The Benjamin Traveler HPA Compressor has been around a long time, you may say. So why are we looking at it in HAM today?
Well – although it’s not included in the product name – this is actually Generation Three of the Traveler. Over the course of time there have been a number of significant changes and improvements to the product so that, while the name has stayed the same, the product has improved significantly.
HAM readers had an exclusive preview of the then-new “Generation One” Benjamin Traveler back in May 2018. This was a two-piece unit with a separate transformer and power supply. There was an analog pressure gauge and the price was $649.
Then there was “Generation Two”. This was a single-piece unit that incorporated the power supply.
Now we are at “Generation Three” with digital controls and multiple internal upgrades. It’s a great improvement and the price has been held relatively stable at a Street Price of $700.
The core Traveler concept of a small compressor that can be used at home or at the range remains the same, however, with power provided by either 110 V AC mains current or 12 Volts DC from a car battery.
It’s still specified for filling PCP airguns directly – not tanks. The maximum fill capacity for this compressor is 600 cc.
Of course, many other companies also have followed this trend with competing products. So what’s the Traveler Gen Three like?
Using The Benjamin Traveler HPA Compressor Indoors
I have had a Traveler here at the HAM offices for a couple of months. It’s been used simply as a tool to fill a wide variety of PCP air rifles.
My conclusion. It just works!
That big red switch is actually NOT the on/off switch! It’s the AC/DC input selector. I’ve shown both connector plugged-in just for illustration purposes.
Compressors are usually rated by the length of time they take to fill the HPA tank or tube of a PCP airgun from empty. But this is not how they’re usually used. Most PCPs are filled form a partially-full state with an unknown amount of air remaining in the gun.
That’s how I have used this Traveler. For little and often filling. So – unusually for a HAM review – we do not have a lot of test data and/or charts.
In every case, I used the automatic cutoff functionality to set the maximum fill pressure required and let the compressor run. Yes, I watched it to be sure. But the auto shut-off worked correctly every time up to and including the 4,500 PSI maximum fill pressure.
Plus, in no case did I feel that the gun took too long to fill…
Another not-insignificant benefit is that the female quick disconnect at the end of the air hose fitted every gun that I tried it with. Given the potential for differences in “standard” Foster-type fittings, that’s quite an achievement in itself!
As you can see, the Traveler is supplied with a “dead head” for testing purposes. There’s also a simple moisture filter that uses replaceable “cigarette filter”-type inserts to cut down on the damaging water vapor entering your PCP airgun.
Controls are very simple and normal use is based on the built-in control panel.
In the photograph below, we can see that the Traveler has been set to fill to a pressure of 3,600 PSI and is currently running at 1,420 PSI. We also see the internal temperature of 66.7 Degrees Farenheit.
Temperature rises rapidly in compressors, so this is an important thing to watch. In order to protect the unit, the Traveler will shut off if it exceeds its maximum internal working temperature.
I found that it was best to use the Traveler on the floor. Even though weighing about 19 Lbs, it tends to rock around somewhat when in use and prefers to sit on a really solid surface.
Using The Benjamin Traveler HPA Compressor Outdoors
That 13.6 Volts indication we see at the top of the display panel refers to the DC current that’s being drawn internally by the unit. (Even when connected to an AC power supply).
It’s really of use when the Traveler is being powered by the DC battery from a car or truck. Always run the vehicle’s engine when using the Traveler!
As can be seen from our header photograph, the DC connector cables were long enough to connect from the battery of my Toyota Highlander to the Traveler on the ground. So the Benjamin Traveler Portable HPA compressor worked just fine for me.
The only issue I found was that the LED display is difficult to read in bright sunlight outdoors. This was due to a somewhat low contrast display, combined with a very reflective glass covering. In shade it was easier.
The Highlander has its battery at the front. The electrical connector cables were long enough. But the flexible air tube was quite short, limiting the position in which I had to lay the gun for charging.
But what if I had a full-size pickup truck? Would the battery cables be long enough to cope with that situation? Does it work with a Prius, or similar hybrid which has a relatively small starter battery? Would it work with a vehicle having the battery at the rear of the engine compartment?
These are questions to think about if you plan to use the Traveler for charging in the field.
Using The Benjamin Traveler HPA Compressor Summary
It just works!
I have had no issues with the test unit over a couple of months use. However, the vast majority of that use has been indoors, using a 110 Volt domestic electricity supply.
The Traveler has a 12-month warranty, with service and parts support available via Crosman Customer Services.
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Benjamin Traveler 4500 PSI Portable Compressor, Digital Gauge
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