Anyone out there bought anything from BearAir?

I noticed it says it is out of stock.  Coast Airbrush has it in stock, and at the top of the page they claim that they will match any advertised price.  I don't know about shipping cost comparison, but you might want to check them out.

Don

I have and recommend them gladly.

Why the Talon?

I would get the 105 Patriot.

I have both the Talon and the Patriot and get better performance from the Talon.  The Talon has a paint flow adjustment the Patriot doesn't have.  It's easier to get a consistent spray pattern from the Talon.

If you just need the airbrush there is one cheaper.

http://www.bearair.com/Paasche-Talon-Gravity-Feed-Airbrush/productinfo/100046/

The only thing you have to look out for is the shipping, I ordered my Talon back in December when they had a $5.00 shipping deal.

You might want to check the Talon kits here.   There are different kits for two and three tip/needle sizes.  http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/newpatagrai.html

MikeV

Why the Talon?

I would get the 105 Patriot.

I just used the Talon to illustrate their prices...

I'm actually thinking of the Paasche H or VL...

Tax refund time, baby..!

HSteve

I'm actually thinking of the Paasche H or VL...

Tax refund time, baby..!

Do your homework before you decide. There are better value than what you are thinking out there.

I wouldn't buy anything from bearair - they are crooks. They had a free shipping deal so i bought some supplies from them and when i got the stuff i looked at the invoice and they charged me a handling fee of like $5.95. So they basically lied and made you pay shipping but called it handling instead. I talked to Steve the owner and he was very rude and said tough luck. My shipment also took over two weeks to get to me. 

I would recommend the badger patriot 105 or the badger renegade spirit or velocity. I have had many Paasches and they are very crudely built. I have a talon and the needle doesn't sit in the center of the nozzle it hangs off to one side - I have never used the airbrush because i won it so this is like that from the factory. The airbrush feels real cheaply made like the VL.

As far as companies are concerned i used to love coastairbrush.com but lately tcgraphicsandpaint.com has been my place to shop - they are very very fast - free 2 day delivery and customer support is the best out there. I personally stick to them two companies.

HSteve

 

MikeV:

 

Why the Talon?

I would get the 105 Patriot.

 

 

I just used the Talon to illustrate their prices...

I'm actually thinking of the Paasche H or VL...

Tax refund time, baby..!

I learned to airbrush on a Paasche VL. I would never own one again as the newer designs are smoother, spray better and are more comfortable to hold.

tyamada

I have both the Talon and the Patriot and get better performance from the Talon.  The Talon has a paint flow adjustment the Patriot doesn't have.

Paint flow adjustment?

nofosg8

I wouldn't buy anything from bearair - they are crooks. They had a free shipping deal so i bought some supplies from them and when i got the stuff i looked at the invoice and they charged me a handling fee of like $5.95. So they basically lied and made you pay shipping but called it handling instead. I talked to Steve the owner and he was very rude and said tough luck.

Knowing Steve I find that very hard to believe.

I have a talon and the needle doesn't sit in the center of the nozzle it hangs off to one side

That is normal for many airbrushes including some of the high dollar ones.

So, mixed reviews regarding BearAir, and a lot of poo-poos for the Paasche - This will be my 1st airbrush - I had an old Testors a LONG time ago that was no better than a fine-spraying rattle can.

I just want a basic airbrush, hopefully under $100, and good availability of replacement parts - I know almost nothing about Badger, but it seems that Paasche was and is the first airbrush for a lot of folks around here. I'm basing my judgement on what others have used in the past...

I like the Paasche VL as it allows you to "lock out" the double-action - sounds good to start.

I'll keep up the research...

This is the first negative review of Bear Air I've read, and frankly a handling charge does not put me off. Steve confirmed the price of my order before shipping, and how he arrived at the final price was moot. I agreed to the price, and that was what was charged as the final total. Had he added an additional charge, I would not give his company a good review.

I can also personally recommend Dixie Art, and both Coast Airbrush and TCP Global have had good reviews by others.

Paasche are often stated as people's first airbrushes, and many still use them, but many more move on to another brand. My first was a Badger, and so was the second, and third. I've not used a Talon, but I found Paasche's earlier models were uncomfortable to hold.

But, by all means, put more research into the purchase. Buying an airbrush is a major leap for most people, and requires a major commitment of time and money. Taking time now to ensure you are buying the right tool will pay off in the long haul.

