Compressor Options - Shoebox 3000 vs 4500 -

[rustysocket]

Hi again,

So I'm a newbie to PCP guns but have been bit by the addiction.  I can see right now where this is going and will be selling a lightly used child in good condition to fund this hobby.  I would sell the wife, but have too much invested in the laundry basket and kitchen mods and feel that at this point the kids is probably my best bet.

In any event,  my wife refuses to use the hand pump to fill my guns and these things are not going to fill themselves so I decided to research getting her a compressor.  I found the shoebox and see that it requires a shop compressor which my wife already owns.  We also see that they are available in a 3000 and a 4500 PSI model.  The plan would be to get a bottle to fill and then use the bottle to fill the guns in the field.   Why would one purchase the 3000 psi over the 4500 psi model?

Are there any other options I should consider other than the shoebox?

Thanks for your comments. 

[Privateer]

There may be another option.
I'm looking at this myself but I'm not saying I endorse it.
http://altaros-compressor.com/main-page/bassic-info/

[hammer0419]

There may be another option.
I'm looking at this myself but I'm not saying I endorse it.
http://altaros-compressor.com/main-page/bassic-info/

By all means you can get an alalros  but your spending HUGE $$ FOR AIR.  You also want a 4500 tank. More air more pressure. A 3000 tank you will never get that needed air into your gun.

[Privateer]

There may be another option.
I'm looking at this myself but I'm not saying I endorse it.
http://altaros-compressor.com/main-page/bassic-info/

By all means you can get an alalros  but your spending HUGE $$ FOR AIR.  You also want a 4500 tank. More air more pressure. A 3000 tank you will never get that needed air into your gun.

Not sure what you mean?
I'd only be filling my AT44 tubes.
That's what? 230 CC?

If I want to save money I'll just go Nitrogen and get a huge tank with the needed support equipment.
When you really look at it all? One should just go with the Omega.
Once you add up all the prices that's where you end up anyway.
The whole thing boils down to Air is free until you start compressing it. LOL

[farmerjoe99]

I think the shoebox is an excellent option and depending on the circumstances has tons of things going for it.
I have heard that for actual shops and tuners that have tons of continues run time its not the best choice but
for how much air most of the airgunner themselves use I think its the best currently available and mostly affordable compressor on the market.

It is a proven reliable system with excellent support, in all my dealing with shoebox I've gotten replies to my emails in just a few hours.
Its is a very simple and pretty easy to work on so that it can be maintained by anyone with ok tool skills.
and there is just tons and tons of great info out on them including very informative video's right on shoebox's site.

I have one of the old chain drive 4500psi model and its worked flawless for me for the last year.

You will need the small oilless shop compressor to fill it and while it is not a necessity(I'll admit I don't run one...)
a HPA output moisture separator is a good idea as well. Note: while I don't run one on the output side I have a moisture separator on the input side.
all and all I think they are a great compressor.

As to 4500 vs 3000 the only reason he sells a 3000psi model is a lot of people fill their pcp's or paintball tanks
with SCUBA tank which fill to 3000psi. however if you can I highly recommend you get a carbon fiber SCBA tank which fill
you 4500psi. they will give you many more fill per top off and they are much lighter weight to carry around.

I personally have a JoeB guppy package(highly recommend JoeB and getting his second gauge and slow fill option.) along with my shoebox and I love it works great is light and compact to take to the range.
and get me enough air for most shooting trips. I just top it off when I'm getting down to 3000psi and I'm good to go.

[Privateer]

I think the one thing a new Guy (And I'm one in PCP) needs to get past is the fill time issue.

Say we start with an empty tank. Now we are talking hours.
But as most point out you'll never run that tank empty.
So now We are filling from say 2500 PSI to 3000 - 4500 PSI
Fill time just went way down.

[hammer0419]

There may be another option.
I'm looking at this myself but I'm not saying I endorse it.
http://altaros-compressor.com/main-page/bassic-info/

By all means you can get an alalros  but your spending HUGE $$ FOR AIR.  You also want a 4500 tank. More air more pressure. A 3000 tank you will never get that needed air into your gun.

Not sure what you mean?
I'd only be filling my AT44 tubes.
That's what? 230 CC?

If I want to save money I'll just go Nitrogen and get a huge tank with the needed support equipment.
When you really look at it all? One should just go with the Omega.
Once you add up all the prices that's where you end up anyway.
The whole thing boils down to Air is free until you start compressing it. LOL

That's 230cui of air. That's the volume. Not the fill pressure. If you ever wanted to push 3200-3400psi into your gun you can not with a 3000. 4500 gives you greater air options.

If you are in the market  for a tank look into Airhog. Excellent product and they are not pushy and arrogant like some others.

[rustysocket]

I completely understand that I cannot use a 3000 psi pig tank to fill a gun that wants 3200 psi.  I also understand that starting with a partially filled tank at 2000 psi takes less time to fill than one at atmospheric.  And I understand that filling a large tank takes a lot of time.  So were all good there in the expectations department. 

