Eclipse Geo

The Eclipse Geo is a family of electronic spool-valve paintball markers manufactured by Planet Eclipse, a British paintball equipment company based in Manchester, England. Introduced in 2008, the Geo provided a spool-valve alternative to the manufacturer's ram-driven Eclipse Ego series.[1]

The Geo family developed through successive numbered models, the Geo CS range and the Geo R5. Its operating systems evolved from the original Geo drivetrain to the IV Core, introduced through the limited-edition GSL and Geo 3.5, and the GR drivetrain introduced with the Geo R5 in 2024.[2][3]

History

Original Geo (2008)

Planet Eclipse introduced the original Geo in 2008, expanding its electronic marker range beyond the ram-driven Ego platform.

Unlike the Ego, which used a pneumatic rammer and poppet valve, the Geo incorporated a spool-valve operating system.

The marker used electronic firing controls, a solenoid-operated pneumatic drivetrain and compressed air.

The original Geo was followed by revised versions incorporating changes to its pneumatic components and electronic systems.

A related model, the Geo SL91, was developed as a limited prototype during early 2009. Planet Eclipse reported in November 2009 that ten prototypes had been manufactured, but the model had not entered regular production.[1]

Geo 2 and Geo 2.1 (2010–2011)

The Geo 2 was introduced in 2010.

It incorporated revisions to the original Geo platform, including changes to the body, pneumatic system and electronics.

The Geo 2.1 followed in 2011, with further changes to the air-system arrangement and external components.

Both retained an electronically operated spool-valve drivetrain.

Geo 3 and Geo 3.1 (2012–2013)

Planet Eclipse introduced the Geo 3 in 2012.

The marker incorporated revised pneumatic components and an adjustable solenoid flow restrictor, allowing the user to change aspects of the bolt's operating speed.

The Geo 3.1 followed in 2013.

This version introduced an external air-transfer pipe between the regulator and grip assembly, replacing the conventional exposed macroline arrangement of earlier models.

The Geo 3 platform preceded the development of the IV Core system used in subsequent models.[2]

Geo GSL and Geo 3.5 (2014)

The limited-edition Geo GSL introduced the IV Core drivetrain and a quick-release bolt assembly.

The IV Core incorporated a breech-sensing mechanism designed to improve pneumatic efficiency by controlling the discharge of air during the firing cycle.

Planet Eclipse subsequently introduced the Geo 3.5 in August 2014.

The Geo 3.5 incorporated technology developed for the GSL, including the IV Core and quick-release bolt system.

In an interview published by Planet Eclipse on 4 August 2014, lead designer Jack Wood explained that the Geo 3.5 was intended to make the GSL's technical improvements available to a wider range of players.[2]

Geo CS1 (2015)

The Geo CS1 was introduced in September 2015, with commercial availability announced for October.

The CS1 represented a substantial redesign of the Geo platform.

It retained an updated IV Core drivetrain but introduced a new body and grip arrangement.

Among its principal changes were:

Internal air transfer without an external macroline or air-transfer pipe.
An SL5 inline regulator integrated into the grip arrangement.
Tool-free eye covers.
Revised ergonomic grips.
Two AA batteries housed in the foregrip.
Updated electronic controls.
Integrated POPS air-system fitting.

The CS1 became the basis for several subsequent Geo-derived models.[4]

CS1.5 and CSR

Planet Eclipse subsequently developed revised CS-series markers incorporating improvements to the original CS1 platform.

These included the CS1.5 and the limited-edition CSR.

Both retained the general electronic spool-valve architecture and IV Core operating system associated with the CS1.

The CSR incorporated specialised body milling and selected component changes, while the CS1.5 provided further revisions to the standard model.

The CS range also included the CS2 and CS3, which adopted different Gamma-derived and OP-derived operating systems rather than continuing the IV Core architecture.[5]

Geo 4 (2020)

Planet Eclipse introduced the Geo 4 on 18 February 2020, with deliveries scheduled to begin in March.

