Yes, I am going to have to admit I was skeptical at first when I saw the pictures, specs, and lack of features that its big brother, the 06 ego, had. After using this marker, I soon realized never to judge a book by its cover. Here’s the story.
Alright, I got the gun and some paint, fill up the air and hit the chrono. First off, I heard people crying about “massive†kick. Nothing a little dwell and LPR adjustments can’t fix. Shot it over the chrono without adjusting anything but the HPR, 291-286-280-289-284-290. Now that’s right out of the box folks, stock regulator, stock everything. Coming out of the box and shooting that consistent is good for any gun right out of the box. No breaks, no chops, decently fast with no trigger adjustments, very efficient. Shot a hopper (Halo B) with around 400lbs of air. Not that good? Considering a halo holds roughly 150 and there are 4500lbs in a full fill. 4500/650 = 6.92 (roughly 7) hoppers at 150. 150 x7= 1050. A little over half a case is good for out of the box. With it’s Autococker threads, being the most popular in the world, over half of the guns on the market use them with exceptions of shockers/angels/impulse just about everything else accepts Autococker threading thus making it very possible to use any kit ever made out there! Tune to get better efficiency and reduced kick.
PROS
Cost, at $750.00 this is a deal. The Etek Ego has very nice milling, a moderately accurate barrel for being stock, programming parameter sticker inside grip frame, and VERY easy maintenance. A few drops of oil on the rear O-Ring on the rammer, and on the top of the rammer and very little on the bolt and that’s it. Greasing the pistons in the HPR/LPR is a snap as well. Easy, not time consuming. A wide variety of upgrades are already out like the CCU kits, Ti Rammers, Aftermarket Boards, Triggers, Feednecks, Grips, etc…. etc….. Probably the best thing about the Etek Ego is its creators. Planet Eclipse!
CONS
No QEV’s. It doesn’t accept star frame. Not compatible with all other ego parts (Neither are the 06/05’s though). Stock board is capped at 15 BPS (Not much of a need to go passed that anyway). Nothing significant.
MYTHS
No QEV’s? 15 BPS cap on stock board?!?!
Yes, that is true, however it is not necessary. 15 BPS is the legal cap at all national events. NPPL in true semi, this gun can keep up with you for sure. QEV’s serve to increase flow rates thus giving increase rate of fires. Once again, this will only slow you down about 5 BPS from traditional 05/06 egos. This is not necessary considering the previous stated 15 BPS cap at the PSP events. If you are a tournament player looking for a high-end marker and want to save some cash, this is the marker for you. Aftermarket boards are available for the desired need to pelt the tree in the backyard 20 times a second.
-Written by Luke Calmes
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