I'm not looking to be a pioneer in the R&D department for a new product (not that it's a bad thing ) I'm just looking for the best solution to keep everyone shooting more and pumping less. 

That does bring up a question:  Does the shoebox shut off on it's own, or is this something that has to be attended the entire time it is filling a large tank?  What kind of safeties are built in against over pressurizing a tank. 

I did find a guy locally who will fill a small tank to 4500 psi for me so I think I will start there by getting a tank and continue saving some money for the shoebox.  This makes the most sense in the short term as I can use my hand pump to add a few strokes to it during the day and allow for cooldowns as I feel like it. 

[ShawninIL]

When you really look at it all? One should just go with the Omega.
Once you add up all the prices that's where you end up anyway.
The whole thing boils down to Air is free until you start compressing it. LOL
[/quote]
I just ordered one yesterday, should be here tomorrow.

[hammer0419]

I would love to have an air setup. But I drive a few minutes to local scuba shop and they fill 2 tanks to 4500 for $5. Hard to complain. 

[farmerjoe99]

That does bring up a question:  Does the shoebox shut off on it's own, or is this something that has to be attended the entire time it is filling a large tank?  What kind of safeties are built in against over pressurizing a tank. 

I did find a guy locally who will fill a small tank to 4500 psi for me so I think I will start there by getting a tank and continue saving some money for the shoebox.  This makes the most sense in the short term as I can use my hand pump to add a few strokes to it during the day and allow for cooldowns as I feel like it.

Yes the shoebox has its own shutoff mechanism, on the Max its mechanical on the F8 and F10 and electronic and
fully adjustable while the mechanical Max can only be adjusted so far from the factory set(either 3000 or 4500)

I wondered about this myself but my shoebox consistently shuts off at 4400psi when running on 85psi
Note. when you lower the shop compressor's output when using a shoebox max it allows it to fill to a slightly higher pressure,
for instance what I do is set my regulater on my compressor to 85-90psi leave it let if fill to 4400 then lower the
shop compressor down to 70-75psi and fill to 4500psi

[Rob M]

Invariably, the best option for a new guy to pcps is probably the shoebox when you balance time , money , and INDEPENDENCE..And the last part is what you are buying , and what you will forever covet when you pass a closed dive shop one day on your way to go shooting .. (just opinion

[Old Corps]

When you really look at it all? One should just go with the Omega.
Once you add up all the prices that's where you end up anyway.
The whole thing boils down to Air is free until you start compressing it. LOL

I just ordered one yesterday, should be here tomorrow.
[/quote]

Shawn--Which Omega did you order and from where--AOA?
I'd really like to get your feedback after you get it.

Thanks!
Ed

Oh yeah, I'm curious what the shipping cost is. Sorry for all the questions!

[Dairyboy]

That altaros sounds very interesting and might be looking into that myself.

[Rob M]

That altaros sounds very interesting and might be looking into that myself.

it does seem interesting , never seen it before , really quite brilliant.. My only concern was how much electricity is one using to constantly refill the low pressure side,,

[ShawninIL]

I ordered the air charger from Precision Airguns in Michigan. Shipping to central Illinois was $79.95, so less for you I would guess.

[Old Corps]

I ordered the air charger from Precision Airguns in Michigan. Shipping to central Illinois was $79.95, so less for you I would guess.

Wow, now my interest has gone up. I'm about an hour or so away from them! Really looking forward to your review.

Thanks!
Ed

[customcutter]

There may be another option.
I'm looking at this myself but I'm not saying I endorse it.
http://altaros-compressor.com/main-page/bassic-info/

The Altaros looks very interesting, I just watched the 3 videos on the website.  Worth further investigation for sure at that price point...

[ShawninIL]

UPS finally showed up. After going to get purified water, I was up & running in just a few minutes. Checked for leaks, then hooked up the tiger shark for a trial run. 3500 to 4500psi in about 27 minutes including pressurizing the diablo filter. Like everyone says,it sounds just like an old washing machine. So far I'm impressed but time will tell.
Also for those who have these compressors, Renewable Lubricants will have 8oz & 16oz tubs of the grease recommended on their web site in a couple of weeks.
By the way, Jim & Nancy at Precision Airguns are great to deal with, I called them a couple times while researching and they were more than happy to answer all my questions. 

[Old Corps]

UPS finally showed up. After going to get purified water, I was up & running in just a few minutes. Checked for leaks, then hooked up the tiger shark for a trial run. 3500 to 4500psi in about 27 minutes including pressurizing the diablo filter. Like everyone says,it sounds just like an old washing machine. So far I'm impressed but time will tell.
Also for those who have these compressors, Renewable Lubricants will have 8oz & 16oz tubs of the grease recommended on their web site in a couple of weeks.
By the way, Jim & Nancy at Precision Airguns are great to deal with, I called them a couple times while researching and they were more than happy to answer all my questions.

Very good to know. Thanks much for the post!

Ed