I wanted to try the Perun V3 because I've heard many positive reviews and opinions on it. For context, I installed this into a Classic Army UMP-45 and combined it with a 13:1 SSG and a ZCI 22TPA motor. I have to say that the V3 is solid. There's a lot to like about this. You get:
- Very consistent precocking.
- Ability to toggle off active braking.
- Can decompress your spring with holding the trigger down on semi-auto.
- Reliable trigger sensitivity calibration due to using a magnet instead of a button. On a V3 gearbox, this is fantastic because it allows for a hair trigger sensitivity even with the two-piece trigger. I have mine set to 3 which is in the middle and it's already *very* sensitive with about 2mm of pull. At a setting of 5, the pull was about 0.7mm which is crazy short. This part will probably depend on the specs of your gun's trigger. The UMP-45 trigger is basically like a G36 although not 100% the same. They're interchangeable, but the UMP trigger is slightly longer.
- I was able to fit the selector sensor insert into a UMP-45 selector plate with only very minor modification. All I needed to do was extend the cutout towards the front of the gearbox. The UMP-45 selector plate is close to a G36, although not quite. Your model will vary and the manual tells you this.
- Thin wire makes it very easy to maneuver into a receiver.
- Very low amp draw when I hooked it up to a volt meter. It doesn't seem to have any issues in that regard.
- Can also run a 14.8v LiPo, but that's totally unnecessary unless you want to have some fun. I never run more than a 11.1v anyway.
The functionality of the Perun V3 is more than worth a 5-star in my opinion. Realistically, that's how we should be reviewing something like. However, there are a few things I don't like and it all comes down to installation:
- While the wiring for the V3 is universal, it requires soldering the gate wire to the positive terminal on the battery. It's easy to do and I simply soldered the gate wire to the battery connector itself, but I don't understand why it wouldn't come attached if the V2 is a complete and doesn't require soldering. The universal wiring is actually nearly a perfect length to be front-wired or rear-wired. I tried both in my receiver and it worked flawlessly, so it's a bit strange to me.
- The wire itself is very soft and can get squished and nicked very easily. It's like G&P 'noodle wire' so to speak, but it being on the outside of the V3 gearbox means that you need to be careful.
- The selector sensor system works fine, but it requires you to manually guess and check the correct positions. At the same pricepoint, Gate Asters allow you to calibrate this with the GCS App. But the positive to the Perun is you actually can assemble your whole gearbox and do the selector calibration after you're done. Your gun can also fire on semi auto without a selector plate, so it gives you a baseline.
Alright, so that's a lot to cram into a review, but I try to give as valuable of information as I can. Overall, the Perun V3 is excellent and I'm really liking it. Most of my experience with ETUs comes from Gate, T238, and the older BTC models. But this made a great first impression with me. It gives me the same options for programming and the consistency I'd expect out of an ETU at this price point. I'd consider another one for something like an AK or give the V2 a shot.
