Help Needed - Best Compressor

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SMH77

SMH77

Member
Oct 28, 2017
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Wisconsin, United States
Guys,

I've come into some cash and have decided to allocate a decent amount to getting an excellent compressor. I've talked to JB and am ok with the $4000-$4500 to buy either an Alkin or Bauer compressor. I wanted to ask here as well what the thoughts were on these two compressors, or whether I should be looking at some other option for the money.

Also, this is my first compressor, and I want it to be my last so what options should I have included to make this a dream setup that will always work, be easy to use, and easy to maintain?

Thanks for the help.



Sean
 
I've owned a Bauer Utilus and an Alkin. Both are excellent top of the line compressors. The better value of the two is Alkin. A W31 Alkin retails for $3100 and is heavier duty and more durable than the $4500 Bauer Junior II. The W31 is built like the Bauers that sell for over twice their price. The W31 comes with many amenities that the Bauer omits. For instance, the $4500 Junior II Bauer doesn't even come with a power cord or on off switch. The W31 comes with an hour meter, power cord, on off switch, repackable air filter cartridge, and is much heavier duty than the Junior II.

I will also say that for an air gunner, the extra cost of the auto drain and auto shutoff is not worth the extra cost. These compressors can top off a tank in 10 minutes or less without needing moisture purging until the compressor is shut down. Even if you fill a 9 liter carbon fiber tank from empty, you'd only need one manual moisture bleed for a fill from empty. The vertical Alkin W31 is the best value in a high quality air compressor for PCP owners.
 
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I've mentioned this a couple of times but my old bauer utilus is 35 years old and with basic servicing by the local bauer agents has never had a single breakdown. It happily fills bottles as if it was new. Best endorsement for their stuff I can think of!

The newer ones have all the auto off stuff you'd expect. 

I know nothing about Alkin but they seem very good too🤷‍♂️
 
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I've owned a Bauer Utilus and an Alkin. Both are excellent top of the line compressors. The better value of the two is Alkin. A W31 Alkin retails for $3100 and is heavier duty and more durable than the $4500 Junior II. The W31 is built like the Bauers that sell for over twice their price. The W31 comes with many amenities that the Bauer omits. For instance, the $4500 Junior II Bauer doesn't even come with a power cord or on off switch. The W31 comes with an hour meter, power cord, on off switch, repackable air filter cartridge, and is much heavier duty than the Junior II.

I will also say that for an air gunner, the extra cost of the auto drain and auto shutoff is not worth the extra $650. These compressors can top off a tank in 5 minutes without needing the moisture to be drained until the compressor is shut down. Even if you fill a 9 liter carbon fiber tank from empty, you'd only need one manual moisture bleed for a fill from empty. The vertical Alkin W31 is the best buy in a high quality air compressor for an airgunner.
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I did a lot of reading before investing in a higher end compressor. The above pretty much sums up why I went with the Alkin. I did get the auto drain and shutoff though as I had the vision of also picking up a cascade rig. I have not yet done that. I totally agree that the auto package is not needed if only filling scba tanks. I am nothing but impressed with my Alkin W31.
 
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I've been out of the game for a few years now and see the need to get a compressor for a future purchase or two. Things have come quite a way since I was last in the game. All these reply's for this topic are just what the doctor ordered. I used to get my air from a compressor supplied out of Texas. Bruce with Airtex I recal sold them. Got a lot of air and no issues. 220 volt. Always kept it oiled and condensate drained. It may have been a Bauer. At that time he was the front runner for PCP crowd. 
 
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I've been out of the game for a few years now and see the need to get a compressor for a future purchase or two. Things have come quite a way since I was last in the game. All these reply's for this topic are just what the doctor ordered. I used to get my air from a compressor supplied out of Texas. Bruce with Airtex I recal sold them. Got a lot of air and no issues. 220 volt. Always kept it oiled and condensate drained. It may have been a Bauer. At that time he was the front runner for PCP crowd.
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Airtex is near Dallas and sold modified Alkin compressors for decades. Alkin is no longer associated with Airtex. Alkins are now sold by several airgun dealers around the U.S. Airetex currently sells a compressor made in China that is a copy of the Bauer Junior II. Several members of this forum own the new Airtex Mini Magnum compressor and are pleased with them and the service provided by Mr. Dodson.
 
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I've been out of the game for a few years now and see the need to get a compressor for a future purchase or two. Things have come quite a way since I was last in the game. All these reply's for this topic are just what the doctor ordered. I used to get my air from a compressor supplied out of Texas. Bruce with Airtex I recal sold them. Got a lot of air and no issues. 220 volt. Always kept it oiled and condensate drained. It may have been a Bauer. At that time he was the front runner for PCP crowd.
Click to expand...

Airtex is near Dallas and sold modified Alkin compressors for decades. Alkin is no longer associated with Airtex. Alkins are now sold by several airgun dealers around the U.S. Airetex currently sells a compressor made in China that is a copy of the Bauer Junior II. Several members of this forum own the new Airtex Mini Magnum compressor and are pleased with them and the service provided by Mr. Dodson.
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So which do you think is better? The Chinese Bauer Jr. II copy, or the Alkin W31? And I mean better for airgun use, and disregarding cost.

TIA,

GsT
 
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I've been out of the game for a few years now and see the need to get a compressor for a future purchase or two. Things have come quite a way since I was last in the game. All these reply's for this topic are just what the doctor ordered. I used to get my air from a compressor supplied out of Texas. Bruce with Airtex I recal sold them. Got a lot of air and no issues. 220 volt. Always kept it oiled and condensate drained. It may have been a Bauer. At that time he was the front runner for PCP crowd.
Click to expand...

