looking at getting one as it looks a great entry level pcp nut not sure what the best or most cost effective way to chargeit would be.mostly hunting and some light plinking use. Unlikely high shot count target shooting ideas?
Most cost effective way to charge an air venturi avenger
- Thread starter edenwildfood
- Start date
The most cost effective route to go is a 3 stage, 4,500 PSI hand pump sold on Amazon, eBay, and Aliexpress. They're all pretty much made in China and come in various colors and finishes. Before the pandemic, you could find them as cheap as $25 (price I paid last year on Aliexpress from a seller based in the US). Today, it seems like the price has doubled as most are being sold for $50+.
I own a couple Nova Liberty's (which are pretty much Gen 1 Avengers) and let me tell you...hand pumping is no joke. The initial fill from zero is brutal. However, once you fill to your desired pressure (I hand pumped my Libertys to 3600 PSI and got tons of shots), and keep it topped off in between shooting sessions, it's a little bit more manageable.
If you have a local dive shop or fire station nearby capable of filling tanks to 4,500 PSI, I'd get a SCBA tank from ebay. You can get a 2008 Drager for around $75 (+ $25 shipping) and a fill station for $50 bucks. Get it hydrotested and you'll be good until the tank expires in 2023.
This is the route I went recently after two years of hand pumping and now I'm shooting more than ever. Before I didn't shoot nearly as much because I dreaded hand pumping.
I own a couple Nova Liberty's (which are pretty much Gen 1 Avengers) and let me tell you...hand pumping is no joke. The initial fill from zero is brutal. However, once you fill to your desired pressure (I hand pumped my Libertys to 3600 PSI and got tons of shots), and keep it topped off in between shooting sessions, it's a little bit more manageable.
If you have a local dive shop or fire station nearby capable of filling tanks to 4,500 PSI, I'd get a SCBA tank from ebay. You can get a 2008 Drager for around $75 (+ $25 shipping) and a fill station for $50 bucks. Get it hydrotested and you'll be good until the tank expires in 2023.
This is the route I went recently after two years of hand pumping and now I'm shooting more than ever. Before I didn't shoot nearly as much because I dreaded hand pumping.
Upvote 0
Looks like I could also get a cheaper 232 bar tank and tune the gun to run at the lower full pressure
Upvote 0
Upgrade the plenum (regulated volume), which is external and will require degassing and a custom part which should be available within the first 6 months of this rifles release by at least one if not multiple sources...that will allow you to run much lower pressures regulated (1600-2200 psi) instead of its ideal stock range (2200-2700 psi) which will allow you to run a lower fill pressure, while also making both good power and reasonable shot counts.
Using a hand pump and going upwards of 3500-3650 isn't too hard imo, and really a good work out if you keep good form. With a 3500~ fill and 2000 psi set point, you will have plenty of shots available within that 1500 psi fill range at nominal power levels.
I personally love hand pumping...sometimes I just want to pump but I am already at peak fill...I would rather pump more than shoot...weird I am. Forcing that incredibly high pressure air, those immensely compressed air molecules, into my rifles air cylinder just gets my juices flowing.
Using a hand pump and going upwards of 3500-3650 isn't too hard imo, and really a good work out if you keep good form. With a 3500~ fill and 2000 psi set point, you will have plenty of shots available within that 1500 psi fill range at nominal power levels.
I personally love hand pumping...sometimes I just want to pump but I am already at peak fill...I would rather pump more than shoot...weird I am. Forcing that incredibly high pressure air, those immensely compressed air molecules, into my rifles air cylinder just gets my juices flowing.
Upvote 0
I currently only have a hand pump. I ended up getting a Diana pump (just a generic Chinese pump with their logo applied I believe). Got it from Airguns of Arizona with my TalonP for $100. Live and learn I guess.
Pump works great, sometimes is tiring but with the small volume TalonP tank it doesn’t take much more than maybe 75 pumps to refill generally.
I enjoy it. I think having to do something physical is (for me at least) an enriching part of this hobby. If I was able to just sit in a chair and shoot tethered or using a tank to refill, it would be nice in some ways but less appealing somehow. Maybe I just am a newbie and haven’t gotten tired of pumping yet?
To me there is something about physically experiencing the energy needed to launch the pellets that is satisfying. maybe this reflects my work as a science teacher trying to make concepts like energy work and power tangible for my students.
I also understand the simple appeal of forcing each burst of compact air into the body of the gun. Satisfying for sure.
Pump works great, sometimes is tiring but with the small volume TalonP tank it doesn’t take much more than maybe 75 pumps to refill generally.
