[schitzangiggles]

I got my 2 MV50's for @ $15 on close out at Checker a while back. I removed the light weight cord, replaced it with a much beefier power cord, clamps and a fuse holder that won't melt. Best money I ever spent.

[balloo93]

Looks like I will be looking for that CostCo unit as a replacement.

I should add that the HF goes on sale quite a bit. I picked mine up for around $49 when I picked it up. I think I had a coupon from thier mail add as well.

[RickyN29]

One advantage I can see by paying a little more and getting it from Costco (as opposed to PepBoys) is Costco's guarantee. Pretty much no questions asked, you can return/exchange any item for about 2 years. (I exchanged a dvd player after 4 years!)

So should anything happen, you are covered, for 2 years at least.

[Ohio Jeep]

Pepboys offered a 4yr replacement for $9.99 extra but the unit is warranteed by the manufacture for 3 yrs so I figure I will take the gamble with that.

[MeatPuppet]

Thanks for the call on Pep Boys, I'll be heading there myself.

[koheed]

Great write-up. You just sold an air compressor for CostCo. Time to bug my mom or a friend for use of their membership. (I really should get my own, but it is just so easy to use the membership of others.)

[RickyN29]

Hey everyone, Presidents Day Weekend, the HF compressor will be $49.99!!! So if anyone still wanted that one, now is the time to buy! You can also get a 15% off coupon online.

[Tacoma750]

Has anybody MOUNTED one of these in the tub or engine compartment? Or do yuo leave it boxed up? ide rather have it mounted somewhere

[jzmtl]

This sucks, none of the canadian store carry the masterflow thing, not even costco. All I can find is one of those 200psi crap, and snapped the connecting rod to piston after less than 30 min of use.

[ready to mud]

hey i did the exact same thing on my canadian tire one after about 10 min

[julietkilo]

I have the master flow (red one) and it will do 285/75R16 from 15 psi to 40 psi in under 5 mins per tire. I love this little thing and I bought it from PEP BOYS FOR UNDER 50 BUCKS.

[lupinsea]

Supplemental Micro Review

Q-Industries Compressor
(Costco version)

I've had the MV-50 (red Costco version) and picked it up about a year+ ago for $25 when they were on close out from Schucks (Q-Industries has since re-badged them and upped the price to $60). Despite the price it's a good little unit. Airing up my 32x11.50s from 15-30 psi takes about 2.5 minutes or so per tire. I figure that from taking the compressor out of the bag, hooking things up , airing up 4 tires, and packing everything away takes about 12-13 min. Not bad.

The compressor is actually better than my POS 120v plug-in, 4 gal Husky home air compressor. It airs up my tires significantly faster and I've frankly stopped using the Husky compressor. The Husky compressor is actually much noisier, too. So, the MV-50 has now become my home compressor, too.



My complaints about the red compressor:

Air Filter - It's a separate plastic piece that I screw in each time. Because it sticks out on the end I don't feel comfortable packing the compressor in the carry bag with it on in case it should snap off.

Fuse Holder - It's a cheap in-line fuse holder. If the cap isn't closed it can come open and fall apart. So long as the cap is closed it's fine. Uses standard automotive fuses, though, which is nice.

Dust Cover on Switch - Mine fell off w/ in a couple of compressor uses. It didn't seem terribly well securred and was "scrapped off" getting the comrpessor in and out of the carry bag. Finally said (*&-it and left it off. In a year+ of use dust hasn't been a problem at all for any part of this compressor so I'm not worried about it.

Battery Clips - They seem cheap to me. They certainly do the job but they're not as substantial looking as the ones that came on the HF compressor in this thread. They don't bother me, howerever.

Heat - The compressor head gets very warm (but not "hot") to the touch but cools off quickly. The quick-release on the hose also gets hot. But by the time I shut off the compressor and unclip the power leads things are cooling down sufficiently.

Tire Valve Connector - To connect to the tire you need to screw on the brass fitting at the end of the air hose. It takes some time. Then the little black thingy has an air release valve and if the hose isn't hanging right it can leak some air. A minor convenience issue. But I would have prefered a regular quick clip valvestemp clip.



What I love about the MV-50 (Q-Industries) compressor:

It's Cheap - Whether you got it for $25 or the Costco price of $60, the cost of this compressor is cheap. Considering it delivers the same CFM performance as the $200+ Viaair compressors it's a bargain!

It's Fast - at 2.54 cfm @ 40 psi this little compressor seems to air up tires quickly. I figure it's about as fast as most gas station air pumps these days (the new ones that are cheap and slow). But you have the convenience of airing up where ever you are. I figure I can air up all 4 of my tires and be on my way again in under 13 min. . . anywhere I am.

Compact - The whole package packs away pretty small. Good for those of use with limited cargo capacity in our Jeeps.

Completeness - For the $60 cost you get a compressor with battery clips, fuse holder, 25 ft coiled hose, valve attachment, quick hose disconnect, air guage (semi-inaccurate), and carry-all case. Basically, EVERYTHING you need to air-up your tires.

Durability - I've used this compressor enough that it's more than justified its purchase price. And yet it seems like a solid little unit that I'l probably get a fair amount of service life out of. At a year+ of usually 1 wheel'n trip per month (sometimes more) the red compressor is still going strong.




Bottom Line
For $60 it's awesome! For $25 it's awesomer! Cheap, light, and quick, it's a great compressor to tide one over until they get an OBA* system installed. . . which happens to be less of a priority once you get one of these compressors.

I'd fully recommend this compressor.




* I've seen the York OBA systems at work. Wow! Talk about REALLY fast.

[IOTJ]

I have an MV-50 as well (The Costco model in the write-up).

Two gripes. Neither major.

1) Non-standard quick-disconnect. Easily fixed, but something you have to do....

2) Lots of condensation. Don't know if this is common with all compressors like this one, but the last time I used it, I could almost have filled a glass with the H2O that the thing spit out the air chuck. (maybe a slight exaggeration, but you get the point )

[planman]

Maybe I should buy 20 of the Costco ones and take them to Easter Jeep Safari to sell for $100 each and pay for my trip.

[Marauderk]

MV-50 (red Costco version) i have one and the only complant i have with it is where you attach the hose to the compressor head leaks it started out small but got worse and worse.