Naradi Atlantic vs. Bauer Jr 2

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chasdicapua

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Jun 3, 2015
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Massachusetts, United States
I currently have a Shoebox F-10 which is fine. Actually it's more than fine. Not a single problem in over 2 years of use. I have one set of replacement rings, but after that, I'm up the creek, now that Shoebox has shut down operations. So, I'm thinking of going for the best, because.... why not?

I did a search, but only found one post on the Nardi Atlantic. Can anyone comment on how it stands up to the Bauer Jr 2? The Bauer is about $600 more. I'm wondering about the performance/reliability aspect of how these two compare. 

Thanks in advance,

Chas
 
I was going to buy a Bauer. I didn't obviously.

But between your choices that Nardi doesn't stand up to a Bauer.

In researching compressors, I actually became a Alkin Marketing Rep w/ Dealer privileges. I'm supposed to try and connect you guys with your nearest Dealer. 
Alkin is used by The US Navy. So these smaller compressors aren't their best ones by far.

Your comment of "The Best." I'm not trying to sell any compressor & I have NO affiliation with Arctic.

There's a new "Best" on the block. Made in USA. Look up Arctic Compressors. Their 4 stage fully milled block is $9K alone. They're in direct competition with Bauer. The things are a work of art. 
I'm more than happy with my Alkin. No way I was going to spend 5-7K for a 3 stage or even a 4 stage. August Industries has things like rebuilt Bauer Oceanus for $7K. A normally $11K+ compressor.

I'm not a Dive Shop or FT club but I wanted something that would outlive me, & be passed to my 3 boys & 6 girls. Hopefully one or more love to shoot groups & plink like I do.

Theirs: https://www.arcticcompressor.com/

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Mine: https://alkinus.com/high-pressure

Starting at $3100.00 + shipping, it's not easy to sell these at all. 
Go for the Bauer out of your 2 choices. 

Northshore, Nuvair, August Industries, Ralston for HPA fittings. I'm still waiting for someone to send me a correct fitting. Been ah? Over 6 months now. Yet I gave them positive feedback. I really would like to be able to tell the truth instead of fearing reprisal of paying advertisers.

When it comes to other HPA equipment, fittings & whips. I use Jimmy King here on AGN. He gets it right the 1st time & doesn't try to upsale you anything you don't need. 

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The Arctic seems to be 3 stage according to their website and for 6k more than the Alkin, you could buy 3 of them. I doubt highly they are that much better. They sure are nice though!!!!
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I fully agree with you Sir.

My Alkin is good enough for me and it provides E-quality breathing air.

Something like the Arctic are for extremely important applications. Especially if contamination of ANY kind could ruin or be catastrophic in chemical industrial applications.

But then again some guys HAVE to buy the absolute best. I don't begrudge them if they can afford Tangent Thea, March, Beaumonts & gorgeous Thomas BR rifles. I myself will splurge on Lilja barrels for certain things.

Though I know my tethered or regulated entry to mid, to high end guns can hang with the best. I can't. I need a mechanical rest yet. Lol
 
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The Arctic seems to be 3 stage according to their website and for 6k more than the Alkin, you could buy 3 of them. I doubt highly they are that much better. They sure are nice though!!!!
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Let me clarify. I posted a picture of a 3 stage Arctic.

I just happen to know that their 4 stage stripped fully milled block, alone, costs $9K. That's a milled block of high grade steel. Not a full working compressor.

I would estimate that the Arctic 3 stage shown is somewhere between $8-$10K.

If my Alkin is designed for Dive Shops, shooting clubs, paintball fields. 100% cycle duty. That means I can run it for 10 hours straight filling a bank of the big welding type size SCBA's. 200-437 cubic foot 4500psi ones. Or 6Kpsi ones with a bigger Alkin. Though the W32E only goes to 5Kpsi.

Yeah, so I don't really need something this big but it sure makes topping off my SCBA quick and trouble free. 
Hey I had a Shoebox. Had a used Dive shop compressor. I was told it just needed fresh oil. BS. I had to sell it to a guy that could actually fix it. Granted it's still working to this day and it was old 10 years ago. 
I wanted something that wouldn't break down or need anything but oil change every 100 hours or once a year, and filter every 500 or once a year.

I'm due for a new filter. I can repack this type with dessicant & aquarium grade activated charcoal in under 10 minutes. I didn't want to have to pay $200 every time I need a new tower filter. 
 
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I own the Nardi Atlantic 100. I've used it for ~5 years -- never a hitch. I've did have to replace a wire on the on/off switch once.

