Compressor Price vs Performance

[Smok3y]

Can anyone who recently inquired about an Alkin W31 verify that they have dropped the manual model and are only offering the fully automatic model now? That just doesn't seem logical and I'm curious to know if it's fact or internet fake news. The fully automatic model with timed moisture bleed and pressure shutoff makes sense for a business which fills several tanks per day. Those features are nice but don't get used by an individual who tops off their tank weekly or less. I know that Alkin sold manual model W31s to individual shooters much more often than full auto models. At $4200 W31 unit sales will drop dramatically in 2023. Compressors are getting into Rolex pricing territory when they exceed $3,500 for an individual.

I can confirm from a recent quote for $4150 plus shipping. I asked about the removing the auto and he said it was automatic now.

“Auto shut off is standard now. it's included in the price.”

I thanked him and told him that was out of the market due to the price increases over the last year. I told him that I thought the price difference had made it a not so obvious choice any more and that most of us probably don’t want that auto feature, so it is basically just a price increase too.

Luckily, Coltri just had their sale so I am working on picking up one of those instead.

 

[Humdinger]

I can confirm from a recent quote for $4150 plus shipping. I asked about the removing the auto and he said it was automatic now.

“Auto shut off is standard now. it's included in the price.”

I thanked him and told him that was out of the market due to the price increases over the last year. I told him that I thought the price difference had made it a not so obvious choice any more and that most of us probably don’t want that auto feature, so it is basically just a price increase too.

Luckily, Coltri just had their sale so I am working on picking up one of those instead.

This isn't another price increase. The automatic model has more convenience features. However, if Alkin doesn't continue to offer the manual model at $3500 they are not helping themselves to remain the compressor of choice for air gunners seeking a quality compressor at a competitive price.

 

[Smok3y]

This isn't another price increase. The automatic model has more convenience features. However, if Alkin doesn't continue to offer the manual model at $3500 they are not helping themselves to remain the compressor of choice for air gunners seeking a quality compressor at a competitive price.

I understand what you mean, but to someone who only wants manual and isn’t willing to pay up for automatic, it is effectively a price increase. There is no lower price option from them, so I’m being asked to pay more if I really want an Alkin.

 

[GA_LeadHead]

I wonder if there is some legal, insurance, or liability reason the automatic is standard on the Alkins now? Either way, I completely understand the frustration.

 

[davecole]

A few years ago, a fellow shooter and I went in together and bought a Coltri with the Honda motor. On our hunting trips, we travel occasionally to areas where there isn’t a fill source. We also take the compressor to club matches where shooters may not have an easy or reliable way to get their tanks filled.
We have filled hundreds of tanks, sometimes a dozen back to back without a hiccup. If we ever did and it’s doubtful, have an issue, need parts or service Nuvair knows the Coltri compressors forward and backwards.
No regrets here.

 

[wolfmangreg]

I wonder if there is some legal, insurance, or liability reason the automatic is standard on the Alkins now? Either way, I completely understand the frustration.

My first thought was "lawyers"

 

[allinssd]

My first thought was "lawyers"

It's a $600 upgrade that probably costs them $10.

Force the upgrade. Pocket the money.

 

[rcs9250]

It's a great deal.

I have 4 dive shops and 2 paintball shops within 5 minutes of me, and I still won't use them because I don't want to deal with the hassle. I can't imagine even THINKING about driving 2 hours for a fill like some people. No way in hell that would happen.

Yep, I would definitely put the money into high end springers before I would do that kind of traveling for compressed air. BUT, if you definitely want a PCP you need to make a decision.

 

[oldsparky]

Talon Tunes shows the Manual Alkin for $3500. I am not saying anything against the Coltri it may be a great compressor. I hope it is we need reliable compressors to choose from. When I decided to get a PCP Sports Chalet was 5 minutes from the house and their fills were cheap. Then they went out of business. Driving across town was a real bummer. I sure feel blessed to have a compressor now!

