New to pcp compressor questions

Jump to latest Follow Reply
If there are more than one gun I'd suggest pump over hand pumping especially you are planning to upgrade to tanks. If you do not intend to travel with your guns and tanks then a Yongheng is a very good pump to start from, at around 2-300 bucks it fills guns and tanks alike, which is a unbeatable deal. If you want to travel maybe hunt alot then a pump connects to car battery could be the answer, Air Venturi Nomad comes to mind (noted this pump can't fill tanks, only guns).
 
Upvote 0
Upvote 0
Another already mentioned it, but my Air Venturi Nomad II airs up some of my PCP's, everyday.

I have seven PCPs - two .22 Benjamin Marauders a (.22 pistol and a .177 rifle), two Daystate Wolverines (.22 and .25 HP), two Air Venturi Avengers (.177 and .25) and a .22 FX Royale 400.

I also have a 66 cu.ft. SCBA tank. I use a large Air Venturi 4500 HPA compressor to keep it topped off (not the Nomad II, it's only designed to fill guns, not tanks). While it only takes a matter of seconds for my SCBA tank to charge a PCP, the Nomad II takes several minutes. But still, it beats the heck out of hand pumping.
 
Upvote 0
I have the Air Venturi HPA Compressor, 4500 PSI/310 Bar, 110V. It works great.

Fast and convenient. A bit heavy, but not larger than a normal 6 gallon air compressor.
Click to expand...

"A bit heavy", you got that right. Especially, for a 1-legged man in a wheelchair - but I got it up on my work bench.

I've had a couple of HPA compressors (the Shoebox and an Omega Air Charger, both are gone, now). The Air Venturi compressor is the best one I've had, so far.
 
Upvote 0
Compressors are a tough subject, especially when you're just starting out. You don't really know if "the bug" is going to bite you or where the hobby will take you. If I could do it all over again, knowing everything that I know now, I'd jump right on the Alkin. But, if I could do it all over, without the benefit of my prior experience, I'd probably start with a Yong-Heng. So there's some prognosticating involved, which means there's risk that you'll choose poorly (for your future situation), only because you can't see the future.

I started off with a hand pump (FX - which I think cost more then, than a Y-H does now!) which I used for quite a while, but with a Disco (2000psi and a small tank) it wasn't that bad. Then I got a Condor and it seemed like I was always pumping, so I bought an AV4500 (they didn't have, or I wasn't aware of, Yong-Heng at the time). Fast forward several years and I finally bought the Alkin. I'm kinda glad I still have the handpump, especially since I like tube guns (low air capacity, so not as big a deal to pump) even though I haven't used it in quite a while, but I regret getting the AV as an intermediate step. I'm not bashing the AV - mine still works - I only regret it because if I had purchased the Alkin first, I'd have saved the price of the AV.

Whatever you think you've decided, research it here and elsewhere before buying. I like to search "xxx sucks", "xxx broke", "xxx repair" to see what problems you can find. Just because a compressor has a few complaints doesn't mean it won't work for you, but see if there are any consistent themes or problem areas that may be a concern for you.

GsT
 
Upvote 0
If you have more than one gun, you might consider not buying a tank at all. Just get an inexpensive compressor to fill the guns. The compressor will last longer just filling the guns versus tanks. When you go shooting taking two guns with you will likely yield close to 100 shots, which would be sufficient for most people. It's worked well for me.
 
Upvote 0
Compressors are a tough subject, especially when you're just starting out. You don't really know if "the bug" is going to bite you or where the hobby will take you. If I could do it all over again, knowing everything that I know now, I'd jump right on the Alkin. But, if I could do it all over, without the benefit of my prior experience, I'd probably start with a Yong-Heng. So there's some prognosticating involved, which means there's risk that you'll choose poorly (for your future situation), only because you can't see the future.

I started off with a hand pump (FX - which I think cost more then, than a Y-H does now!) which I used for quite a while, but with a Disco (2000psi and a small tank) it wasn't that bad. Then I got a Condor and it seemed like I was always pumping, so I bought an AV4500 (they didn't have, or I wasn't aware of, Yong-Heng at the time). Fast forward several years and I finally bought the Alkin. I'm kinda glad I still have the handpump, especially since I like tube guns (low air capacity, so not as big a deal to pump) even though I haven't used it in quite a while, but I regret getting the AV as an intermediate step. I'm not bashing the AV - mine still works - I only regret it because if I had purchased the Alkin first, I'd have saved the price of the AV.

Whatever you think you've decided, research it here and elsewhere before buying. I like to search "xxx sucks", "xxx broke", "xxx repair" to see what problems you can find. Just because a compressor has a few complaints doesn't mean it won't work for you, but see if there are any consistent themes or problem areas that may be a concern for you.

GsT
Click to expand...

Similar view here. I really like most everything about the Alkin. But I have an MCH6 that is more than adequate FOR ME and was purchased for much less that I could locate an Alkin for and was easier for me to physically acquire. And, my Yong Heng is STILL working just fine after 2 years with a total cost (added filters and cooling and all) of about $600. Used it last week to top off a large tank to 4500. MANY Yong Hengs have failed, however, some very quickly. Much like a discussion of what is the best scope? All relative to the individual. But great to have the options available.
 
Upvote 0
Love / hate relationship with Yong Heng.

Love that it's inexpensive and gives me all the air I want.

Hate that the parts quality is less than I'd like. Already replaced the top of the piston, and a seal on the top of the compressor because it leaked from the factory. Seems to be running great now, but I have had repairs.

Do get an extra filter (water / oil separator). The one that comes with it works, but is minimal. Nice to be able to shoot and shoot and shoot. It works, I think I just got the one with problems.
 
Upvote 0
I have been enjoying my new Omega Trail Charger quite a bit. Naturally, I haven't had it long, so I can't speak to the endurance with any authority. That said, this little 25 pound compressor filled up my 30 minute tank from 0 to 4500 PSI in just over 3 hours of fillup time. The piston runs somewhat slow, which I like, because you don't get nearly the heat and wear/tear that you would with a faster cycle. I tested the heat coming from the fan and the water temp after each 30-min duty cycle, and it never got more than lukewarm. I still followed the recommended 30 min on, 20 minute off cycle. I anticipate that I will be able to do tank refills (3000 to 4500 PSI) with about an hour of pump time, which is easily doable.

I also filled my Impact 480cc tank from 150 to 250 bar in 5 minutes flat. Assuming the Trail Charger holds up, I am a fan.

The Trail Charger is $840, but considering it comes from an American supplier and is water cooled, with some nice extras like the ability to charge from a vehicle, automatic shutoff, charging guns or tanks, etc., I think it's a pretty good value proposition.
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu