General

[ironchef97]

First the 'new's:

Eclipse SLS

With the Ego10 launched late 2009 and claimed by many to be the best Ego to date, and by some margin, it would seem faintly ridiculous to presume that the new SL could improve on the platform any further.

But with application and direction the team responsible for the development of the Eclipse line of markers have managed to come up with a package that pushes the development of the Ego line ever forward.

Every previous SL has been distinguishable by its blend of swooping exterior lines and light-weight design. There is no exception here. Yes, the SLS may have eschewed some of its classic nose-to-tail features and replaced them with individual body strakes, but the concept of a cohesive design theme through the marker remain. As of course does the diminutive size and weight. At only 834g with barrel, battery and OOPS, the SLS retains its position as the lightest high-end marker available for sale.

But of course the SL has always been about more than just looks and weight. The SL is also used to showcase new and exciting technology from the Eclipse development team. And this year is no different.

The SLS has seen enhancements in three key areas:

- A new SL3 In-Line Regulator and Regulator mount
- Modification of the Cure3+ with inclusion of three different Bolt Inserts
- The introduction of full SLS-to-PC communications

The latter of those upgrades is made possible through proprietary software in the form of the E-Portal. The E-Portal is an application that provides a means of communicating with an Eclipse SLS through the familiar Windows(tm) environment and will give the user control over all aspects of the SLS firmware. It will be possible to:

- Upgrade the Electronic Firmware
From time to time Eclipse will release new versions of the firmware that controls the operation of the Eclipse SLS. This may be to add new features to the current firmware; to improve existing features; to fix bugs in the current firmware; or to accommodate changes in major league rules affecting the way that markers are allowed to operate. The latest version of firmware will be downloadable from the Planet Eclipse website and programmable into the SLS using E-Portal.

- Manage the Control Parameters
E-Portal will display all of the SLS' Control Parameters in one easy-to-read list. Parameters can be read from the SLS, modified and saved for future use. User presets can also be created for different firing mode configurations and saved for future use.

- Customise the Start-Up Splash Screen
E-Portal provides a simple way to create images that can be transferred to the Eclipse SLS in order to personalise the start-up screen. These images can be saved for future use or shared with friends and team-mates. Sample images are also available for download from the Planet Eclipse website.

Where the E-Portal offers enhanced control of the electronics, the new SL3 Regulator gives enhanced control of the pneumatics. The SL3 regulator is a completely new, from the ground up, design of In-Line regulator for Eclipse. Eclipse regulators have always been renowned for their reliability, simplicity and robustness. The SL3 obviously has all of those attributes, but now is even more accurate, has better stability when dealing with fluctuating or decaying input pressure, and has a higher flow capability. Not only that, the all-new seal configuration is now both reversible and replaceable by the user, should the main seal ever become contaminated. All of these features mean that the output of the regulator (the pressure that governs the markers velocity) is now even more tightly controlled over a far wider range of supply pressures from the tank. This means velocity remains stable right down to the last few hundred psi on the tank, giving you more usable shots per fill.

And as promised with the advent of the Cure3+ the new SLS Cure3+ comes complete with three interchangeable bolt inserts. Stock, it comes fitted with the ramped gas transfer option similar to the one seen in the Ego10. And inside the box, together with the optional trigger, optional Valve Guide and other spares, there are two further bolt inserts: A Muffler design, and a Pepper Pot design. A simple pull and twist of the bolt pin allow access to the bolt insert. Simply fit the one that suits your play the best, then pop the pin back in and get back to the field. It couldn’t be more simple.

Of course the rest of the SLS is no less feature laden, with the Zick2 Rammer kit, adjustable OOPS fitted to the T-Railed SL frame, choice of two triggers and two valve guides, adjustable LPR; custom MAC solenoid valve with modified porting and of course the 5-Piece Shaft SL2 barrel kit.

As well as the VERY limited run of about 300 SLS (Maximum will be no more than 350) there will also be an exclusive PBNation Owners Badge that you will be able to tag to your user account (Original Owner ONLY)… So you prove your right to be part of the Elite SLS Club..



The New Eclipse SLS. Is there really anything else you could ever need?

Unique SLS Features:

• Bespoke SL SLS Body
• Bespoke SL Cure3+ Bolt with Insert Kit – Three Different Bolt Inserts
• Bespoke SL Circuit Board With USB Interface – Cable and Software Included
• Bespoke SL SL3 Inline Regulator
• Bespoke SL Dual Triggers - “S” and “Classic” Style Triggers Included
• Bespoke SL Dual Valve Guides – HP and LP Valve Guide Kit
• Bespoke SL Zick2 Rammer Kit
• Bespoke SL OOPS Assembly
• Bespoke SL Clamping Feed Assembly – With Sprocket Wheel Adjuster
• Bespoke SL Trigger Frame
• Bespoke SL Contour Eye Covers
• 5-Piece SL2 Shaft Barrel Kit
• Viz-Eyes Red BBSS System


Ego10 Features:

• Internal Porting Tuned To Provides Softer Shot and Less Kick.
• Reduced Rammer and Bolt Speeds. Gentler on Paint. Quieter Shot.
• Cure3+ with New Ramped and Interchangeable Bolt Insert
• Zick2 Rammer Shaft and Cap
• Increase Longevity of Internal Components
• New LP Supply Protection System
• 92% larger rtansflective LCD Display
• Adjustable Tru-Colour RGB LCD Backlite
• 16-Bit Microprocessor - 16 MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second)
• Improved Solenoid Drive Circuitry for increased Velocity Consistency
• New Graphical User Interface
• Ultra-Lightweight Monoform Body
• Deftek Offset Feed Tube
• Integrated Rammer Housing
• Integrated FRM
• Offset Bores
• Larger Valve Chamber
• Micro + Opto Switch Board
• Dual Instrument Grade Ball-Raced Trigger
• Dual Trigger Return Mechanisms - Magnetic and Spring Trigger
• Skinny-Fit Co-Moulded Rubber E-Star Grips
• T-Slot Rail Mounting System
• Ego10 High Performance Solenoid Valve
• LCD Module
• Integrated Audible Sounding Device

Weights and Measures
Length: 531 mm
Height: 214 mm
Width: 26.5 mm
Weight: 834g/1.84lb

All Measurements include Barrel (14”), OOPS, Battery, Ready-to-go:

SL2 Barrel Kit Specifications
1 x 14” Front Section 0.700” Bore
1 x 16” Front Section 0.700” Bore

1 x Rear Section - 0.685” Bore
1 x Rear Section - 0.689” Bore
1 x Rear Section - 0.693” Bore

















I'll be honest, usually I've thought that the SL series from PE were different and relatively higher end guns that the Ego series. But this time, my first impression upon seeing the actual pictures was...wait aren't these Ego 10 or SL94 pics? The milling patterns aren't much different. There's also a lot less features on this year's SL series different from their Ego counterparts than in previous years. At least in the past, the older SL models tried to improve upon different facets of the Ego line, like offset bores, new rammers, less 'kick', etc. All I see this year is a 'new' regulator, bolt inserts (actually pretty interesting idea there), and gun-pc communications.

With that said, I still believe they are great shooting guns.

Has speedball technology in its current direction and incarnation finally plateaued? I for one am very curious as to the direction technology will take in the upcoming years.

[BigEvil]

Im am continually amazed how pb companies can re-package the same thing over and over every year with the additions of a couple of bells and whistles.

[[LOW] sfc. connell]

haha...but LOOK new colors!

[R_Os]

And the pbn tag. Agglets and fanboyz everywhere will go nuts!

[acesn8s]

Originally Posted by R_Os

And the pbn tag. Agglets and fanboyz everywhere will go nuts!

My first thought was the pbn tag would be more of a selling point than anything else.

[paintballpaulie]

i have been an Eclipse fan since the days of the E-Cockers.

i have tried almost every paintball marker on the planet & have ALWAYS come back to an EGO.

HOWEVER.....i am getting a bit sick & tired of the constant 're-vamping' of the same marker with new colors, a few new 'gimmicks' & a MUCH bigger price tag.

the advancements from the original 04/05 Ego to the newer 07 'ram-sleeveless' body style is pretty much where i think it has stopped. improving the solenoid & replacing the 'self-destructing' QEV's were smart moves. anything else is just non-essential nonsense that they add so they can take more of our hard earned money.

i bought an SL-94 & after shooting it for only a few months sold it to go back to an SL-74. i managed to get out of the SL-94 without losing my shirt ONLY because i watch the market & have been buying & selling for many years. i paid $1350 & sold it for $1300.....$50 to 'rent' it for 6 months seemed like a pretty fair price. if i had to pay the $2250 retail then i would sooner drink paint thinner & piss on a brush fire!

coming up with 'pretty' (only in certain peoples' opinions) new anno schemes & catchy new names for them JUST DOESNT CUT IT FOR ME!

i will continue to promote the EGO until the corporate BS gets to me or i decide to hang up my guns & join ballet. until then, i will quietly shoot my SL-74 & watch Eclipse bury themselves with their SEEMINGLY ENDLESS'new & improved' EGO's.

enjoy all you pbnation fad whores........

[Party]

lol, special pbn tag?
Really Eclipse, really?
At least they know their market, and I have to admit the gun doesn't look half bad.

[ASKA]

I can't find where you guys are refering to "PBN tags"

Just because now you have "Agg Orange" you don't need to step the price up .5K

[bigchuck707]

Idk why everyone is hating on planet eclipse so hard for releasing so many guns every year, OF COURSE THEY ARE. sure the SLs isn't a whole lot different from an sl94 but they know people are expecting a new SL version of each gun they produce and they aren't going to disappoint. It's like complaining that Dodge releases a new cummins every year "well, why the hell would you buy the new one? a 2006 is the same as a 99 just with more bells and whistles!" because it's new and people like to spend money if they have it, it's good for the economy btw.

[MondoMor]

Here's the PBN tag thing:

Originally Posted by ironchef97

...there will also be an exclusive PBNation Owners Badge that you will be able to tag to your user account (Original Owner ONLY)… So you prove your right to be part of the Elite SLS Club..

It's supply and demand. The pathetic thing isn't PE's behavior, it's that there is a bottomless supply of buyers happy to plunk down the money. PE would be stupid not to take advantage of them.

It can't be easy to ride the goofy waves of hype and fashion, but I hope whoever's running PE is enjoying the money while they make it. One day the winds will shift and they'll have to worry about margins again.


All this is not to say that I wouldn't be stoked if one of those green-and-grey ones fell in my lap.