 

[SacShooter]

Can anyone who recently inquired about an Alkin W31 verify that they have dropped the manual model and are only offering the fully automatic model now? That just doesn't seem logical and I'm curious to know if it's fact or internet fake news. The fully automatic model with timed moisture bleed and pressure shutoff makes sense for a business which fills several tanks per day. Those features are nice but don't get used by an individual who tops off their tank weekly or less. It's logical to assume Alkin sells manual model W31s to individual shooters much more often than full auto models. W31 unit sales will drop dramatically in 2023 if $4150 is theri lowest retail price. Compressors are getting into Rolex pricing territory when they exceed $3,500 for an individual.

As an Alkin Dealer. Back in early December, we got word of the change, now you have two options. First when you order the compressor you pick your fill end (we have a video on that) and your final set pressure typically 4500 for the airgun guys.

Auto Stop
You manually start the compressor, and it runs until you stop it or it hits the stop pressure setting. You manually operate the condensate drain as needed depending on the humidity in your environment. The auto stop is a Great feature for both convenience and safety by not having to physically be next to the compressor. Manually operate a condensate is not a big deal, and for most PCP are gunners, who are mostly just topping off a tank in a few minutes there's no reason for it to be an automatic feature.

Auto Stop / Auto Start, and auto condensate purging.
You start the unit and it automatically stops at the set pressure, then if the pressure drops, it will restart, and auto stop at the set pressure. This unit also operates the condensate drains at a set interval, and when it hits final pressure. The auto stop / start works well when you are filling multiple tanks back to back. Each time you switch tanks the compressor automatically kicks back on when it senses the pressure drop. This also works good for filling a tank from empty to 4500 because as a tank is pressurized from zero a lot of heat is generated in the tank. As the tank cools off, the pressure will drop below 4500. When the tank cools down the compressor will kick back on automatically top the tank back up to 4500.

I hope this info helps. I really appreciate all the feedback on the different compressors that everyone is sharing. We're also Daystate Dealers, and I landed on this thread researching the Daystate / Coltri MCH6 compressors. We realize with the Alkin price increases people are also considering other choices.

Thank you,
Roger
Air Tanks Plus

 

[Harv24]

Thats what drove my choice.

 

[Headshots]

Yep, I would definitely put the money into high end springers before I would do that kind of traveling for compressed air. BUT, if you definitely want a PCP you need to make a decision.

I have had good luck with my $180 Vevor PCP compressors . I fill my 4 pcps and my boys. I purchased a second one and added a 3 year warranty on it. USA warehouse stock , and a one year warranty from Vevor. I can't believe my first one is still working fine. Portable also with 12v battery connectors.

 

[rcs9250]

I have had good luck with my $180 Vevor PCP compressors . I fill my 4 pcps and my boys. I purchased a second one and added a 3 year warranty on it. USA warehouse stock , and a one year warranty from Vevor. I can't believe my first one is still working fine. Portable also with 12v battery connectors.
View attachment 335709View attachment 335710

You are very fortunate and definitely in the minority. So many buyers of portable compressors have many disappointments.

 

[silvershooter589]

I have had good luck with my $180 Vevor PCP compressors . I fill my 4 pcps and my boys. I purchased a second one and added a 3 year warranty on it. USA warehouse stock , and a one year warranty from Vevor. I can't believe my first one is still working fine. Portable also with 12v battery connectors.
View attachment 335709View attachment 335710

Yeah I understand some people need "major dude" compressors for filling a lot of tanks, impressive warranties and the expectation of a long life span.

But you could also buy 5 of these Vevors, or even better white-labeled models such as what BinTac is selling for around $200 which has the digital gauge etc. In theory you could buy 15 of these and wait until each one breaks, back to back, and still be cheaper than the high end gear. Does anybody think the high end gear will outlast 15 cheap compressors? It's possible!

For me I just pump guns not tanks, and even if I did get a tank I would just give my compressor a couple breaks during the fill. My Omega Trail Charger has been going strong for 2+ years and I have no reason to suspect it will fail any time soon. This was a "splurge" for me when I bought it -- could have done a CS-3 or GX-something for half the price, but I believed the Omega had some important durability improvements over those in a similar form factor. It seems to run very happily. But if it did break I would be buying a cheapo compressor just to see how long it lasts.

I also understand if spending $3k - $10k on an incredible compressor is money well spent for you. I would love to be in that position, but I'm far from it.

 

[Headshots]

You are very fortunate and definitely in the minority. So many buyers of portable compressors have many disappointments.

