What compressor is the best?

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airgunner343

Member
Dec 3, 2018
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CA, United States
Hello, 

Fellow Air Gunners,

Having air guns is a lot of fun, but filling the gun is a hassle. Having a small high-pressure home compressor is very convenient to have to fill your 4500psi tanks. I am thinking of buying a small high-pressure compressor, but with so many options nowadays I'm not sure what to get. I'm trying to get some ideas pros and cons between some of the popular choices out there such as the Omega, Air Venturi, Daystate, Airforce, Hatsan, Shoe Box Etc: For those of you that have one of the following compressors what has been your experience with it. Pros and cons would be very helpful.

Thanks,

airgunner343
 
Pretty much comes down to your budget. If you are just filling you own tanks probably anything will work. If you are shooting a lot or have friends then you should invest more. Time is a factor? Again spend more. I personally didn't want to be dealing with water cooling and I wanted a reasonable fill time. The 110 daystate was a compromise for me. Problem with all of this stuff is there is no way to make a side to side comparison. Had I been able to perhaps I would have spent more perhaps less.
 
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Did you see this?

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/compressor-survey-results/

Like what @Cherokee140 said, "best" is totally dependent on your needs and usage. I wanted the survey to highlight these details and NOT to pick a "winner".

  • What people bought
  • How they used it
  • How MUCH they used it
  • If they had any problems with it
  • And if they would recommend it to other airgunners

About midway through doing the survey I decided to get a shoebox too. I don't shoot that much and am more of a "slow and steady wins the race" kind of guy! 

:)
 
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At least a Bauer JR2 if money wasn't any issue, or a Coltri MCH6 followed by the Daystate which is an economy version of the Coltri.

This is my definition of the "BEST".

PROS- BULLETPROOF TROUBLE FREE OPERATION, CLEAN BREATHABLE QUALITY AIR for the first 2 mentioned.

CONS- EXPENSIVE but its a one time investment.

If it is of Chinese origin then please be sure you try to either get it at the cheapest possible price or buy it from a dealer who will stand by it 110%. NOT A TYPO...110%

Please do your research carefully before spending your hard earned money...


CA

'
 
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Thank you Air Gunners for your replies. I'm new to Air Gun Nation, and I'm sure I will be asking a lot of questions on topics already been posted in the past. Thanks for the quick links on previous post that's very helpful. 

But, I want to make a one time purchase for a top quality compressor. My theory is this. Buy once, cry once, but be happy at the end. When I say the best, I mean top quality, easy maintenance, and durability for years to come. No made in China junk. There are so many good choices, don't know where to start.

Thanks,

airgunner343
 
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@airgunner343, you answered a big question there! 

It seems like the next questions you have to ask yourself are (1) how much air do you go through now and how much will that change during the expected life-expectancy of the compressor and (2) how much of a hurry are you in when you need to top off your tank(s)?

For me I was getting my tank topped off once every two months or so. I don't shoot as much as I would like, and I don't see that changing for the next few years. I also didn't see the need for "quick" fills being a big issue. In my mind, fast fills = more $$, more heat, and more wear.
 
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There's never a single answer to this type question that fits everyone. Bauer is great with wide usage and a long reliability history, but is probably overkill for an air gun situation. Bauer certainly would have excellent resale across both airgun and dive communities as well but budget is usually a major factor for most people. I bought a Tuxing that worked well for nearly a year (dead now) then a Yong Heng as backup and it is still in use. Less than $600 and still compressing air. But I do plan to buy a dive quality compressor in the future, probably something like the Coltri and probably from Nuvair directly but maybe a Daystate version from an air gun vendor. Research and then research some more and make your own decision.
 
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Well, the question the OP asked was “what compressor is the best”? Not which is best for the money, or best under $2000, or best under $1000. But, which is the BEST? And that’s commonly accepted as Bauer. Many 30 year old Bauers still working and filling 310 bar tanks. Coltri is another very good brand. Just my two cents. 
 
