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Saber SBR-TAC1: A twin-motor compressor built for the bush
Words Tim van Duyl and Robert Crack Pics and video: Joshua Hanger
Built for Aussie conditions, the Saber SBR-TAC1 Twin Air Compressor delivers a 100 per cent duty cycle, integrated 3.8L air tank and rapid 135L/min inflation — giving offroaders the performance, endurance and air-on-demand reliability they need.
(Credit: Joshua Hanger)
Picture this: you’re somewhere between ‘middle of nowhere’ and ‘a long way from help’, the sun’s giving it everything it’s got and all four tyres are sitting low after a morning on soft sand. You drag out a bargain-basement compressor and … it coughs, wheezes and quits.
Sound familiar?
That’s why you don’t muck around when it comes to air. The Saber SBR-TAC1 Twin Air Compressor is a purpose-built bit of kit for Aussie touring rigs — designed for endurance, speed and reliability when you can least afford failure. With a genuine 100 per cent duty cycle, an integrated 3.8L air tank and a rapid-fire 135L/min flow rate, it’s aimed squarely at four-wheel drivers who spend more time off the beaten track than on it.
Tyre pressures: make or break
If you’ve driven K’gari’s (Fraser Island) beach highway in Queensland or crept along a bulldust track west of Bourke, NSW, you know the drill — drop your tyre pressures and you’ll glide where others bog. But once you’re through, getting back to highway PSI (pounds per square inch) is the trick.A slow pump isn’t just inconvenient — it’s time in the sun, time spent not driving and a drain on your patience. That’s where Saber’s 12V Twin Air Compressor steps in.We threw the SBR-TAC1 into the deep end — literally pulled it from the box, strapped it to an Isuzu D-MAX and Windsor Rapid setup and set about airing up, blowing out gear and seeing how hard it could work before admitting defeat. Spoiler alert — it never did.
Headline features
135L/min flow rate — quick enough to make lesser units look lazy.
Low 50A draw with individual motor fuses — built-in redundancy so one motor down doesn’t mean game over.
100 per cent duty cycle at 72 PSI — run it non-stop without cooking it.
3.8L holding tank — steady supply of compressed air, even for bead reseating.
Claimed 2.15 min inflation from 0–40 PSI (265/70R17).
We don’t take spec sheets at face value, so we tested them.
Field results: Fast and unfazed
Saber says 2.15 minutes from flat to 40 PSI. We ran ours from 10 PSI to 40 PSI in 1.45 minutes per tyre. All four? Eight minutes flat. Back in the shed, we ran a 30-minute punishment session inflating 15 tyres in a row. Times stayed steady, performance didn’t dip and the compressor stayed cool enough to keep going. That’s not marketing spin — that’s endurance.
Built for the real Australia
Dust, corrugations and the occasional sidetrack into the scrub — the Saber’s hard case keeps the unit sealed, protected and easy to lug.
Other smart touches include:
Long leads and a 6m (19ft 7in) hose — reach all tyres on your dual-cab plus camper or trailer without dragging the unit through the dirt.
Works as a high-pressure blower for tubs, trailers and air filters.
Solid latches and rubber seals — keeps out red dust and water.
The integrated tank’s burst of air can also help with tyre bead reseating — handy insurance when you’re remote.
What's in the box
Everything you need — hose, leads and trigger gun with gauge — are all packed in the hard case. The build feels premium, from the wiring and fuses through to the fittings, nothing is flimsy or cheap looking.
How it stacks up
Saber SBR-TAC1 |
ARB CKMTP12 |
Sherpa Box Air |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Max flow rate |
135L/min |
174L/min |
180L/min |
Duty cycle |
100% @ 72 PSI |
100% @ 72 PSI |
30% @ 100 PSI |
Tank volume |
3.8L |
4L |
3.8L |
Max current |
50A |
68.6A |
45A |
Inflation time* |
2.15 |
2.30 |
2.00 |
Warranty |
Three years |
Two years |
One year |
*265/70R17 from 0–40 PSI
The Saber matches or beats ARB in speed, edges ahead on warranty and leaves Sherpa behind on duty cycle. With a three-year warranty, it’s the safer long-term buy.
Verdict: The traveller’s choice
After real-world use, we rate the SBR-TAC1 as a touring-grade compressor. It’s fast, it’s tough and it’s designed with the kind of thinking only regular offroaders bring to the table.
If you want a compressor you can throw in the back of the ute and trust from Cape York to the Great Australian Bight, this one earns its place.
Where to get the SBR-TAC1
Saber Offroad is an Australian brand run by people who spend their weekends where the bitumen ends. From kinetic recovery ropes to heavy-duty compressors, Saber’s gear is built to survive the abuse of real travel in real conditions.
The SBR-TAC1 Twin Air Compressor and Inflation Kit retails from $929 and is available direct from the Saber online store or through leading 4WD and camping retailers.
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