Eclipse Etha

The Eclipse Etha is a family of paintball markers developed by Planet Eclipse, a British paintball equipment manufacturer based in Manchester, England. Introduced in late 2011, the Etha was designed to make electronic spool-valve technology available at a lower price than the company's premium tournament markers.[1][2]

The series comprises the original Etha, the redesigned Etha 2 introduced in 2017, and the Etha 3 and Etha 3M introduced in 2022. The Etha 3M is a mechanically operated version, while the other principal models use electronic firing controls.[2][3]

History

Original Etha (2011)

Planet Eclipse introduced the original Etha in late 2011.

The marker was positioned below the company's higher-priced electronic marker families, including the Eclipse Ego and Eclipse Geo.

It used an electronically controlled spool-valve operating system with a proprietary drivetrain.

The original Etha incorporated an aluminium body, glass-reinforced nylon trigger frame, electronic anti-chop eyes and a two-piece Shaft4 barrel.

Its electronic controls supported semiautomatic and tournament ramping modes.

The manufacturer's technical specifications listed a marker weight of approximately 930 grams, including the barrel.[1][4]

The Etha provided a lower-priced electronic alternative to Planet Eclipse's established premium marker ranges.

Etha 2 (2017)

The Etha 2 was introduced in 2017 as a substantial redesign of the original marker.

The principal change was the adoption of Planet Eclipse's Gamma Core operating system, which had previously been used in the company's Gtek marker family.

The Gamma Core replaced the original Etha's proprietary drivetrain.

The Etha 2 also incorporated a glass-reinforced nylon external body shell with an aluminium internal structure.

Other features included a two-piece barrel, electronic anti-chop eyes, LED programming interface and tool-free grip panels.

The redesign was intended to provide a more durable and easier-to-maintain marker suitable for recreational and competitive use.[2][5]

Etha 2 PAL

Planet Eclipse subsequently introduced a version of the Etha 2 compatible with its PAL (Pneumatic Assisted Loader) system.

The PAL system uses pneumatic movement generated during the marker's firing cycle to agitate paintballs in a compatible loader.

This assists gravity feeding without requiring an electronically powered loader.

The Etha 2 PAL retained the Gamma Core drivetrain and electronic firing controls.

Planet Eclipse's official specifications identify a glass-reinforced nylon body shell, aluminium internal sleeve, two-piece barrel and POPS air-system fitting.[5]

Etha 3 (2022)

Planet Eclipse introduced the Etha 3 on 14 April 2022.

The third-generation model retained the Gamma Core drivetrain of the Etha 2 while incorporating changes to its body and external components.

One of its principal additions was a quick-release bolt assembly, allowing access to the drivetrain without the threaded rear-cap arrangement used by earlier models.

The Etha 3 also featured revised eye covers, a redesigned body and a two-piece Shaft barrel.

The marker retained electronic firing controls and supported semiautomatic and tournament ramping modes.[3][6]

Etha 3M (2022)

The Etha 3M was introduced alongside the electronic Etha 3.

It was the first mechanical marker marketed directly as part of the Etha family.

The model was developed from the Eclipse EMEK platform and retained the Gamma Core drivetrain.

Unlike the Etha 3, the Etha 3M uses a mechanical trigger system and does not require a battery.

Its standard configuration included Planet Eclipse's FL 3-Way Valve, POPS air-system fitting, revised trigger components and a two-piece 14.5-inch barrel.

The marker was designed for recreational play and mechanical tournament competition.[3][7]

Operating system

The Etha family uses a spool-valve operating system.

The original Etha incorporated a proprietary electronic drivetrain.

Beginning with the Etha 2, the series adopted the Gamma Core, an operating system also used in other Planet Eclipse markers.

The Gamma Core uses a spool-type bolt assembly to control the release of compressed air during firing.

The electronic Etha models use a solenoid and electronic control board to operate the firing mechanism.

The Etha 3M instead uses a mechanically operated valve, allowing the marker to function without batteries.

All principal Etha generations use compressed air as their propellant.[4][5][6][7]

Models

Model	Introduction	Firing mechanism	Principal characteristics
Etha	2011	Electronic	Original proprietary spool-valve drivetrain
Etha 2	2017	Electronic	Gamma Core and composite external body
Etha 2 PAL	Later Etha 2 variant	Electronic	Compatible with Pneumatic Assisted Loader system
Etha 3	2022	Electronic	Gamma Core and quick-release bolt assembly
Etha 3M	2022	Mechanical	Gamma Core with FL 3-Way mechanical valve

The model chronology is documented in manufacturer specifications and contemporary product announcements.[1][2][3][5]

Position within the Planet Eclipse range

The Etha family was developed for players seeking an alternative to Planet Eclipse's premium electronic markers.

The original Etha was introduced as a lower-priced electronic spool-valve marker.

The Etha 2 and Etha 3 continued that position while adopting technology derived from more expensive marker platforms.

The family is distinct from several other Planet Eclipse product lines:

Eclipse Ego: Premium ram-driven, poppet-valve electronic markers.
Eclipse Etek: Lower-priced electronic markers derived from the Ego's ram-driven architecture.
Eclipse Geo: Premium electronic spool-valve markers.
Eclipse Gtek: Electronic Gamma Core marker family.
Eclipse EMEK: Mechanical Gamma Core markers, including the platform underlying the Etha 3M.

The Etha 3M also provided a mechanical alternative within a family previously associated with electronic markers.

References

External links