Black & Decker ASI300 Air Station Inflator

Overall works pretty well.
Positives:
- All hoses and wires and adaptors store inside the unit, for neatness.
- built-in handle is nice
- long 12V auto power cord
- two-year warranty

Negatives:
- When it stops automatically after inflating one item (such as a tire), it must be turned off and back on to inflate another item, or to increase pressure setting and continue filling.
- the AC power cord is extremely short. Pretty much requires an extension cord.
- the air hose is fairly short.
- The noise it makes is quite loud, though not as loud as some I've heard.
- fitting the cords and hose back into the storage compartment is not easy.
- the valve adapter is plastic, not metal, and doesn't seem sturdy. It works so far, however.

I am pleased with this inflator so far. (I hedge a bit, given the reviews stating that the device has failed for other users. But that's what the warranty is for.) It is easy to use, effective, and convenient with its storage compartment for power cords and inflation hose. I especially like the automatic cutoff feature; I can turn it on and let it do its thing while I'm doing something else. I run my automobile tires at higher pressures than most (60 PSI), and it had no trouble with those. It takes a couple of minutes, of course, but that's to be expected -- this is not a mechanic's air compressor, and I don't expect that level of performance. I haven't tried them on my higher pressure (90 PSI) bicycle tires yet.

Negatives that other reviewers have mentioned and my comments:
* Gauge readability: Yes, it's a little hard to discern small PSI increments on the gauge. But I never rely totally on any pump's or inflator's built-in gauge for my tires; I always verify with a good quality tire pressure gauge. The inflator's gauge and cut-off get me in the ballpark, and then I fine-tune using the tire pressure gauge. They are within 1 or 2 PSI of each other.
* AC power cord length: Not an issue. I likely would have to use an extension cord anyway. And the short power cord adds a bit to its portability -- no fiddling with it or trying to store a long (and useless while traveling) power cord with the device as it sits in my trunk.
* Noise: No worse than any other inflator I've used.
* Small storage compartment for cords and hose: Not too much of a problem, though it might take a little practice to get them coiled up the right way. It's handy to have the compartment.
* Short inflation hose. No shorter than other inflators in this price range I've used. Plenty long enough to reach a valve stem at top dead center with the device on the ground next to the tire.
* Plastic connector that *might* break. I'll judge it if or when it actually breaks, not before.
* Having to cut the power switch off and then on again to run it after an automatic cutoff: Gimme a break, how big a deal is that??

I have used it for about a week now. It is much better than the one I got from Walmart. The major issue I see is that the pressure gauge on this machine is rather small and it will be hard for you differentiate between 27psi versus 29psi without using an external gauge. My Toyota Camry calls for 29psi and my other car asks for 34psi front and 36psi rear. It was impossible for me to read 34 vs 36 psi on this machine's gauge.

Tip: To get the best out of this machine - get a good external mechanical pressure gauge with a relief valve (you can get a decent one for under $10 at Walmart). Then set the dial on this machine to be slightly over (2-3 psi more) the pressure required (I set it to 30psi when filling my Camry which needs 29 psi). Fill the tires with air using the machine. Then use the external gauge to measure the pressure and release the air using its relief valve until the pressure is at the desired reading. Works like a charm for me.

Other than this, the machine is quite nice and with a 2 year warranty it is a good buy. Amazon's price was amongst the lowest I could find.

First thing you should know, the Air Station Inflator is LOUD. Wear ear plugs if you care about your eardrums. Secondly, you must shut off the inflator and start it up again for every car tire. Third, the AC cord is a measly few inches. You will need to buy an extension cord. Finally, buy a digital car gauge to make sure you have an accurate measurement.

I thought it would be a snap to fill my own tires but it's laborious, tedious, and loud. You might want to look at a more expensive, quieter model.

Update 8-12-07: With its imperfections noted, I continue to use the Black and Decker and have gotten used to it. Sure, it's loud, but it beats going to the gas station and putting quarters into the air machine and scrambling to put air in your tires with your allotted 5 minutes. So for 50 bucks, the Black and Decker is worth it.

I bought this model to replace my older B&D air station. This one is much quieter than the old one and it has the nice automatic "shut off" feature. However the hose connector is plastic (seems flimsy) compared to the metal connector on the older model. My beef with this model is that to see the actual tire pressure on the gauge, the unit must be shut off. Then if the pressure is not adequate, then it is to be turned on again. But doing this too fast and too often will blow the internal fuse. I've done it. Now I have to tear apart the unit to replace the fuse on the internal pc board. What a pain! BE CAREFUL!!


