Torn between Etha and Etek 3

d3kelley · 04-27-2012, 11:33 PM

So I'm kind of sick of my 2010 PMR and I would love to jump on the PE bandwagon. I do play tournaments so I need to keep that in mind...Any thoughts on which?

steve_81 · 04-28-2012, 07:24 AM

Both are decent markers. The Etha has a more user friendly board and is by far quieter then the Etek.

The Etek has slightly better air efficiency and a little less kick. So it is really up to you. For me my choice was the Etha. The Etek was just way to loud for me, it annoyed me and I didn't like how tall the marker was.

Dynasty_007 · 04-28-2012, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d3kelley

So I'm kind of sick of my 2010 PMR and I would love to jump on the PE bandwagon. I do play tournaments so I need to keep that in mind...Any thoughts on which?

Get an Etha

d3kelley · 04-28-2012, 11:36 AM

Is it comfortable in the hands? The one thing I loved about my 2010 PMR was the ultralite. Just felt natural in the hands.

Invert O.G · 04-28-2012, 12:25 PM

Buy both and you can switch between them

d3kelley · 04-28-2012, 12:32 PM

HAHA I would love to do that but I got a wedding to start saving for. As much as my fiance encourages me to play as much as I can, I don't think she would appreciate that one bit.

Invert O.G · 04-28-2012, 08:19 PM

Claim it as a wedding gift to yourself, or better yet a wedding expense

Element Paintball · 04-28-2012, 08:34 PM

I really like the ergonomics of the Etha, and its very simple, well thought out design. Mine tends to kick quite a lot (and its very loud) but it doesn't seem to effect my ability to put paint where I want it, and in a game you notice those things much less than if you are just shooting in your backyard.

Invert O.G · 04-28-2012, 08:43 PM

I'd say mine is fairly quiet Brett but we can compare tomorrow

edge814 · 04-28-2012, 08:54 PM

I own both. and both are great markers the etek is great for the ability to upgrade it and just easier to program. The etha is much quieter for sure and I like the asa on the etha more than the asa on the etek. But in reality if price is an issue I would go with the etha it is an amazing marker for the price and you will not be disappointed with it.

DriverJ · 04-28-2012, 11:36 PM

The frame will be thicker on both than the UL; I really like the feel of the Etha. If you are looking at the lt or am etek I would definitely go am. But the composite frame on the etha feels better than the composite on the etek. Try both if you can then decide

Fenix001 · 04-29-2012, 10:18 PM

Price should not really be an issue if you are buying used. They should be both around the same price.

As far as performance, at this point I think it is completely personal opinion. Do you want a smaller marker? Does the slight improvement in efficiency bother you?

If you have the ability to, I would say hold and shoot one of each and see which one feels better to you.

Either way, they are both good markers for the price.

SpanksIPB · 04-29-2012, 10:56 PM

Both are solid guns but I wouldn't say either are really upgrades. I'd hold on to your current gun and save up for something really nice or try to make a trade+cash for a "highend". Just make sure you really want a new gun as I find the less I actually play paintball the more I want a new gun lol. Be careful as you may never be allowed to get a new gun once your married.

CFindsen12 · 05-07-2012, 09:21 PM

I would wait. The Etek4 is coming out soon, and the price is unknown. I would like to check that out before you buy the 3 or the Etha.

Goshawk · 05-09-2012, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpanksIPB

Be careful as you may never be allowed to get a new gun once your married.

Very True!

I own both and use both. But if I am being honest, I use the Etha more than the Etek. I really like the feel in the hands better. I think the ergonomics are just more comfortable on the Etha.

Kool Aid Baller · 05-09-2012, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goshawk

Very True!

I own both and use both. But if I am being honest, I use the Etha more than the Etek. I really like the feel in the hands better. I think the ergonomics are just more comfortable on the Etha.

I agree, the Etha feels a lot more comfortable in my hands. Etek4 LT($450 I believe... Correct me) AM ($600, this I know.) I shot a 3 AM for a long time, felt amazing, but after shooting my Etha now, it's no compare. I'd sooner suggest an Etha over an Etek

magilla66 · 06-18-2012, 03:50 PM

My advice (after buying and using in this order: SL94, ETEK3 AM, ETHA, Ego11):

skip the ETEK series IF
1. To Ego or not to Ego - you plan to buy an Ego in the future (assuming your soon-to-be-new-wife lets you buy a new gun over $500), because the ETEK is practically an Ego without some of the fancy parts & nicer milling.

2. Board already? - Since both the ETEK series and the ETHA do not come with an LCD display, this is not an issue to the buyer UNLESS they want to upgrade the board later, in which case, for now, choose the ETEK (several great options here, starting with 7th Element's Pathfinder board at $65 on ANSgear)

3. Simple, Human - I found that maintaining the ETHA took less time, and was easier to complete, than the ETEK3. There are only two parts to remove/clean - the regulator and the bolt assembly. Once you remove those two parts for disassembly and maintenance, there's nothing else (okay, detents, breech) to clean.

Asmoday · 06-18-2012, 04:16 PM

Etha. IMO it feels better in hand. Its not anywhere near as loud and I have been very impressed with mine. At 270-288fps with a .689 deathstix I have been shooting 5-6 pods and a hopper on a 3k fill with plenty of room to spare FRESH OUT OF THE BOX. I put about 3-4 cases downfield with it on Saturday. Barrel rise is minimal(psp ramping at 15bps) and the marker holds a line nice and straight. Can't really ask for much more from ANY marker. Is it Fancy...NO. Does it work...YES.

magilla66 · 06-21-2012, 09:55 PM

From a purely "feeling" perspective, I have to agree. I like the ETHA vs the Etek3, which feels more chunky.

CM Armada · 07-06-2012, 01:06 PM

I really enjoy shooting the Etha, but I would go Etek if you plan on upgrading. We have a guy on our local team that lives his etek. We all use Geos and Egos and he still loves his etek more haha.

The only part you have to clean regularly on an Ego/Etek is the bolt. That is one pin removal and you have it taken out. I like my Ego because it gets great efficiency, as does the Etek.

The Etha shoots a bit flatter with the shaft on it than the etek, but at PSP ramping or NPPL semi, it really won't matter unless you are in the back.

It is all preference, get to a store and go hold them, see if they have any in the back that are opened you can shoot. Ask the store owners, just make sure that they are trying to help you not sell the more expensive gun (Etek)

Hope that helps, good luck buying!