Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

After purchasing 3-4 cigarette lighter plug in compressors and finding them totally inadequate for airing up larger tires, I started looking at on board and portable 12V air compressors. I have a 5 hp 220v compressor in the shop so I just needed this for airing up tires after 4 wheeling or helping someone out with a flat. I read reviews and priced compressors ranging from $800 down to $40. I kept seeing reviews and people were claiming the Viair 88P was the best value on the market. For $58 I figured I couldn't go wrong. I received the product two days later and went out to the shop to unbox and test the compressor. I was impressed with the design and materials used in this compressor. The hose is heavier than I expected and the brass screw on fitting provides a positive seal with the valve stem, prevents leakage and eliminates the need to hold the chuck on the valve stem. The alligator clips are well constructed and provided a solid electrical connection. The electrical leads are long enough to reach from the battery on my passenger side to the compressor sitting on the floor next to the driver's side tire. My Jeep Rubicon has 275/75R/17 tires and I run them on the road at 36 psi. I used an accurate tire gauge to drain the driver's side tire down to 20 psi. I hooked up the Viair 88P and the gauge on the compressor read 22 psi. With the engine off I timed the compressor inflating the tire up to 40 psi on the 88P gauge. I wanted to go a few pounds past 35 psi. The first cycle, from 22 psi to 40 psi with the engine off took only 1 minute 28 seconds. I unhooked the compressor and checked the pressure with my good tire gauge and found the tire was reading 38 psi. The compressor was warm but not hot. I was able to place my hand on the top of the metal cylinder head without getting burned. The wiring and alligator clips were cool to the touch. I was so impressed with the first test that I repeated the whole process again, The second run took 1 minute and 29 seconds. The noise level was lower than I expected and there was very little vibration from the compressor. The only negative I noticed was that the work / power indicator light is on the back of the unit and the built in gauge is on the top. I haven't used this at night, but I think it would be difficult to read the gauge without a flashlight. Other reviewers mentioned to hold on to the factory shipping box for storage since the compressor doesn't come with a carry case. I looked around the shop and found a small heavy plastic "dry box" for transporting and storing ammunition. I put a bundle of shop rags in the bottom to cushion the compressor and the coiled hose and electrical cord slid right in along side the compressor. I placed another bundle of shop rags on top of the compressor. The top of the "dry box" has storage compartments so I put in a complete tire plug kit, some spare plugs, two spare valve stems, a couple tire pressure gauges, a small Mag Lite flashlight a a couple spare AA batteries for the light. This whole kit only weighs about 4 pounds and takes up very little room in the storage area behind my rear seat. Now I'm waiting for my next off road trip where I drop all 4 tires down to 15 psi. I want to see how long it takes to re-inflate all 4 tires back to 35 psi and if I can air up all 4 tires without overheating the compressor or exceeding the 45% duty cycle. I think unhooking the compressor, checking the pressure and moving the unit to the next tire will probably be enough time to allow the unit to cool before the next inflation. Don't let the small size or the amazingly low cost of this unit keep you from considering it.