.....Six months later... My "3-star" rating has been reduces to "1-star"

I've used the inflator off and on since November when the fuse blew the first time. However last night, I was inflating my car tires. The first 3 tires went fine. When I turned on the unit to inflate the 4th tire, the unit immediately turned off. I knew that the internal fuse had blown. I disassembled the unit and replaced the blown fuse with a fuse of same ratings. Upon power up, the new fuse blew. I suspected that there were other problems with the control circuitry. To confirm this, I soldered a thin piece of copper wire across the blown fuse. Upon power up, the copper wire vaporized with flash and loud pop. This confirmed a bigger problem. Being an electrical engineer who has designed consumer products to UL standards for over 20 years, I suspect that this inflator is designed with very little safety margin. When the fuse cannot protect the other circuitry, it is not adequate. I advise not buying this product. Most of the B&D products are made in China, and probably are built without any UL standard being enforced. I believe that the units are designed to meet the standards, but the manufacture of them is in question, in my mind. The manufacture of these products is supposed to undergo UL scrutiny every so often. However we all know how the US Customs office is often deficient in its review of such imported products.

My advice......DO NOT PURCHASE.

Overall, I like this inflator. As is typical with about anything, it has strengths and weaknesses. The strengths:

- Once set, I verified with a digital tire gauge that the built-in pressure gauge is accurate to <1 psi, so you can actually use the auto-shutoff feature to make your life easier.

- It works with both AC and DC power, which makes it useable both around the house and in the car.

- All the wires nicely and completely store inside it for a clean appearance and easy-to-tuck-away form-factor, without need for velcro strips or the like.

- It pumps air quickly for a portable unit. I've had some that simply take forever to inflate a tire.

- It's not too loud for a portable inflator. Many others are deafening by comparison. (More on this in a moment.)

- The build quality is mostly pretty good. In particular, the body is made of a solid, heavy-duty plastic that doesn't feel flexy, and the power switch doesn't feel like it's going to break after five uses.

- The built-in carry handle--which is molded right into the case - nothing to fold out and break off--is handy and works very well.

The weaknesses:

- The AC cord is indeed on the short side. Obviously, it's designed to be set right next to or under an outlet (or used with an extension cord), and I'm fine with that. However, I still wouldn't mind just another three or four inches inches, just to allow a little more wiggle room when plugging directly into an outlet. But, it *is* more than long enough to reach up to the typical wall outlet from the floor, so no biggie.

- The fake plastic bolt heads on top are cheesy and scream "consumer-grade". That said, they're not bad enough that my wife would notice.

- I'd prefer an all-metal air connector. Admittedly, however, I have an old second-hand foot pump whose connector is almost identical, and everything *but* the connector is falling apart on that, so it's probably not nearly as delicate as it might seem. At least it's not the sort of plastic that tends to melt or crumble in our Phoenix summer heat.

- The gauge, though accurate as far as controlling the pump, isn't scaled in a way that makes it accurate to set. I managed to guess correctly on the first try, and then just left it, but you may not be able to do that if the items you're inflating require a variety of inflation pressures. Basically, don't throw out your dedicated gauge just yet. That said, even when you can't use it for final measurement, the built-in gauge will at least prevent you from grossly (and dangerously) over-inflating if you get distracted, and if you estimate high, it lets you use a separate gauge to reach your target by simply bleeding air out, rather than having to add air.

- The length of the DC cord may make things tight if you have a big vehicle and no power plugs toward the rear. When I did the tires in my Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab full-size pickup, I was able to get the unit to reach from the plug in the dashboard to the rear tires, but I had little length to spare. If I had the longer Mega Cab version, or the longer bed, I may not have been so lucky. That said, we're talking about the longest standard vehicles here, and their owners expect this sort of issue. If it'll be a problem for you, you probably already expect to need a DC extension cord.

- The power switch's design makes it too easy to flip into AC or DC when you don't intend to. I don't know, however, if this can actually cause harm to the unit. FWIW, I accidentally switched into DC while turning it off on AC, and it seemingly did nothing and worked just fine afterward.

As for the noise, since "loud" means different things to different people, I went ahead and measured it. From a distance of about two feet, using C-weighting, I got about 92 dB; I got about 96 dB at three or four inches. At those levels, if you had to listen to it all day in your workplace, OSHA would require hearing protection, but for just a few minutes while you inflate something, it's not a problem. Put in terms of what may be more familiar to many, it's equivalent to a moderately loud segment of an action movie in a theater.

