Compare the Empire Mini (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 Mini (Original) | Planet Eclipse Etha 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Tier | Mid-Range | Mid-Range |
| Typical Price | $150-250 (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 Mini (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 Mini (Original) runs roughly $200 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 Mini (Original) is built with budget players and smaller hands 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 Mini (Original) for a tight budget, or the Planet Eclipse Etha 3 for easy maintenance and newer players.