Smart Parts Eos Review

Whether you like it or not, everyone can agree that Smart Parts is a beast in the industry of paintball. Despite what one may think about their business practices, they are at the top of the game and are showing no signs of retreating.

For the 2008 season, Smart Parts released four new paintball markers with applications for both scenario and tournament players. The new Eos is being marketed as Smart Parts “mid-level” performance marker, and can be scene as a middle ground to the Ion and the Shocker.

I’m happy to say that I wasn’t entirely disappointed with the Eos as a whole, as there are quite a few positives to the marker. However, as with previous reviews, the Eos doesn’t exactly fall far from the tree of previous Smart Parts markers in terms of performance and worth.

The Eos press release:

The new EOS - A Step Beyond

The all new Smart Parts EOS combines Ion simplicity with Epiphany performance and a brand new bolt-out-back maintenance system.

Loyalhanna, PA - October 23, 2007 - One year ago, Smart Parts, Inc., stepped up the performance in Ion class markers with the launch of the Epiphany. With a newer, smaller fire chamber and exclusive volume control inserts, the Epiphany’s faster charging valve delivers rock-steady consistency at today’s modern tournament rates of fire while still maintaining a mid-level marker’s price tag.

The EOS goes one step further, including the ease of bolt out back disassembly for incredibly simple maintenance.

For serious paintball players, walking the trigger to high rates of fire without velocity drop-off is critical, but it’s not the only feature that matters. Fast maintenance and repair cycles in the staging area can mean the difference between going home with a trophy, or just going home.

“At this level of performance, most markers take quite a bit of work to disassemble for cleaning,” says Smart Parts’ Vice President Adam Gardner. “Many may have a bolt that slides out fast, but getting their main valve out takes serious work and sometimes even proprietary tools.”

That is not so with the EOS - just one allen wrench is needed to remove the back plug, then the bolt, fire chamber and volume control insert slide out the back. In seconds the entire valve system is available for inspection, cleaning or repair.

Rapid firing without the negative effects of shoot-down and easy maintenance aren’t the EOS’ only strengths, though. From its lightweight high-tech alloy body and sleek grip frame to its machined aluminum interior and stock clamping feed neck, the EOS is built with the feel, style and durability to handle the rigors of professional tournament level paintball. Its integrated air system mounting rail allows for clean, tight configurations without the need for adapters.

Over the last three years, more professional level paintball tournaments have been won with Smart Parts markers than all other brands put together. Smart Parts continues in that tradition of winning, with players designing and building our markers because we believe that equipment counts.

The EOS is on display at the Smart Parts show trailer for the duration of the 2007 PSP Paintball World Cup, and will soon be available from Smart Parts dealers everywhere.
Smart Parts, Inc., is a leading developer and manufacturer of equipment and accessories for the sport of paintball. For more information, visit www.SmartParts.com.

and the impressive Eos technical specifications sheet:

True Electropneumatic Design - Like all Smart Parts markers, the EOS is built on a true electropneumatic design. A precision, fast acting solenoid valve drives the bolt and valve system for unbeatably quick operation.

Adjustable Reduced Volume Firing Chamber - The heart of the EOS is found in its adjustable volume fire chamber. This smaller chamber recharges faster, eliminating problematic shoot-down at higher rates of fire, while inserts provide for tuning and optimization.

All Metal Construction - Unlike some competitors in its price class, the grip frame, feedneck, body, trigger and body cover of the EOS are manufactured from lightweight, high-tech alloys to provide maximum strength at a minimum weight. There are no plastic structures here to snap under the rigors of tournament paintball. Rubber bumper inserts and grips provide additional grip friction and protection.

Easy Maintenance - Disassembly of the EOS for maintenance is extremely simple. The bolt plug unscrews from the back of the marker allowing the fire chamber, volume control insert and the marker’s one major moving part - the bolt - to be removed for cleaning, inspection or repair in seconds.

Max-Flo R Vertical Regulator - The EOS is powered by the brand new Max-Flo R Vertical regulator. In addition to providing fantastic low-pressure high-flow performance, the Max-Flo R features an integrated relief valve system which provides additional protection from over-pressurization.

Freak Jr. Barrel - The EOS is equipped with a Freak Jr. barrel, which is ready to adapt to any playing style with optional fronts, porting patterns and bore-matching inserts.

Three Point Adjustable Trigger - The adjustable EOS trigger can be dialed-in to suit any taste. Settings for trigger pre-travel, activation point, and post-travel may all be fine tuned.

Q-Lock Feed neck - The EOS is ready to clamp on to any industry standard hopper with a flip of the Q-Lock lever.

Integrated Air Rail - The EOS grip’s integrated rail system allows standard dovetail air system accessories to mount directly to the grip frame or to use traditional inline mounting screws.

Rail Mounted on/off ASA - Positive air system control means longer o-ring and solenoid life for screw in gas supplies. The easy to clean and rebuild design of the Smart Parts on/off ASA means a lifetime of reliable operation. The integral dovetail mount matches perfectly to the EOS grip frame’s integrated air system rail for solid, adapter free mounting.

Super-Light, Fast-Acting Bolt - The Smart Parts Firebolt is a standard feature on the EOS. Its light weight allows for super-fast reciprocal operation, increasing potential rate of fire while decreasing vibration.

