Last updated on November 6th, 2023
Planet Eclipse Vs DLX ? Who’s the best ? – Since the last few decade, We have seen Planet Eclipse and DLX fighting for the best high-end paintball guns company. We have witnessed Eclipse dominating the game with it’s top markers like LV1 and CS2’s. But DLX came back to the limelight with markers like Luxe X and now with TM40, having advanced mechanical frame and bolt.
So back in July 2021, I decided to get a LUXE TM40 for the summer tournaments. Following is my hands on review of TM40 in 2022.
Inside the Box
One fine morning, Luxe TM40 reached to me inside a hardcore case box, perfect case to store an expensive $1500 gun. I simply loved the packaging and the carrying handle. Inside it, I found quick information regarding how to program it in semi-auto bursts or XL mode right on the case.
The pack contains the barrel cover, charging cables and Allen keys inside the pouches. I used these keys frequently whenever I needed to make some adjustments to my marker.
After that, you will find a complete rebuild kit with O-rings. These additional 0 rings can be used later as they don’t last long. The Luxe includes the grease in the pack to make the tightening of screws quick and easy. It also includes the 2-piece barrel and other accessories.
Look and Feel
At a very first glance, being a Luxe X Owner ,I was a bit skeptical about buying this marker, thinking why should buy it as it was identical to the Luxe X in terms of appearance. Why should I buy another box similar to the previous one? I got the answer when I got my hands over it. I could feel the small but impactful changes. Its really easy to take apart TM40 for cleaning and you will love it how quickly you can swap to mech. I like to clean my markers at the end of every tournament so TM40 does save me a couple of minutes.
Luxe X and Ice stand out in the market and have their own strong market demand. Continuing the legacy, the company kept TM40 super lightweight, compact and minimalist. The difference lies when it comes to the engine and how the solenoid is attached to improve the mechanical frame.
Redesigned Core
When you purchase an expensive gun, you expect it to come with an electronic core. This wasn’t the case with TM40. However, It is equipped with a redesigned and improved mechanical core that dove into the bolt system flawlessly. The bolt is so compatible that you find it just at a Ferrari’s speed. Although its a mechanical core, it performs flawlessly like an electronic one. Really quick to crack!
I must tell you that this core is different from the one that comes with the Luxe X core. The operating pressure of Luxe X was 115PSI while for TM40, it works at 100 PSI.
Luxe modified some parts in this new model and redesigned the mechanical core to increase efficiency. It ensures better airflow and works with brittle paints too. That’s something i really liked about it.
I have seen a lot of guns struggling with the brittle paints in the big tournament. A brittle paint doesn’t bounce and is meant to break. However, this mechanical core, operating at 100 PSI and even working with brittle paint is completely divine.
Performance
The overall operation of the gun was extremely smooth and quiet. When I assembled the barrel, I found the O ring a little bit stiff to thread together into the gun. So I used the grease provided in the pack on the O-rings and got the job done easily.
The best part is the efficiency of the TM40 which is really improved like that of Luxe X. It helps me give a tough competition to the opponents with shot-on shot consistency.
I feel that smart parts threading may get loose as that of cocker threads, with time. But so far they are ok. Moreover, I found one eye cover quite loose which sometimes a bit shaky.
It was hard for me to pull the bolt out. I thought it was going to break down every time I pulled it out. But i was wrong, it didn’t and worked great!
Compared to the Planet Eclipse guns, I believe LUXE TM40 has more smooth and rounded corners. Planet Eclipse guns have exposed corners and edges. The boot timing of Luxe TM 40 is incredible. I found the switch ON/Off timing quite fast. Although I had some issues with Luxe X while Turning OFF in a game. The Luxe keeps the regulator the same as in that of its previous models Luxe Ice. The ASA lever is still there that I adore the most.
The attraction doesn’t end yet; this paintball marker is one of the easiest programmable markers in the market. The company provides a user manual to demonstrate to the user how to program it. It’s super easy in TM 40.
Ergonomics
DLX follows the market standards throughout its paintball gun designs. The best thing about this company is that it incorporated the feedback of the customers and the top players into its designs and came with a bang on paintball guns.
Unlike the LUXE X model, these are waterproof and water-resistant grips. It doesn’t mean that you can merge it into the water. It is meant to withstand some accidental waterfall or rain droplets while playing in a rainy day.
Ergonomics comparison with Planet Eclipse markers?
In TM40, the company adapted the changes in loader configurations, tank style, and trigger system and innovated the handling characteristics of the Luxe TM40. I found the foregrip, trigger system and other contact surfaces, significantly more comfortable, compared to Planet eclipse models.
Moreover, the trigger system is great. But I feel that the trigger is a heavy as compared to that of the planet eclipse gun, but a bit crunchy.
- Tool-less Mechanical conversation
- Clean & Minimalist in design
- Mechanically Optimised Core
- Improved shot quality, efficiency and ball handling
- Ergonomic Foregrip and Trigger frame
Nitty Gritty
Pros
- Improved and upgraded Mechanical core
- Secured battery placement
- Easy to program
- Tool-less frame orientation
- Noticeable efficiency
Cons
- Ribbon eyes instead of wireless eyes
- Hard to pull out the bolt
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, I would say TM40 is one of the best high-end marker for the tournaments. I have played 12 tournaments with it and it has never failed me. It delivers performance far better than other conventional high/mid end markers.
Either you grab the Luxe X or Luxe TM 40, it will let you shine in the playground like a pro! However, if you want to enjoy improved efficiency, performance and shot quality then you must grab the TM40!
Alright my G.I Joe, Bang on the paintball tournament with fast shot-on-shot consistency.
