Compare the Empire Axe (Original) and Planet Eclipse Etha 3 side by side: price, specs, firing modes, weight, and maintenance — and see which paintball gun is the better buy for your style of play.
| Empire Axe (Original) | Planet Eclipse Etha 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Tier | Mid-Range | Mid-Range |
| Typical Price | $150-260 (used) | $380-480 |
| Operation | Electropneumatic poppet | Electropneumatic spool (Gamma Core) |
| Firing Modes | semi-auto, ramping | semi-auto, ramping |
| Caliber | .68 | .68 |
| Feed | Force-fed | Force-fed |
| Air | HPA | HPA |
| Operating Pressure | ~200 psi | ~140 psi |
| Weight | 1.9 lb | 2.1 lb |
| Maintenance | Moderate | Low |
The Empire Axe (Original) and Planet Eclipse Etha 3 are both mid-range paintball guns, so the choice comes down to how each one fits your game rather than how much you spend. On price, the Empire Axe (Original) runs roughly $195 less, so budget-first buyers will lean its way. Players who want less upkeep should look at the Planet Eclipse Etha 3, which rates low on maintenance and asks less of you between games. Both run electronic firing modes, so trigger feel and board tuning matter more here than the spec sheet. The Empire Axe (Original) is built with value players and rec/speedball in mind. The Planet Eclipse Etha 3 is built with first serious electronic gun and rec and tournament crossover in mind. Bottom line: pick the Empire Axe (Original) for a tight budget, or the Planet Eclipse Etha 3 for easy maintenance and newer players.