The Eclipse Ego has always been built around the solid foundations of Reliability, Performance, Light-Weight and Simplicity. And the Ego9 is no exception. It is obvious from the outset that the ground-up re-working of the Ego9 was undertaken with the sole purpose of improving on every one of those key aspects. In fact, performance in almost every area has been increased substantially over the previous generation of Ego.

The major difference with the new Ego 9 compared to its predecessors is that it no longer uses QEVs (Quick Exhaust Valve). Instead, PE integrated a brand-new "bespoke solenoid valve" which is mounted and ported directly into the rammer chamber. You still receive the same cyclic speed and performance you would have when using QEVs, but this ground-up solenoid design gives the Ego 9 "absolute maximum performance" in terms of response time and flow rate for your gun. So instead of having to run a hose from the QEV to the solenoid valve, you just have one hose that runs from the LPR down to the new solenoid valve. This new design by PE improves over air efficiency and response time, as well as physically optimizing the gun. Simplicity and efficiency rule the game.

Ego 9 Specifications
# Poppet Valve Design
# Off-Set Lower Bores (Reduces off-axis forces)
# Low Pressure operation (160psi @ 290fps)
# Air Efficient 1700+ Shots (from 68/45)
# Ultra High Performance Solenoid Valve
# Direct Porting System for Solenoid Inlet and Exhaust Pathways
# 2.5 x Larger Air Flow from LPR to Solenoid
# Zick Rammer Assembly
# 30% Increase in Valve Chamber Volume
# Cure2 Bolt
# Integrated LPR Assembly
# Eclipse Family Features
# BBBSS (Break Beam Sensor System)
# Black-On-White Transflective LCD Module
# Def-Tek Offset Feed
# C-Lever Clamping Feedneck
# Dual Selectable Trigger Switching (Opto and Micro Switches)
# Dual Trigger Return Mechanisms (Spring and Magnetic Return)
# Integrated Audible Beeper for Alarms and Actuation
# Capped and Uncapped Ramp Modes
# All Major Tournament Presets
# 9 Preset Debounce Modes
# 5-Point Adjustable Trigger
# T-Rail Mounting System
# OOPS (On/Off/Purge) ASA System
# S3 Self-Purging In-Line Regulator
# 14” Shaft3 2-Piece 0.693” Barrel

*Update 9/20/08
The DM9 is now available for purchase!

Dye has released a Youtube video preview of the new DM9 paintball gun. The Dye DM9 is now the lightest gun in the Dye Matrix family. Hyper 3 regulator, new trigger design, new milling, new eye technology and more. The Dye DM9 has been announced for release at the World Cup in October. Watch the vid and don't covet too much.

You can almost see the brilliance coming from the DLX Luxe, Smart Parts newly manufactured high end paintball gun. The DLX Luxe (pronounced "Lukes") has already debuted at the NPPL Huntington Beach event in March, catching the attention of most of the paintball industry. Other than its shilling beauty, the Luxe is loaded with all of today's fancy technology, putting it ABOVE the "high-end" gun class and into its own luxury brand. Sure there might be a lot of "hype" built around this gun right now, but you must admit that it's p.i.m.p. The Luxe was designed to perform for tournament play, keeping in mind every player's need for general maintenance, cleaning, and configuration while under little to no time.

How much?
$1500.

Under the leadership of the DLX Technology group (owned by Smart Parts), the combined efforts of designers, pneumatic, mechanical, manufacturing and software engineers, multimedia developers, linguistic specialists, professional paintball players and leading paintball field and store operators have culminated in the development of the ultimate luxury paintball marker – a synchronization of style, raw performance and unparalleled customer support.

