Mini gs is very mini, what’s next?

[Boomba]

I like many have started playing paintball again after a 15 ish year brake. I picked up a Mini GS at the beginning of the year and while the performance is good I would like to move up to a larger framed marker with a lcd/oled screen and all metal.

Budget would be 450 or less. Would it be worth waiting and building up more of a budget? What do you guys think would be the best option for an electronic speedball marker? I am looking for recommendations on used markers.

The Etha series is tempting but I unaware of any option to add a screen. The Axe 2.0 is all metal and has the ability to upgrade to the redline board and screen but the frame size is still small to me. I would like to be able to get my thumb around the back of the forward grip.

let me know what you think!

[Jonnydread]

I don't know much about the platform, but the Syx I think is similar to the mini, but larger. No clue about screens.

[Boomba]

I looked at the SYX 1.5 and it does have a screen and has the frame length I could work with. The forward grip looks funky to me I need to try one out to see if I like the feel. The AXE pro looks like a great marker but Empire hasn’t built them in a while.

[Ego10Baller]

My biased recommendation is a planet eclipse marker running a variant of the gamma core (Gtek, Gtek 160r, or 170r are all at or under the $450 mark, typically) or one of the PE poppets that has a rebuildable solenoid (Etek 5, LV1.6 or LV2) They're bullet proof, pick up and play.

Though the LV1.6 and LV2 you won't be able to find for $450 or less.

[boomersruckus]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This guy knows!

[boomersruckus]

Empire Mini, Axe, Axe 2.0 and Axe Pro are awesome markers if you are the type to clean them after use. If you like to use them and abuse them then they have a tendency to lose velocity due to the poppet valve dragging. The oring on the poppet body is critical to the function of the poppet valve and that oring needs lube. Its not something that most casual users take care of and its the one massive short coming to the function of the marker. I have had the Mini, Pro, and 2.0 and all of them have shown this tendency when I am lazy and dont clean them after their use. The poppet body oring is something that isnt blatantly obvious and requires disassembly of the velocity adjuster insert which requires re-chronoing. For someone who is tech savvy, these markers are work horses that end up as backup guns in gear bags or loaners to friends. I gave my Axe Pro to a life long buddy who wanted to play big games. I still have a 2.0 waiting in a gear bag for its next use.

And Boomba is right, the Axe Pro is a freaking chainsaw.

[Boomba]

Thanks boomer,

The guys at Wolverine Paintball were kind enough to give me the lowdown on cleaning and maintenance. I have been breaking this mini gs down after every day on the field. I want to keep it for a loaner to get some friends out to the field.

I have an eye on Ego10ballers Gtek but I would prefer something without a macro line. What parts are interchangeable between the Gtek and the 170R?

[boomersruckus]

Some of the gama bolt pieces. Get either an Etha 2/3 or even an emek if you want to buy now. If you save up, get either a 170R or CS2. I am completely biased but I have been playing this game for a long time and own MacDev, Luxe, Empire, and PE guns currently. The PE guns and the Luxe TM40 are weapons that just work. I am biased towards the PE guns however due to the abuse I have put on them and they have never not worked for me. Yes...there have been issues with them but nothing I couldnt tech myself and have the marker up and running again within a few minutes. I am sure someone from the Dye planet will sing praises for their gats as well and I cannot argue against them, I have only shot one a few times.

[Boomba]

I keep hearing that PE is the way to go. I will buckle down and wait for another 170R, CS2 or TM40 to come up. It is t just you singing PE praise so there has to be some truth to it. I appreciate the knowledge!

[RPP]

Dont be afraid to look for a 160R either. If you can find one its usually a great deal.

[Boomba]

RPP, I will add the 160R to the list as well. Thanks

[JohnB]

I agree with above and rec pe. Although that tm40 with mech frame for $650 in the BST is a screaming deal if you can swing it.

[Boomba]

I saw it. Getting that mech frame in the package would be great. If it is around in a couple weeks I will try to snag it but if it lasts another few days in the BST I would be surprised.

[Maxwell]

I love the 170R recommendation if you're really dead set on the screen.

I would add that I've never missed having a screen on my Etha 3 and the shot quality is right up there with the high-end PE markers. There isn't much to tinker with in the Gamma Core anyways and the 4 standard presets and eye function are very easy to see and navigate through the LED in my opinion. I got a used once Etha 3 setup with Virtue IR2, pack, pods, color kit for $450 shipped a couple months ago.

[boomersruckus]

The screen is a nice touch but once you find your setup, you can play with it and never mess with it again. Power on....blast fools...power off. Rinse and repeat! Etha 2/3 for the win. Once you have either of those, you can convert it to mech super easy.

[Daltech]

[Daltech]

https://ebay.us/m/hs5Wjl

[Daltech]

https://ebay.us/m/YvaQv1

[Daltech]

So many choices.

https://ebay.us/m/KCshsH

[Boomba]

Holy crap, I got a 170R! Thank you Daltech and everyone else for the recommendations and input. I’m am planning to be out at the CFOA events in 2026 and I am looking forward to getting on the field with some of you.

[Daltech]

Moving up to a 170r or a DSR or similar, you will start to develop a “memory” of movement that will help you with game play. Try all different shapes and sizes. Some people like the bigger grips on the 170 some people like the smaller grips on the DSR.

you’ll quickly appreciate the ergonomics of these higher end markers over the mini gs. Don’t get me wrong the mini GS is a ripper, but the build quality and design don’t come close to planet eclipses or DYE.

[Daltech]

Check out these vids. They helped me out allot to pick back up where I left off and gain a competitive edge. Honestly doing these drills made me start hitting people in the goggles. I can’t recommend them enough.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g7SSTDVhfrs

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXBdQV-ZAz0

[Boomba]

Hi Daltech, thanks for tracking down all of those links. I put an offer in on one of the 170Rs. I will give the drills a go, I need to do some work on my moving and shooting for sure!

[akpaintballer98]

If you like the axe mini/platform I love my axe pro. I’ve had probably every version of these things including the syx. The pro is my favorite.
170R is bullet proof, also original Gtek with oled is solid. I have two and switch them back and forth from mechanical. A guy on Reddit is selling a Gtek oled for $285

https://www.reddit.com/r/PaintballBST/s/FBUb0VxoI0

edit: Read other comments, Ego ballers gtek is better cop his

[Boomba]

I ended up picking up a 170R. The AXE Pro is a marker I want to know more about. The design looks great and it has a screen but it is no longer manufactured? I was checking out the SYX 1.5 but the ergonomics (that weird forward grip) didn’t seem to be good for some people. The axe pro looks like a great marker. I wish it was still being manufactured.

[homerj]

If you’re looking for a backup & are still interested in the Mini/Axe platform I’d recommend looking for a cheap Syx 1.0. You can still send them in to Empire for the 1.5 updates for free. I’m not a huge fan of the look of the foregrip either. That thing could’ve used a circumcision during the design phase but it’s actually quite comfortable.