As to how the Nardi compares to the Bauer -- I don't make comments on products that I have no experience with.
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https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/how-much-is-peace-of-mind-confidence-worth/
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In consideration of the Gentleman's comment, I agree.

Once you get past the little junk compressors, most any of the bigger ones that are doing 3.5-4.7cfm aren't going to give you many, if any problems topping off a 88cf 1 hour SCBA. Or a true 100cf Omega. 
So buy what you can afford.

The only thing I stress is proper filters. In-line or towers, oil/water separator type. It's kind of redundant to own airguns that we cherish & not fill them with air we know could cause problems in the long run.

So no offense meant to the Gentleman. 
I gave an unbiased opinion on what I've learned about compressors. 
If I had the money, I would choose a Bauer over OP's original question. 
If I had more money than I do I probably would have just bought a Bauer on hearing everybody say they're the best. 
My post was to just point out an excellent Made in USA new kid on the block. One heck of a fully milled block. My Alkin's is not a milled block. They're cast in house in Turkey. Not a Coltri.

Funny that my compressor is Turkish, and my neighbor to the NE is $86 billionaire Fethulla Gulan. Also from Turkey. Too bad we're not even acquainted. Maybe he'd have loaned me money for the 4 stage Arctic. Lol. 

Sorry if I offended anyone. It's JMHO, a Bauer is a better compressor. Better built. Doesn't mean anyone's Atlantic is gonna break down.
 
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@JamesD:

"I'm due for a new filter. I can repack this type with dessicant & aquarium grade activated charcoal in under 10 minutes. I didn't want to have to pay $200 every time I need a new tower filter."

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I feel ya brother! I would never spend more than $30 every 2 years to replace the tower filter inserts.
 
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I currently have a Shoebox F-10 which is fine. Actually it's more than fine. Not a single problem in over 2 years of use. I have one set of replacement rings, but after that, I'm up the creek, now that Shoebox has shut down operations. So, I'm thinking of going for the best, because.... why not?

I did a search, but only found one post on the Nardi Atlantic. Can anyone comment on how it stands up to the Bauer Jr 2? The Bauer is about $600 more. I'm wondering about the performance/reliability aspect of how these two compare. 

Thanks in advance,

Chas
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I just reread your post.

Just because Shoebox shut down doesn't mean you can't get the right seals/O-rings for it. In fact you can get better ones. 
Look up The O-ring Store. 
Thanks to Trinity I now know what better ones will suit my Condor breech.

https://www.theoringstore.com/store/
 
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No idea about the Nardi, but I have a Bauer Utilus 10 that's was built in West Germany in 1985 (1 year younger than I am 😂) and is going strong with little more than standard regular services. The only thing I had to do was replace a cracked seal on one of the bleed valve. Mine started life as gas powered unit but I had it converted it to electric for the ability to run it indoors and with less noise, as well as needing a less expensive P21 filter type. 

Short answer is Bauers are virtually immortal and I can fully vouch for them 😆
 
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I scoured Craislist for Miami which anyone can reach from their local Craigslist website until I found a used Bauer Utilus for $2500. It was sold by a Bauer guru named Carlos Kuster who refurbishes them to like new. The Utilus was 20 years old when I got it and ran perfectly for the 3 years that I owned it. I sold it to a paintball field locally and they have used it to fill a bank of large 444cf tanks for the last 3 years with only having to do oil and filter changes since purchasing it. A well cared for used Bauer can come up for sale at times for less than a new lesser quality compressor. 

A few months ago I bought a new Alkin W31 and I must admit that the build quality and standard features impress me more than the Bauer. This compressor is a beast and built like an Abrams tank. It tops off a 75cf carbon fiber tank in 5 minutes without any effort. At $3100 retail from any Alkin dealer vs. $3799 for a Nardi from Pyramyd, the Alkin is a much heavier duty compressor and a better buy. Every component on an Alkin W31 is heavy duty and built to run all day long. The Nardi is decent but runs at 3X the rpms and is a toy compressor compared to either an Alkin or a Bauer. The Nardi is comparable to a Coltri MCH-6 rather than a Bauer or an Alkin. You can buy a new Coltri MCH-6 for around $2700 which is a much better value than the Nardi at $3799.
 
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I've been in paintball for 20 years and have been around countless compressors. From 50k setups servicing 1000 of players over National tournament series to home fields serving hundreds of players to the Junior IIs design for small yachts and personal use.

Bauers are by far the leader in performance and reliability. 

The Junior II is the best in class, period!
 
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