The current Etha: refined ergonomics and an available metal body, carrying the Gamma Core drivetrain that defines low-maintenance reliability.
Technical Specifications
Operation
Electropneumatic spool (Gamma Core)
Firing Modes
semi-auto, ramping
Caliber
.68
Feed System
Force-fed
Air Source
HPA
Operating Pressure
~140 psi
Weight (unloaded)
2.1 lbs
MSRP
$400
Street Price
$380-480
Maintenance
Low
Notable features: Updated ergonomics, Optional metal body (Etha 3M), Tool-less maintenance
Pros & Cons
Pros
Class-leading reliability
Forgiving on paint
Great value entry to PE
Cons
No ramping out of every region's default
HPA only in practice
Best for: First serious electronic gun, Rec and tournament crossover, Reliability-focused players
Setup & First-Day Tuning Guide
Charge Batteries 24 Hours Before — Charge the Planet Eclipse Etha 3's battery fully before your first session. Bring a spare — a low battery causes dump-fire and board errors that mimic broken gun symptoms.
Lube Bolt & Carrier Before Air — Slide the bolt back by hand — it should move freely. Apply Dow 33 to all bolt and carrier O-rings. Never lube the solenoid.
Set Operating Pressure to Spec — The Planet Eclipse Etha 3 runs at ~140 psi. Set your HPR per the manual — never exceed rated pressure.
Chronograph via HPR, Then Dwell — With eyes ON, fire 5 shots and read the chrono. Adjust HPR to approach your target velocity (usually 280 fps). Change dwell (1ms at a time) only after HPR is dialed.
Keep Anti-Chop Eyes ON — Turn eyes ON for your first outing. A slight hesitation is normal — a force-feed loader (Dye Rotor, Virtue Spire) eliminates it entirely.
Set Firing Mode Before the Field — Set the gun to semi-auto mode. Most recreational fields enforce semi-auto — confirm mode is correct before your first game.
Maintenance Schedule
Interval
Task
Detail
After every outing
Barrel, bolt & exterior clean
Squeegee twice, bolt wipe, screws snug. Clean eye ports with a dry cotton swab.
Every 5 sessions
Bolt O-ring lube & cup seal check
Clean with isopropyl, dry, apply Dow 33. Inspect cup seal — replace if deformed.
Every 6 months
Valve & fitting service
Re-lube all O-rings. Check all fittings and inline regulator if present.
Annually
Full teardown & O-ring replacement
Complete disassembly, full O-ring kit replacement, inspect springs.
Open the bolt without tools, wipe and re-lube; extremely simple.
Common Problems & Troubleshooting
Wide velocity spread
Cause: Worn bolt O-rings (most common); LPR drift
Fix: Bolt carrier O-ring wear is the #1 cause of inconsistency in guns like the Planet Eclipse Etha 3. Remove bolt, inspect O-rings, re-lube or replace as a set.
Gun won't power on
Cause: Low battery voltage; terminal corrosion
Fix: Test battery — should read 9V+ (alkaline) or 7.4V+ (LiPo). Clean terminals with isopropyl. Check the manual for the factory reset sequence.
Air dumps continuously
Cause: Solenoid failure; low battery
Fix: De-gas immediately. Check battery first — low voltage causes dump-fire. If battery is good, inspect solenoid for debris or O-ring failure.
Double-firing / bounce
Cause: Dwell too high; debounce too sensitive
Fix: Reduce dwell 1ms at a time until resolved. Never go below 4ms on spool guns.
Eyes not working with eyes on
Cause: Paint residue blocking eye ports
Fix: Clean eye ports with a dry cotton swab — this fixes 95% of apparent eye failures.
Firing mode won't change
Cause: Board lock mode
Fix: Download the board manual PDF — the unlock sequence is a button-hold pattern during power-on.
Upgrade Path
Deuce trigger
Barrel kit (Shaft FL/S63)
Regulator
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Planet Eclipse Etha 3 good for beginners?
Yes, with some paintball experience. The Planet Eclipse Etha 3 rewards players who understand basic maintenance and operation.
Does the Planet Eclipse Etha 3 run on CO2 or HPA?
Compatible with HPA. HPA is required — CO2 can damage solenoid O-rings on electropneumatic guns.
What is the operating pressure of the Planet Eclipse Etha 3?
The Planet Eclipse Etha 3 operates at ~140 psi. Match your regulator output to this spec.
How hard is the Planet Eclipse Etha 3 to maintain?
Easy — basic bolt cleaning every few sessions. Open the bolt without tools, wipe and re-lube; extremely simple.
What loader does the Planet Eclipse Etha 3 need?
A force-feed loader (Dye Rotor, Virtue Spire) is needed for the Planet Eclipse Etha 3's fire rate. A gravity hopper limits you to ~6 BPS.
How much does the Planet Eclipse Etha 3 cost?
New: $400 MSRP, typically $380-480 on the street. Used prices vary — check BST forums and eBay for current asking prices.
What barrel thread does the Planet Eclipse Etha 3 use?
The Planet Eclipse Etha 3 shoots .68 caliber. Confirm the specific thread pattern for your variant before ordering a barrel.
What firing modes does the Planet Eclipse Etha 3 support?
Supported modes: semi-auto, ramping. Most recreational fields require semi-auto only.
How heavy is the Planet Eclipse Etha 3?
2.1 lbs unloaded. With a full hopper and HPA tank, expect roughly 4.6–5.6 lbs total.
Is the Planet Eclipse Etha 3 worth buying?
The current Etha: refined ergonomics and an available metal body, carrying the Gamma Core drivetrain that defines low-maintenance reliability. Strengths: Class-leading reliability, Forgiving on paint. Trade-offs: No ramping out of every region's default, HPA only in practice.