There’s an unremarkable comedy starring Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson called I Spy. I say Unremarkable because I have no memory of it except for one scene in which Owen Wilson’s character is being shown cool spy gadgets a la James Bond gadget laboratory. In this scene he is given a rather large spy camera, but also shown another spy’s tiny camera. Obviously miffed at the situation, Wilson quips, “Look at the size of this thing! Size matters, but in the spy world it’s reversed. You want people to say, “Look how small and sexy and sleek this is, not how huge this is…”
This is a humorous way to set the stage for the ReadyAir Gen2- the lighter, smaller, quieter (sexy and sleek) reiteration of the ReadyAir. Yes, in the spy world and in the real world, downsizing a technology is very beneficial to the end user. It wasn’t all that long ago when a cellular phone was a cellular phone, a camera was a camera, and a desktop computer was the only computer you would ever use. Nowadays the “phone” in your pocket is all the above plus more. While cramming 50 pounds of tech gear into a 10 ounce phone is possible, I doubt a 40 pound high pressure compressor will ever be downsized to a similar degree, but we managed to take a huge bite off the three aforementioned parameters.
As far as functionality goes, the ReadyAir G2 is still optimized for filling onboard airgun tanks. It can still be used at home or in the field via AC or DC electric power. The ReadyAir G2 is still super easy to use and program to your tank’s required pressure. What is different is the footprint, sound output, and user interface.
The air output is located on the front left side of the pump assembly. This allows you a much more intuitive interface with the front of the machine when compared to the original ReadyAir. Speaking of the front of the compressor, the control panel and power hook-ups are angled for easy access. The LED read-out is bright and equipped with simple button operation. If you are switching from AC to DC power or vice versa, just plug in the appropriate cord set and switch the power input button to the correct input position and turn it on.
Fill times for the ReadyAir G2 will be very close to the original pump’s fill time. Expect refills to take between 5 and 12 minutes depending on the tank size and empty to full fill times to run between 7 and 20 minutes.
This new design shaves off 30% of the original ReadyAir’s weight, which certainly makes the G2 easier to tote around. With 30% less physical size, the ReadyAir G2 packs into smaller places that much easier. However, the 40% reduction in sound output may be the best benefit yet. Air compressors are just loud by nature. It takes a lot of energy to fill a tank, and keeping that compressor quiet is a challenge. Moreover, the quieter a compressor is, the less likely it will offend your neighbors or family. Not to mention the digital display has a run time feature making it super easy to keep up with piston seal maintenance and the moisture filter has been relocated for ease of maintenance as well.
Happy shooting and all the best to you.
Mark Davis, avid outdoorsman, family man, and outdoors writer is the eCommerce Marketing Manager for Umarex USA.