Nomad compressor or Great White tank

[tyfo1249]

Long time looker on the forum, this is my first post.

I have a .22 FX Wildcat, and I'm looking to upgrade in some way from my small Ninja style tank. I purchased the tank at a local air gun show with the understanding that I could fill my gun 6 or 8 times off of it- I was bambousaled. The tank can be filled to 4500psi, the valve is only rated for 3000- I have never been able to fill my gun. 

I have been planning on ordering a Joe B Great White tank as soon as Utah Airguns get them in stock(should be early this week). After reading all of the reviews on the Nomad II compressor, I'm torn between the two. The idea of having a fill source at home is appealing, and the compressor costs about $200 less than the tank which is a plus(less complaining from my wife).

There are a few places near by that have no problem filling tanks to 4500psi, so that is not a major factor. The tank's 15 year shelf life is most likely going to outlast the compressor, and fill times will be much faster. From what I understand, I should be able to fill the gun 30 times from a full tank.

What direction should I go? What are the pro's and con's of both? 

Any input would be greatly appreciated! 

 

[Altair-uy]

I would get the nomad, not having to worry if you have enough air in your tank it’s a big plus. You can go wherever you want without thinking if you will have enough air. The best I think it’s a small scba with a nomad

 

[sonny]

Get both lol, a large c/f tank is great and fast but a compressor is nice too! I own a very large C/F tank (109cu/ft) and a Y/H compressor to fill it but I don,t think i get more than 15-20 (250bar) top offs on my impact (480ci) would like to get a Nomad also for quick top offs on my guns when my bottle's low and i don't feel like setting up the Y/H.

 

[Keyman62421]

All over to do!! Nomad or traveler or the airforce, don't mean to leave anyone out!

We don't know about dependability yet.

Of course, we're dealing with Hp Air and dependability is always an unknown.

 

[Guest]

Get your tank directly from Joe. It will be shipped before you put the phone down.

 

[parallax]

Hi tyfo. The output pressure of the Nija CF bottles can be increased with additional shims (or thinker shims). As you mention, you still won't get 6-8 fills out of a bottle but at least you will get a few full fills. I find that to be enough air for a trip to the range. Hope this helps.

 

[STO]

How about a new full head for your ninja tank and the compressor? Should cost about what a great white will cost, and you'll get fast fills+"unlimited air"

If you get 30 fills off a great white, and my napkin math is right, that means you'll get about three and a half tins of pellets per tank fill. Something to consider as you factor in time and cost. 

 

[mantech30]

The smaller compressors have too small of a filter (IMO). Joe B's Alpha filter is $400. Dive shops have clean dry air. Google water damaged air guns to see the internals. I opened the filter of my Traveler and ALOT of water came out. Just my 2 cents.

 

[chasdicapua]

Since you have a reliable source of 4,500 psi air near by, I would get the tank. These small compressors just work so hard. I'm pretty sure their life will be quite short. Nothing to break of fix with the tank. 

Chas

 

[cosmic]

Compressor no doubt about it ! You can fill the tank you have anywhere you go...

 

[Airgun Advisor]

Tank

 

[mcoulter]

Get your tank directly from Joe. It will be shipped before you put the phone down.

^^^^ THIS ^^^^

I have the smaller tigershark and it's been great. I too have a couple of shops that can fill, but trust me, unless they are on your way in your usual routes, after a year or two of filling your tank elsewhere it DOES get old.

I put out a wanted to buy ad and picked up a used shoebox f10 and have not looked back. The Yong Hengs and similar cheap compressors put a lot of downward pressure on the shoebox and IMHO you can't beat the shoebox value now. With a 150 psi 6-gallon compressor feeding it (output pressure set at 120 psi), I can top off my Tigershark from 220 bar to 310 bar in about 80 minutes.

 

[sonny]

probably the best advice^^^^^

 

[tyfo1249]

Thank you for all of the different points of view! I think i am going to go with the tank for now, and possibly add a compressor of some kind down the road. 

I was not aware that the valve of my small tank could be changed to a 4500psi output. What is required to make the change?

 

[pmg]

I picked up my 100cf tank from Jim at Precision Airguns, I think they’re in Michigan. Partly because it’s closer to me and he offered cash discounts. Super guy to do business with and did I say I loved the cash discount. I didn’t care if he had to wait for a check to clear. It was a omega branded tank with a real nice hose. The compressor will come with time. 

 

[Humdinger]

Another vote for the Joe B. tank. If you have a fill source nearby the tank is a much better investment. In a year or two you'll be seeing lots of stories about Nomad's breaking down. A Great White will provide your Wildcat with more than 30 fills, more like 45. Plus, if your time means anything to you, sitting around for 5-10 minutes while your Nomad is pumping will get old. It's a step up for guys used to hand pumping but a tank is the better way to go. In a few years you can then buy a decent compressor and fill your Great White yourself.

 

[JoeKool]

I have had the Nomad 2 compressor for 3 weeks now. It works very well. If it lasts for 3 years and then craps out and dies, I would order another one again for another 3 years of airgun filling convenience. There are absolutely no bottle filling facilities in my area. So, a $600 compressor that works is perfect versus the combined cost of carbon fiber bottles required fittings and a $1,300 or higher compressor. I saved in comparison and would still be saving if I replaced the unit full cost a unknown amount of years later. Hand pumped for 3 years exclusively.(Hill MK4) Couldn’t be more satisfied with the Nomad 2. With the Nomad 2 I can fill my airguns any where there is a 110 volt outlet and wherever I am in my truck, atv, tractor, or heck even my lawn mower many times over. Many things are always said about this and that. In the end I pick what is most logical, convenient, and cost effective for me. Waited a year for the Nomad 2 to finally be in stock at Pyramid Air and it is now. I have my unit and I’m extremely pleased.

 

[Bob_O]

Nice post Joe.

 

[SvilenP]

+1

 

[sonny]

The air you get from a dive shop is filtered/dry and if you get a large enough bottle it will save you money in the end you can always get a compressor later on.