I enjoy it. I think having to do something physical is (for me at least) an enriching part of this hobby. If I was able to just sit in a chair and shoot tethered or using a tank to refill, it would be nice in some ways but less appealing somehow. Maybe I just am a newbie and haven’t gotten tired of pumping yet?
To me there is something about physically experiencing the energy needed to launch the pellets that is satisfying. maybe this reflects my work as a science teacher trying to make concepts like energy work and power tangible for my students.
I also understand the simple appeal of forcing each burst of compact air into the body of the gun. Satisfying for sure.
Upvote 0
Yup, really only two ways to charge the gun, hand pump or tank. Hand pump is by far the cheapest, but having pumped my Marauder to only 3000 psi, nope, not going to do that any more.
I've got two of the 90ci tanks, capacity is 4500 psi, but regulated output at 3000. They are marvelous for smaller guns. While you don't get the full 3600 PSI fill, you can fill from the tank. Local paintball shop charges $5 to fill each tank, and I can shoot for quite a while off each.
Next step is your own compressor. The Yong Heng's and similar knockoff's start around $300
Yup, it's easy to buy a $300 gun and drop between $400 and a $1000 on air supplies. Go figure.
If you go the compressor route (I bought a Yong Heng about 18 months ago), you'll shoot more, you can tune the gun without worrying about air, etc. just better all around!
But, there's a hefty cost associated with the compressor route. Hand pumps, $50 to $300 and you are done. Air tanks, local paintball or scuba shops, $400 for the tank and a few bucks for refills or Compressors, minimum $700 ($300 yong heng, $400 for the air tank). Take your pick!
I've got two of the 90ci tanks, capacity is 4500 psi, but regulated output at 3000. They are marvelous for smaller guns. While you don't get the full 3600 PSI fill, you can fill from the tank. Local paintball shop charges $5 to fill each tank, and I can shoot for quite a while off each.
Next step is your own compressor. The Yong Heng's and similar knockoff's start around $300
Yup, it's easy to buy a $300 gun and drop between $400 and a $1000 on air supplies. Go figure.
If you go the compressor route (I bought a Yong Heng about 18 months ago), you'll shoot more, you can tune the gun without worrying about air, etc. just better all around!
But, there's a hefty cost associated with the compressor route. Hand pumps, $50 to $300 and you are done. Air tanks, local paintball or scuba shops, $400 for the tank and a few bucks for refills or Compressors, minimum $700 ($300 yong heng, $400 for the air tank). Take your pick!
Upvote 0
I use a compressor to charge my own tank. Expensive initial investment, but from then on the cost is oil change every so often. I run synthetic oil designed for compressors. You can also charge directly from the compressor. It takes about 5-8 minutes to charge my Impact.
Upvote 0
I personally don’t think the avenger is that bad to pump once you fill it. From zero takes a bit of time but from 2500 to 3600 to 3700 isn’t that bad. I just do 25 pumps and give a break then 25 more. Only takes about 80 or so to refill to 3600-3700. One thing I wouldn’t do is spend 150 dollars on a bottle that will last a year or year and a half. Lmao…that is terrible advice if you ask me. If you go the bottle route buy one cry once and get one with a good long life.
Upvote 0
IDK... I'm relatively new to modern airguns and am researching topics related to getting into PCPs, so no expert on the matter. While a compressor sure would be nice, quality units seem to be pricey for a noob. And while cheaper models are becoming available, I see a lot of mixed reviews and results with longer term reliability. Spending $300-400 on a potential doorstop is somewhat less appealing than a hand pump to me. Hand pump is "doable" I suppose, but looks like a PITA that would diminish my joy. Scuba tanks seem like a reasonable alternative to me. At least until (when/if) I can justify dropping the coin on a compressor. Depending on what I can pick up a used tank for, and how long it's still "good"... There's one on FB Marketplace near me for $80 currently... And my local dive shop does hydro certifications for $50, including an initial fill, so even an expired tank can be good for another 5 years for reasonable $. So, $130 for five years on a tank, a fill kit, and the local shop does tank refills for $8. Doesn't seem like terrible advice to me...
Upvote 0
I used a hand pump with my first PCP, a Prod, but after getting an Avenger, hand pumping got old. It worked, just wasn't what I wanted to do. But I still have the pumps and will use them if my Yong Heng breaks. I also have an expired 45 minute SCBA tank I fill from the YH then I fill the guns from that. It is a nice setup. But hand pumping is definitely cheapest and pumping enough for hunting would be totally doable. Absolutely nothing wrong with starting with a hand pump and it may be all you need. If not, it is still a good backup.
Upvote 0