350lbs seems kinda light for a 10cfm compressor, especially one with gas
and electric capability.  But maybe some of the newer technology can cut
some weight and bulk.  Also, the 16cfm unit we got is enclosed in a huge
heavy gauge metal framework and box, with gauges showing the
intermediate pressure(s), oil pressure, a running hour meter, and an
indicator light.

Maybe things are different in your neck of the woods.

Over here nobody in their right mind takes a compressor to a diveshop.
I agree dive shops are often greedy, but I don't give a pair of fetid
dingo's kidneys what my LDS thinks of Coltri-sub.

I do, however, care what several qualified mechanical engineers have
to say who all have 10 years+ experience installing, running and
servicing compressor installations.

Over here the generally accepted choices in order of preference is 1)
Bauer 2) Bristol 3) Ingersoll-Rand

rgds

monty

Ok. I am in the compressor trade over in the uk. Max air which if they
are based on a coltri sub will be crap.  We have alot of the little
coltri sub units over here, and they just do not last.

Shops are being honest when they say they dont like them, really
because over the years they have had a bad reputaion especially with
the small ones.

However in saying that, they are less than $2200 us for a 3 cfm one
and will be perfectly adequate for a diver who wants to use one on
holiday or for weekend diving and if he only does a handful of fills
atthe weekend. Personally i dont dive very much and if i was on a
budget i would get one of these. It would last years for the little
amount of diving i do.

Realistically if you want to buy a decent compressor, the only choice
is a bauer. You can get the new mariner 320 which will do 10 cfm, and
with a gas or a electric motor will weigh less than 300 lbs. ( you
wont find a 10 cfm compressor that is lighter). These units have
exceptional build quality and last. see
http://www.bauer-kompressoren.de/en/aw/tauch/1-mobil/mariner320.html
however the down side is that you will get what you pay for and that
means paying alot more money for a bauer.

Note that companies such as Max air, Mako, Eagle etc just package
other peoples blocks.

Mako generally use a bauer block or a Compair Reavell block (Compairs
are made in the uk and are probably the next best after bauer.)

Eagle typically used to use Bristol blocks (these probably come 3rd in
line after Bauer & Compair).

I believe that there is also a machine made in the US called North
American Air. It looks like a good piece of kit but havent seen any up
close.

Ingersoll Rand are good units, however they are very industrial and
heavy. The main ones that they produced were the 223 ( a 3 stage
stationary electric machine) and the larger 10 t 2 and 15 t 4. These
are 15 cfm and 25 cfm machines. Again very industrial and very heavy.
Will run for ever though and can be picked up quite cheaply on the
second hand market.

There are other machines out there such as the ex MOD daveys which are
15 cfm. These are quite good machines and can be bought electric,
petrol and diesel. They are heavy and would need to be built on to a
trailer. They ned modifying after purchasing them from a ex mod
supplier however parts are cheap and they can be bought very cheaply.
They are a radial design similar to a bauer and come with a
pressurised oil system.

Oh and finally there is another unit worth recomending called L & W.
These are high quality, built from bauer lines in germany and they are
getting a good review. Most compressor companies have good websites,
and should all show technical specifications.

I think at the end of the day, remember that you do get what you pay
for.