Opinions on the Emek 100 and pal loader system

[Octrane]

I'm looking into buying a used Eclipse Etha Emek 100 as my first gun. I wanted to know if it was any good, and how well it turns into a more mil-sim platform. Also if anyone has any experience with the PAL loading system and if that's any good either.

[coyote]

The Emeks 100 would be a fine choice as a first marker. The valve train is PE's "Gamma Core". This platform is present in nearly every price point of the Eclipse line. It is exceptionally durable, reliable and consistent. I have 2 Emeks in my bag, they are my go to semi option.

I have no first person experience with the PAL loader. It has an excellent reputation throughout the industry. If it meets your needs for feeding your marker I don't see how you can go wrong.

[Cdn_Cuda]

PAL works fine if the marker is stock. If you upgrade to one of the faster valves, it the Emek can outshoot the PALs hopper. Come to think of it, I believe new Emeks come with the upgraded valve even. It's common to use an electronic loader like a Dye Rotor/LTR/ or Spire on an Emek as well.

If you want to go Milsim with it you can get an Etha body kit, I believe, that add rails or look at the EMF100, which is a Magfed version of the Emek.

[Hellion360]

The PAL system is a great cheap option.
It is definitely better than a gravity feed and definitely worse than an electronic loader as far as feed rate. But it is very inexpensive and does what it sets out to do.

If you are into milsim you should take a look at the emf100 too. Its more expensive, but has what you are looking for.

[Cyberpyr8]

The Emek is a great choice. But I would suggest getting an electric hopper. Trust me, you're going to end up needing it. Even an ugly beat up used electronic hopper would work. While the PAL system is better than gravity fed, it's not much better. I had better luck with a Primo gravity hopper than I did with PAL. But a Speedster or old used hopper would be money better spent.

The Emek can get 3-D printed body kits or even the Inception kits that could give you the picatinny rails you might want for a more mil-sim look. But there are so many ways to customize an Emek you won't be disappointed.

[Impactfour]

I got an emek for my wife when she decided to start playing. Because she's tiny I bought a 100 round pal hopper and a 45/4500 tank for it. The couple of times I've used it I've been pretty happy. There's definitely less "shake and bake" action required than a traditional gravity hopper, that being said I mostly play with pump markers, so I wasn't trying to shoot ropes or anything. Now and then the pal hoppers definitely need a bit of a shake, but for the money I'd recommend them. If you find that you're outshooting it it's not much of a loss compared to spending significantly more on a hopper you may not need.

As far as the emek itself goes I don't think there's ever been a comparable entry level marker in terms of reliability, simplicity and capability. It's my go to recommendation for anyone looking to get into paintball.

[jetenginekyle]

At the field I work at we have an upgraded rental that's an emek100 with the pal hopper. We had to upgrade the hopper since the rentals kept chopping paint, the upgraded hopper is a spire ir and it performs much better.

So I'd say skip the pal and get a used spire.

[Impactfour]

That's really interesting, and I don't doubt your account since it's with a fleet of markers over time vs my half a dozen or so experiences with my wife's emek with the 100 Rd pal hopper. I assume those rentals used 200 Rd hoppers?

If so part of me wonders if there's something different about the feed speed between the 200 and 100 Rd hoppers. I'd estimate I was shooting 8-10 bps in short bursts during the last outing I went to and ran into maybe 2-3 dry fires that required a quick shake but no chop issues.

Either way, seeing as op is likely to get a 200 Rd pal hopper over a 100 rd pal hopper jetenginekyles experience may be more applicable than mine..

[iamthelazerviking]

Emek, best marker ever. PAL feedneck, absolutely heinous. But the PAL system overall, cool idea for a rental marker or new player.

[Octrane]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I think I'm gonna get the gun but not the PAL hopper.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Grab a pb DNA JOLO hopper. Or an LTR ROTOR if you want powered hopper.

edit: the pal will do the job just fine tho it feeds great for the money. I just personally prefer the JoLo and or Rotor for the emek. It really depends on what you want to do with it. You Cant beat the JoLo for nice light low cap fun in the woods. But if you want to get into mech play LTR is hard to beat at $99 new.

[Bow]

Had my gen 1 emek for eons and the pal work great. Mine is pre pal but I upgraded to a pal body and feedneck. It and my t2 are pretty much the only markers I use, but hopefully my emf100s will get some love. Nearly all of my other markers are wall hangers at this point.

I've never had a single issue with the pal feedneck, wether it was the fleet of 20 or so 68/50 cals we had or my personal emek.

I even just picked up one of the locking feednecks because I love the idea of it.

That being said, the big pal hopper sucks butts, the little pal hopper is a golden ray of sunshine and it doesnt leave my bag no matter what.

Over all the Emek is probably the best beginer marker made in the last 15 years. Needs hardly any maintenace, doesnt rattle itself apart, easy to source most of the parts, keeps up with you and has plenty of internal upgrade options that actually do something. Just wish pe would've kept the base model alongside the 3m.