When I started this hobby, air compressors where VERY expensive. I was stuck with a silly scuba tank and many trips to my local dive shop. I eventually bought a cheap crappy compressor off ebay...but it worked GREAT for about 4 years, then it took forever to fill a gun. I now have an Air Venturi RovAir. A compressor made the sport the most fun for me....air air air..alll day long!!!!
Best upgrade that improved my enjoyment of PCP guns.
- Thread starter DaleR
- Start date
Killed more compressors than i have fingers .... todays "It's great" has turned out to be tomorrows sorrow as many times 
Wishing you all the best !!!
Wishing you all the best !!!
Upvote 0
I completely agree with the original post. I started off with a tank and dive shop. Circumstances led me to get a compressor and I haven't looked back. I had no idea I was even experiencing anxiety over my air supply until I was free of it. I feel like I've been unshackled.
Upvote 0
Took me 1 try with a hand pump before buying a compressor. Took a couple cheap SLOW compressors before I bought a dual cylinder Tuxing. 2 years and a lot of use later looks like i need to rebuild the high pressure head.
But I always keep a spare, Yong Heng still in its shipping box in my shed for well over a year.
But I always keep a spare, Yong Heng still in its shipping box in my shed for well over a year.
Upvote 0
I have been using the same Shoebox booster/compressor since the advent of the PCP era. Its slow but always works. I fill a guppy tank and of course fill my guns from the tank. The Shoebox has been rebuilt 3 times and I have one rebuild kit left. I dread the day this thing dies, and I have to join the rest of you in compressor hell. I should say small compressor hell as I understand the big ones are quite reliable but I never want to try to explain to my wife why I need a $3500 compressor. Hopefully someone will build a Shoebox clone before I need another compressor. I know Altaros makes a similar booster but I believe it requires a much larger first stage compressor than the Shoebox.
Last edited:
Upvote 0
I've actually looked into building my own. Problem is the main stage is around $1,000 to $1,500 depending on volume of air. Valves are $300 to $600 depending on pressure and options. Then fabrication of the sheet metal. Easily a $2,000 project. Commercially viable with volume discounts on materials is probably $2,000 to $2,500.
But there are a couple out there, Altaros I think builds one.
Upvote 0
On my second compressor over 4 years...just purchased a Readyair G2 oilless portable air compressor by Umarex Airguns USA. Fast, very quiet, can actually hear myself think sitting next to it running! Has a built-in water collector but still using my old USA made Alpha in-line moisture filter, which now scarcely collects any water with this new Readyair G2. Digital readout, auto shutoff and all the newest marvels. Very simple, un-complicated. Check it out.
Upvote 0
Machinists don't have many fingers to begin with.Killed more compressors than i have fingers .... todays "It's great" has turned out to be tomorrows sorrow as many times
Wishing you all the best !!!
The compressor is a must. It's part of the PCP bankruptcy plan.
Upvote 0
GX CS3-1, $399. Good for 4500psi, settable limit, 12v and 110v switchable.
Been using it almost daily for 2 months, twice powered by the car battery at the rifle range.
Easy to use, easy to transport.
Time will tell...but I'm pleased.
Been using it almost daily for 2 months, twice powered by the car battery at the rifle range.
Easy to use, easy to transport.
Time will tell...but I'm pleased.
Upvote 0
I recently purchased an omega air charger. Not as fast or ”packaged” as the newer compressors, but it just keeps chugging along. I added a moisture filter which I attached to the frame with zip ties. Everything is out in the open, which will make maintenance a little easier. Didn’t realize how much I would use it once I had a chance to fill on my own. Also noticed a bare patch in my pellet cabinet for the first time.
Upvote 0
Best ”accessory” you can buy. Cry once and do it right, buy one that will fill tanks and last!
Upvote 0
I agree - after going through several low to medium priced compressors I bought a Coltri and COULD NOT be more pleased. Buy once, cry once.Purchase a Coltri or Bauer and be done with it
Upvote 0
I jumped from a YongHeng straight to an Alkin compressor. Had the GX line of pumps been available at the time, I would likely have tried one of those first. I’m kinda glad they were not available, as the Alkin is excellent and I don’t worry about anticipating my next repair.
Upvote 0
I have the parts now to try and get my YH back under half an hour to refill my 45 minute bottle. It's four years old but I only use 1 bottle most months so it hasn't seen a ton of use. If it stays at 45 minutes I'll have to start planning the replacement.
I purchased a GX CS2 before taking the YH apart. It takes about 5 minutes to fill a gun with the air going through the GX filter first but it is a whole lot better than no air. At 15 lbs it is very portable. Runs on 18 V tool batteries, cars, and 120V. Nice backup option. $250 from GX using their 10% off code.
Even if I only get 4 years for each $300 "big" compressor it would take longer than I expect God will give me here to justify a multi thousands of dollars compressor.
The YH is much cruder than the GX. They have not been around long but I'm hopeful ball and roller bearings, seemingly good grease, and slow operation so they run cool will help them last longer. But the slow operation is due to a lot of gear reduction. A motor bigger than 350 watts puts you at at least $1000.
I purchased a GX CS2 before taking the YH apart. It takes about 5 minutes to fill a gun with the air going through the GX filter first but it is a whole lot better than no air. At 15 lbs it is very portable. Runs on 18 V tool batteries, cars, and 120V. Nice backup option. $250 from GX using their 10% off code.
Even if I only get 4 years for each $300 "big" compressor it would take longer than I expect God will give me here to justify a multi thousands of dollars compressor.
The YH is much cruder than the GX. They have not been around long but I'm hopeful ball and roller bearings, seemingly good grease, and slow operation so they run cool will help them last longer. But the slow operation is due to a lot of gear reduction. A motor bigger than 350 watts puts you at at least $1000.
Upvote 0
That is a lot of HPACs. Am expecting my second to be my last… So two fingers of one hand.Killed more compressors than i have fingers .... todays "It's great" has turned out to be tomorrows sorrow as many times
Wishing you all the best !!!
Crazy is the price of some PCPs which make my Super Legerro seem a bargain…Isn't it crazy, how much we are paying for AIR?
Upvote 0
I didn’t even play this game. I jumped in and bought a heavy duty compressor before the prices spiked on compressors. I learned form the guys breaking theirs and crapping out buying oiless compressors like casino chips or better yet potato chips. I didn’t wear out any pumps or compressors. I can still use them all, but one pretty much keeps things covered.
Upvote 0