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Greetings everyone. I read about airbrush and looked at videos on the matter. I kind of understand how they work in theory and so what I need. I would have preferred those features :

- Double Action
- Gravity Feed
- Different nozzle size/needle
- Control Valve
- Cutaway Hnadles with preset stops
- Quick Disconnect

But I don't know if any have all of those.

Anyway my question is more this : I've been to a place near my home that I normally buy my painting stuff. They have somewhat good price + some bonus since I'm a returning client, and are very helpful. So even if their airbrush price are less good than what I could find on the internet, I still want to get it from them to have some place to go back for extra pieces, advices, refunds, etc.

They have those models :

- Paasche Aec-K (the kit one)
- Genesis XG, XN, XT
- Vega Airbrush Kit
- Iwata Eclipse HP-BCS, HP-CS
- Iwata High Performance something something

I don't mind the price, but of course if everyone is content with the Paasche that's around 125$ versus the Iwata near 300$, I won't pay for the name ''Iwata'' and ruin myself. So you people, what would you get between those ? I'm asking because beyond the features, some models may be really good for their price / very bad in every way. What would you suggest between those ? Or if they are all bad, why ?

PS: They have some other models of the Tritium line, but I think they don't have service on them (i.e. extra pieces etc.). I'm not even sure they have it for the Genesis.

Well I have the Iwata hp-cs, it shouldn't be $300 though. It was my first ab many years ago and still one of my favorites.

Iwata has unbelievable customer service and outstanding warranties; when I first started I broke a few things, and literally 'no questions asked' they sent replacement parts.

For mini painting you'll almost never use preset stops and the cutaway handle thing is just preference. The control valve needs to be on your compressor, not the ab. The rest of your checklist seems legit though.

Thank you very much for the clarification !

Will the Iwata fit the description ? Because you seem to like it. It would then be my first chocie among those.

Yes the Iwata hp-cs fits the list of essentials, I don't know the more expensive Iwata personally.

There is also the Iwata Neo, which is a cheap, no frills, ab perfectly suited to our purposes (the gravity fed one that is). It's 3rd party built but has the Iwata service as warranty.

I use my hp-cs mostly, but I have two H&S and a cheap no-name that I use for metallics. If the Iwata hp-cs is in your budget I'd get it though.

Iwata HP-CS is what I have, it was my first brush and it is awesome.

I have an Iwata hp-cs and like it quite a bit. I also have a badger 150 that I like quite a bit (i got it from a yardsale super cheap).

HP-CS is like $140 on amazon here:

http://www.amazon.com/Iwata-Medea-Eclipse-Action-Airbrush-Gravity/dp/B000BQKFAI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404743332&sr=8-1&keywords=iwata+hp-cs

I have an iwata HP CS, and its a good solid brush.

Just one note: once you get past the very cheap (i.e. <$30 chinese knock off brushes) more expensive is not always a "better" brush.

Or to put a different way - once you get into quality brushes (made to good production standards) then the "better" brush depends on your skill and what exactly you want to paint.

For example, my "go to" airbrush is my badger patriot 105.
Its a great brush, and is about $100.
Good quality, rugged, not picky about paint, built well (smooth trigger pull, parts fit well, etc.).

Now, I also have a $200 brush, and have used $300 brushes.

I do NOT recommend them for anyone without a lot of experience.

Why? Because they are not "better" they are just different.
As your research indicated, airbrushs have needle (and matching nozzles) sizes.

The smaller the size, has the potential to give more detail in painting. This can be, a good thing.
To do a small needle size well (i.e. it all fits perfectly, and works well) takes higher tolerance machining - hence those brushes cost more.

Note, this does not make them "better" per se, just different.

These brushes are also incredibly ...picky.
They require delicate care not to damage them - the needles and parts are so fine, that ANY damage can render them useless.
My patriot 105? I dropped it, and straightened out the needle with some fine pliers. Worked decent enough until I got a new one.

Also, the "$300" brushes will be exceptionally picky about the thinness and quality (pigment size) of the paint you try to use - my patriot - I can use lower quality paints thinned in them. My expensive brushes - anything but high quality airbrush paints, and they clog a lot, or just don't like them.

Ok, so that was a lot of words....but the executive summary is this:

The HPCS is a good brush - its fine enough to do some detail, but basic enough to not be too frustrating.

But stay away from the really expensive (and small size) brushes until you feel you have mastered the CS.

best of luck!!!