Quick take: the Gtek 170R is Planet Eclipse’s refined, hoseless, full-aluminum electronic marker — and it costs nearly double the Etha 2 for that refinement. Our own Gtek 170R vs. Etha 2 comparison found the 170R winning on ergonomics, feedneck construction, and overall electronics, but the price gap is real and worth going in with eyes open about.
Key Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Electronic — Gamma Core (second generation) |
| Air system | Hoseless, fully internal air transfer |
| Construction | Full aluminum/metal body |
| Feedneck | Low-rise aluminum clamping feedneck |
| Trigger | Slick blade trigger, 4 levels of adjustment |
| Barrel | Shaft 4/5 compatible, 14.5″ stock |
| Toolless access | Eye covers, detent, battery, drivetrain, and bolt all toolless |
| Mechanical sibling | M170R — same platform, fully mechanical, separate SKU |
Note: don’t hardcode a price — listings we found ranged from roughly $860-900 for the standard 170R, nearly double the Etha 2’s price point. Let the live listing set the number.
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Why the Gtek 170R Sits Above the Etha Line
The Gtek line represents a step up from the Etha series in construction and finish — full aluminum body rather than composite, a more elaborate toolless-access system (eye covers and detent included, not just battery and bolt), and the low-rise clamping feedneck that wasn’t available on Planet Eclipse’s older high-end markers. It shares the same Gamma Core drivetrain lineage as the Etha 3 (covered in our full Etha 3 review), refined further in this hoseless, second-generation implementation.
Hands-On Impressions
The ergonomics and build quality are consistently singled out as the standout improvement over Planet Eclipse’s more affordable markers. Our own head-to-head against the Etha 2 found the Gtek 170R’s aluminum feedneck and overall body composition a clear step up from the Etha 2’s plastic feedneck — lighter, less bulky, and more refined in the hand despite the all-metal construction.
Toolless access extends further than just the battery and bolt. Eye covers and the detent are also toolless on the 170R — a more complete maintenance-friendly design than some competing markers that only make bolt access tool-free.
The 4-position adjustable trigger gives real tunability without needing electronics-level programming. This sits between a fixed mechanical trigger and a fully programmable electronic system — a specific, moderate level of adjustability worth knowing about if trigger feel customization matters to you.
The price gap versus the Etha 2 is real, not marginal. Nearly double the price for a marker that shares the same core drivetrain lineage is a significant jump — justified by the construction and ergonomic refinements if those matter to you, but worth being honest about rather than downplaying.
How It Compares
| Marker | Construction | Feedneck | Price vs. Etha 2 | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gtek 170R | Full aluminum | Aluminum low-rise clamping | ~2x | Toolless eye covers/detent, refined ergonomics |
| Etha 2 | Composite | Plastic | Baseline | PALS compatibility, strong value |
| M170R | Full aluminum (same as 170R) | Aluminum low-rise clamping | Similar to 170R | Mechanical version — no battery dependence |
See our full Gtek 170R vs. Etha 2 breakdown for the complete head-to-head.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy This
Good fit if you:
- Want Planet Eclipse’s most refined mid-tier electronic construction — full aluminum body, extended toolless access
- Are comparing against the Etha 2 and have decided the ergonomic/build-quality step up is worth the price premium
- Want the same Gamma Core reliability as the Etha line in a more elaborate package
Look elsewhere if you:
- Are budget-conscious — the Etha 2 shares core drivetrain lineage at roughly half the price
- Want a mechanical marker with no battery dependence — the M170R is the same platform without electronics
- Haven’t confirmed your air source setup — verify compressed-air requirements with the current spec sheet before assuming CO2 compatibility
Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming the price premium over the Etha 2 is marketing markup rather than real construction differences. The aluminum feedneck, extended toolless access, and body construction are genuine, verifiable differences, not just branding.
- Buying the standard 170R when you actually wanted the mechanical version. That’s the separate M170R SKU — confirm which one you’re ordering.
- Assuming CO2 compatibility without checking. Verify the current spec sheet rather than assuming based on other Planet Eclipse markers’ known HPA-only requirement.
- Overlooking barrel compatibility. It uses Shaft 4/5 threading — confirm compatibility before buying aftermarket barrels.
Maintenance Tips
- Take advantage of the extended toolless access (eye covers, detent, battery, bolt) for routine cleaning rather than only addressing issues as they come up.
- Keep the low-rise aluminum feedneck’s clamping mechanism free of paint residue for a secure hopper seal.
- Given the hoseless internal air transfer design, periodic seal checks matter more here than on externally-hosed markers — a slow internal leak is less visually obvious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Gtek 170R worth the price premium over the Etha 2?
Our own comparison found real construction and ergonomic advantages (aluminum feedneck, extended toolless access) — whether that’s worth nearly double the price depends on how much you value those refinements specifically.
What’s the difference between the Gtek 170R and the M170R?
The 170R is the standard electronic version with the Gamma Core drivetrain; the M170R is a separate, fully mechanical SKU on the same platform with no battery required.
Does the Gtek 170R run on CO2?
Not confirmed in available specs — Planet Eclipse’s modern markers generally require compressed air (HPA) rather than CO2, so verify the current spec sheet before assuming CO2 compatibility.
What barrel does the Gtek 170R use?
Shaft 4/5 compatible threading, with a 14.5″ barrel included stock.
How adjustable is the Gtek 170R’s trigger?
It offers 4 levels of adjustment via its blade trigger — more tunable than a fixed mechanical trigger, though not as deeply programmable as a fully electronic fire-mode system.
Verdict
The Gtek 170R delivers genuine construction and ergonomic refinements over the Etha 2 — full aluminum body, extended toolless access, and a low-rise clamping feedneck — at a real price premium that’s worth weighing carefully rather than assuming is justified by brand name alone. If those specific refinements matter to you, our own comparison backs up the upgrade; if budget matters more, the Etha 2 shares the same core drivetrain lineage for roughly half the cost.
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Related reading: Gtek 170R vs. Etha 2 · Etha 2 Review · Etha 3 Review · Best Paintball Barrel Kits
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