Q-MAXX compressor from Costco $49.99

[crawler#976]

I've walked by them for 3 months, and the stack was getting smaller and smaller...

So, I decided to try one. I'm using a ViAir 400P and had been shuttling it between the '98 and '05 Tacomas.

First impressions:

More compact than the ViAir - at least in the bag. The unit is heavy and seems quite robust.

Short hose w/ screw on valve - OK, but I like a regular chuck better (and the clamp on one from ViAir is worse yet) The unit attaches via aligator clips to the battery terminal, and has long enough leads to make up for the short hose.

Test:

I aired down a 31/10.5-15 MT/R to my normal trail pressure of 15 PSI by my guage. The Q-MAXX guage read 10. It took 1 minute and 45 seconds until it read 32 PSI on the Q-MAXX guage. At that point my guage read 27 PSI. An additional 30 seconds brought it up to 35 PSI on my guage. So, I speculate it will fill a 31" tire from 15 PSI to 32 PSI in about 2 minutes even. That is almost exactly the same as my ViAir 400P.

Conclusion:

This unit will not be used as regularly as my ViAir - in fact, it may only be used 5 or 6 times a year. For the price, that seems reasonable over the much higher cost of the ViAir ($229.99). It also provides my wife with the peace of mind that she has her own option of airing up a tire with a nail or other minor puncture vs having to call for help or changing a flat tire. With the Safety Seal patch kit she can also repair and fill a tire if need be...

Mark

[HMR]

Good find! Thanks for sharing. I was just looking at ViAir units this week. Think I'll make a trip to Costco Tomorrow.

[HenryJ]

S-10CREWCAB.COM : 12 volt air compressor (http://www.s-10crewcab.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3226)

Air compressor test- MV50 vs QuickAIR2 (http://www.gearinstalls.com/pepboys.htm)

Tire Inflator Comparison! (http://www.parksoffroad.com/prodreview/inflatortest/inflatormain.htm)

Superflow MV50 (http://www.parksoffroad.com/prodreview/inflatortest/mv50/mv50.htm)

MOAB Jeeper test and onboard system (http://www.moabjeeper.com/superflow.htm)

Portable Onboard Air Installation (http://www.4x4wire.com/tech/portable_oba/)

Superflow Viair side by side comparison (http://www.parksoffroad.com/prodreview/inflatortest/superflowviaircomparison/superflowviaircomparison.htm)

[DaveInDenver]

It took 1 minute and 45 seconds until it read 32 PSI on the Q-MAXX guage. At that point my guage read 27 PSI. An additional 30 seconds brought it up to 35 PSI on my guage.
Been using the MV-50 version for a couple of years now. About the gauge reading. When I fill my tires to full street pressure I let the thing run until the gauge reads 40 psi because I've noticed that when I shut it off the actual pressure is right at about 35 psi.

[RTrac1]

I used one all summer. pretty good bang for the buck. my hose started leaking, and I was able to order a new hose assembly for 10 bucks

[Schattenjager]

Be careful of the nozzle that screws into the pump and attaches to the hose. The pump is pot metal and if you are not careful, the hose attachment can act like a lever and break the metal that it screws into - ask me how I know... A gob of JB Weld fixed her right up, but I did not have any on hand when i discovered the problem. Just an FYI. Otherwise a great pump!
:REOutArchery02:

[CodyLX450]

Been using mine to air up 39" tires from 10-25psi quite a few times now.

With my huge tires it takes about 6 minutes a tire compared to 2 for a small tire - but I'm never in a hurry when airing up anyways.


The guage reads wrong on mine as well by about 7 psi less in the tire than what the guage reads.

[Redline]

I have a better, bigger, heavier 100% duty-cycle Extreme Outback portable compressor in toolbox. BUT I purchased a few of these from Costco a few months ago because of the perceived value. One for every vehicle.

[HMR]

These things work great. Very happy with mine.

[MaddBaggins]

Got one of those as a back-up to my Co2. It aired up my 315's from 15 to 40 in 6 minutes each. I know a few people who carry 2 of them and run one on each side of the rig for quicker fills.

[calamaridog]

For the money they are good. I've used mine for a couple years now.

[Funrover]

Thanks for the heads up!:wings:

[Willman]

Mine worked great for a year than died!

:(

[Funrover]

Mine worked great for a year than died!

:(


Really? My parents has been spectacular for awhile now!! HMMMM

[Willman]

Really? My parents has been spectacular for awhile now!! HMMMM

:confused:

[grouch]

Really? My parents has been spectacular for awhile now!! HMMMM

My parents are no where near spectacular. In fact they are quite odd.

[MountainBiker]

Mine worked great for a year than died!

:(
Then you should return it. Costco will give you a new one, or refund your money!

[zimm]

dont go by the gauge.

[LexusAllTerrain]

dont go by the gauge.


No problem mine is off by 10 degrees, so when it reads 50psi the actual reading is 40psi

No Problemo!

[jim65wagon]

My MV-50 worked great for two years. It was fast. Fun airing up tires at WalMart when co-workers had flats. I loved the convenience of it mounted underhood but it was exposed to all the heat, dust, sand etc that finds its way there. Expressions are priceless. It died at OBX last week just as it was finishing the 3rd tire. Tear down at home revealed the plastic "piston ring" had torn allowing the piston to score into the wall. :oops: I think this time I'll purchase something dust and moisture sealed and try again.

[Martinjmpr]

Looks exactly like the Masterflow 1050 I bought at Pep Boys in September. Only used it a couple of times but I was very impressed with it. It worked much faster than I expected it to.