Description
Ego 7 Technical Innovations
The Ego7
sees the culmination of many months of design, experimentation and
testing in the smallest, lightest Ego that Eclipse have ever produced.
Not just a new milling job and some new anodised fancy colours, the
Ego7 has undergone a complete re-design and re-build from the ground
up. Almost every component of the Ego7 has been improved to either
increase performance, reduce size and weight, improve user-maintenance,
improve reliability, or just make it plain better looking.
But
it is not just new mechanical components that you will find in the 07,
but new electronic innovations as well. For example there is a
completely new solenoid valve system, as well as new drive circuitry
that have been implemented in order to achieve superior cyclic
consistency and speed.
Solenoid Valve
For the first time
in an Eclipse gun we are using a true “Direct-Acting” solenoid. What
this means in terms of performance is that the solenoid pulse is far
more consistent, far faster, and far more accurate than a more
conventional pilot-operated solenoid valve. Most solenoid valves used
in paintball work off a “Pilot” system. They rely on air pressure
supplied by the LPR to drive the spool inside the solenoid valve
backwards and forwards. Any deviation in LPR pressure will ultimately
effect the speed, duration and accuracy of the actuation of the spool.
And because the actuation of the solenoid valve spool is what
determines the actuation of the rammer and the valve, you can see that
any variation in the pulse from the solenoid valve will ultimately
effect velocity, accuracy and cycle speed.
However, in a
direct-acting solenoid valve the action of the spool is controlled
solely by the electromagnetic coil, and a return spring. So no matter
what the pressure and recharge rate of the HP or LPR supply, the
solenoid spool will always actuate fully, extremely accurately, and for
exactly the same duration every time, giving the whole firing cycle the
very best platform from which to achieve the highest possible velocity
consistency. And consistency gives accuracy!
But the performance
benefits do not stop there. Because the solenoid valves
electro-magnetic plunger acts directly onto the spool, and the spool is
then returned to its start position by a spring, it means that the
actuation of the spool is faster in both the energising and
de-energising parts of the cycle. That means the solenoid, and hence
the air supply to both sides of the rammer is quicker than a more
conventional pilot-operated valve.
The reason direct-acting
solenoid valves are not widely used in paintball is because they
inherently use more electrical power. It is electromagnetic force doing
all the work to drive the spool rather than air power in other valves.
But by utilizing a completely new method of actuating and driving the
solenoid, Eclipse have managed to get the same long battery life out of
this new direct-acting solenoid as you could expect out of the lesser
performing pilot-operated solenoid valve. The new electronics allow
more accurate and efficient drive of the solenoid coil over a far wider
range of supply voltage from the battery. We have managed to achieve
the impossible by getting big performance gains at the cost of no
additional power usage.
Circuit Board
Electronically the
Ego7 also offers another paintball first. Over the last 2 years we have
noted the split between players who prefer an optical trigger switch,
and those that prefer the more conventional and comforting “click” that
you only get from a micro-switch. Rather than asking one group or
another to have to buy an “upgrade” board just in order to get their
preferred trigger actuation mechanism (and have to lose the
functionality and ease-of-use of the Ego LCD at the same time) we
thought it was only fair that the Ego7 included BOTH trigger actuation
systems as standard on the board. The Ego7 can be configured to run off
either the optical switch OR the micro-switch. Simply select the
desired trigger operation in the software and set your trigger
accordingly. The electronics will then automatically set the
corresponding level and type of Debounce for the system selected.
Multiple
Preset ramps modes, plus fully customizable Ramp modes with either
adjustable cap up to 25 BPS or Fully Uncapped are standard. NPPL, PSP,
Millennium modes are preset to make sure you are fully league
compliant, or adjust and customise any mode to suit your requirements.
Of course ROF indicators, shot counter and game timer are also there,
and navigation is made even easier with the inclusion of fully animated
Gifs to guide you along.
