Which is the Best Airgun Compressor: Four Portable Airgun Compressors

[@airgunner8462]

Thanks for the info Jim. I've been looking at compressors and they all seem the same. Yesterday a gas powered Coltri came on the market in my town for $1,000. Great price, if I had a grand to spend. $500 is my limit.

[@nolanhull312]

A lot of different questions I have had were answered in this video. Thank you!

[@Raffaz2006]

Just bought a wulf and its spot on. I carry an old car battery in the boot of the car and it fills up my ghost with no issues :)

[@slayerarrow]

I had a shoebox and a Nomad. I bought a 110 Daystate and it is amazing . Plugs into any 20 amp outlet and fills larger bottles quickly . Obviously not as portable to travel but easy to bring to my local range

[@americanairgunhunter]

I use the Omega for charging my tanks, and it's great to have a full size/power compressor on hand. But it takes a certain amount of shooting to justify, and a willingness/ability to lay down a fair chunk of change. The Daystate unit look like a great rig from what I've read about it.

[@JC-lf8pr]

Thanks for the great video. I have two PCP's and do a lot of target shooting and hunting with my rifles. Of course I have a hand pump and that works if I need it or want to aggravate my rotator cuff and finally get that surgery they recommend. I just got tired of filling my small paintball tank at the dive shop for $15 every month, oh yea plus the hassle. I have owned the GX Pump Model CS3-I now for a year and although the Nomad has solid reports I just could not justify twice the price. I can tell you that this compressor at $449 is the best bang for the buck. I love it. Simple to use , both AC/DC and has it's own oil/water filter internally. I also added an additional inline filter because of some reports on KZbin about moisture with all the portable PCP compressors. I bought the three year warranty on Amazon but I believe I probably wasted my money because this little compressor just works like a champ and keeps on ticking.

[@reedsilvesan2197]

Walmart is selling hpa pumps, cheaper than most other companies, however they don't have a very good extended warranty. Amazon is about 15% higher, but you can get a 4 year extended warranty for $44. Your choice. Good review, thanks.

[@airgunfun4248]

Great info Jim. I really appreciate and rely on your videos for helping to understand the PCP world when I was new. And now to make decisions as I consider purchases. These smaller compressors are something I've been thinkin about. Thanks

[@americanairgunhunter]

Thank you, good to see your going deeper into the sport

[@airgunfun4248]

@@americanairgunhunter I have been bit by the bug as they say. I went to a gun show last weekend and had a table. I sold an avenger I had and some accessories. The part I really liked was educating people on airguns. Most the people I talked to were only familiar with firearms. I've been working with a newer slug producer called Lead Fist. Really cool stuff. He specializes in His steel ball bearing tipped hollow point hunting slugs. He also has a hybrid he calls a pell-ug. I mentioned you as one of the best hunting channels. He said he would be willing to send you some samples. If you're interested google lead fist slugs the number is on the website. The man's name is Eric. I have had awesome results in clear gel and a ''meat target'' I constructed. Have a great day Jim!

[@patthewoodboy]

a Wulf compressor turned up at my range , its for sale @ £150 , hardly used and less than a year old .. its mine 🙂

[@Donatello40973]

My little blue VEVOR has never failed me , and I fill up the big bores , the Umarex Hammer.510 , Air Force Texan LSS.510 , the AEA Element Max.510 , and the AEA Challenger.357 . Not gonna lie , it takes a long time to fill that Hammer . I am gonna by either the ROV - AIR or the NOMAD soon though , just in case .

[@wu2u]

Question: I have a Benjamin Recharge and wondered what your advice is for what is best mechanically for this compressor's operating life......is it better to use repeatedly many timegs filling guns directly, albeit for less than a couple minutes, or filling a bottle much less often, but running for 15-20 minutes straight? just want to do what would be best for longevity of the unit.

[@BombsAwayMineCraft]

I only have a small compressor, and love it. Wouldn't mind getting a tank though so I don't have to wait the few minutes between fills

[@Briangutierrez21]

Man I love your videos. Watch out I’m gonna make some soon and just know you’re my inspiration! Even going to one of the Texas ranches you hunt which is 1.5 hours away from my hometown and record an air rifle hunt too 👍

[@americanairgunhunter]

Good luck and have fun with it!

[@thirdworldadv1312]

Thanks Mr Chapman. I just got my fx impact in .35. I'm on a third world budget so I got a hand pump for now. Have to make up my mind on a carbon fiber bottle or a small compressor. It's an hour round trip to fill the bottle and that's if the fire chief is at the station (rural Belize). I think a portable compressor might be the way to go?

