Returning Player… Best $600 Marker Discussion

[Marmaduke]

https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/b...-gtek-170r-f-s

That’s seems like a pretty good deal. Want to flesh out this $500 TM40 offer, but I may hit that gentleman uo
otherwise!



the ETEK5 option is interesting too that’s been suggested. Seems like 2011 Ego basically? I really did/do love my ego.

[goofyman23]

170r or a DSR/DSR+ would be great used markers at that price.

I'm biased against GoG/Shocker/DLX so I couldn't offer anything constructive there.

[The Hobbit]

Plot twist. A friend of mine who doesn’t play offered me a DLX Luxe TM40 for $500. Waiting on photos now. He says it’s “mint.” He took in lieu of payment for something or as collateral for a loan. He’d offered it a year(ish) ago for more. I hit him up to see if he had any new markers and he said he still had that one. Seems to be a good deal if it works?

Yeah that’s a good buy. Same “engine” as the amp, Gtek, etha, emek. There is a mech frame available for it if you want the capability to swap between mech/electro.

[the_matrix_guy]

If you want something modern, high performance, and hassle free: the Planet Eclipse Ego LV 1.6's are starting to drop around $650. That would be my choice. Anything pre 1.6 and under has the non-serviceable solenoids, so dont get those.

[Marmaduke]

I’ll keep an eye for the 1.6s in that range. Thank you.

[Marmaduke]

170r or a DSR/DSR+ would be great used markers at that price.

I'm biased against GoG/Shocker/DLX so I couldn't offer anything constructive there.

Appreciate the honesty! I was never a Dye guy myself. Lots of friends shot them, but I was always partial to the poppets.

How do the Dye guns stack up today? I’m getting. Super confused trying to keep track of the different models, of which there seem to be a lot. PE too, but the dye guns are crazy and then there’s all the different “comes with XYZ kit” that’s giving me a headache.

[goofyman23]

Dye's had some mixed bags as of late, but their M3 and DSR+ are fantastic markers. The M3 has a nice horizontal feel to it and the DSR+ has a very soft/quiet shot.

The DSR+, however, can be a little finicky with colder weather which is where the IMPRO kit comes into play. I'm currently selling my + that has the FreeFlow Misfits treatment (similar to the pro kit, but also has a different bolt) with the mech kit ($800 so a bit out of your range).

[Grendel]

Already been said and as a friend said the other day they have "no soul" but for $600 limit I would go with an Emek or M170R with my preference being the M170R. I have an M170R I keep in my bag just in case I need/want to play a Semi and my preferred choices are giving me issues. The M170R just always works and I essentially do no maintenance on it with the exception of once a year greasing the core. Other then that I just wipe it down after playing and put it back in its case and back into my bag to be available at a later date.

[Magmoormaster]

Plot twist. A friend of mine who doesn’t play offered me a DLX Luxe TM40 for $500. Waiting on photos now. He says it’s “mint.” He took in lieu of payment for something or as collateral for a loan. He’d offered it a year(ish) ago for more. I hit him up to see if he had any new markers and he said he still had that one. Seems to be a good deal if it works?

$500 for a TM40 is a spankin good deal. ANd since you said earlier that you like the old shockers, a Luxe should be right up your alley.

[Marmaduke]

First off… Huge thank you to everyone for their input. I forgot how much I love paintball and I’m so thrilled that this forum is still around.

I ended up picking up my boys TM40. In additional I got two ninja tanks and a spire for $700 shipped.

I don’t need the hopper or tanks, but those will be harder for him to part out (especially as a non player) and I can justify buying another gun for the wife now. Three of my tanks were out of hydro so I’ll be back to three good ones now which is perfect I guess.

Really appreciate you guys and all of the discussion!

[PBGunny]

If you’ve had good experiences with Eclipse Ego’s in the past I’d recommend an Etek 5.

They can be readily found on eBay in like new condition and they’re excellent shooters all around.

I listened in on a conversation at Super Game this year with the Planet Eclipse tech, PB Sports Jay and a couple of players and the question of what is the best marker PE made was asked.
The tech didn't hesitate to say that the Etek 5 was an absolutely bulletproof marker and that it is such a sleeper in the paintball community.
He said that out of all the PE models, the Etek 5 is the one that he does the very least work on, typically just changing out o-rings and some lube and they are ready for action.
He also commented that the noids they used on them was very hard to break and was rebuildable.
When asked why it wasn't so popular, he said that the timing of the release of it really hurt the sales.
Everyone was going towards the spool Gtek at that time and if they wanted a poppet, they were going LV1.
It was an amazing discussion that convinced me to go out and get one a few months ago.
You can still get OLED boards and with that you got a marker that is going to compete with most everything out there right now at the $350-400 range.

[Blackmagic71]

Personally I bought my Etek 5 new when it first came out and added one of the OLED screens.

Normally I try to use one of my ebladed autocockers, so it doesn’t see a ton of use (maybe 10-12 cases since new), but it has given me zero issues. I’ve never even had to change any orings. All I do is put a little oil on it, add air, add paint, and it shoots great.

I would definitely recommend it.