4.0 version board features black-on-white text that is very easy to read in the sunlight. Some claim that the Ego8 is just an SL74 at a lower price. Although there are some similarities between the Ego8 and the SL74 (among them being an SL-style regulator, SL-style trigger, the Zick kit, and SL74 milling), there are quite a few differences. The 2008 Ego is heavier than the SL74 (by 50g), does not have laser eyes, does not include a barrel kit, features a new QEV mounting block that is easier to service and clean than individual QEVs, and the front frame screw has been moved into the trigger guard area to give more room for ones thumb behind the regulator. Also, the Ego8's packaging is different. The 2008 model comes in a white plastic case ("pod") that resembles Apple-designed products.
[edit] ETek Ego
- ETek: Introduced in 2006, the ETek was priced much lower than standard Egos as a mid-range alternative to Planet Eclipse's flagship Ego. It was lighter than the stock 2006 and 2005 versions and featured different milling and simplified features. The LCD screen was replaced with 3 LED buttons, the QEVs were removed, and it featured a microswitch in place of the optical switch on the electronics board.
- ETek2: Announced in November 2007 and available soon thereafter, the ETek2 is the second generation ETek. Improvements over the original ETek include a lighter weight, new circuit board, redesigned trigger frame, new on/off air system, new inline regulator, new low pressure regulator, and standard 2-piece Shaft barrel. Some have commented that these upgrades make the ETek2 effectively an SL66.[1]
[edit] Special editions
Along with their yearly modifications, Planet Eclipse produces several in-house custom, as well as "private label" markers, based on the custom-tuned versions they issue to professional teams they sponsor.
- SL66: Also appearing in 2006, the SL66 was a more expensive "pro" edition of the Ego 06. It featured extensive milling to cut down weight, some new board features, and a new bolt system. Interestingly, the SL66 reverted back to a traditional spring system instead of a magnetic system for the tigger return. SL66 Egos are no longer in production, having been supplanted by the new SL74.
- SL74: The latest special edition Ego. Based on the 07 platform, the SL74 is an even bigger jump in improvements than what was featured in the SL66. At only 1.89 pounds, it is the lightest aluminum paintball marker ever produced. It incorporates a new inline regulator, redesigned trigger, dual QEVs, laser eyes, the new Zick (zero-kick) kit, and comes standard with the Eclipse Shaft barrel kit.
- SL8R: The newest special edition ego. Released in 2008, it has a different, more stylish milling. The bolt can cycle at speeds of 55 bps and the BBSS system can perform of rates over 35 bps.
