As a competitive tournament paintball player, I’m always on the lookout for the latest high-end gear that can give me an edge on the speedball field. So when Planet Eclipse released the 170R, their new mid-range electro-pneumatic marker, I knew I had to get my hands on one to put it through its paces. After spending a few weekends firing off cases of paint with the 170R, here’s my in-depth review.
Taking the 170R out of the box, the quality of the construction was apparent right away. The forged aluminum body feels rugged yet lightweight, clocking in at just 1.94 lbs. Everything from the bolt system to the ASA regulator is built to Eclipse’s premium standards. The textured grip frame provides a secure hold, and the trigger has a snappy, crisp feel when firing.
On the field, the 170R delivered smooth, consistent performance even under heavy fire. The Deftek offset inline bolt system allows for excellent shot-to-shot consistency and high rates of fire. I was impressed that it could keep up with and outshoot some of the other high-end electrons on the field. The sound signature is moderate, without being as quiet as a spool valve.
Throughout long points, the 170R never failed or chopped paint thanks to the anti-chop eye integration. It gobbles up fragile tournament-grade paint without issue. The OOPS On/Off Purge System made cleaning paint from the breech quick and easy between games. I also appreciated how simple it was to strip down and maintain the inline bolt system.
Overall, Planet Eclipse packs its championship pedigree into the 170R at a more affordable mid-range price point. It’s got the performance and reliability to go toe-to-toe with other high-end electro-paintball markers. For tournament players looking for a workhorse speedball gun that won’t break the bank, the 170R is hard to beat. After running it for several weekends of intense play, I can say it has earned a permanent spot in my gear bag!
Performance Planet Eclipse 170R
As an amateur tournament paintballer, I had been itching to upgrade to a high-end electro-marker that could really improve my speed and consistency on the hyper-competitive speedball field. My local pro shop had been raving about the new Planet Eclipse 170R, calling it a total game-changer. The price tag was a little steep for me, but I decided to dip into my savings and take the plunge. Hey, if it could take my game to the next level, it would be worth it!
Arriving at the shop to pick up my shiny new 170R, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning, tearing open the box. The forged aluminum construction felt solid and durable in my hands. This thing was clearly built for performance. I hurried home, read through the manual, and couldn’t wait to gas it up and test it out again.
Loading up a best paintballs hopper, I aired up the 170R and fired off some tentative shots. I was immediately impressed by the buttery-smooth recoil and crisp sound signature. Tweaking the OLED board, I programmed my preferred firing mode in seconds. This user-friendly system was perfect for a tech-challenged guy like me!
The next weekend, I brought the 170R out to the speedball field for its real test. Stalking the hyper-inflated bunkers, I was amazed I could rip off lanes of accurate paint at 12 bps thanks to the consistent Gamma Core drivetrain. The 170R churned through pods smoothly even under heavy firing without a single hiccup or chopped ball.
Between points, I took advantage of the tool-less bolt removal to wipe the breech clean in seconds. This marker was built for rapid maintenance and continuous play. When a snake player tried to bump me, the 170R’s reliability gave me the confidence to fight back from the tape line and catch him in a sweet transfer.
After a long day grinding it out on the X-ball field, I was drained but thrilled with the 170R. This marker felt like an extension of myself, perfectly dialed in and able to keep up with the pace of tournament play. No doubt about it, this electro-pneumatic workhorse has elevated my game and is sure to rack up countless wins this season! The 170R was worth every penny.
Design: Is it that simple ?
As I unboxed my shiny new Eclipse 170R for the first time, I was struck by how straight forward and utilitarian its design looked. Gone were the milling and engraving extras common on higher-end tournament markers. The 170R’s sleek contours appeared almost austere in comparison.
But after field testing it extensively, I now appreciate that Planet Eclipse engineered the 170R for optimal performance, not just flashy aesthetics. Its forged aluminum construction trims excess bulk while still retaining ruggedness. The textured wrap-around foregrip provides a rock solid hold even when diving into bunkers.
The inline bolt system houses cleanly within the two-piece barrel, aligning all forces linearly for smooth cycling. Little thoughtful touches like the ambidextrous ping-pong-style bolt release make maintenance a breeze between intense matches.
The 170R keeps everything mechanically simple under the hood. For example, the Deftek offset bolt negates the need for switching actual seals. No unnecessary messing around for this marker. Even the OLED board offers a streamlined interface, giving me quick access to the programming I need without complicated menus.
After playing multiple back-to-back tournaments with the 170R, I’ve realized that Planet Eclipse succeeded in making a no-fuss workhorse electro. The engineering and design elegantly trim excess bulk and complexity without sacrificing ruggedness or performance. The 170R proves that straightforward efficiencies both externally and internally can create a force to be reckoned with on the speedball field. This marker gets it done!
Air Efficient
As a back player in speedball, having a high-performance marker with great air efficiency is critical. Nothing hurts more than getting caught in the back bunker with your tank outputting sputters instead of screams! So when I started testing the Planet Eclipse 170R, its gas usage was high on my list to evaluate.
Over the chrono, I was pleased to see the 170R achieving solid consistency at 290 fps on just 155 psi operating pressure from the factory. With an adjustable regulator, I could tweak velocity right where I wanted it for the field limits.
Once on the field, I put the 170R through its paces with heavy recreational play. Given its high rate of fire, I expected it to chew through air. But even after long points, ripping lanes, and trading heavy paint, my 68/4500 tank had plenty of life left.
For a high-end electronic shooting over 10 bps, the 170R treads lightly on air consumption. The Gamma Core drivetrain balances high performance with gas efficiency. Given the costs of constantly filling HPA tanks, this marker’s relatively low pressure operation saves me time and money.