[@americanairgunhunter]

Could well be a solution for you, and cost less than a CF tank, especially if you factor in travel costs!

[@quesadillathrilla7132]

Good job!

[@bltefft]

My ToAuto PCP compressor arrived yesterday. My Nomad finally died so I figured I'd try this for about 1/2 the price of a new Nomad. I used it today to air my Wolverine HP from 200 bar to 250. I took it a while to finally exceed 200 bar, but once it did, it aired the gun on up. I had set the pressure gauge to shut it down at 250 bar and it was dead on. Never got above 36.7 degrees, I'm not sure if it is better than the Nomad, when the Nomad was new, but it sure beats the heck out of a hand pump

[@MrMann703]

The Toauto A3 I ordered arrived today and I'm looking forward to setting it up, hopefully tomorrow, I got the conversion kit for the original airjavelin and my new airjavelin pro arrives in a few days. Wanted the year round reliability that hpa provides that CO2 doesn't so with how much I like to shoot a compressor was a must. Cost of things in Canada is way higher than the states so a guy has to be thrifty and toauto had amazing reviews so I took a chance with them

[@Tofazfou]

Awesome video JC. I for sure learned something great about portable compressors. I don't own one but i've been giving it some thought over the years. THIS VIDEO gave me much clearer insight

[@americanairgunhunter]

Thanks, appreciate that coming from you. I really like your instructional materials and revviews.

[@micho_sandoval]

I am also a content creator and I have worked with a hand pump and it is fine, but I have already brought many pcp to the channel and now I do need a compressor, so now I am looking for one and which one do you recommend?

[@americanairgunhunter]

They have all worked well for me, but the Nomad II has been my workhorse. I like the Hatsan Spark for the small size, it's my air travel pick. Good luck with the channel, I stopped by for a look....... besides the airgunning stuff, it will help me practice my Spanish as well!

[@stevengoodman3498]

Great video Jim. No hand pumping for me either! I'm too old for that, lol. I've got the Autoins 4500 psi 12v and 110v powered. I've only filled my Avenger about 6 times, but so far so good! It was $350 for it off Amazon. Good hunting Jim!

[@americanairgunhunter]

I've paid my dues with the hand pumps over the years..... that's not a thing for me anymore, though I do keep a couple in my gear room for the sake of nostalgia :)

[@cheapairgunner1966]

Another point I’d make, I have two fill bottles I use. One is regulated to 200 bar output. If I’m out with my 250 bar Hatsan Bully but have accidentally only brought my 200 bar regulated tank, I know I can get a full fill from my portable compressor. Takes awhile but the options there.

[@americanairgunhunter]

I agree. I mentioned my use cases for portable compressors, 1) as a backup and 2) to top off my tanks when the pressure drops lower than the fill pressure of my guns. I think this would be especially the case for those shooters using tanks, that don't have their own compressor for refilling them. It will space how frequently you have to go for a refill.

[@jerrypruett8870]

SemperFi! Always!

[@americanairgunhunter]

Hi Jerry, thanks for stopping by!

[@BlueOxTrail]

Awesome content right there! Thanks Jim. Wish you would have talked about the outlet air filters and any signs of moisture. Moisture and inlet dust/dirt control and concerns.

[@americanairgunhunter]

That’s a good suggestion. When I shot this footage I was on a hunting trip, and the content came off as an unscripted stream of consciousness, I left a few things out, will probably revisit the subject and look at tanks, handpumps, all style of compressors, and do a deep dive on all. Or might do it as an article. Thanks for the feedback!

[@airshootist]

I bought the $250 Amazon special (Hatsan Spark clone) and so far (over a year) it has been great! I also got the 4 year add-on warranty... just in case. Video on that on my channel. When it blows up, Amazon will be sending over a new one! :)

[@americanairgunhunter]

I think buying an extended warranty is not a bad idea, especially if you don’t have a retailer like Pyramyd air or Utah airguns standing behind it. I’ll stop by for a look at your video. You’re welcome put up a link to your video here if you’d like

[@airshootist]

@@americanairgunhunter Thanks for your reply. I think peace of mind from the warranty is pretty comforting, knowing it's their problem not mine. 😎 My video is 10 minutes, and I give a lot of info on it. It's the exact same thing as your Hatsan, probably made in the same factory, for half the cost, and it came with a 110v so I can use it on 12v (car) or 110v at home. kzbin.info/www/bejne/inbbfmd4p5ycZq8

[@filoIII]

I'm a springer guy thinking about PCPs. The added costs for refilling options is prohibitive. Air tank and compressor is gonna run $1k, + the price of the gun. $1500?????? ty

[@58landman]

Since you first published this vid have you changed your mind about which compressor is the better and more reliable?

