Planet Eclipse launches the Etha 3 and "3M" midrange mechanical gun.

[The Inflicted]

Etha 3 is mostly unchanged from the Etha 2 but will now have a metal feedneck and pop-up back cap for removing the bolt engine. Price is $550 up from the Etha 2's original $400, and you no longer get a zip case.

3M is essentially an upgraded EMek sharing the Etha 3's body- trigger is adjustable and it has Eclipse's shorter-throw "FL" activation valve. $400.

Supposed to be available by mid-May.

[Toestr]

I like the lines on these so much better than the originals.

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[superman]

I was thinking that too.

[Ego10Baller]

Agreed. It is reminiscent of the GSL for me with a lot of the original Gtek look to it. Obviously, it isn't quite as clean of lines as the GSL but it isn't too far off for my simple tastes. A huge improvement over the original Emek

[ford]

Lines are great. Curious to see what cool designs the makers come up with to utilize the new back cover.

I do like that the Etha3 M is ready to ball right out of the box... no need to upgrade your POPs feedneck or barrel.

A lot of people in chat seem shocked... SHOCKED there was no LV2 or CS3.... I mean, supply chain issues is a bitch. I'm glad to see PE pushing anything out the door.

[superman]

I wonder how long before Inception starts making bodies.

[MrBarraclough]

Can't be long since the frame is unchanged.

[Brokeass_baller]

Simon said on in the comments during the live broadcast that he was working on bodies for it.

[iamthelazerviking]

And no PAL! Awesome.

[Nish]

3M is drafting a letter now.

[lizardking132]

The real question is will they offer conversion kits for them to swap to electro or mech

[The Inflicted]

3M is drafting a letter now.

Meanwhile...

[appleguy]

I'm surprised to see that they eliminated PAL. I always thought that it was the best way to deliver better feed rates for rental players. (no batteries!)

I wonder if PAL just didn't have the impact/adoption they had hoped for?
Or perhaps since they released the Protoyz Speedster they would just rather have fields buy those and offer it as an upgraded rental package?

[BenoitOWN]

Pal for me was crap I had feeding issue.

[The Inflicted]

I haven't been impressed by it either. To me it's just a Proto Primo with a better lid.

[Ecapnation]

Only on these.... Most higher end players hate the look of the pals feed

[ChuckLove]

The mech version is a whole 'lotta pew for $400. The body is way nicer on these too. I think they'll sell quite well.

[Jonnydread]

The Etha 3 feels overpriced to me, but everything feels overpriced to me these days. Also it's worth noting that the Gtek/Gmek had the "pop-up" type bolt removal so this isn't exactly a new thing for PE.

To echo others the 3M feels like a solid price point for a solid gun.

[The Inflicted]

I wonder how long before Inception starts making bodies.

Simon was in the Facebook Live feed where the guns were announced and said he's already working on them.

[superman]

That is good to hear.

[Chuck E Ducky]

He should make aluminum frames that take CS2 grips instead.

[Ego10Baller]

It looks like the '3Mek' comes with a POPS asa as well? If so, this is solid value for the price. Basically all of the upgrades that someone might want on the Emek for only slightly more/about the same $ and with a better-looking body that is factory OEM.

The change to the Etha 2/Emek body looks like it will solve the issue with the marker that myself and others have pointed out. The fat bolt twist out cap in the back would mess with sight-lines when looking down the side of the marker/barrel to aim. For me, this is a huge improvement and was the only reason previously that I bought the M170R. Now, I see no reason to go any higher than this $400 3Mek and the bolt has the pop up feature. Really awesome; it seems like the complete package for a very nice loaner when a friend without gear comes out to play

[appleguy]

It will henceforth be known as the 3Mek

[Olsson]

Seconded. Best possible nickname. In fact, it is so brilliant I'm surprised that Eclipse didn't use it themselves as the official name.

[MrBarraclough]

3Mek! 3Mek! 3Mek!

I hope that catches on.

[The Inflicted]

I'm surprised to see that they eliminated PAL. I always thought that it was the best way to deliver better feed rates for rental players. (no batteries!)

I wonder if PAL just didn't have the impact/adoption they had hoped for?
Or perhaps since they released the Protoyz Speedster they would just rather have fields buy those and offer it as an upgraded rental package?

I think part of it is that the base-level EMek will no longer share a body or feedneck design with the nicer Etha3 or 3M.

There's no way Eclipse is going to market the tool-less bolt removal body style for beginner/rental players, and the PAL was never really up to the task of feeding an Etha 2.

It makes more sense from a production standpoint that Eclipse's new mid-range guns use the same feedneck style as their high-end stuff rather than have the additional milling needed to use a feed system that, realistically, no end user of these more expensive products is going to want to utilize.

[Trbo323]

And no PAL! Awesome.

Why is this awesome?

I think the hoppers look stupid but I love the mechanical aspect of them. It would be nice if someone, anyone, could print a new body for the internals (cough Rainmaker cough!) But alas, it seems impossible.

There's not a lot of other options out there. Cyclone? Only on a tippmann and has lots of drawbacks. Q loader? Expensive, hard to find and somewhat finiky and requires a specific pack as well. Mag feed? Limited paint and you have to completely change a lot of your gear choices to accommodate it.

I love the idea of pal, I think it can be refined which is why I'm fairly disappointed PE is giving up on it so soon.

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