Finally, a note about wire storage. Some here have complained that it's too hard to pack the wires into the unit. I was able to do so for the first time, on the first try, without any frustration and without having to redo the wires. Basically, a quick, loose loop or two suffices for the AC cord and air line, but the space is small enough that you really need to neatly wrap (but not tie) the DC cord. If you are the sort that does that anyway, as I am, you'll be quite happy with the storage compartment. If you're the sort that would prefer to simply shove the wires in, you'll have a harder time.

In the end, I'm a happy camper and definitely recommend this unit to others.

I bought this product mainly to keep air pressure in our vehicles--doesn't do the job very well--takes a long time and still not sufficient inflation on my truck. Does footballs/basketballs/bike tires ok.

Don't bother with cheaper inflators, this is good for AC and DC connections.

WIt's compact, look like the built is good, but the platic hose connection looks fragile.

I like the auto shut-off feature, I have seen it only in few inflators.

Quite a few babies here complaining about noise. Face it, all air compressors are loud. But its definitely tolerable for the short duration required to fill whatever your are inflating.

I hate going to the gas station to fill up my tires with air. This tire inflator gets the job done, and it its affordable. Yes, the AC cord is short, but extension cords are cheap.

UPDATE (3 stars to 4):
Approximately 2 1/2 years after my original review...

I ended up keeping this item after seeing that replacement parts can be ordered from Black and Decker's website. I went ahead and ordered a back up valve adaptor ahead of time just in case they discontinue the part by the time the current valve adaptor fails (assuming my prediction comes true). I don't know if this part can be commonly found with the same exact connection, but if it is, I'd recommend not buying a replacement from B&D and just get something sturdier if breakage ever occurs.

The unit has been put through light to moderate use in the time I've had it and overall I'm very satisfied with the purchase. Last week I had a rear tire blow out while I was driving down the freeway. Due to the circumstances I wasn't able to pull over in an ideal spot which resulted in my being unable to jack my vehicle high enough to put on the spare. I had to deflate the spare all the way flat to able to get it mounted on the wheel. Then I used the B&D and inflated the tire just enough so that I could jack the vehicle up and properly remount the tire. I was VERY GRATEFUL to have an inflator on hand.

Because of how I was forced to be situated on the freeway with very little space, it would have been extremely dangerous if I had called for a tow truck or had tried to get help from anyone else. Someone could have easily been killed that night if I did not have an inflator. Whether you get this brand/model or another, just make sure you get one.

TIP:
The gauge on this is far from being pinpoint accurate. Use a reliable tire pressure gauge with a bleed valve in conjunction with this or any other inflator. For the auto off feature, you can find out where exactly the needle needs to be set and make little markings to indicate where the dial needs to be set for common items. I'd recommend putting the dial up ever so slightly over the PSI you're aiming for and then, using the bleed valve on your gauge, let a little air out to hit your mark. Doing this will prevent you from having to repeatedly turn on the inflator. That will reduce wear and tear which will extend the life of the unit.

end of update
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This unit was not as loud as I expected. The previous inflator I was using was obnoxiously loud at a frequency that was very unpleasant.

The other inflator had severe vibration issues and due to its shape and lack of stability would shake until it landed on its side. This unit is stable and because of the rubber knobs on the bottom remains rather still.

I like the feature that lets you set the desired PSI and then automatically shuts off when it reaches that pressure. It makes the slowness much more tolerable when at home because you can simply do other tasks while it's working.

After filling up my tires using similar settings for the front and for the back, I measured the pressure of the tires and found that they were accurate to within 1 PSI.

I timed the first tire I inflated at a little over 4.5 minutes to go from 20 PSI to 30 (YMMV depending on what you're inflating). My truck is a full size '86 Chevy C-10 and there is adequate length to hook the unit up to my vehicles power and easily inflate the tires.

For all of the things I like about this unit, there is one thing that causes me to give it a 3 out of 5 rating. The valve adaptor lever looks as though it might not last very long. That is the very reason I'm buying a new inflator because the valve adaptor lever broke on the previous (non-B&D) unit I was using.

On the large picture on the box, the lever looks as though it is one solid plastic piece but it isn't. The way it's actually designed, it should be made out of metal. I just don't see this poorly designed plastic lever holding up for the long haul. For $50 I expect something solid that I know will last.

I looked through the reviews on here and the oldest one is from November of last year. I can only imagine that, given time, several people on here will end up with broken valve adaptor levers. I'm going to return this item for something with more solid construction.