2008 Ego |
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| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Type | Poppet Valve Electropneumatic |
| Action | Semi-Automatic with Ramp (NPPL, PSP, Millennium, CFOA modes) |
| Barrel | 14 inch autococker threaded |
| Bore | .693 (stock) |
| Rate of fire | capable of over 30 balls per second |
| Retail price | ~$1250 USD (Ego11) |
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).
Contents |
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 simpler and easier to maintain than many of its competitors. The Ego also boasts a faster rate of fire over its spool valve competitors.
Built around an adapted E-blade electropneumatic frame, first developed by Planet Eclipse. This gun runs at 95psi from the Low pressure regulator (LPR). It also runs at 180 psi from the high Pressure regulator (HPR).
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. And the marker famous for starting the "Three Fingered Scratch" method of shooting the Ego which began in south eastern Pennsylvania.
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 come with a 5 piece sl barrel kit, and has a QEV "block" as opposed to the SL74's dual QEV's. The QEV block in the ego8 provides a faster and shorter passage for entering and escaping gasses, which allow faster rate of fire.
Unlike the Ego8 the Ego9 doesn't have QEV's (quick exhaust valve) which exhibits a more consistent, reliable marker. The trigger guard has been enlarged allowing the player to walk the trigger easier and more comfortably than the ego8's trigger guard. New this year is the built in speaker which allows you to know when it turns on and off. Like the Ego8 the Ego9 has the cure2 and zick kit as stock parts. This year they put the rammer at a 3-4 degree incline to allow your hand to be closer to the line of fire to give it a small size and allow the player to feel more comfortable when shooting. Like the Ego8 the Ego9 comes in a white plastic clamshell case. (please read conclusion of EGO10)
The Ego Ten's main selling point is a longer cycle. This reduces potential rate of fire, although it is still capable of 28+ balls per second. The advantage is that it allows more consistency from shot to shot, and can be used with more fragile paint as well as much less recoil and a smoother shot. It comes standard with the Zick 2 Rammer and the Cure 3+ bolt stock, as well as an improved solenoid. It also includes many other parts improved upon from previous models such as the regulator, the hpr (high pressure regulator) and the lpr (low pressure regulator). The board was redone as well as a few other minor parts. The screen on the ego10 is 92% bigger than earlier models as well as having a better processor that is over 2 times as powerful as its predecessors with some minor software improvements to boot. The EGO9 can be upgraded to shoot like an EGO10 by means of Zick2, and Cure3+ bolt, as well as the plank kit and solenoid barb available from PE (Planet Eclipse). The changes will give the 2009 all the means to shoot exactly like an EGO10, the remaining differences will be a hole located on the regulator to protect the lpr against over pressurization as well as the larger screen.
The newly released Ego11 is-like the other Egos- a poppet valve electropneumatic marker by Planet Eclipse. The board is basically the same board but the main differences are the Shaft 4 barrel (Ego 10 had Shaft 3), the milling, compatibility to a computer via USB ( like the 2010 SLS ego), POPS- Push On Purge System- asa, and a solenoid with adjustable speeds that control the bolt forward speed and return speed. The only marker prior to the Ego11 with this option was 2005 shockers with an adjustable solenoid manifold, but those posed too many problems. Because of the new solenoid, the Ego11 can sacrifice speed for recoil in controlling the maximum Cycles per second from 12-30 per second. In addition, the Ego11 ships with a .689 barrel back, instead of the .693 back shipped with previous Egos (excepting the SL versions of the markers). The new Ego11 is currently shipping in 7 colors; Ashes 2, Dark Trooper, Elemental, Hunter, Midnight, Regal 2, and Shiner.
Unlike all the Egos, which are poppet style markers, The Geo is a spool valve marker. Planet eclipse designed the Geo to be the counterpart of the Ego, making it almost identical in weight, size, feel, with almost exactly the same parts you would find on an Ego9. The Geo uses the same regulator, feedneck, barrel, ASA, detents, and eyes as the Ego9. The geo uses a "SC" (Spool Cure) bolt, the bolt itself and the solenoid are the only moving part. The Geo does not include the same grip frame as the Ego9, The Geo uses the Ego7/8 style grip frame. The geo can be serviced as easily as the Ego, it incorporates a tool-less back cap, but also gives you the option of using an allen wrench to tighten it down. The Geo has been designed to have all of the benefits of a spool valve with none of the drawbacks. Although many claim the newer egos and even some Dangerous power guns shoot smoother and have a lot better efficiency.
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. The markers featured here are "SL" markers. they are all eclipse can offer for the time. they are milled down for maximum weight savings, made differently, given a full barrel kit along with other assorted accessories, and are a sort of "sneak peek" to next years ego model.
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