Admin: Created page with " The '''Eclipse Etek''', also styled '''ETEK''', is a family of electronic paintball markers developed by Planet Eclipse, a British paintball equipment manufacturer based in Manchester, England. Developed during 2006 and commercially introduced around 2007, the Etek was designed as a more affordable alternative to the company's Eclipse Ego tournament marker.[1] The Etek retained the Ego's general stacked-tube, ram-driven electropneumatic ope..."

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Created page with " The '''Eclipse Etek''', also styled '''ETEK''', is a family of electronic paintball markers developed by Planet Eclipse, a British paintball equipment manufacturer based in Manchester, England. Developed during 2006 and commercially introduced around 2007, the Etek was designed as a more affordable alternative to the company's Eclipse Ego tournament marker.[1] The Etek retained the Ego's general stacked-tube, ram-driven electropneumatic ope..."

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The '''Eclipse Etek''', also styled '''ETEK''', is a family of electronic [[paintball marker|paintball markers]] developed by [[Planet Eclipse]], a British paintball equipment manufacturer based in Manchester, England. Developed during 2006 and commercially introduced around 2007, the Etek was designed as a more affordable alternative to the company's [[Eclipse Ego]] tournament marker.[1]

The Etek retained the Ego's general stacked-tube, ram-driven electropneumatic operating system while incorporating different components, materials and electronic controls to reduce manufacturing costs. Five principal generations were produced, culminating in the Etek 5, introduced in late 2014.[1][2]

== History ==

=== Development ===

Following the introduction of the Eclipse Ego for the 2005 tournament season, Planet Eclipse explored the possibility of producing a lower-priced marker using existing components and engineering work.

The company had already invested in developing the Ego's body, internal mechanisms and related manufacturing processes. Reusing selected elements reduced the development costs of a new marker.

According to a retrospective published by Planet Eclipse in October 2017, the first Etek prototypes were tested during late 2006.

The British team Sandbaggers used early versions during the Campaign Cup at Crystal Palace in London.

Planet Eclipse subsequently began selling the Etek around 2007.[1]

=== Original Etek ===

The original Etek incorporated an electronically controlled ram-driven firing mechanism related to the Ego platform.

The marker used a stacked-tube body, pneumatic rammer, solenoid and poppet-type valve.

To distinguish it from the higher-priced Ego, the Etek incorporated simplified electronic controls and different external components.

The original marker used an LED-based programming interface rather than the more elaborate display systems offered on premium Ego models.

Planet Eclipse also offered optional upgrades, including the STAR trigger frame, allowing additional electronic functionality.[3]

=== Etek2 ===

The '''Etek2''' was announced during late 2007 and became available through dealers during 2008.

The second generation incorporated revisions to the body, trigger frame, regulator, low-pressure regulator and electronic system.

Planet Eclipse also introduced a redesigned on/off air system and a two-piece Shaft barrel.

The company's published technical specifications identified a complete marker weight of approximately 1 kg, including the barrel, regulators and air-system fittings.[3]

=== Etek3 ===

The '''Etek3''' was introduced in 2009.

Planet Eclipse announced its dedicated Etek3 product website on 18 December 2009, reporting strong demand during the model's initial availability.[4]

The Etek3 was produced in two principal configurations:

* '''Etek3 LT''', incorporating selected fibre-reinforced polymer components.
* '''Etek3 AM''', using additional machined aluminium components.

Both retained the same general ram-driven operating system.

The distinction allowed Planet Eclipse to offer differently priced versions of the marker.[2]

=== Etek4 ===

The '''Etek4''' was introduced in 2012.

Like the preceding Etek3, it was offered in two principal versions.

The '''Etek4 LT''' incorporated fibre-reinforced polymer components, while the '''Etek4 AM''' used additional aluminium components.

The marker retained the Etek family's stacked-tube, ram-driven operating system.

Planet Eclipse also offered electronic upgrades for selected Etek configurations, including display-equipped control systems.[2][5]

=== Etek5 ===

The '''Etek5''' was introduced in late 2014.

It represented the fifth principal generation of the Etek family.

Unlike the Etek3 and Etek4, the Etek5 was not divided into separate LT and AM versions.

The model incorporated an updated body, electronic control board, regulator arrangement and ergonomic components.

