Eclipse EMEK

The Eclipse EMEK is a family of mechanical paintball markers manufactured by Planet Eclipse, a British paintball equipment company based in Manchester, England. Introduced in August 2018, the original EMEK 100 was developed as a lower-priced mechanical marker using the company's Gamma Core spool-valve drivetrain.[1][2]

The EMEK family includes the conventional hopper-fed EMEK 100, the PAL-compatible EMEK and the magazine-fed EMF100. The markers are designed for recreational paintball, commercial playing fields and mechanical competition.[2][3]

Unlike Planet Eclipse's electronic marker families, the EMEK uses a mechanical three-way valve to operate its firing mechanism without batteries.[2]

History

Introduction (2018)

Planet Eclipse introduced the EMEK 100 in August 2018.

The marker incorporated the Gamma Core operating system previously used in the Eclipse Gtek and Eclipse Etha 2.

Its mechanical firing system replaced the electronic trigger board and solenoid used by those markers with a mechanically operated three-way valve.

The EMEK was designed for entry-level recreational players and commercial field operators seeking an alternative to conventional blowback rental markers.

Contemporary product announcements documented .68-calibre and .50-calibre versions, both using compressed air rather than carbon dioxide.[1][4]

The EMEK incorporated a glass-reinforced nylon external body, aluminium internal sleeve and a single-piece grip frame and foregrip.

These components were intended to reduce production costs while retaining the Gamma Core drivetrain.[2]

PAL compatibility

Planet Eclipse subsequently introduced a PAL-compatible version of the EMEK.

PAL stands for Pneumatic Assisted Loader.

The system uses pneumatic movement generated during the marker's firing cycle to agitate paintballs in a compatible loader.

Unlike conventional electronic loaders, the PAL system operates without batteries.

A PAL-compatible feedneck is required for its assisted-feeding function.[5]

The EMEK PAL retained the Gamma Core operating mechanism and mechanical trigger system.

Planet Eclipse's published specifications identify a nominal operating pressure of 135 psi, a glass-reinforced nylon body and a tool-free removable bolt assembly.[2]

Magazine-fed EMEK

Planet Eclipse subsequently expanded the EMEK platform into magazine-fed paintball.

The original magazine-fed model was marketed as the EMEK MG100.

It retained the Gamma Core and mechanical operating system but incorporated a magazine well, modular body components and compatibility with detachable paintball magazines.

The marker could also be configured for conventional hopper feeding.

In June 2020, Planet Eclipse renamed the model EMF100 as part of the introduction of its Eclipse Mag Fed product identity.

The manufacturer confirmed that the change was principally a product naming decision rather than the introduction of an entirely new operating platform.[6]

The EMF100 supports conventional round paintballs and compatible First Strike shaped projectiles.

Its magazine arrangements include compatibility with DYE DTM magazines and Planet Eclipse CF20 magazines.[3]

Later developments

Planet Eclipse continued developing the EMEK platform through revised components, accessory options and mechanical valve upgrades.

The company introduced the FL 3-Way Valve as an upgraded mechanical firing component.

The EMEK family also supported aftermarket modifications, including alternative bodies, triggers, barrels and air-system fittings.

In April 2022, Planet Eclipse introduced the Eclipse Etha 3M, a related mechanical Gamma Core marker.

The Etha 3M incorporated several additional components as standard, including an FL 3-Way Valve, POPS air-system fitting and upgraded barrel system.

Although related to the EMEK, the Etha 3M is marketed as part of the Etha family rather than as a separately numbered EMEK generation.[7]

Operating system

The EMEK uses Planet Eclipse's Gamma Core spool-valve drivetrain.

The Gamma Core controls the movement of the bolt and the release of compressed air used to propel the paintball.

Unlike electronic Gamma Core markers, which use a solenoid controlled by an electronic circuit board, the EMEK uses a mechanical three-way valve activated by the trigger.

This arrangement allows semiautomatic firing without a battery.

The marker incorporates an integrated inline regulator and internal air-transfer system.

Planet Eclipse specifies compressed air as the required propellant. The EMEK is not designed to operate using carbon dioxide.[2]

Models and variants

Model	Introduction period	Configuration	Principal characteristics
EMEK 100	2018	Hopper-fed	Mechanical Gamma Core, .68- and .50-calibre versions
EMEK PAL	Subsequent variant	Hopper-fed	PAL-assisted loading compatibility
EMEK MG100	Before June 2020	Magazine-fed or hopper-fed	Mechanical Gamma Core with detachable magazines
EMEK EMF100	Name adopted June 2020	Magazine-fed or hopper-fed	Renamed MG100 with expanded magazine and accessory options

The manufacturer has introduced component revisions and accessory upgrades within these product families. The model names should not necessarily be interpreted as completely separate marker generations.[2][3][6]

Design and construction

The standard EMEK uses a reinforced polymer external shell with an aluminium internal body sleeve.

Its principal features include:

Gamma Core spool-valve drivetrain.
Mechanical three-way firing valve.
Glass-reinforced nylon body and grip frame.
Integrated inline pressure regulator.
Internal air transfer without external hoses.
Tool-free bolt removal.
Manual safety switch.
Clamping feedneck.
Autococker-threaded barrel.
Compressed-air operation.

The original EMEK PAL specifications list a weight of approximately 850 grams, including its standard barrel.[2]

The EMF100 differs from the conventional EMEK through its magazine-fed configuration, longer barrel, accessory mounting arrangements and alternative external body components.[3]

Recreational and mechanical paintball

The EMEK was developed for recreational use and commercial playing fields.

Its mechanical operating system removes the need for batteries, while its Gamma Core drivetrain shares several design characteristics with Planet Eclipse's electronic marker platforms.

The marker is also suitable for mechanical tournament formats, subject to the rules of the relevant competition.

The availability of mechanical upgrades, alternative bodies and compatible aftermarket accessories has supported its use in both conventional recreational paintball and customised marker configurations.

The magazine-fed EMF100 expanded the platform's applications to magfed paintball and scenario competition.

Relationship with other Planet Eclipse markers

The EMEK is closely related to several other Planet Eclipse marker families.

Eclipse Gtek: Introduced the Gamma Core drivetrain in an electronic marker in 2015.
Eclipse Etha: The Etha 2 adopted the Gamma Core in 2017, and the Etha 3M subsequently offered a related mechanical platform.
Eclipse Etek: Uses a ram-driven poppet-valve mechanism rather than the EMEK's spool-valve system.
Eclipse Ego: Premium electronic markers using a ram-driven operating system.
Eclipse Geo: Premium electronic spool-valve markers using different drivetrains.

The EMEK's distinguishing feature is its combination of the Gamma Core and mechanical firing controls in a marker intended for recreational and intermediate use.

References

External links