Airtex is near Dallas and sold modified Alkin compressors for decades. Alkin is no longer associated with Airtex. Alkins are now sold by several airgun dealers around the U.S. Airetex currently sells a compressor made in China that is a copy of the Bauer Junior II. Several members of this forum own the new Airtex Mini Magnum compressor and are pleased with them and the service provided by Mr. Dodson.
Click to expand...

So which do you think is better? The Chinese Bauer Jr. II copy, or the Alkin W31? And I mean better for airgun use, and disregarding cost.

TIA,

GsT
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I bought an Alkin W31 and am very pleased with its performance and value. Sonny on this forum is an Alkin dealer who I highly recommend.
 
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So a related question: I've decided and budgeted to go with the Alkin on a 220V circuit. How noisy is the compressor? Is this something I can run in my basement to fill tanks or should I really put this in my garage? Is it safe to stay in the garage when it gets really cold in the winter here in WI?



Thanks again for all the answers!



Sean
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I'd keep it in the basement. It's not as loud as a pancake compressor but it's around 85 decibels. They don't have any water to freeze inside but I wouldn't want to run it on a cold day in WI if I had the room in my basement. Mine is in a basement and I can stand near it while it runs for a 6 minute tank top off without any discomfort from the noise level.
 
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I would buy 4 yong hengs for about 1100$. Take the other 4k and use it for other productive means and purposes. 

You would have air for life! Bought 1 5 years ago and still runs phenomenally! You can buy them from Alibaba for 220$ free shipping. 

This 5k compressor stuff is so mind boggling to me... 😕😬😌
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It's personal preference. Some guys would rather five Gamos and some guys prefer one Daystate. Some people own a car, others prefer 4 mopeds. In 10 years 4 Yong Hengs will be paper weights and worth zero dollars in residual value, whereas a $3100 Alkin will be worth around $2300 with no breakdowns. The convenience of no repair worries and rapid, dependable fills has value to some, not so much to others. An Alkin provides dry air and fast fills without hooking up buckets of water and requiring after market filtration. It doesn't smell and it's not as loud as a Yong Heng. 

An Alkin is a plug and play compressor. The fact that someone might need 4 Yong Hengs over time is an admission that they don't last in the long term.
 
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I would buy 4 yong hengs for about 1100$. Take the other 4k and use it for other productive means and purposes. 

You would have air for life! Bought 1 5 years ago and still runs phenomenally! You can buy them from Alibaba for 220$ free shipping. 

This 5k compressor stuff is so mind boggling to me... 😕😬😌
Click to expand...

It's personal preference. Some guys would rather five Gamos and some guys prefer one Daystate. Some people own a car, others prefer 4 mopeds. In 10 years 4 Yong Hengs will be paper weights and worth zero dollars in residual value, whereas a $3100 Alkin will be worth around $2300 with no breakdowns. The convenience of no repair worries and rapid, dependable fills has value to some, not so much to others. An Alkin provides dry air and fast fills without hooking up buckets of water and requiring after market filtration. It doesn't smell and it's not as loud as a Yong Heng. 

An Alkin is a plug and play compressor. The fact that someone might need 4 Yong Hengs over time is an admission that they don't last in the long term.
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In my original question, I had in mind making a one time purchase to last a lifetime-which is what my objective is, so I really appreciate (and was/am looking for) the feedback on the better compressors out there (Alkin, Bauer, etc). While I appreciate the budget conscious suggestion, I could have purchased a cheaper compressor already-but want the best quality air to store in my tank and use in my (and my buddy's) guns. I also value dependability and not having to become a 'compressor expert' to keep my unit running-I just want something that reliably does what it's supposed to, when called upon, without drama. The very suggestion of buying 4 cheap units to ensure I'll be able to fill my tanks is what I'm actually wanting to avoid. Again-I appreciate the suggestion though, however at this time I have a financial opportunity to do it once, and do it 'right'. Hence my reaching out to the community to glean their experiences.

I've also smelled the air from lesser expensive compressors, as well as clean air from dive shops. I'm willing to spend what it takes to get the clean air, and so I'm sold on going the Alkin route once my funding arrives.




 
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So a related question: I've decided and budgeted to go with the Alkin on a 220V circuit. How noisy is the compressor? Is this something I can run in my basement to fill tanks or should I really put this in my garage? Is it safe to stay in the garage when it gets really cold in the winter here in WI?



Thanks again for all the answers!



Sean
Click to expand...

I'd keep it in the basement. It's not as loud as a pancake compressor but it's around 85 decibels. They don't have any water to freeze inside but I wouldn't want to run it on a cold day in WI if I had the room in my basement. Mine is in a basement and I can stand near it while it runs for a 6 minute tank top off without any discomfort from the noise level.
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Thank you. That answer helps quite a bit as it's easier for me to drop a 220V outlet down in the basement than running one out to the garage (though I'll likely do that to 'future proof' my house for the purchase of an EV later, down the road-should that choice be made by me or a future owner of the house).

My shooting slows down in the winter-though that will hopefully change this year as I'm also going to purchase a 10m rifle to return to 10m shooting in the basement. Granted, those aren't the 'air hogs' that my .25 cal and .30 cal outdoor rifles are (comparatively speaking).

Again, thanks for the great feedback!

Sean
 
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