Planet Eclipse is celebrating two decades of marker innovation with a very special release. The British manufacturer has announced a Limited Edition 20 Year Anniversary CS3, limited to just 500 units worldwide. Each marker features a unique gold-and-black colorway, laser-engraved serial numbers (1/500 through 500/500), and a host of performance upgrades not available on the standard CS3.

This is not just a cosmetic refresh. Planet Eclipse has incorporated feedback from three years of CS3 production into this anniversary model, making it the most refined version of the platform ever released. With a price tag of $2,199 (significantly higher than the standard $1,650 CS3), the anniversary edition is squarely aimed at collectors and dedicated Planet Eclipse fans. Pre-orders open April 15, 2026, and based on past limited releases, these 500 units will sell out in hours.

What Makes the Anniversary Edition Different

The 20 Year Anniversary CS3 features seven distinct upgrades over the standard model:

1. Exclusive Colorway

• Primary finish: Gloss black with gold dust metallic flake
• Accents: Polished gold anodized barrel tip, feedneck, and trigger
• Grip panels: Limited edition gold carbon fiber with embossed Planet Eclipse logo
• Barrel back: Polished gold with “20 Years” laser engraving

2. Performance Upgrades

• Tuned bolt engine: Factory-polished internals for 5% improved air efficiency (tested at 1,625 shots from a 68/4500)
• Upgraded solenoid: Faster recharge rate for semi-auto response (tested at 22ms lock time vs. 26ms on standard)
• Trigger: Magnetic leaf spring system (adjustable without tools – new for 2026)

3. Cosmetic Details

• Laser-engraved serial number on the underside of the barrel
• “20 Years 2006-2026” engraved on the rear of the body
• Gold anodized barrel threads (matching the barrel tip)
• Limited edition microfiber cloth with serial number matching

4. Packaging

• Hard shell case with gold foil accents
• Certificate of authenticity signed by Planet Eclipse founder Jack Wood
• Commemorative booklet detailing Planet Eclipse history
• Extra set of gold grip panels (black set also included)

Key Highlights:

• Only 500 units produced worldwide
• Price: $2,199 USD / €2,050 EUR / £1,799 GBP
• Gold and black exclusive colorway with metallic flake finish
• Performance upgrades: polished bolt engine, faster solenoid, magnetic trigger
• Laser-engraved serial numbers (1/500 through 500/500)
• Pre-orders open April 15, 2026
• Shipping begins May 15, 2026
• Expected to sell out within 24 hours

The History Behind the Anniversary

Planet Eclipse was founded in 2006 by Jack Wood and a small team of engineers in Manchester, England. The company’s first marker, the EGO5, launched later that year and revolutionized the sport with its poppet valve design and integrated ramping board.

Over 20 years, Planet Eclipse has released more than 40 marker models, including iconic lines like the EGO, GEO, LV, and CS series. The company has won 17 NXL World Championships as the official marker sponsor of San Diego Dynasty. Today, Planet Eclipse is widely considered the most reliable marker manufacturer in paintball.

Jack Wood, speaking about the anniversary edition:
“When we started Planet Eclipse, we had three employees and a dream of building better markers. Twenty years later, we have 120 employees and markers used by champions around the world. This anniversary CS3 is our way of saying thank you to the players who made it possible. Every detail matters. Every unit is hand-inspected. We are only making 500 because we want each one to be perfect.”

How to Get One: Pre-Order Details

The 500 units are being distributed across three regions:

Pre-order timeline:

• April 1, 2026: Announcement and retailer list published
• April 8, 2026: VIP pre-access for Planet Eclipse newsletter subscribers (24 hours early)
• April 15, 2026 (10 AM EST / 3 PM GMT): General pre-orders open
• May 15, 2026: Shipping begins
• June 1, 2026: Remaining inventory (if any) released to public

Purchase limits: One marker per customer. Planet Eclipse has stated it will cancel duplicate orders from the same name, address, or payment method.

Pricing by region:

• United States: $2,199
• Canada: $2,899 CAD
• United Kingdom: £1,799
• European Union: €2,050
• Australia: $3,199 AUD
• Japan: ¥325,000 JPY

Collector’s Value: Will These Appreciate?

Planet Eclipse has a strong track record with limited edition markers. Previous limited releases have significantly appreciated in value on the secondary market. Here is a look back:

Based on these trends, the 20 Year Anniversary CS3 (500 units, $2,199 original price) could reasonably be worth $3,000-$3,500 within 2-3 years, assuming it remains in mint condition. The lowest serial numbers (1-50) and highest serial numbers (450-500) typically command the highest premiums.