Trigger
With the addition of a
dual-triggering system comes an all-new dual ball-raced trigger
mechanism. Unlike most bearing trigger designs where the bearing is
simply glued into the trigger, the Ego7 utilizes a separate bearing
carrier mounted into the frame, and like previous Egos, the trigger pin
clamps directly to the trigger. This gives a very wide axial spread of
the side-to-side pivoting action of the trigger, leaving no slop, just
a silky smooth action.
The new trigger combines a magnetic
return for those using the optical trigger switch, or a choice of
micro-switch spring and magnet for those wanting the click of the
switch. And obviously switch activation, pre and post trigger travel
and magnetic return strength are all adjustable directly in the face of
the trigger. No need to drop the gun apart to make any adjustments.
Frame
The
new frame now flows and moulds with fluid lines to the bottom of the
main body. This not only allows for smaller, tighter packaging of the
internals, but also allows the top of the hand to move up, closer to
the axial line of the barrel and bolt. This makes the gun feel much
more “pointy” as the hand comes closer to the sighting-line of the
barrel. The new trigger guard is large enough for either two very big,
fat fingers, or for the now widely-used three-finger technique. And to
further add to the ease of shooting the 07, the trigger has been moved
back in the frame and the grip made shorter from the back edge to the
trigger. This combined with a much-requested slimmer grip, and gives a
much more comfortable and ergonomic feel than both the 05 and 06 Egos.
The
current industry standard Dovetail rail that is used to connect the ASA
to the frame has consistently proved to be the weakest link for every
manufacturer out there when it comes to the durability of the system
used to mount the tanks to the guns. So for that reason we have shunned
the flawed design of the dovetail in favour of a T-Slot design. By
using a T-shaped slide rail, as opposed to the double V of the old
fashioned dovetail, the ASA-To-Frame interface has been drastically
strengthened. There should be no way that a well executed dive into a
bunker should dislodge the ASA now, but even if you feel you have to go
and use a different ASA there is still standard mounting holes in the
frame to fit your own inferior rail and ASA. But why would you want to
replace it when the 07 OOPS has one of the lightest actions under gas
pressure, includes a downstream dump facility, and when combined with
the 07 frame has over 1.5″ of fore-and-aft slide adjustment to suite
virtually any length of arm and size of player?
Internals
Internally
there are also some radical changes. The main difference here is the
complete removal of the old rammer housing. Take a look at the rear
body of the Ego7 and you will notice that it is so slim that it is, in
fact, thinner than the already slimmed down frame. Using new
manufacturing techniques the rammer shaft (now also shorter) runs
directly in the body without a sleeve, and the new swivel QEV mounts to
the bottom of the body. By removing the housing we have removed
unwanted metal, and reduced the number of seals required.
And
because of the way the rammer now sits in the body, we have also been
able to lighten the weight of the rammer, as well as reduce the
pressure needed to cycle it, and the force it is driven backwards with.
Combined with a shorter, lighter bolt, the reciprocating mass has been
reduced. In doing so we have managed to reduce the kick induced by the
bolt and rammer cycling back and forth.
The valve guide is now
much smaller, both in diameter and length, and combined with the vastly
improved size of the valve chamber, the porting of the new valve guide
helps lower the operating pressure to well below 250psi. This makes the
new 07 the lowest operating pressure Ego ever produced. Lowering the
operating pressure generates 3 noticeable benefits. It not only reduces
the pressure of the gas on the paintball, and hence allow the shooting
of more fragile paint, it also allows the shot to be a lot quieter and
the kick to be significantly less.
In order to cope with the
enlarged air passages and internal volume, the valve retaining screw
has also been modified, so that the transfer port between the valve and
the bolt chambers could also be increased to increase flow.
Up
front there are still more changes. The FRM is now integrated into the
light weight body. This makes for a lower gun profile, fewer seals,
improved reliability and more sturdy construction. The small “Torpedo”
between the FRM and LPR body is there to direct the LP air from the LPR
to the solenoid, and is instrumental in providing a body solution that
has NO Loctitied blanking plugs and NO glued in screws.