DLX Luxe features:
- Audible voice is used to denote marker status, adjustment mode, etc
- Tool-less field strip for the firing assembly and eye/detent covers.
- Optional grip-routed air supply through the frame (LE only) using the special Luxe foregrip regulator, no macroline.
- Compatible with a standard vertical regulator and screw-in ASA combo if needed (uses macroline).
- Beam-break anti-chop eyes.
- Integrated piston detents.
- Cam-lock feedneck.
- Five available languages (English, French, German, Russian, and Spanish).
- Multiple adjustment settings, and a variety of base firing modes (semi, PSP, NXL, fullyauto, etcetc).
- Rechargeable Lithium-polymer power source, yields approximately 25,000 shots per full charge.
- Battery charger and one spare battery included.
- Smart Parts barrel thread (fits Ion/XE/SP1/SP8/Vibe, Nerve, Shocker NXT, Impulse).
- Freak barrel included.
- Fully adjustable trigger (post travel, pre travel, firing point, retention weight)
- Indirect-acting solenoid (Parker model, low power use, easy serviceability).
- Weight is 27.3 ounces, or 774 grams.
- Carrying case and spares kit included.

DLX Luxe Website: LuxePaintball.com

Paintball-online is giving away a brand new 2008 Planet Eclipse Ego ($1,250). The giveaway only requires your email address to enter and nothing more. The winner will be drawn on June 30th, 2008 according to their giveaway page. All it costs you is a valid email address that you can opt-out of at any time (wait until after the winner is drawn though, of course).

You would think that giveaways like these are flooded with entries, but people usually glimpse over them when browsing the web in my experience. So why not enter - may as well be one of paintballguns.net's visitors that wins it . If you do enter and win, make sure you contact me so you can brag to all the other visitors that lost or didn't enter. Best of luck to you all. Below you'll find a short informational video on the 2008 Ego.

On May 15, 2008 Kingman will be introducing their new 2008 Spyder Electra paintball gun into the market. MSRP'd at $249.99 and retailing for only $199.99, the 2008 Electra is already grabbing the attention from Ion and SLG users. The Spyder Electra is part of Kingman's Classic Series gun line. The Spyder Electra use to be such a primitive electronic paintball gun way back in 2004. Things have changed since then and now Kingman is in a constant running race, along with Smart Parts and Dye, to create an affordable and reliable electronic paintball gun. Right now the battle is between the Smart Parts Ion, Proto SLG, and the 2008 Spyder Electra. Of course there are others, but these are the main players in the market today.

If you had $250 to spend on just a gun (stock, no upgrades), which one would you most likely buy?

Here's Kingman's sales pitch:

The all new generation Spyder Electra with Eye is back with a vengeance. The new design concept features a reduced overall profile (25% weight & 15% length). The Electra with Eye comes standard equipped with the LEAP™ circuit board developed by Tadao® Technologies providing unsurpassed speed and reliability. Outfitted with Spyder's "Synergy Engineered Technology" the Electra with Eye operates on dual air sources (CO2 & Compressed Air) at 300PSI low operational pressure. This all aluminum constructed powerhouse will out perform every other marker in its class.

Performance Features
+ LEAP™ Circuit Board with Rear Facing Color Access Mode Display (CAMD) Developed by Tadao® Technologies
+ "Synergy Engineering" Low Pressure Dual Air Source System
+ Break Beam Eye (Anti-Chop System)
+ Aluminum Eye Covers
+ 3 Modes of Operation (Semi-Auto, Ramp PSP, & Ramp Millennium)
+ Fast Charge Inline Regulator
+ Vented Pressure Relief On/Off CA Adapter
+ Reduced Overall Profile (25% Lighter and 15% Shorter)
+ Up to 25 BPS Rate of Fire
+ Steel Braided Hose Line
+ Quick Release Delrin Bolt
+ 12" Two Piece Micro Ported Barrel
+ Twist Lock Clamping Feedneck
+ 3-Way Adjustable Magnetic Response "Saber" Trigger
+ All Aluminum Constructed Body
+ Recessed Dual Texture Grip Panels
+ All Aluminum Trigger Frame with Integrated Dove Tail
+ Standard CA Thread Vertical Adapter
+ Compatible with a Spyder 9.6v Rechargeable Battery or a Premium 9v Alkaline Battery
+ External Velocity Adjuster
+ 300 PSI Operational Pressure
+ Operates on CO2 or Compressed Air