Conical Trigger Bearing - The EOS’s precision trigger bearing is suspended between a pair of conical alignment screws. This configuration provides a silky smooth trigger pull that is virtually free of side to side movement from start to finish.

Break-Beam Vision - Smart Parts’ tournament proven break-beam Vision technology protects against paint breakage from mis-feeds.

Seal Forward Technology - This Smart Parts innovation places the breech seal o-ring in the breech instead of on the bolt, providing a perfect seal against blowback without producing rate of fire limiting bolt-drag.

Simple 9-volt Powered Operation - The EOS electronics are able to achieve a long operating life from a standard 9-volt alkaline battery.

Standard Barrel Threads - The EOS uses the Smart Parts standard barrel thread found on all Smart Parts current production markers, and can make use of popular upgrade barrels including the Linear, Tactical, Progressive, All-American and The Freak.

Upgrade Availability - Epiphany owners may upgrade to the simple maintenance of the EOS with an EOS Fire Chamber, EOS Bolt Plug and Ion XE Body Kit.

Also, in true Smart Parts style, they have hired paintball ambassador Matty Marshall to give players an overview of the Eos’s functionality and main features.

Now that we’ve sorted through all the glitz and glam that Smart Parts has smothered the Eos in, it’s time to take a speculative look at the Eos.

The first thing that I noticed about my Eos upon arrival and un-packaging was its strikingly similar build to the Epiphany. After reading through the press releases and watching the market videos, I had acquired a feeling of excitement about my hands on testing and review of the new Eos. However, all of these feelings went away when I opened my box and saw what was basically just an Epiphany.

The major upgrades that are noticeably different, and that cosmetically affect the marker, are the addition of a Q-lock feed neck, and an out the back bolt design. While both of these items are improvements over their previous versions, and will most assuredly make Smart Parts fans exclaim that “Smart Parts listens to players“, I myself must ask why Smart Parts didn’t simply include these items with the Epiphany and save themselves, and their fans, the time and effort spent on a new marker that itself is a relatively exact clone of the previous model?

I’m actually split in a decision on this. Half of my conscience wants me to fall on the side of:

Smart Parts is listening to players and fans, and releasing a somewhat “updated” form of the marker in order to give new buyers the best deal.

But then rationality and reasoning kick in and I get pulled by the idea of:

Well, the parts they added to the Eos were all available and deployed at the time of the Epiphany’s release…so…what’s the deal with releasing a marker that is “handicapped”.

With that being said, there isn’t really a whole lot more to explain about the Eos that hasn’t already been said about the Epiphany. Performance is, as with the cosmetic appearance and features, exactly the same. February weather has been flakey here, but we achieved a decent Saturday afternoon, featuring a nice temperature of fifty degrees or so, of 7man practice to put the Eos through its paces.

As with all next generation mid and high end markers, technology has been advanced to the point where breaks, chops, and shoot down are things of yesterday. Out of the box performance, which is what we stress here, was on par with the rest of the expansive Smart Parts line of spool valve markers. After initial setup for 280fps, the Eos’s regulator churned out +/- 10fps. Efficiency wise, for the most part, was actually better than Dye’s new DM8 , and came in, using a Crossfire 68ci/4500psi, at an average of 1080 shots per fill.

Despite the decent efficiency and performance during the day, I had the nagging feeling that I was shooting something that was “unfinished“. Don’t mis-understand me here as the Eos, like other markers nowadays, shoots great and is a performer on the field. However, when someone takes a panoramic view at the past and what the Eos has come from, towards the future and all the possible upgrades that it could accept right now…one wonders at whether it is a good investment when potentially in six months Smart Parts may release an Eos2 with all of the items the players are begging for right now.

The Epiphany was a good idea for Smart Parts upon release. They filled the gap that was left between the cheap entry level Ion and the high end flagship NXT. However, the Eos I will just have to pass on. With parts available readily for the Epiphany that will bring it to Eos level (that includes really nothing more than a new feed neck…) I can’t justify spending $150 more dollars on a marker in which the main selling point, over the previous years version, is cosmetics.

The Smart Parts Eos is available from Smart Part’s online store today for $399.95.

Features:

• Unique rapid-charge, low volume fire chamber and volume control inserts.
• Vision anti chop technology combined with fast and simple single tool disassembly of the entire bolt and valve system.
• Weight (marker only): 2 lbs. 3 oz.
• Length (w/out barrel): 8.4 in.
• Operating Pressure: 280psi
• Gas Source: HPA or CO2
• Anti-Chop System: Break Beam Vision
• Trigger Pivot: Conical Mounted Bearing
• Ball Detent: Dual rubber style
• Semi auto, rebound, 3 round burst (10bps max), full auto, (10bps max) Max Rate of fire: 17bps
• Field legal mode lock
• Runs on one 9 volt battery
• Smart Parts On/Off ASA
• Includes Freak Jr. three piece 14 inch barrel
• Feed neck: Vertical Q-Lock/NXT thread
• Lightweight alloy grip frame/body

Pros

• Good efficiency and performance
• Q-Lock feed neck
• Bolt out back design (finally), makes for easy maintenance
• Freak Jr Barrel (Front, Back, .693 Insert)

Cons

• Firing modes are limited. No league software support. More flashing light programming.
• Detent design hasn’t changed over the years
• Only one firing insert (.693)
• Overall isn’t worth spending $150 more dollars over an Epiphany for cosmetics and a screw in back plate

Final Rating
3 out of 5