Fully Upped Etek vs. Ego

[JinTae]

Hey guys I've read a few threads about this on pbnation but it's kind of hard to weed through all the nonsense and trash talking there is on that forum. Anyways, I wanted to ask you guys what you think the big differences there are between the ego and a fully upped etek. My local store told me that apparently when you fully upgrade an etek it is supposed to shoot the same as an ego and apparently PE will say the same thing if you ask them but I also wonder about that opinion since they sold me the gun. Haha. Anyways, from what I've read it seems there is two different generations of egos. The Ego 5/6 has major differences to the Ego 7/8. Obviously there are differences in milling and the weight but I don't think that really matters when it comes to performance. I know there is probably different valving and chambers but does it really make the ego that much more efficient? Also I read something about the QEV block in the ego being designed so well that it makes it as though that it has 2 QEVs? I read that on the nation and it wasn't really explained so I'm not sure about that one. Anyways, just wanted to post and ask you guys for your opinions and experience. Is there really that much difference performance wise between an etek with star frame, cure 2 bolt, zick kit and a ego 7/8?

[Havoc]

A fully upped Etek 1 will shoot about as well as an EGO 6. The big differences are the QEV and obviously milling and weight. An upped Etek is still one of the best shooting markers out there though and you will have no problem keeping up with much more expensive markers.

[JinTae]

So etek 2 shoot as well as ego 7?

[Havoc]

I can't say from experience. I've shot Ego7s and EGO8s and they are amazing markers but I have never shot an Etek2. The trigger on a Star Frame is just as snappy and responsive as an EGO8 trigger. Honestly, performance wise they are going to be very close and I doubt that it would make much of a tangible difference in your play style. The one thing though, is EGOs will hold their value much more than Eteks so if you want to sell it later it won't get you as much money.

[cwest]

I have an ETEK2 with a Star Frame and Zick Kit. The newer Star Frames come with a QEV so that takes away that difference. I really like the way my gun shoots. It is smooth and accurate. The Ego8 is definitely lighter but, to me shoots very similar. An Ego does indeed hold its value better. But, I bought mine used and added a Star Frame and Zick all for under $550. To me that is pretty good for a gun that shoots as well as mine does.

[Joey]

A FULLY Upped Etek2 will shoot GOOD and is nearly an Ego8, however with the fact the noid is not quite as high end as the Ego8 you wont get an identical performance or efficiency.

With all the Ego's out there the Ego8 is the most stable made ( there is still a few kinks in the 09 that need to be fixed before it will reign )


If you never shot the Etek2 or 08 ego for any length of time you probably wont notice a diffrence, however shooting one or the other for a period, then switching, you will.

[DEMolishedyou2]

Yes, in the long run you will notice a difference. I highly suggest just saving a little extra money and waiting until you have the money for a nice Ego8 rather than just buying an Eteck2 and then upgrading. Because after you upgrade your Etek it will have cost about the same as a used Ego8, if not more. Now a days you can easily get a decent used Ego8 for around $550 and some are even lucky enough to get them for $500. And even after all the upgrades it will always be an Etek2. I have absolutly nothing against an Etek, because they are very solid shooting guns and they are very reliable. I just believe if that you are intending to upgrade it to be like an Ego8 you should just save and buy an Ego8, you will be much happier in the end and you will definetly be thanking yourself that you did.

[cwest]

I went with the ETEK because I could build it as I go. To start off all I had was $350. So, I found 1 in my price range. 6 months later the wife asked for Christmas ideas and I told her to get me zick kit. Sure enough at Christmas it was under the tree. Then a couple months ago I worked a bunch of overtime and had some extra money so, I bought a star frame. It wasn't just a one time investment. If you buy one brand new, several places offer you a Star Frame upgrade for $50. Way cheaper than what a brand new ego is. Just a couple reasons to go with an ETEK. Make no mistake either, the ETEK is a great shooting gun out of the box stock. I played with mine in stock configuration for several months and loved it.

[shadow51]

I have owned both at the same time both 2008s

My 2008 Etek2: Featherlight Trigger switch, Violent Products Pro-Star Trigger, Zick Kit, Cure2 Bolt, A+ Machine Light Bolt Pin.

2008 Ego 8: Stock but with A+ Machine Light Bolt Pin.

After shooting both for 6 months I could not tell any difference, the Etek2 was a little louder and a little heavier but not much, so I sold the 2008 ego because I knew I could get more for it.

[DriverJ]

After shooting my SL74 for a while I can tell differences between it and my fully upgraded etek. If I were to compare it the 07 Ego and a fully upgraded Etek are the closest, but the star frame trigger feels much more like an 08 Ego trigger.
With a good tuning and full upgrades the Etek1/2 are both great choices and both shoot amazingly well.
However for the price an Ego8 is a better bet IMO.
If you can't afford all the dough right away an Etek is a nice way to get it rolling.
Weight and sound signature were the most noticeable. I have tuned the Etek to be much quieter than stock, and nearly as quiet as a stock Ego 8. However with tuning the ego8 still gets better response than the Etek. So as I mentioned for the $$$ the Ego is the better bet now simply because the Ego8 Resale is falling and the Etek and parts new are still priced higher.

just my .02