Taking the plunge into PCP

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dustinwatkins186

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May 26, 2025
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So after a while of wanting to get into PCP I am going to take the plunge with a Umarex Notos. I am still not sure on scope, rings, and if I will go with a tank or compressor from Amazon. I am leaning towards a tank. What do you guys recommend for scope, rings, and tank set up? I am balling on a budget for this so let’s keep it cheap lol.
if possible please provide a link to them.
Thank you,
Dustin
 
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lots of people will say that you have to get after market magazine.. might have been true for them but I had 4 good working factory magazine.. no problem with them..
I'd look at the GX compressor line..
if you are not minding hand pump then you could look at that but I wouldn't myself use a hand pump,I'd get a spring gun before I'd hand pump, but I am older and disabled so it might just be me..
the notos is a good little carbine if that's what you are looking for..
don't bother with the factory open sights unless you are going to use it as a pistol only..
Mark
 
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markhooper said:
lots of people will say that you have to get after market magazine.. might have been true for them but I had 4 good working factory magazine.. no problem with them..
I'd look at the GX compressor line..
if you are not minding hand pump then you could look at that but I wouldn't myself use a hand pump,I'd get a spring gun before I'd hand pump, but I am older and disabled so it might just be me..
the notos is a good little carbine if that's what you are looking for..
don't bother with the factory open sights unless you are going to use it as a pistol only..
Mark
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I will try out a GX on it and I agree on not hand pumping.
 
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centerpoint 1-4x lpvo circle dot reticle.
IMG_9610.jpeg
 
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The issue about rings is "how high". I like a low scope but I think you have to be high enough to clear the magazine on a Notos. If you have "free" rings that came with other guns or scopes I would try them to at least get a better idea what height you need. If you do not have any, you might want to order rings in several heights from Amazon and return the ones that do not work. I do not buy expensive rings, the "cheap" ones work fine for me. They are lined with a plastic tape so the minor lack of alignment that is typical for inexpensive rings does not damage the scope because the plastic tape gives.

For a scope the least expensive I have good luck with is a Hawke Vantage. Mine is a 2-7 but for target work I would get at least the 3x9. Hawke is one of a few manufacturers known for good warranty performance if you happen to get a "bad one". Athlon is another as is Arken. I had a Bug Buster and when it broke UTG ran away and hid. They gave me a return number and then totally would not communicate. So no more UTGs for me. Athlon was totally responsive on one of their scope immediately sending me a new one. No questions asked.

The issue you may have with less expensive tanks from Amazon or similar sources is getting somebody to fill them. They are rated to European standards but not typically to DOE standards. I think the DOE standards are stupid but people who could fill your tank will be violating US law if they do. They are fine if you have your own compressor but a tank plus compressor to fill it is probably more than you want to spend. A DOE certified tank will be more than a compresssor.

If you do not want to hand pump (and for a Notos a hand pump seems like a totally doable option, even if you later get a compressor the hand pump is a usefull backup) I would get a GX CS2. If you order it from GX with their discount coupon it will be about $250 delivered. Amazon is more but they offer an extended warranty and should be trouble free relative to tarriffs. I have not heard of issues with GX but it seems more possible. The GX3 is not a lot more if you like it's features better. These little compressors really use 12V power but come with a 120 to 12 volt transformer. And you can power them from your vehicle.
 
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You will need high rings to clear the magazine. (Amazon) You will want to get after-market magazines. I have a Weaver 3-9X on mine and it works fine. Not a fan of RedDots. Until you get into high end +$400, they are a red blob, not red dot and most of the dots are 3-6 MOA. A cheap compressor will double your investment.
 
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JimD said:
The issue about rings is "how high". I like a low scope but I think you have to be high enough to clear the magazine on a Notos. If you have "free" rings that came with other guns or scopes I would try them to at least get a better idea what height you need. If you do not have any, you might want to order rings in several heights from Amazon and return the ones that do not work. I do not buy expensive rings, the "cheap" ones work fine for me. They are lined with a plastic tape so the minor lack of alignment that is typical for inexpensive rings does not damage the scope because the plastic tape gives.

For a scope the least expensive I have good luck with is a Hawke Vantage. Mine is a 2-7 but for target work I would get at least the 3x9. Hawke is one of a few manufacturers known for good warranty performance if you happen to get a "bad one". Athlon is another as is Arken. I had a Bug Buster and when it broke UTG ran away and hid. They gave me a return number and then totally would not communicate. So no more UTGs for me. Athlon was totally responsive on one of their scope immediately sending me a new one. No questions asked.

The issue you may have with less expensive tanks from Amazon or similar sources is getting somebody to fill them. They are rated to European standards but not typically to DOE standards. I think the DOE standards are stupid but people who could fill your tank will be violating US law if they do. They are fine if you have your own compressor but a tank plus compressor to fill it is probably more than you want to spend. A DOE certified tank will be more than a compresssor.

If you do not want to hand pump (and for a Notos a hand pump seems like a totally doable option, even if you later get a compressor the hand pump is a usefull backup) I would get a GX CS2. If you order it from GX with their discount coupon it will be about $250 delivered. Amazon is more but they offer an extended warranty and should be trouble free relative to tarriffs. I have not heard of issues with GX but it seems more possible. The GX3 is not a lot more if you like it's features better. These little compressors really use 12V power but come with a 120 to 12 volt transformer. And you can power them from your vehicle.
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Great advice. I’d add to it with a recent experience where UTG (Jesse T.) responded quickly, kindly, and generously honored their warranty. They surely corrected that dept!
 
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dustinwatkins186 said:
So after a while of wanting to get into PCP I am going to take the plunge with a Umarex Notos. I am still not sure on scope, rings, and if I will go with a tank or compressor from Amazon. I am leaning towards a tank. What do you guys recommend for scope, rings, and tank set up? I am balling on a budget for this so let’s keep it cheap lol.
if possible please provide a link to them.
Thank you,
Dustin
Click to expand...
tank - and a good dive shop. cheap compressors can be a money pit with little support.
 
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