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Well, the question the OP asked was “what compressor is the best”? Not which is best for the money, or best under $2000, or best under $1000. But, which is the BEST? And that’s commonly accepted as Bauer. Many 30 year old Bauers still working and filling 310 bar tanks. Coltri is another very good brand. Just my two cents.
Click to expand...

If I buy a compressor those will be my two choices
 
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I bought an

Omega Turbo Charger 4500psi Compressor

two years ago. I probably shouldn't have. Nothing that I can tell wrong with the machine, I just don't use it as much as I thought I would. I filled my 4500 Omega tank right when I bought it. No problems, cool. A year later (I know, I should shoot more) I used it again. I had to get a very fine fellow on the phone who talked me through some replacement issues (a little cork-like pieces). Got it going and filled that tank again. 

Now, I'm going to use it again in a few days. I'm hoping all goes well, I don't even have 3 hours on it. If I have to go through replacing stuff again (because of my lack of use), I'll probably regret not knowing that I'm not compressor material.

It was a hassle though going 80 miles round trip to a dive shop. I had to leave the tank with them (Lexington, KY) and pick up on a different trip. So, it was like a 2-day and 160 mile process to get my 4500 tank filled. 

I've been intrigued by some of these $400 machines, I might have gone with one if I had been a more knowledgeable consumer two years ago. 


 
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Steve Shalley (spelling?), from the AEAC air gun channel, had a video review of the Omega Turbocharger some time back and seemed to be impressed with it. Can search it on youtube. I really like the small simple layout and features on that Omega unit. I've heard people refer to them as "motorized hand pumps" but if they work well then they work well. Would love to have more information on lifespan/rebuild times/rebuild cost for the Omega unit. They seem small, quiet, and capable but how long would one last in comparison to a Daystate or a dive compressor?

I just did some more reading on the Nuvair site. It lists their smaller "compact" compressor (Coltri MC6H), that has been claimed elsewhere to be similar in cost to the Daystate compressor, as providing Grade E breathing air. I have not called them to get pricing but may do that this week. Seems that Grade E is for SCUBA and can have a higher moisture content than Grade D which is adequate for SCBA in cold climates with less moisture to prevent possible freezing. If I have that wrong, someone can please correct. Seems for air guns the driest air would be the best to minimize possible corrosion so Grade D would seem to be desired but is it absolutely necessary? Certainly agree that there are lots of opinions and lots of options for compressors these days.
 
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Steve Shalley (spelling?), from the AEAC air gun channel, had a video review of the Omega Turbocharger some time back and seemed to be impressed with it. Can search it on youtube. I really like the small simple layout and features on that Omega unit. I've heard people refer to them as "motorized hand pumps" but if they work well then they work well. Would love to have more information on lifespan/rebuild times/rebuild cost for the Omega unit. They seem small, quiet, and capable but how long would one last in comparison to a Daystate or a dive compressor?

I just did some more reading on the Nuvair site. It lists their smaller "compact" compressor (Coltri MC6H), that has been claimed elsewhere to be similar in cost to the Daystate compressor, as providing Grade E breathing air. I have not called them to get pricing but may do that this week. Seems that Grade E is for SCUBA and can have a higher moisture content than Grade D which is adequate for SCBA in cold climates with less moisture to prevent possible freezing. If I have that wrong, someone can please correct. Seems for air guns the driest air would be the best to minimize possible corrosion so Grade D would seem to be desired but is it absolutely necessary? Certainly agree that there are lots of opinions and lots of options for compressors these days.
Click to expand...

EDITED Sorry mistyped price---

The Coltri MCH6 you seek cost around $3500.

If you live in Kansas or close then there is a really good deal on a used gas powered one on Ebay but it needs some parts to be complete.

I have NEVER EVER seen one selling for this cheap! You see them for around $2500-$2800 or so used.

$1250 buy it now or bid on it. I suggest having someone who lives close to the seller in Stillwell Kansas to check it out for you to be sure it is working before bidding.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Coltri-MCH-6-breathing-air-compressor-Gas-powered-portable-3-4-cfm/382657470048?hash=item5918299e60:g:Ux8AAOSwhrpb~JOr:rk:3:pf:0

Paypal with a credit card are your friends!

Good Luck.

CA
 
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