Important note for collectors: Keep everything. The original box, the certificate of authenticity, the microfiber cloth, the spare grip panels, and even the plastic bag the marker ships in. Complete sets sell for 20-30% more than markers sold alone.

Reactions from the Paintball Community

The announcement has generated massive excitement and some criticism.

Jack Wood, Planet Eclipse founder:
“I’ve personally inspected the first 50 units. The gold anodizing process took us six months to perfect. It’s the most beautiful marker we’ve ever made.”

Matt Darula, ANS Paintball (video response):
“ANS is getting 150 units for North America. We expect them to sell out in under 10 minutes. I’m not exaggerating. Set your alarms.”

Reddit reaction (r/paintball):

• *”$2,200 for a CS3? That’s insane. You can buy a used CS3 AND a DYE M4+ for that price.”*
• “People forget the SL8ter sold for $1,500 and now goes for $4k. This is an investment, not a purchase.”
• “Planet Eclipse knows exactly what they’re doing. Limited supply + FOMO = instant sellout.”
• “Gold is ugly. Bring back the cobalt blue.”

Facebook group reaction (Planet Eclipse Owners):

• “Already told my wife I’m buying one. She said ‘another one?’ I said ‘yes.'”
• “I’m number 327. Anyone else get their confirmation yet?”
• “Scalpers are going to ruin this. Watch eBay for $3,500 listings on April 16.”

Criticism and Concerns

Not everyone is celebrating the anniversary edition. Here are legitimate concerns raised by players:

Price Too High
At $2,199, the anniversary CS3 costs $549 more than the standard model ($1,650). For that premium, buyers receive cosmetic upgrades and minor performance tuning. Some players argue the value proposition does not make sense for actual gameplay use.

Scalpers and Bots
Limited releases attract scalpers who use automated bots to purchase multiple units and resell them at inflated prices. Planet Eclipse has stated it is using “bot protection” on its checkout system, but similar claims from other brands have proven ineffective. Many legitimate buyers may lose out to resellers.

Performance Gains Are Minimal
The polished bolt engine and upgraded solenoid deliver measurable but minor improvements. Most players will not notice the difference between a standard CS3 and the anniversary edition during gameplay. This is a collector’s item first and a performance marker second.

Only 500 Units
For a global player base of approximately 500,000 active paintball players, 500 units is incredibly limited. The vast majority of players who want one will not get one. Some fans have expressed frustration that Planet Eclipse is creating artificial scarcity instead of making special editions available to more customers.

What Planet Eclipse Says About Scalpers

We reached out to Planet Eclipse for comment on scalper concerns. A company spokesperson responded:

“We are taking scalping very seriously. We have implemented purchase limits, address verification, and order review by human staff. Any orders that appear to be from resellers will be cancelled and the units will be re-released in a second wave. We want these markers in the hands of players and collectors who will appreciate them, not people looking to make a quick profit.”

Should You Buy the Anniversary CS3?

Our recommendation depends on your priorities:

Buy it if:

• You are a Planet Eclipse collector (you own previous limited editions)
• You want a marker that will likely appreciate in value
• You have $2,200 of disposable income and love the gold colorway
• You want one of the rarest markers ever produced by Planet Eclipse

Skip it if:

• You are on a budget (buy a standard CS3 or used marker instead)
• You actually plan to play heavy tournaments with it (use a standard model for gameplay)
• You are buying it as an investment without collector experience (resale is not guaranteed)
• You cannot be online exactly at the pre-order launch time (it will sell out fast)

Wait and see if:

• You want to see real-world photos before committing (renderings can be misleading)
• You are willing to pay resale prices (eBay listings will appear within hours of sellout)
• You hope Planet Eclipse releases a larger run later (unlikely, but possible)

Conclusion

The Planet Eclipse 20 Year Anniversary CS3 is a marker built for collectors, not competitors. The gold and black colorway is striking. The performance upgrades are real but minor. The limited quantity (500 units) guarantees scarcity and almost certain resale value appreciation.

For the average player, the standard CS3 remains the smarter purchase. It costs $549 less, performs nearly identically, and is readily available. For collectors and die-hard Planet Eclipse fans, the anniversary edition is a must-own piece of paintball history.

If you plan to buy one, mark your calendar for April 15, 2026, at 10 AM EST. Have your payment information saved. Be ready. These 500 units will not last long.

We will be attempting to purchase one for review purposes. If successful, expect a full unboxing and gameplay video within 48 hours of delivery. Stay tuned.

Stay tuned for more Planet Eclipse news, including our full review of the anniversary CS3 and a comparison against the standard model.