Darrin CEO of Splat Tag, Inc. reportedly paid a little over
$8000.00 for a K-14 Bauer compressor (8hp). After years of carting heavy
bulk bottles around and paying thousands for just air he thought
it only mad since to buy a compressor to compress his own air.
CB:
Darrin how long do you think it will take for it
to pay for itself?
DJ: It might pay for itself in
about three to four years if I'm lucky! But I don't think of it that
way. To me It's not always about making money. You have to look at other
thing. I don't want to be know as the place that uses scuba tanks and
can only fill up to 2000psi, the place that charges $2 per 1000 or worst
yet, the place that players have to wait 30 minutes in line for air.
CB: Why don't other Paintball companies buy
compressors?
DJ: They have. There are
two others compressors that are about this big, one in Rochester and one
near Red Wing, as well as a few smaller ones around Minnesota.
CB: I
didn't think Splat Tag, Inc. catered to compressed air players?
DJ: Well, your right. Most of our
business is catered towards CO2 players, but we do run a couple of
events, like the GIANT BIG GAME and the Sup'AIR Bowl Tournament, that
need a large compressed air supply. And as a sponsor of the Polar Bear
Tournament Circuit, I think it will get a lot of use. With this
compressor the Polar Bear will now have a total of three compressors at
it's disposal.
CB:
What do you think is better, CO2 or Compressed air?
DJ: I think they both have advantages and
disadvantages. For players and for field operator CO2 is cheaper and
easier to get, but for players that play in tournaments or in colder
weather, compressed air is the best way to go.
Darrin, thanks for sharing the news with
us.
Interview by Chris Berg
Jan. 9th, 2003