GX is now the leader of budget compressors ?

OK, I have been away from airgunning for about 5 years. Yong Heng was the trusted budget compressor at that time, I have got one and it served me well before I sold it. Now I am back and based on the limited info I have seen, GX seems to be the popular choice now. I am looking at the GX CS3-I . I am filling airguns directly, no tanks. Have I missed anything ?
 
I don't have one - still rocking the older Shoebox compressors, hopefully for several more decades - but yes, GX seems to be the brand to choose these days mostly due to better reliability than all the other smallish / lower cost compressors (meaning not a dive compressor). They have several different flavors to meet different needs, but each one seems to be among the best for reliability in its class.

If I had to replace my Shoebox compressors, I would definitely be doing it with a GX unit (either the CS4 or CS5 for my uses).
 
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OK, I have been away from airgunning for about 5 years. Yong Heng was the trusted budget compressor at that time, I have got one and it served me well before I sold it. Now I am back and based on the limited info I have seen, GX seems to be the popular choice now. I am looking at the GX CS3-I . I am filling airguns directly, no tanks. Have I missed anything ?
Speed, GX are slow, but for your use that is the current wheelhouse.

If you do end up with a tank then the dual cylinder Tuxing like the TXEDM042 are good. 45 minutes to fill a 6.8l tank. GX is hours to fill the same.
 
I have had 5 or 6 Yong Hengs, one converted to closed-loop cooling to make it portable. I switched from SCBA tank to direct filling at the range, by means of a GX CS3 which is lighter and more convenient than SCBA tank, for my use.

My CS3 runs for hours each week, filling my PCP guns that I shoot continually for up to 7 hours in a range day.

I have had few issues, that have been minor like having to clean the outlet check valve, or the interstage check valves.

I have a Nuoge (Tuxing clone) for backup, and have serviced/repaired a number of other types of compressor, inclusing New Warrior.

I agree with your description "GX is now the leader of budget compressors ", although someone more informed may correct that.

I do recommend cleaning out and replacing the original grease from the compressor and gear unit on any of the small compressors, if you are mechanically inclined.
 
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I have a CS-3 that is coming up on its 10-hour maintenance in my work room and a CS-4 with 79.9 hours on it as my main compressor.
The CS-4 fills guns and tops up bottles
Both have been trouble free
My considered opinion is that the CS-4 is far and away superior to the slower, noisier CS-3.
For me it is well worth the price differential

FWIW it is a CS-4 not a CS-4i

just my two psi
Edward
 
I have a CS-3 that is coming up on its 10-hour maintenance in my work room and a CS-4 with 79.9 hours on it as my main compressor.
The CS-4 fills guns and tops up bottles
Both have been trouble free
My considered opinion is that the CS-4 is far and away superior to the slower, noisier CS-3.
For me it is well worth the price differential

FWIW it is a CS-4 not a CS-4i

just my two psi
Edward
For the purpose of transport to the range and filling one's own guns, would you prefer the CS-4 over the CS-3? I have a 3 and a Nuong (Tuxing clone) as backup. I had a New Warrior (Yong Heng compressor in a more advanced arrangement), but much to heavy to make for convenient transport. I'm trying to decide on whether to change compressors.

For comparison: left to right, New Warrior, CS-3, Nuong.

New Warrior GX CS3 Nuong.jpg
 
@Normkel
I've never used either of mine that way
But if I needed to, I think outdoors at the range the noise of the CS-3 would be tolerable
Also, portability becomes a factor
If the GX website specs are accurate
CS-4 33lbs
CS-3 7.5Kkg = 16.5lb

That's a hefty difference
But then again, range carts have wheels.

I think I would make room in the cart for the CS-4

Is your plan to plug into AC power at the range or roam back to your vehicle and run of the battery?

Ed
 
For the purpose of transport to the range and filling one's own guns, would you prefer the CS-4 over the CS-3? I have a 3 and a Nuong (Tuxing clone) as backup. I had a New Warrior (Yong Heng compressor in a more advanced arrangement), but much to heavy to make for convenient transport. I'm trying to decide on whether to change compressors.

For comparison: left to right, New Warrior, CS-3, Nuong.

View attachment 579684
If I were just filling guns only I would go with the cs3. Just about any part is readily available to rebuild/replace. Not really so on the cs4. Cs3 is super easy to work on as well.
 
I just just put a new piston in my Yong Heng after several years of fairly light use (cost about $20). I use it to refill a 45 minute Scott tank about once a month on average. It's working better now so I hope to get a few more years from it. For a tank filler, I think a Yong Heng is still a good buy. But it is noisy and it takes up some space. I've added cooling so I can refill the bottle in a single run and stay less than 65 C. Usually less than 60 C.

But to directly fill guns I vastly prefer my GX CS2. It is only about 15 lbs and very compact. I added a 18V to 12V step down converter and battery dock setup so I can power it with my Milwaukee tool batteries. Or 120V with the transformer that came with it or with my vehicle. Very versatile. I added the GX filter too but it is still compact and light. I filled my P35-25 from zero a couple times today (regulator needed changed and will probably get set down further tomorrow). I didn't fill it all the way (since I may bleed it off anyway) but it only took about 5 minutes. With the CS2 in the kitchen I can still watch TV in the next room but I have to turn it up some. No way I want the Yong Heng that close while I try to hear anything.

I like the idea of the GX CS4 but it seems like GX is down playing what it can do now that they have a GX CS5. I have no doubt the CS5 is more powerful and a better idea if you mainly want to fill good sized bottles often. But it seems like a CS4 can do this too at a greatly reduced pace. For at least twice the money I am not sure the CS5 is in my future if the YH dies. But I don't really need to fill guns quicker and if the CS4 is overtaxed with bottles I kind of don't see it's role. Owners seem to trust it with bottles and if I ultimately go that way I will too.
 
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Speed, GX are slow, but for your use that is the current wheelhouse.

If you do end up with a tank then the dual cylinder Tuxing like the TXEDM042 are good. 45 minutes to fill a 6.8l tank. GX is hours to fill the same.
Speed, GX are slow, sounds familiar.
I consider the GXcs4i my expensive compressor. However it’s rarely used, just
an occasional top off to exercise it . I have the larger gold tower filter set attached.
It takes 20 minutes or so just to pressurize them.
My Tuxing 042 is the real deal for less than $400.
 
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I've been using GX CS2's for the past 4 or 5 years. I have no experience with the earlier generations of compressors. I'm fine with the GX. Yes, it's not fast but it's been pretty good value for the money I've put into them.

I'm an airgunner that largely just shoots when it's time to kill pests, and I've killed most of my pests (or they're too shy to walk onto my property, which is good-enough for me). So I'm not a big consumer of compressed air. I have a small and a large SCBA tank. As of late I need to fill them only a couple of times a year.