The
Inline regulator is also improved. Now a swivel design as standard, the
new reg incorporates a new piston design that means the main seal is
locked into place. There is now no way that the seal can become
detached from the piston, no matter what daily abuse is thrown at it.
Again, this is a step to improve the performance and reliability of the
Ego7.
In the upper tube there is the new Cure bolt, cut to blend
seamlessly with the rear of the body, and provide relief from breaks
caused by over-zealous force-feed loaders and fragile tournament grade
paint. The Cure bolt has been proving its worth through the second half
of last season with all the Eclipse sponsored teams switching to them
in order to shoot the most fragile paint going. Now a standard feature
in the 07, it will really come into it’s own in the colder winter
months where other guns and bolts have been known to struggle.
Barrel
So
not just a whole new gun for 07, but an all-new Shaft II barrel. Using
a micro-honed finish and a 2 piece design, we have kept the popular and
unique reverse-thread front-to-back attachment of the old Shaft, but
beefed up the mating threads to allow far superior concentricity
between the 2 sections. Available as standard on the 07 you will find
the new Shaft II in 2-Piece, 14″ and 0.693″ bore guise. New milling
also helps to make this one of the lightest barrels on the market.
Weight
So
what about the weight? Well, let’s just say, you thought the SL66 was
light, right? Well the 07 blows that out of the water. Side-by-side
with a standard Maniac Ego 06, the new Ego weighs over 230grams, yes 8
OUNCES LESS. 8 OUNCES!!!
Lighter, less kick, quieter signature,
more compact, fewer seals, more reliable, more performance, more
features, tighter profile, better looks, more adjustability, reduced
operating pressure, improved grip ergonomics, easier maintenance etc,
etc, etc. The Ego7 is not just a new milling job, it’s a revelation.
Technical Specifications
All Weights and Measurements Include 14″ Barrel, On/Off/Purge System , Battery etc.
Full Set-Up Ready to Go:
Length: 531mm
Height: 216mm
Width: 26mm
Weight: 941g / 2.07 lbs
Feature List
– NEW Ultra-Lightweight Monoform Body
– Deftek Offset Feed Tube
– NEW Flusher-Fitting Eye Covers
– NEW Integrated Rammer Housing
– NEW Integrated FRM
– NEW Lightweight Rammer
– NEW Larger Valve Chamber
– NEW High-Flo Valve
– NEW Lower Operating Pressure
– NEW Swivel Stainless Banjo QEV
– NEW Micro + Opto Switch Board
– NEW Duel Instrument Grade Ball-Raced Trigger
– Magnetic Trigger Return
– NEW Skinny-Fit Co-Moulded Rubber E-Star Grips
– NEW T-Slot Rail Mounting System
– Capped and Uncapped Semi and Ramping Modes
– 9 Debounce Modes
– NEW 07 Cure Bolt
– NEW Direct-Acting Solenoid
– LCD Display
– NEW Swivel In-Line Regulator
– NEW Lever Operated Clamping Feed
– NEW Shaft II 2-Piece 14″ 0.693″ Barrel
– NEW 07 On/Off/Purge System
– Lower Cyclic Mass
– Less Kick
– Quieter Shot
– Same Excellent Efficiency
– Low Profile Break-Beam Eyes
Exclusive SL74 Ego Features:
– SL OOPS Assembly
– SL In-Line Regulator
– SL Valve Guide Kit
– SL Trigger Frame
– SL Trigger
– SL Zick Kit Rammer Cap
– SL Zick Kit Rammer Shaft
– SL LPR Torpedo
– SL LPR Cap
– SL LPR Body
– SL LPR Piston
– SL Cure Bolt
– SL Contour Eye Covers
– SL PCB Board
– Dual Swivel Hi-Flo QEVs
– 5-Piece SL Shaft Barrel Kit
– Viz-Eyes Red BBSS System
– Expansion Port on PCB
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