My birthday is coming up and I’ve got a few hundred bucks to squander - can’t afford anything of real value, but can waste smaller amounts to help the economy rebound. I’ve got two places: in one I have a Harder Steenbeck Evolution and in the other an Iwata Eclipse both backed up by a Paasche VLS for broad strokes. I can think of many good reasons to think buying a Harder Steenbeck Infinity would be pure waste considering my present tools. Yet I’m too old for an iPad and it’s something that I’d like to have. What I tell myself is that for fine detail work (they come with a .15 nozzle default although they take up to .40 - and use the same needle/nozzle as the Eclipse) that the Infinity would pay off with better results or just be fine to use. Has anyone out there used one? Is there any real world difference between an Infinity and an Eclipse or does the Infinity just look neater?
Because you already have an Evolution, one advantage of getting the Infinity is that you’ll be able to interchange parts between the two. Keep one with a small nozzle and the other with a broader one or keep one with the gravity cup and add the side siphon option to the other or ???. I doubt the Infinity will spray much different than the Evolution but it sure is a precision and beautiful airbrush. Maybe Milairjunkie will respond since he uses the Infinity. And, yes, I like H&S AB’s and my Evolution is my workhorse. As someone said on this forum, ‘you can never have too many airbtushes’.
The money is burning a hole in your pocket so you must spend it.
The H&S Infinity has a pre-set handle which neither the H&S Evolution nor the Iwata Eclipse has.
The H&S Infinity is a heavier design and you like heavier airbrush.
You are allergic to nickel. The H&S Infinity has a triple inner coating of copper and nickel where nickel plating is hidden.
The H&S Infinity just looks nicer.
Be aware that you can add preset handles to both the H&S Evolution and the Iwata Eclipse for a total cost of less than $60. However, it will not relieve the burden of your pocket. Let us know how you decide and how the new toy compares to the old ones.
p.s. I have the Iwata HP-CS, H&S Evolution Silverliner Solo and Badger Krome, all of which are at the price point at half of an Infinity. I have not seen the need for an Infinity yet and am very interested in what your experience may be. Yes, you can never have too many airbrushes.
Both the Evolution & the Infinity use the same 0.15, 0.2, 0.4 & 0.6mm needle/nozzle sets & spray performance between the two models is identical. The Infinity is fitted with the “Fineline” air cap system which has a push on two pronged needle cap rather than the screw on needle cap fitted to the Evolution. Although the “Fineline” needle cap is easier to remove than the screw on version, there is again no difference in spray pattern or performance between the two systems.
As said above an Infinity or Evolution with the same size of needle/nozzle set will perform identically, the difference is in the additional bells & whistles of the Infinity;
“Fineline” air cap system (can be fitted to the Evolution),
Adjustable trigger tension,
Cut-out Rear handle with adjustable paint control & push button “memory” - the “memory” function allows you to switch between the your pre-set & full flow (a similar rear handle can be fitted to the Evolution, but it’s not cut-out & is in standard nickel finish).
If you do decide to get an Infinity, it would be well worth considering one of the CRPlus versions (0.15, 0.2, 0.4, 2in1 & X), these are chrome plated externally, nickel plated internally, have long life triple needle seal & come with paint cup lid/s included. The external chrome plating is more resistant to wear & staining than the standard models full nickel plate & the price difference between comparative models is minimal.