[@Ryanhudgins]

do you leave engine running when using dc pumps

[@michaelb.42112]

I look forward to seeing this from Jim, the man !

[@silverandblackentertainment]

The air marksman…. About how long would it take to fill a AEA hp max pistol?

[@Jasonnuneaton]

Im from the uk would anyone say the wulf compressor are any good ?

[@edwardhopf2654]

I have the nomad 2. I have a 2000 watt diverter in my mobility van that allows me to plug my compressor in inside my van. I have a extra 5 feet of hose on my compressor. At this point I have no air tanks so I rely totally on my nomad.

[@americanairgunhunter]

Seems like a good set up, and youre always good for air!

[@almirria6753]

I am looking for a good inexpensive compressor for my herd. A portable would work great for my needs since I do not use bottles for my shooting.

[@americanairgunhunter]

Hi Al, depending on your situation a portable could well be a great solution. Don’t get me wrong, I like having tanks because I have a compressor to fill them. But if I didn’t, and there wasn’t a fill shop by me it would be a no brainer. Even with tanks, I find a great deal of use out of the portable compressor. All four of these have worked well for me, on the AC/DC models it’s a toss up between the Nomad and the Air Marksman, for a small portable it’s the Spark, and I just don’t have enough experience with the JTS yet, but first experience has been good. A great investment in your shooting gear.

[@donaldotsig6818]

How long do these small air cooled compressors last ty

[@americanairgunhunter]

I've had my Nomad for 4 years, the Spark for over two, and JTS for about a year, all have worked fine without problems. Having said that, I am not a heavy user because I normally charge my CF bottles with my Omega Compressor and use the portable compressors as backup and to top my guns off when the CF tanks pressures run low. I also have several of these portable compressors. I'd say I use each about once a month just to use them, but during hunting trips they do get heavy use for a few days at a time. So my experience has been good, with those caveats being said. I'd ask if anybody following the channel that relies on these portable compressors for primary filling, to share their experience as well.

[@donaldotsig6818]

@@americanairgunhunter Thankyou and love your channel

[@crcastillo7607]

Can you make a video on the Air Marksman? I'm new to pcp airguns and bought the same compressor from Utah Airguns a few months ago. Followed the instructions and still no luck filling my Benjamin Bulldog

[@americanairgunhunter]

What’s happening when you try to fill?

[@crcastillo7607]

@@americanairgunhunter It does not appear to fill at all. I checked the connections and washers - everything looked good.

[@americanairgunhunter]

@@crcastillo7607 Does air go in then leak out? Where is it leaking from? Have you tried cocking the gun before you fill?

[@crcastillo7607]

@@americanairgunhunter OK - cocking did the trick. Thank you! Like I said - I'm new to PCP and don't know anyone who shoots air rifles.

[@jumperstartful]

Thanks Jim, I'm 77 and just want to cut to the chase and no fluff.

[@misterlewgee8874]

No mention of water and oil removal filters. How important is this?

[@Patrick-xl3sb]

I have a Hatsan spark and i can tell you it puts out a lot of water ! Yes i said water !! So make sure you run a good filter on it ! The filter will slow down your fill time big time but its woth not getting water in your gun !!!

[@fessybear]

Try a water trap in the line

[@JoseGarcia-tr9mp]

Have you had any problems with your Nomad?

[@americanairgunhunter]

I have had the Nomad II for a few years and it has always worked very well for me.... no issues. In full disclosure, it has not gotten continuous use, I have an Omega compressor that I charge my tanks with and a few other portable compressors. However, it has been a workhorse on traveling hunts for me, and I have a lot of trust in this unit, but the fact that I got it through Pyramyd Air and they are good about supporting their products is added insurance!

[@CrazyMarty]

Just bought the JTS. What a mistake. They don’t use standard size fittings from the hose to the Quick Disconnect. It’s metric Not BSPP. It’s a Chinese proprietary size of 10mm X 1.0mm

[@americanairgunhunter]

Many gun manufacturers use proprietary and non-standard fill connectors. But these are generally easy to set up on your fill station. What I have found with the JTS guns is that they are well made, good finish, accurate and powerful..... I wouldn't let the initial set up of your filling gear be an obstacle.

[@CrazyMarty]

@@americanairgunhunter I'm just upset that they chose to use a Chinese builder and not use standard things that you would expect them to use. So now instead of having a nice clean filling rig. I'm going to need an adapter and have a QD on a QD just to fill the gun. Then if their Quick Disconnect fails I'll be forced to get another one from them or have a machine shop make an adapter. Just a major bummer. I guess I should have gone with the Hill compressor and made more room in my trailer.

