Quick take: the Etha 3 is Planet Eclipse’s electronic marker built around the Gamma Core spool-valve drivetrain — a genuinely refined, lightweight platform with programmable fire modes and a trigger feel that outperforms most markers in its price range, with one unavoidable tradeoff: it’s HPA-only, no CO2 option. If you’ve been running CO2-compatible markers elsewhere in your lineup, budget for an HPA setup before buying.
Key Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Electronic — Gamma Core spool valve |
| Battery | 9V, housed in a tool-free, hassle-free compartment |
| Air source | HPA only — not CO2 compatible |
| Barrel thread | Autococker |
| Weight (with barrel + batteries) | ~2.19 lbs |
| Trigger | Aluminum adjustable blade trigger |
| Bolt | Gamma Core bolt with ST3 Soft Face design for gentler shooting |
| Fire modes | Semi-auto, ramping, burst, full-auto (programmable) |
| ASA | POPS (push-on-purge) system |
| Feedneck | Low-rise aluminum clamping feedneck |
Note: don’t hardcode a price — one independent comparison placed it around -450 for the marker alone, but kit bundles (with tank/loader) run considerably higher. Let the live listing set the number.
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Why the Etha 3 Earns Its Reputation
Planet Eclipse built the Etha line specifically to bring Eclipse’s higher-end manufacturing standards — the same materials and tolerances used in markers like the Ego and Etek — down to a genuinely affordable price point. The Etha 3 continues that: the Gamma Core drivetrain traces its lineage back through the Etha 2, refined further with a hassle-free battery compartment (no tools or removed panels required, unlike many electronic markers) and a tool-less quick-release back cap for bolt access.
Hands-On Impressions
The electronic trigger feel is a genuine step up, not just a marketing claim. An independent head-to-head against Planet Eclipse’s own mechanical flagship (the Emek 100) found the Etha 3 pulling ahead specifically in electronic fire-mode versatility — semi-auto, ramping, burst, and full-auto — while trigger feel in semi-auto mode was nearly identical between the two. If you want that electronic flexibility, this is where it shows up; if you’re comparing against the Emek specifically, see our Planet Eclipse Emek review for the mechanical side of that comparison.
The ST3 Soft Face Bolt is a specific, paint-friendly engineering detail worth knowing about. It’s designed to deliver a gentler shooting experience than a standard bolt — useful if you’re shooting delicate or older paint batches more prone to breaking on a harder-hitting bolt.
The battery compartment redesign solves a real, common annoyance. Many electronic markers require removing grips or panels to swap a 9V, risking dropped screws or needing specific tools. Planet Eclipse specifically engineered the Etha 3’s compartment to avoid that — a small detail, but one that matters every time you need a battery change mid-season.
The included rebuild kit is substantial, per multiple unboxing accounts. Barrel cover, a full set of Allen wrenches, O-rings, detent screws, and Planet Eclipse’s own grease all ship in the box — genuinely useful if you plan to do your own maintenance rather than relying on a shop.
The HPA-only requirement is the one unavoidable tradeoff, and it’s shared with the Etha 3M. See our Etha 3 vs. Etha 3M comparison if you’re deciding between the electronic and mechanical versions of this same platform — both require HPA, no CO2 option exists for either.
How It Compares
| Marker | Drivetrain | Air Source | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Etha 3 | Electronic (Gamma Core) | HPA only | Programmable fire modes, refined trigger feel |
| Etha 3M | Mechanical (spool valve) | HPA only | Same platform, no battery dependence |
| Emek 100 | Mechanical | HPA only | Planet Eclipse’s mechanical flagship; near-identical semi-auto feel to the Etha 3, without electronic modes |
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy This
Good fit if you:
- Want genuine electronic fire-mode versatility (ramping, burst, full-auto) on a mid-tier budget
- Already run (or are willing to invest in) an HPA setup
- Want a refined trigger feel without jumping to a top-tier tournament marker’s price point
Look elsewhere if you:
- Want to stay on CO2 — neither the Etha 3 nor the Etha 3M supports it; see our CO2 vs. compressed air breakdown before committing
- Prefer mechanical simplicity and no battery dependence — the Etha 3M gets you the same platform without the electronics
- Are deciding specifically against the Emek 100 — see our Emek review for that mechanical-flagship comparison
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying without an HPA setup already planned. This is the single most common compatibility mistake for anyone coming from a CO2-compatible marker elsewhere in this site’s reviews.
- Assuming the Etha 3 is the mechanical version. It isn’t — that’s the Etha 3M. Confirm which one you’re buying if “mechanical” or “electronic” matters to your decision.
- Skipping barrel thread compatibility checks. It uses Autococker threading — see our barrel kits roundup for compatible options.
- Not using the included rebuild kit. It’s genuinely comprehensive — don’t let it sit unused in the box until something breaks.
Maintenance Tips
- Use the included grease and rebuild kit for routine O-ring maintenance rather than waiting for a seal failure.
- Take advantage of the hassle-free battery compartment design — there’s no excuse to run on a weak 9V when swapping is this straightforward.
- Clean the Gamma Core bolt periodically, especially after sessions with softer or older paint, even with the gentler ST3 Soft Face design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Planet Eclipse Etha 3 electronic or mechanical?
Electronic — it uses the Gamma Core spool-valve drivetrain with a 9V battery and programmable fire modes. The mechanical version is the separate Etha 3M.
Can the Etha 3 run on CO2?
No, it’s HPA-only, with no CO2 option available.
What fire modes does the Etha 3 support?
Semi-auto, ramping, burst, and full-auto, all programmable.
How does the Etha 3 compare to the Emek 100?
They’re close in semi-auto trigger feel, but the Etha 3 pulls ahead through its electronic fire-mode versatility, which the mechanical Emek 100 doesn’t offer.
What barrel thread does the Etha 3 use?
Autococker threading, the same family covered in our barrel kits roundup.
Verdict
The Etha 3 delivers on Planet Eclipse’s promise of bringing higher-end manufacturing standards to a mid-tier electronic marker — a refined trigger feel, genuine fire-mode programmability, and thoughtful details like the hassle-free battery compartment and ST3 Soft Face bolt. The one unavoidable commitment: HPA only, so budget for that setup if you don’t already have it.
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Related reading: Etha 3 vs. Etha 3M · Planet Eclipse Emek Review · CO2 vs. Compressed Air (HPA) · Best Paintball Barrel Kits · Best .68 Caliber Paintball Guns
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