Cheap Vs "branded" compressors.

[Ben...]

Yes, this old question...

I am stuck on spending good coin on a branded compressor, or do I roll the dice and drop the coin in these no name compressors like the ones ABR Sidewinder make...

[jkwpajero]

ARB Sidewinder do not make the compressor, rather than re badge it. For what it's worth I have purchased from them before and found the products to be pretty good. Big or small dollar, the compressors all seem to be about the same now days. Just my thoughts.

James

[jk]

We had the same dilemma when we needed to fit out the 100 series, ended up buying 2 x Ironman Compressors,  160l per min/each, 150psi @ 45amp each, they were about $170 each with a 3 year warranty ( had to get one replaced when the bottom end let go, no problems, replaced over the counter )

Bang for buck I think their pretty good value 

Cheers
John K

[Bird]

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=34594.0

[Beachman]

My first compressor was a $60 cheapy from Repco that lasted 4 years before it packed it in. It wasn't overly fast, but it did the job. I then upgraded to a ARB compressor and it's faster, but it's now 6 years old and judging by a little bit of smoke coming from it last time I used it, think it's also on its last legs.

[marvellous_matt]

I spent around $150 on a Projector one about 5 years ago. It has work well, its not a super huge capacity so its a little slower, but does the job. I am however nervous that it will be getting to the end of its life and as we mainly travel as a single vehicle I'm not sure if I should upgrade before it breaks.
If I had my time again I reckon I would get an ARB one, about $350 however parts are available if anything breaks so really over the life of it I think it is good value. plenty of other opinions out there.

[Mik01]

Bought a repco cheapy. Lasted less than a year and used only twice. Died just when I needed it most - just off the beach, fully loaded car and trailer attached, mrs and kids, on our way home (so I thought). Was a long slow limp to a servo with 6 flat tyres. Spent a little bit more and have this - DR AIR 150L/MIN PRO FLOW. Got it from RVtek for 180. It's a quality unit at a decent price. Build quality is light years from the cheapy. Go the better quality...

[noel_w]

Bought a repco cheapy. Lasted less than a year and used only twice. Died just when I needed it most - just off the beach, fully loaded car and trailer attached, mrs and kids, on our way home (so I thought). Was a long slow limp to a servo with 6 flat tyres. Spent a little bit more and have this - DR AIR 150L/MIN PRO FLOW. Got it from RVtek for 180. It's a quality unit at a decent price. Build quality is light years from the cheapy. Go the better quality...

The Dr Air is the same as the Aldi xsauto 150L, just rebadged. I paid $95 for mine and it works like a bought one. Half price! more beer money. Win Win 

[goodfa]

I have one of the tigerz 11 cheapies and found it does work well, however it  does get quite hot while in use (a lot hotter than other more expensive items I have used). Since purchase I have bought a small super cheap compressor just in case the other fails. Would be slow but feel it would get me out of trouble if required.

Sometimes it's worth spending more  for the reliability factor in my opinion, with I did!

[Jakster1]

What is good about the ARB is the compact size and a high continuous flow rate. A lot of the cheapies are HUGE and take up way too much space, sure they move the same amount of air but at double the size you'd expect them to be fast.

[Jasman]

I have a TJM, it cost me under $200 with a 5yr warranty.

I actually used it today to pump up the Jeep's and Jayco's tyres as I came off the beach, I did one after another back-to-back, probably took about 2 minutes per tyre from 20 psi.

[evolution]

The Dr Air is the same as the Aldi xsauto 150L, just rebadged. I paid $95 for mine and it works like a bought one. Half price! more beer money. Win Win 

Im pretty certain that The Dr air is the "original" one that everyone else copied. However with a RRP of $299 they aren't cheap.
They do have a 5 year warranty, but unless you can find one for under $200 it can be hard to justify.
I have heard good things about the Aldi compressor, But yet to use one.

I had the pro flow mounted in the back of the patrol and it never let me down.
By crikey it was fast on the 33"s. However, Jk's set up is pretty much the bomb!! 

Cheers
Evo

[fridayman]

Has anyone used a Big Red?

[Aaron Schubert]

Big Red's have a good reputation. For me, we can't do without a compressor, and if it were to break hundreds of kilometres away from civilisation we would be in trouble. I bought a bushranger supermax air - all of the bushrangers come with a 5 year warranty, and have outstanding reputations

Aaron

[jk]

My son has my old Bushranger compressor, works very well and inflates all his tyres after beach work easily    would recommend one of these also  .

When one of my Ironman compressors failed and took out the 100amp Mega fuse I had to use his Bushranger to finish inflating my tyres for the drive home 

[Bird]

Has anyone used a Big Red?

I have 2 in the shed I was given.. They are about 8yrs old, and work like a charm.

[Ben...]

Thanks guys, great comments.

[dazzler]

ARB Sidewinder do not make the compressor, rather than re badge it. For what it's worth I have purchased from them before and found the products to be pretty good.

James

You can also speak with derek direct and he is most helpful.  I had an issue with a battery isolator that didn't make sense after about 4 yrs and he was most helpful.

[whatsa]

I think its just important you have one...
If thats the budget you have then get that one.

[Bird]

http://www.endlessair.com.au/

[noel_w]

http://www.endlessair.com.au/

Lotsa dollars though. Don't make one for my GQ but when you add up the components I could probably buy 10 Aldi compressors for that

[Footy Shorts Shane]

The more I see that link, the more I think I need one

[Bird]

Lotsa dollars though. Don't make one for my GQ but when you add up the components I could probably buy 10 Aldi compressors for that

watch one in use, and its well worth it, specially when in use with a tank..
we did 2xGU's and 2x80s in ~10mins with Endless and Tank. it was pissin with rain thus I remember how fast it was.
Remember you can use an old Mitz Sigma compressor from pick-a-part for $10 as the compressor.

[Dingo0163]

My uncle had a hose made up years ago for his farm utes. He would unscrew a spark plug and screw one end of the hose in. The other end he clipped onto the valve , then fire the motor up. Worked great but I don't know if it affected the tyre or not. He could pull the ute up and blow up the tractor tyre. It doesn't work on deisal motors for some reason. 

[dazzler]

My uncle had a hose made up years ago for his farm utes. He would unscrew a spark plug and screw one end of the hose in. The other end he clipped onto the valve , then fire the motor up. Worked great but I don't know if it affected the tyre or not. He could pull the ute up and blow up the tractor tyre. It doesn't work on deisal motors for some reason. 

I remember our old valiant had one of those.