An optional OLED display upgrade was available for the Etek5, providing an alternative to its standard LED programming interface.[2][5]

No subsequent Etek6 model is documented in Planet Eclipse's published marker range.

== Operating system ==

The Etek is an electropneumatic paintball marker using a stacked-tube, ram-driven mechanism.

Its principal operating components include:

* An electronic trigger and control board.
* A solenoid controlling pneumatic operation.
* A rammer that operates the bolt and valve assembly.
* A poppet-type valve regulating the release of compressed air.
* High-pressure and low-pressure regulation systems.
* An electronic anti-chop eye system.

The marker uses compressed air supplied from a refillable pressure cylinder.

Its basic operating principle is related to the Ego rather than the spool-valve architecture used by the [[Eclipse Geo]].

The Etek family also used interchangeable barrels, electronic firing modes and programmable marker settings, with individual features varying between generations.[3][5]

== Models ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Model
! Introduction period
! Notes
|-
| Etek
| 2006–2007
| Original marker developed from the Ego platform
|-
| Etek2
| 2007–2008
| Revised body, regulator, electronics and air system
|-
| Etek3
| 2009
| Available in LT and AM configurations
|-
| Etek4
| 2012
| Revised platform, available in LT and AM configurations
|-
| Etek5
| Late 2014
| Fifth generation with optional OLED display
|}

The introduction periods reflect manufacturer statements and historical product documentation. Prototype testing, product announcements and commercial availability did not always occur in the same calendar year.[1][2][3][4]

== Position within the Planet Eclipse range ==

The Etek occupied a different position in Planet Eclipse's range from the premium Ego models.

Although both used ram-driven electropneumatic operating systems, the Etek incorporated cost-reducing design decisions and more limited standard electronic features.

The Etek was also distinct from the company's other marker families:

* '''[[Eclipse Ego]]:''' Premium ram-driven electropneumatic markers.
* '''[[Eclipse Geo]]:''' Electronic spool-valve tournament markers.
* '''[[Eclipse Etha]]:''' A separate marker family introduced for the recreational and intermediate market.
* '''[[Eclipse Gtek]]:''' Electronic spool-valve markers using the Gamma Core operating system.

The Etek provided an additional option for players seeking electronic tournament equipment without purchasing the highest-priced Ego models.

== See also ==

* [[Planet Eclipse]]
* [[Eclipse Ego]]
* [[Eclipse Geo]]
* [[History of paintball markers]]
* [[Paintball marker]]
* [[Speedball]]

== References ==

# [https://eclipsehq.blogspot.com/2017/10/09-say-hi-to-egos-little-brother-etek.html Planet Eclipse, "#09 Say Hi to the Ego's Little Brother: The Etek", October 2017. Manufacturer retrospective documenting development, prototype testing and commercial introduction.]
# [https://woodlandforum.com/lexicon/index.php/Entry/104-Etek/ Woodlandforum, "Etek", 3 April 2014, updated 4 August 2015. Historical model chronology and comparison of LT and AM configurations.]
# [https://egopaintballgun.blogspot.com/2007/12/eclipse-etek2-ego-paintball-marker.html Ego Paintball Gun, "Eclipse Etek2 Ego Paintball Marker", December 2007. Reproduction of contemporary Etek2 specifications and manufacturer feature descriptions.]
# [https://eclipsehq.blogspot.com/2009/12/ Planet Eclipse, "ETEK3 Mini Site", 18 December 2009. Contemporary manufacturer announcement of the Etek3.]
# [https://www.oregonpaintball.com/tech-support/ Oregon Paintball, "Tech Support". Archive of Planet Eclipse Etek2, Etek3, Etek4 and Etek5 manuals.]
# [https://planeteclipse.com/eportal/chart/ Planet Eclipse, "E-Portal Compatibility Chart". Official manufacturer listing of the Etek 1–5 series.]

== External links ==

* [https://planeteclipse.com/ Planet Eclipse official website]
* [https://eclipsehq.blogspot.com/2017/10/09-say-hi-to-egos-little-brother-etek.html Planet Eclipse: History of the Etek]
* [https://www.oregonpaintball.com/tech-support/ Historical Etek manuals]

[[Category:Paintball markers]]
[[Category:Paintball equipment]]

Eclipse Etek - Revision history