Harbor Freight vs Costco Portable 12v Air Compressor - In Depth Review w/ Pictures

[alwaysready]

Originally Posted by Frank Z

I used an MV-50 for a couple of years. It died this past weekend. The bearing on the bottom of the connecting rod came apart.
http://www.colorado4x4.org/gallery/f...6/1/OCG007.jpg

password protected picture

[Frank Z]

[WoodyWoodchuck]

I just bought the MV-50 based on this and other writeups and tried it out last night. 235/75/15 from 10# to over 35# in a minute or less! Didn't really have enough time to time it, pressure went up much faster than I would have expected for such a little compressor. The gauge sucks and is way, way off but I can use it as a guideline for start/stop and how much was inbetween. I was planning to add a tank but as fast as this thing is with my little tires, I see no need for it.

I surf fish NC beaches and 22# has been my pressure in the soft, deep stuff. Having this little jewel on board I can try going down lower with no worries about hitting the hard road with really soft tires. Thanks for turning me onto a great little compressor!

[ChuckstrPT]

Originally Posted by sidewys xj

I have used the cosco one for about two years mine came from cheker auto its the same thing. I hard mounted mine use a 2/1/2 gallon air tank with a 100 psi pressure switch that really helps out with the first tire. for what I paid for it its great I could buy at least 4 of them before I could buy a vair or extreme air so its worth it to me I even bought a spare if mine quit but it has not happend yet. great little compressors.

Where did you mount yours??? I'm looking at that right now...I don't think there is enough room in front of the brake master.
Thanks!

[selarep]

Originally Posted by 2001XJ

Anyone seen this one before? Not sure if it has the same specs or is a cheaper line of the Tsunami. I wonder if this would be as good to get?

http://pepboys.shoplocal.com/pepboys/default.aspx?action=detail&storeid=2314821&rapid=0 &pagenumber=0&listingid=-2093447473&offerid=&ref=%2fpepboys%2fdefault.aspx% 3faction%3dsearch%26storeid%3d2314821%26searchtext %3dair%2bcompressor

I jjust bouth the maxxQ and its way better than the #MF-1040, the #MF-1040 is way cheaper but it takes longer to fill and its just not as good at the maxxQ.
The little sir fitting on the maxxQ is HOT as heck when you disco the hose but it's one heck of a nice compressor. I bought it because of the write on here and i love it!
plus... costo has that lifetime warranty.

[Mutant_Xj]

I was just at pepbys looking for an air compressor and they didn't have the tsunami. They had one made by Master Flow called the special ops. It comes with a battery pack and light. Does any one know if this is any good? Its rated at 150 max psi, max displacement 1500 cubic inches/min., I'm assuming its similar but don't know.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...017698/c-10108

[selarep]

Originally Posted by Mutant_Xj

I was just at pepbys looking for an air compressor and they didn't have the tsunami. They had one made by Master Flow called the special ops. It comes with a battery pack and light. Does any one know if this is any good? Its rated at 150 max psi, max displacement 1500 cubic inches/min., I'm assuming its similar but don't know.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...017698/c-10108

it looks like a good compressor but for the price, you can get 2 of the qmaxx's/tsunami's.
Save your $$$ and get the qmaxx's/tsunami's.

[alwaysready]

Originally Posted by alwaysready

its physically a smaller compressor.
so is the special ops one or whatever theya re calling it.
the spc ops one is pretty much the same one as that yellow one. the red tsunami is larger and more powerful.(hence more money.. )

$28.00 pep boys ( the smaller cheaper one)
Model mv-40 aka mf-1040 at pepboys

SPECIAL OPS M45 CORDLESS AIR COMPRESSOR /SEARCHLIGHT $99.00 at jcwhitney(think it was 89 at pep boys cant remeber).
same compressor as yellow one above except added options of flashlight and rechargeable battery that seems to work on either the flashlight or the compressor(better, only in options)
$59.00 pep boys, had 10.00 rebate. ( the BEST one)
model MV-50 aka MF-1050 at pep boys
i got one for me one for my dad and now i think the rebate is over..

[Mutant_Xj]

I missed that in the post earlyer. I did a bunch of research and figured it out later that night. I went back to pepboys and asked the lady working there about the tsunami and she was clueless. Oh the battery for the special ops only lasts 8-18 minutes and the extras kinda look cheap. but yeah I want the tsunami but cant find one. No costcos around and I dont know anyone with a membership.

[Pro Stock John]

Great writeup!

[xjjeepthing]

I have the Tsunami from Pepboys. Works great. Hard wired through a realy and a switch in my switch panel.

[IllianaXJ]

Back from the dead with a link for the MF1050 on eBay.

Decent price, I'll probably pick one up for the DD.

http://stores.ebay.com/Auto-Parts-Sa...QQfsubZ0QQtZkm

[MisterFubar]

Thanks for the write up, I keep eyeing the HF unit everytime I'm in there but I haven't been able to bring myself to buy one.

Anyone using either of these to run ARB's?

[selarep]

I Love my Costco one, the qmaxx/tsunami. It has worked flawlessly since I bought it and I air up everything.

[ChuckstrPT]

Originally Posted by TellicoReadyXJ

Back from the dead with a link for the MF1050 on eBay.

Decent price, I'll probably pick one up for the DD.

http://stores.ebay.com/Auto-Parts-Sa...QQfsubZ0QQtZkm

That's the one I've got Anyone hard mount that under the hood? If so WHERE?? I can't find a place to fit it.........