My first one has been used around 100 times. So even if it died I'm paying 2 bucks a fill. It never runs longer than 5-6 minutes at a time and runs cool , way under the limits. And I only fill to 3100 psi. All my pcps have lower fill pressures so I think that has helped it last as long as it has. I only purchased the second one because of the performance of the first one . Same model.

 

[rcs9250]

My first one has been used around 100 times. So even if it died I'm paying 2 bucks a fill. It never runs longer than 5-6 minutes at a time and runs cool , way under the limits. And I only fill to 3100 psi. All my pcps have lower fill pressures so I think that has helped it last as long as it has. I only purchased the second one because of the performance of the first one . Same model.

That short run time and 3100 psi might be the key to hpa portable compressors.

 

[Headshots]

That short run time and 3100 psi might be the key to hpa portable compressors.

I've only used it with the 120v house outlet. 12v is an option but haven't used it yet. It fills my Prod in under 2 minutes if I remember correct. And my largest is is 400cc . They say 500cc is max but it's probably more related to run time and heat and a max fill of 4500 psi.

 

[Humdinger]

Yeah I understand some people need "major dude" compressors for filling a lot of tanks, impressive warranties and the expectation of a long life span.

But you could also buy 5 of these Vevors, or even better white-labeled models such as what BinTac is selling for around $200 which has the digital gauge etc. In theory you could buy 15 of these and wait until each one breaks, back to back, and still be cheaper than the high end gear. Does anybody think the high end gear will outlast 15 cheap compressors? It's possible!

For me I just pump guns not tanks, and even if I did get a tank I would just give my compressor a couple breaks during the fill. My Omega Trail Charger has been going strong for 2+ years and I have no reason to suspect it will fail any time soon. This was a "splurge" for me when I bought it -- could have done a CS-3 or GX-something for half the price, but I believed the Omega had some important durability improvements over those in a similar form factor. It seems to run very happily. But if it did break I would be buying a cheapo compressor just to see how long it lasts.

I also understand if spending $3k - $10k on an incredible compressor is money well spent for you. I would love to be in that position, but I'm far from it.

This line of reasoning omits the major factor in favor of a high-end compressor. The residual value of 15 economy compressors is zero. The residual value of the compressor that costs 15 times the fast fail economy units is at minimum 50% of its original cost and often it's still worth what it cost new. I bought a 20 year old Bauer Utilus for $2500. I used it for 4 years and sold it for $2500. In hindsight, I wish I had kept it. Meanwhile, read Kaylaindy's posts on this forum. He has tested13 economy compressors and all have failed within 6 months, most of them in half that time. Cheap compressors are like asking a dog to pull an ox cart. They aren't built for the task, have short life spans and no residual value when they crap out.

Lastly, it is an exaggeration to say quality compressors cost $10,000. A quality compressor can be purchased today for $2,500 new and a savvy shopper can find used dive compressors online for under $2,000.

 

[Trucker3573]

Guess it all depends how much you like the hobby. IF I had the money right now I wouldn’t dismiss the idea of a 5k to 6k compressor that would last. Really isn’t ridiculous. I know fisherman that have 10-15 times that tied up in just their boat.

 

[Harv24]

This line of thinking omits the major factor in favor of a high end compressor. The residual value of 15 broken economy compressors is zero. The residual value of the compressor that costs 15 times the cheapos is at minimum 50% of its original cost and many times it's still worth what it cost new. I bought a 20 year old Bauer Utilus for $2500. I used it for 4 years and sold it for $2500. In hindsight, I wish I had kept it. Meanwhile, read Kaylaindy's posts on this forum. He has tested13 economy compressors and all have failed within 6 months, most of them in half that time. Cheap compressors are like asking a dog to pull an ox cart. They aren't built for the task, have short life spans and no residual value when they crap out.

Lastly, it is an exaggeration to say quality compressors cost $10,000. A quality compressor can be purchased today for $2,500 new and a savvy shopper can find used dive compressors online for under $2,000.

Exactly, I like this hobby and compared to fishing (Ice or regular) snowmobiling, 4 wheeling, dirt bikes,etc. the cost of a compressor is pale in comparrison to what other hobbies require.