Purchased this loader to go with my Ion - my first marker. Have since upgraded to an Etek2. I've been overall quite happy with the "Egg". It certainly keeps up with my Etek, but then it is limited to 15.4 bps. I'm new to the sport and 56 years old, so I'm not diving into a bunch of bumkers or behind snakes, so I can't comment on how durable this loader is. But so far, it has served me quite well. Battery life is outstanding - I'm only on my second set of batteries and have probably shot about 8 cases with it. With the feedneck at the front of the shell, it can be a bit back-end heavy, but not so much that I find it a problem. It is a bit hard to clean inside the shell in the event a ball breaks. Because of how the lid is fastened to the shell it is also difficult to take apart, making it harder still to clean. The one big issue I have with this loader is the battery cover, which has been noted by other reviewers. The cover broke after about my fourth time out (fortunately I had a second unit that had been my son's). I have tried to purchase a replacement cover but cannot find any available anywhere. I have communicated with the manufacturer on three different occasions (they only accept e-mail, no phone calls) and they have never responded to any of my messages. I personally find that unacceptable.
Conclusion:
Inexpensive yet solid loader, especially for those looking for something entry level. It should keep up with most markers, with its 22 bps rating. But a broken battery cover could leave you stranded and with no replacement part apparently available, it would be a throw-away.
You are right about the battery door - it is very fragile and happens to be required to keep the batteries pushed in far enough for them to work.
My black egg3 broke where the battery door snaps onto the shell, the little rails. Had to buy a new smoke shell, and guess what? It didnt include a battery door. I can understand that the shell wouldnt include the internal parts, but in my opinion the battery door is part of the shell.
So I have a smoke egg3 with a black battery door. No big deal I guess.
