Back to PB after 15 years

hey gang, it’s been over a decade since I last played. I have an FEP Quest 2 (which was old when I got it) and I built an Eblade cocker during Covid but never took it out. Also have a Spire 1 and Dye Rotor hoppers.

The Quest I think has electrical problems and the cocker is absolutely a project, and I have GAS (gear acquisition syndrome), what’s the general consensus on markers to use nowadays? I see Empire still makes the Axe/Mini, kinda pricey though. Is the Emek still the mechanical marker of choice?

I feel like PB tech hasn’t really progressed since I last played.