Hello all. What's the difference between poppet valve, spool vavle, and flex valve? I'm not really sure what they are(i think it's likea type of air activated bolt or something, not really sure).

Spool valve is a closed bolt system, such as on a DM or a PMR. These types of guns are smoother shooting, more accurate and more quiet markers than poppet valve markers. Poppet valve markers are open bolt systems such as on an Etek3 or even a Spyder. When the bolt is pushed forward it loads the ball into the barrel and the striker or rammer attached to the underside of the bolt "pops" open the valve to blow the ball out of the gun. Poppets tend to be more air efficient and a bit more durable compared to spool valve markers. Whether or not one is better than the other is up to you. It is mostly based on personal preference. As far as the flex valve is concerned, it is a very different type of bolt system. Tippmann designed this valve so that you were able to shoot both co2 and compressed air through the marker. When the flex valve fires it pushes the bolt forward into a spring while blowing the ball out of the barrel and the spring returns the bolt to load the next ball into the chamber making the marker very air efficient compared to others because the spring is returning the bolt and not using air to return it. This is the simplest way to describe the differences between the three. If you want better details let me know.

Thank you for the info! so spool valve's are only air activated? and with poppet valve is the oppoiste(like pulling the bolt back and shooting)?

Well there are a few different kinds of paintball markers that are a poppet valve. Spyders are the most basic. The bolt and striker and driven by a spring which hits a valve to shoot the ball out of the gun while the excess air recocks the marker. Markers such as the etek3 are controlled by a solenoid which moves the bolt forward into the valve to shoot the paintball and the bolt is also driven backward by the solenoid making the marker much smoother and more accurate.

So the etek3 is more air efficient right?

Compared to a spool valve marker like a DM, yes

thank you

Anytime bro.