Last month, I wrote about the CyclePump, a 12-volt micro-compressor that's built in the U.S.A. and is used by motorcycle adventurers around the world. It's also used by the military in Iraq and Afghanistan.
On a trip into the backcountry, my friend hooked his 12-volt compressor, a quality mid-size portable, up to a 285/75R16LT tire and I hooked my CyclePump to the same size tire on the other side of the vehicle. The CyclePump whipped the much larger compressor, pumping the tire from 10 psi to 25 psi much faster. Further investigation showed that my friend's compressor was malfunctioning, so I went home and tried the test on two trailer tires.
I hooked a 440P Viair 12-volt portable I own up to one 225/75R15 trailer tire and the CyclePump to the other. The Viair won this time. But, while the CyclePump took a third longer to pump up the tire, it wasn't THAT much slower.
Those who use 12-volt portable compressors know that they get so hot during use that care needs to be taken when putting them back in the vehicle so plastic parts don't melt. After use, the CyclePump was only warm and could still be handled easily.
The CyclePump is impressive. While not as fast as our big, expensive compressors, it's fast enough, and can be stowed in small spaces. I'm going to use the CyclePump exclusively when going on exploring trips in vehicles with smaller tires and carry it as an emergency air source when in my vehicles with 37"+ size tires.
Seldom do we find products that work this well and are such high quality.