The Geo 4 returned to the IV Core operating system rather than using the Gamma Core platform found in several other contemporary Planet Eclipse markers.

It incorporated a revised frame angle, updated ergonomics and an SL5 inline regulator.

The model used the Shaft FL barrel system and operated at a nominal pressure of approximately 135 psi.[6]

The Geo 4 was marketed as a continuation of the traditional Geo spool-valve design.

Geo R5 (2024)

Planet Eclipse introduced the Geo R5 in June 2024.

The R5 incorporated a new GR drivetrain, replacing the IV Core used in the Geo 3.5, CS1 and Geo 4.

Planet Eclipse described the GR system as a development of its previous breech-sensing technology, incorporating changes to the internal air volume, valve operation and operating pressure.[3]

The Geo R5 also introduced a redesigned body, frame and foregrip arrangement.

Its principal features include:

GR spool-valve drivetrain.
Nominal operating pressure of 95–105 psi.
Adjustable solenoid flow restrictor.
Quick-release bolt assembly.
Internal air-transfer system.
Concealed, tool-free eye and detent covers.
MME electronic control system.
OLED display and Bluetooth connectivity.
S63 Pro barrel with interchangeable PWR inserts.
Two AA batteries.
Integrated POPS air-system fitting.

The manufacturer lists a marker weight of approximately 906 grams, including the barrel and batteries.[3]

Operating systems

Original Geo drivetrain

The original Geo used an electronically controlled spool-valve mechanism.

Unlike the Ego's ram-driven poppet-valve arrangement, the Geo used a moving bolt assembly to control the release of compressed air.

Subsequent early Geo models incorporated revisions to the drivetrain, electronic controls and solenoid operation.

IV Core

The IV Core was introduced through the limited-edition Geo GSL and subsequently used in the Geo 3.5, CS1 and Geo 4.

The system incorporated breech-sensing technology intended to improve air efficiency.

According to Planet Eclipse, the drivetrain used the pressure pulse behind a fired paintball to help close the main valve before the firing chamber was completely exhausted.

This reduced the amount of compressed air released after it could no longer contribute significantly to the paintball's velocity.[2][3]

GR drivetrain

The Geo R5 introduced the GR drivetrain in 2024.

The new system retained breech-sensing principles but incorporated revised valve geometry, internal air volumes and operating characteristics.

Planet Eclipse identified improved efficiency, reduced operating pressure and easier maintenance among its design objectives.

The GR drivetrain should be distinguished from the IV Core used in preceding Geo models and the OP-R Core used in the Eclipse Gtek 180R.[3]

Models

Model	Introduction	Principal development
Geo	2008	Original electronic spool-valve marker
Geo SL91	2009	Prototype only; no regular production
Geo 2	2010	Revised drivetrain and body
Geo 2.1	2011	Updated air system and components
Geo 3	2012	Revised pneumatic system and flow adjustment
Geo 3.1	2013	External air-transfer pipe
Geo GSL	2014	Limited edition introducing IV Core
Geo 3.5	2014	IV Core and quick-release bolt
Geo CS1	2015	Redesigned body and internal air transfer
Geo CSR	2016	Limited CS-series variant
Geo CS1.5	2017	Revised CS1 platform
Geo 4	2020	Updated IV Core platform
Geo R5	2024	New GR drivetrain and redesigned electronics

The table covers the principal Geo models and closely related IV Core CS-series variants. The CS2 and CS3 are not included because they use different operating systems.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Position within the Planet Eclipse range

The Geo was introduced as Planet Eclipse's premium spool-valve alternative to the Ego.

The company's other electronic marker families include:

Eclipse Ego: Ram-driven poppet-valve markers.
Eclipse Etek: Lower-priced markers derived from the Ego architecture.
Eclipse Etha: A separate marker family aimed at recreational and intermediate players.
Eclipse Gtek: Spool-valve markers initially using Gamma Core technology.

The development of the Geo family also overlapped with the CS-series markers, several of which incorporated technologies originally associated with the Geo.

References

External links