If you are still looking at the VL check out the Millennium, it's a slimmer version of the VL.  It will take all the tips and needles the VL does.  It comes with the #3 tip and needle.  Same performance as the VL.

Chicago Airbrush has them starting at around $50.00 with free shipping.

http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/pamise.html

Bear Air usually charges around $13.00 for shipping.

Bear Air prices seem lower than most e-tailers but they charge more for shipping, so in the end you will probably pay more for the same item. 

Make sure you look at the bottom line.

Well, I bought from Coast airbrush and from Bear Air. An Omni 4000 from Coast that had some problems (the airbrush, I mean) as some chrome was missing, and it was oddly assembled. Coast were very kind and not expensive on shipping ( I live in France) but when I complained on the airbrush they said to me it was a pity and good luck. I then wrote to Ken Schlotfeld and proposed to send him the airbrush to see if something could be done, and he sent me back a complete new airbrush for free. This chap is great.

As for Bear Air, I bought them a Renegade Velocity at great price, but it cost me on UPS and customs (if it goes through UPS, it goes through customs) as much as the bargain price, around 170 € (around 230 $).I got it in five days but could not use it as I could not sit due to the pain I felt in my bottom.

What I am saying now is very subjective :

_if you own an Omni 4000, you don't need an Iwata Revolution (how do I know?)

_Paasche Talon is a bit thick to my taste (but it's a Paasche after all) and is slightly unbalanced so it tends to dive in the front end though it's a nice airbrush all in all.

And in the end, I'm no Badger addict  but I appreciate their products ( I own some), but as I'm European, I dare say : Long live Harder & Steenbeck

The problem is they aren't like cars with dealerships on every corner where you can take one for a test drive. You just have to make a decision and go with it. I've never used one but there are a lot of folks that have had their VLs for a long time, I'm sure it will serve you well. Besides, you'll probably be wanting a second brush somewhere down the line anyway.

Tony

Thanks for all the input, folks...

Wingman -

I actually know of a couple of art suppliers who have airbrushing classes, I'm thinking about talking to them to see if it would be worth it to take one or two- maybe I can "test-drive" 1 or 2 different models before spending my hard-earned cash..?

You're also right...I don't know of many people who've been in this hobby a while without purchasing a second, third, etc. AB.

HSteve

Thanks for all the input, folks...

Wingman -

I actually know of a couple of art suppliers who have airbrushing classes, I'm thinking about talking to them to see if it would be worth it to take one or two- maybe I can "test-drive" 1 or 2 different models before spending my hard-earned cash..?

You're also right...I don't know of many people who've been in this hobby a while without purchasing a second, third, etc. AB.

Some here have 14 airbrushes. Bunch of hoarders!

I bought a Paasche(sp?) H from them a little while back during a sale.  Granted the sale price wasn't bad, but by the time I paid for shipping and handling I could have driven from Texas to pick it up cheaper.  Not really, but you get the idea.  Although they have a very limited stock you might try getting a 40% off coupon from Hobby Lobby's web site and see if they have what you might be looking for.

Hope this helps,

Regards,

Michael B. 

MikeV

Some here have 14 airbrushes. Bunch of hoarders!

or even more.

Torio

 

MikeV:

 

 

Some here have 14 airbrushes. Bunch of hoarders!

 

 

 

or even more.

The only French term that comes to mind......Sacre Bleu!

See, Mike, my friend, i live in Cornebarrieu, a small town, near Blagnac, a bigger town near Toulouse. Between Blagnac and Cornebarrieu, there is a big plant ( at least for us ) named Aeroconstellation, where they assemble the A380, the biggest airliner nowadays. Toulouse, where I lived before, is the fourth French city, behind Paris, Marseille and Lyon. So I don't live in the middle of nowhere...but if I want to try a new airbrush, either I go to Paris to try it and come back with or without it, or I spare the travel cost and I buy it anyway. As for now, the only one I'm not really delighted with is the Iwata HP CR as I already own an Omni 4000. Waiting for a Patriot which is somewhere in the mail, so I did not touch it yet. And the next one is a Mig H02, from Mig Productions, who make pigments, washes, etc, for armor. I bet it is a Chinese copy of Iwata, but I must see it to conclude. Mike, do yourself a favor, I know it's not made in USA, but get a H & S Infinity, you won't be disappointed. And what is 14, when one honest chap can have 15 ?

Torio

Mike, do yourself a favor, I know it's not made in USA, but get a H & S Infinity, you won't be disappointed. And what is 14, when one honest chap can have 15 ?