After experiencing its air-sipping abilities firsthand, I’m confident the 170R will never leave me high and dry! Similarly, the new Planet Eclipse Etha 2 demonstrates excellent air efficiency for its class.
While retaining the smooth Gamma Core design of the 170R, the Etha 2 makes it even more affordable to enjoy outstanding shot consistency along with long-lasting air supply.
Even when ripping at higher rates of fire, the optimized Etha 2 powertrain doesn’t guzzle air like less refined markers. The Gamma Core technology gives players great performance and value, minimizing the cost and hassle of refills. Just like the 170R, the Etha 2 provides reliability and efficiency that keeps you in the game longer.
Trigger: Adjustable?
As a tournament speedball player, having an adjustable trigger that can be finely tuned to my rapid firing style is a must. I rely on my marker’s trigger system being responsive and eliminating unwanted slack to maintain high rates of fire during intense matches. So I made sure to dive into customizing and testing the 170R’s trigger performance.
Right off the bat, I appreciated the 170R’s basic 2-piece trigger setup with a spring-loaded micro switch for crisp activation. The factory settings provided a snappy feel with minimal slip right out of the box. But wanting to tweak it further, I accessed the adjustment set screw to dial in the post-travel to my preferences.
Out on the field, I pushed the 170R’s max rates of fire in simulated tournament play. Thanks to the now-tuned trigger, I could rip off strings of paint precisely without unwanted bounce. The short trigger pull really allowed me to take advantage of the marker’s advanced firing modes and ramping capabilities.
Whether shooting fast-paced snap shots or sustained lane fire, the 170R’s adjustable trigger provided flawless performance. The micro switch’s activation prevents misfires or dead triggers, even after prolonged usage and thousands of triggering cycles.
After customizing the post-travel and pull to perfectly match my rapid snap shooting style, I can count on the 170R’s trigger to keep up with my pace of play. The crisp and rapid-fire feedback allows me to outshoot opponents and maintain dominance on the speedball course. This trigger grants the fine-tuned control needed to excel in competitive tournaments!
GTEK 160R vs. GTEK 170R?
It was a warm Saturday morning when my buddy Vince called, asking if I wanted to test out a couple new GTEK markers with him. I quickly grabbed my gear bag and headed down to the local field, excited to see what these two hot new guns could do.
When I arrived, Vince already had the 160R and 170R laid out on the picnic table. He handed me the 160R first – it felt sturdy and balanced, although a bit heavier than I expected. I always liked the way GTEKs sat close to the body. The textured grip fits nicely in my hands.
After gassing it up, I ripped off some shots at the plywood target. The sharp report from the 160R echoed across the field, quite different from my spooly Clone. Velocity consistency was good too. I toggled to full-auto and achieved a brisk 12 balls per second before any drop-off.
Next, I picked up the 170R, noticing how light it felt right away. The frame had an almost rubberized feel with molded-in stippling on the foregrip. The trigger was super short with a light touch. I aired it up and was amazed—it absolutely hosed paint at over 20 bps! And the sound signature was muted, almost like shooting a well-oiled cockerel.
We ran drills alternating between the two markers, testing their speed and reliability. The 160R excelled at semi-auto and had snappy shot performance. But the 170R was buttery smooth, with crazy fast ramping and a gentle touch on the paint. I was immediately smitten with the way it shot.
After a full morning of testing, the 170R was the clear winner in my book. The refinement GTEK achieved with the 160R design was obvious—it shot like a dream. Vince agreed, although he still appreciated the 160R’s aggressive pop. For me, the 170R was a perfect fit, ready to give me an edge in close-quarters tournament matches. It proved GTEK has arrived in the elite marker world. I’d take this baby over an Ego any day!
Nitty gritty
As we bunkered down into the abandoned warehouse, I did one last system check on my gear. My Ninja tank was full to the brim with 4500 PSI of compressed air, ready to propel paint downrange.
My Dye R2 loader was freshly loaded with a fresh case of Evil brand tournament-grade paintballs. I had cleaned and lubed my Planet Eclipse CS2 just last night, ensuring the firing mechanism was primed for battle.
Looking through my VFORCE Profiler mask, I clicked the power button to check the anti-fog thermal lens. My padded gloves, knee pads, and elbow pads were all strapped tight. I was ready for combat in this impromptu recreational match.
We were about to take this game to the nitty gritty, diving headfirst into intense pump-action firefights. My adrenaline surged thinking about the imminent clashes. Let’s do this! My teammate gave me a nod, gripping his Tippmann tightly. It was game time.
Pros And Cons
Conclusion
In conclusion, the comparison between the GTEK 160R and 170R paintball markers reveals that the 170R is the superior performer overall. Though the 160R is a solid intermediate-level marker with good shot quality and reliability, the 170R represents a more refined evolution of the GTEK platform.
With its lightweight, balanced design, rubberized ergonomic grips, and hair-trigger response, the 170R excels in critical handling and feel. It also outclasses the 160R in sheer shooting speed, delivering over 20 balls per second in full-auto mode.
This blistering rate of fire gives the 170R a clear competitive edge for tournament players who need to overwhelm opponents with superior covering fire. While both models prove GTEK can compete with high-end markers like the Planet Eclipse Etha and Ego, the 170R shows the most significant leap in technology and performance.
Its butter-smooth shot, comfortable fit, and extreme speed demonstrate that GTEK Paintball has engineered one of the best electro-pneumatic markers available today. For players looking to upgrade their setup to pro-level, the 170R is the obvious choice.