Hill MK5 Pump with Saturation Indicator

Hill pumps are based in Sheffield, and with an enviable reputation for quality and the endorsement of many airgun manufacturers, they are arguably the best pump available. I’m on record as being a huge fan of using a pump to charge PCPs, and it’s the Hill model that I’ve had in constant use for many years, so yes, I can personally vouch for the reliability and relative ease of use. I’m no athlete, no really, yet for topping up a PCP after one or maybe two sessions, the effort involved is entirely manageable. A brief workout if you like, and of course, for those with health issues, the air bottle is always going to win the day. For those of us that appreciate the selfcontained advantage that a pump brings to the table, then the brief effort up front is well worth the investment.

MK5 revised

We tested the MK5 version of the Hill when it was released back in 2021, and the usual build quality and pedigree were evident. However, when I heard that Hill had just announced some further upgrades to the system, I was keen to learn more.

Well, here it is, the very latest Mk5, and alongside the previous spec, it does look very different due in no small part to that new nickel-plated body tube. Super smart and robust, this change certainly looks the part.

Hill has stuck with ‘MK5’, since despite the tube change, the internal spec and actual stroke/ ratio performance are all identical to what went before. As we showed in our previous test, the effort required and performance overall are minimal and impressive respectively.

Saturation indicator

So, let’s focus on the big change here, which is the introduction of what Hill terms ‘Saturation Indicator Technology’. For a while now, Hill has been the one pump which has incorporated a significant moisture trap system, called the Dry-Pac pod. However, this has relied upon the shooter remembering to change the medium (granules) inside the pod periodically. This is normally to be undertaken every 3-4 months or so. Failure to change the medium and the Dry-Pac will be less effective at removing moisture from the air sucked in through the pump. This can mean running the risk of internal corrosion within the airgun.

Changing of the colour

With the new system and medium, there are now orange granules sitting at the top of the Dry-Pac. When these have become saturated, they actually turn green, so we know when to throw away the old medium and fill up with new. Clever stuff and the set-up procedure is as follows.

1. Tear open the sachet of medium and you’ll see a small sachet inside filled with orange granular material. This is the ‘indicator medium’.

2. Stand the main sachet in a cup to keep it upright and tear open the orange sachet.

3. Unscrew the Dry- Pac pod and pour the contents of the orange sachet into the top.

4. Note the sachet doesn’t quite fill to the top.

5. Top up from the second main sachet.

6. Screw back the base of the Dry-Pac nice and snug.

7. Slide down and reattach the Dry-Pac to the pump (remove handles first).

8. The pump is now ready.

In use

The system is clever, but there are minor irritations. Firstly, the Dry-Pac is best filled to capacity. Irritatingly, the quantity of granules held in a main sachet just falls short of filling the Dry-Pac capsule and it becomes necessary to tear open a new sachet, just to use a small amount of it. In use, the orange indicator medium will eventually move around a little, but the end result is still obvious when it finally changes to dark green after doing its job.

Retrofit

Stating the obvious, the new medium can be used with older Hill pumps if they have the Dry-Pac pod fitted, and whilst the medium sachets cost a few quid along the way, it’s a small price to pay to keep our treasured kit in top condition. Modern PCP airguns rely upon dry, clean air to function correctly, and the Hill Dry- Pac is an efficient system that ensures that moisture and corrosion are guarded against. As mentioned, to maximize effectiveness it relies upon the medium being changed at the right time, and the new colour change ‘Saturation Indicator Technology’ is the perfect solution, as it provides an obvious visual indicator of when it’s time to load a fresh sachet.

Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines in this regard, and the pump itself will work more efficiently over time too, with minimal moisture intake, and therefore minimal corrosion, so it makes sense all around.

Verdict

This is a great move from the manufacturer, and it works well. The marketleading Hill MK5 pump now looks snazzy with the nickel-plated body, but the technical ace up its sleeve just got better too. Don’t forget, the MK5 is also easier to service than any of their previous pumps. As for functionality overall, as I’ve said, I use one regularly and wouldn’t use anything else.