Sorry but I am faithful to American made airbrushes, especially Badger.

I have no reason to buy any other brand as the ones I have will paint anything I could ever possibly want.

I think if I lived in Europe, I'd get a H&S.   Or if I lived in Japan, I'd get a Tamiya.    But I l'm in the US, so it's a Badger.

It comes down spare parts and serviceability more than anything else.

Badger is a great airbrush - i have been using them for years.

I have over 40 airbrushes - some are 15-20 years old. I have tried all most everyone out there and I can say there are very few out there that can do extreme detail like the harder and steenbeck infinity. I would say the richpen 212c and Iwata microns match the infinity. The Badger renegade spirit and velocity are very close and half the price - The iwata microns are a waste of money -  parts are way over priced. The harder and steenbeck has a really nice nozzle assembly - it is more of a cartridge and very durable - parts are very cheap. The infinity also has a quick-fix handle - i thought it was a big gimmick but i always use it when i use that brush it is pretty cool. Whoops way off topic - sorry. Badger is a great airbrush for the money. I think Badger has been doing a lot of research lately to improve their airbrushes and love to hear feedback from its users. The one thing i do not like about the Badger airbrushes is the finish - Ken and I got into a heated discussion over it at the SEMA show a few months back - LOL.

Anyways, Everyone has their own certain feel they are comfortable with - that is why a lot of people have more then 1 airbrush.

nofosg8

 The one thing i do not like about the Badger airbrushes is the finish - Ken and I got into a heated discussion over it at the SEMA show a few months back - LOL.

What is wrong with the finish?

The plating is poor quality. In fact just recently they had a batch of patriots where the tube shank part #50-030 would not unscrew out of the airbrush body because of the plating process. Overall the finish is not equal to the competition. The renegade series is just a gun metal color - and that really sucks when you spray a dark color and want to make sure you cleaned it well - a big issue when using solvent based paint - not such an issue with water based. On the patriots and other Badgers you can see the brazing/soldering of the cup to the body.

I'm not saying it is a huge issue - i mean an airbrush is not about how it looks it is how it performs. I just like to give Ken crap about the finish because I know years back their finish was a lot better and would like to see it improved.

HSteve, I think that's a great idea. Hope it works out for you. If you happen to have one near you, Micheals occasionally has 50% off coupons this time of year. They are kinda high priced but, 1/2 off helps. The one local to me usually has 3 or 4 Badgers and a couple Paasches in stock.

I started with an Aztec 470. It was probably less than a month I went back and bought a Badger 360U. Then I got a Badger 200NH for my kids to practice with but they didn't really get into it. Then a couple years ago I had one of those 50% coupons and Micheals had a Badger 175 Crescendo in the case that someone had bought and returned. The cup was missing but all three needles, tips, caps and everything else was there and it looked like new. There was also a Badger single action in the box. The manager didn't know where it came from, they didn't even sell that model, so he told me if I wanted the 175 I could have the other too. They had $65 on the box and STILL accepted my coupon. I couldn't pass that up. But I seldom use any other than the 360. Now I'm thinking something along the lines of the Patriot would be very handy...

Tony

Wingman_kz:

If you have the Badger 360 you shouldn't need to get a Patriot.  The 360 is a Anthem and Patriot all in one.  In the suction freed mode it's performance is the same as the Anthem.  In the Gravity feed mode it's performance is the same as the Patriot.

The tips and needles are the same on the Anthem, Patriot and the 306.

As a matter of fact the Cresendo uses the same tips, air regulator and needles  as all the all the airbrushes listed above.

tyamada

Wingman_kz:

If you have the Badger 360 you shouldn't need to get a Patriot.  The 360 is a Anthem and Patriot all in one.  In the suction freed mode it's performance is the same as the Anthem.  In the Gravity feed mode it's performance is the same as the Patriot.

The tips and needles are the same on the Anthem, Patriot and the 306.

As a matter of fact the Cresendo uses the same tips, air regulator and needles  as all the all the airbrushes listed above.

The Anthem, Patriot, 3155, and 360 will accept the same needles, tips, and regulators.  But the 360 comes with the standard Anthem needle while the Patriot  and 3155 come with the fine needle.   The 360 should perform the same as a Patriot if you change out the needle, tip, and regulator, which doesn't cost very much.  The main reason you might want the Patriot instead is the bigger cup.

Don