[@moneyx3232]

Can you carry an air container on a plane?

[@americanairgunhunter]

Yes, but there are some major hassles. The tank must ot course be empty. But TSA won't trust the readout from the pressure gauge but do a physical inspection. That means the connectors to the bottle need to be remove so TSA can look inside. Then when you land, you need to find a place to recharge your tanks. This is why I used to travel by air with a handpump or find a local dive/paintball shop to rent tanks. These days I take my small Hatsan Spark compressor, which is the smallest one I've used. Sometimes I'll ship tanks ahead, depending on where I'm going.

[@adcaptandumvulgus4252]

Backup hand pump so even if the power goes out or your compressor's die you'll still have something to use

[@americanairgunhunter]

Good point, and I have done so in the past. Also for traveling trips where air could be a problem at my destination. But on my last 10-day hunt in Texas for instance, I brought 3 CF tanks, and one CF pony bottle all charged to 4500 psi, and a small AC/DC compressor as insurance. In the case I did need it, and electricity was in available, I could run it on the vehicle battery. That's a lot of air, but I had seven rifles packed for testing and hunting!

[@juanpaulr]

Always air but is there always power😮

[@toddcoen2797]

So if it came down to you choosing only one, which one would you keep?

[@americanairgunhunter]

I've been using the Nomad for a long time now and never had a problem, so that would be it for me. The Spark has been a great backup that has hauled me out of some messes and is very compact, so if it was purely as a back-up, it would be on the short list. I like the JTS a lot, but don't have anywhere near the usage on it that I do on the Nomad, but it has impressed me with its performance. Having said this, any of these is a good option with respect to performance, but I would want to be sure to buy it from a trusted source in case you do have a problem.

[@stevendavies6209]

You are trusting that small air/ oil filter on an expensive gun?

[@Hipporider]

Trouble is, all these portable compressors are Chinese junk 😡 that let you down. Is there a decent non Chinese compressor? 🇦🇺

[@deaczorz]

hill compressor

[@Letskeepthingsreal]

Chinese garbage. Hills EC3000, the best, and absolutely no Chinese parts.

[@PeakyBlinder]

Hill evo

[@travperk]

I kept thinking come on get to the point what's the strong points. get me outta here

[@sammyciuriuc9625]

What's the price $$$??????

[@americanairgunhunter]

Hi Sammy, don't know which compressor you're looking at, but towards the end of the video I have the price for each one listed.

[@sammyciuriuc9625]

@@americanairgunhunter i bought one for my father of Amazon and it work great. I wanted to buy one for me and the same brand not available. Got a different brand and returning the 2nd one for not working.

[@NorthFloridaAirGunner]

I just use a cheap Chinese handpump myself.

[@americanairgunhunter]

I used handpumps back in the day and depending on your requirements and situation it can be a good solution. I remember being out on a big game hunt where I had to pump the rifle up to 3800 PSI after every 3 shots and thought I would die :)

[@Isccario]

I have the nomad since 2019, and maybe in less than 20 250 BAR refills, the PCB failed. Here in Mexico, Pyramyd's air distributor (Armas de Aire Mexico, former CO2Airguns.com) refused to repair, or even sell me a replacement PCB, they always tell me a gunsmith will return my call. So, i had to bypass the PCB and made my NOMAD manual start, manual stop for the compressor motor and fan. Until now, i cant find a spare PCB to buy. Besides that, im still using the nomad as my primary fill source.

[@Isccario]

Disclaimer. I have not started the compressor with the pressurized line, i know that immediately blow de fuse or some circuit.

[@americanairgunhunter]

@@Isccario Have you tried to contact Pyramyd directly? They might be able to help you or help their dealer in Mexico get the components for a repair. I don't know if this would help, but might be worth a try.

[@simonspain6080]

....nobody in the US seems to worry about moisture in the pumped air....which can seriously damage and corrode the internals of a pcp.....I am still using tanks as I just don't see a compressor that can filter the air that well.

[@garythompson8867]

Yes, I would like to know what moisture filter Jim would recommend

[@hswing11]

GET OFF THE FENCE WHICH ONE IS the ( Best Airgun Compressor) That is what your site says.

[@americanairgunhunter]

Overall for me it’s the Nomad, been using it for a few years and not one problem. If it was strictly portable it would be the Spark. The reason I didn’t give a hard answer, is these are all solid choices….But the best is situational and individual