It's hard to believe that Planet Eclipse already released their 5th generation paintball gun, the Ego 9. In 2004, the first Eclipse Ego debuted and captured the attention of most professional players and high-end gun users. Planet Eclipse built a gun around weight, air efficiency, size, ergonomics, and accuracy. Over the last 4 years, Planet Eclipse has been making some very aggressive moves in the high-end paintball gun market. The Ego came in and swept away "old technology" in paintball.

Right now the leading manufacturers in the high-end gun market are Dye/Proto (DM9/PM8), Smart Parts (Shocker), and Planet Eclipse (Ego). Say goodbye to WDP (Angels) and WGP (Autocockers), they will soon become antiques. The Eclipse Ego can be partially blamed for this but good riddance. Planet Eclipse has been building their guns around the same solid foundations of reliability, performance, light-weight'ness and simplicity. You can expect the same features, and more, with the new Ego 9.

MSRP: $1499.99 ($1,250.00)

Believe it or not, WDP is slowly declining in popularity in the paintball world. Dye and Smart Parts are starting to dominate the paintball gun market with their very affordable and very reliable high and low end paintball markers. The battle between these major gun manufacturers revolves around bringing the end consumer (you and me) what we want. Right now Dye, Smart Parts, WDP, Planet Eclipse, and all other major manufacturers are struggling to bring the end consumer the fastest, most reliable, most affordable, and most efficient paintball marker in the world. The 2008 Angel A1 is WDP's stab at it. So far the gun is getting great reviews. But is it any match for the Dye's DM8 or the new PE Ego's?

WDP announced their new 2008 gun line at Huntington Beach in late March. Retailing at around $1,300, the Angel A1 caught the eye of many tournament ballers at the event for a few reasons. Of course just like every other WDP gun, the Angel A1 has one of the sickest designs on the market today. Also, WDP really stresses on its ergonomics (the applied science of equipment design intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue, safety and discomfort). So for example, ergonomics would involve designing a paintball gun's grip frame to fit the human hand as comfortably as possible. This is key for tourny ballers because weight distribution and comfort for the player can really obstruct the team's performance.

The A1 Fly has been getting mad reviews. WDP is expected to keep up with all the other major gun brands out there - the only real way to find out which one is right for you is to shoot them all! Personally, I have always enjoyed the "feeling" of WDP's gun line. Their guns operate at such low pressure (about 55 psi) you can barely feel any kick.

WDP also put out special Miami Rage and Joy Division Angel A1's since they sponsor them. Designer guns like these will cost you another $100 or $200 - and all you really get is different anodizing that the team agreed upon.

New features for the Angel A1 Fly:

• New Mini-reg with what appears to come with standard regulator threads; therefore, after-market regs such as AKA or CP can be put on without the purchase of an additional adapter.
• New Valve/Valve Stem/Ram dubbed the Magno Valve System
• New Milling which has reduced the weight of the already light-weight A1 (the most noticeable amount has been removed from the solenoid cover)
• 3 piece Eye Covers (these did not previously come stock with A1s)
• New Board Graphics, not necessarily a new board
• New Trigger
• New Milled/Slimmed down ASA
• New Grips with: "Fly Paper"
• New "Fly Paper" grip on the grip frame, grip, and regulator.
• New Milled/Slimmed down feedneck
• New Carbon Fiber Barrel Tip
• 6 Piece Barrel Kit is speculated to also come with the A1 Fly.

The 2007 PSP World Cup event ended on Sunday, October 29th. Team Ironmen took the cup defeating Boston Red Legion in the finals with a score of 7-6. Close game. Team Ironmen are now the new 2007 World Cup Champions, 2007 NXL Series Champions, and $30,000 richer.

Bea Youngs blogged about the event as she was announcing it. She also grabbed an interview with Ken Griffey Jr., who was there playing with his kids. Sounds like a cool guy. Check out a picture of his Ego 8. Watch the interview below.

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After a long week of scorching hot weather, PSP's River City Open event has come to an end. Here are the final scores:

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