Sportsman GEN1000i - 800/1000W Inverter Generator
The Sportsman GEN1000i is a quiet, compact and lightweight inverter generator with a rated wattage of 800 W and a starting wattage of 1,000 W. (Read full specs)
Tractor Supply 
JB Tools 
Zoro 
Amazon Price history for the Sportsman GEN1000i
Page Content
Description
Zoom on the Sportsman GEN1000i
In a few words, the Sportsman GEN1000i is a quiet, compact and lightweight portable inverter generator perfectly suited for:
- Camping and tailgating buffs looking to enhance their experience
- Handcrafting enthusiasts who wish to work on-the-go
Over the following sections, you'll uncover its power characteristics, the selection of outlets it offers, its overall portability, and the supplementary features it includes.
Power & Run Time
The Sportsman GEN1000i
Sportsman GEN1000i runs on gasoline, powered by a 40 cc (1.3 hp) OHV 4-stroke engine, delivering 120V, boasting a running wattage of 800W alongside a starting wattage of 1,000W.
Operating with a noise level of 56 dBA (less noisy than rainfall), the inverter generator starts up via a traditional recoil pull-start mechanism.
Thanks to a fuel capacity of 0.6 gallon, the GEN1000i can operate for around 6.3 hours at 50% load with a full tank (fuel consumption around 0.1 GPH).
The GEN1000i generates a clean sine wave with <5% Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), ensuring minimal electrical noise and fluctuations. This feature makes it ideal for powering sensitive electronics, providing stable and reliable AC power through the outlet.
Outlets
The control panel includes the following AC outlet:
Moreover, it presents 1 DC outlet: there's a 5V USB port designed for hassle-free charging of various electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets, ensuring uninterrupted usage.
Portability
Since the Sportsman GEN1000i is an inverter generator, its closed design (L15.6 x W8 x H13.8 in) not only provides an aesthetic advantage but also contributes to reduced noise levels compared to conventional, open frame devices. The featured design follows the latest trends and is ideal for easy and recreational use.
Since the GEN1000i weighs only 20.3 lbs, it can be labeled as a portable lightweight generator. The device can be easily moved by just one person and thus, its power may be enjoyed on-the-go. Its handle (molded in the case) adds to the convenience, making it easy to carry.
Good to know: This unit ranks 1st in our list of the 10 smallest portable generators.
Features
The GEN1000i's control panel
The device’s light indicators will display if the oil level is too low, the generator is on overload and the generator is ready.
From a security standpoint, the product offers an automatic low oil shut-off and an overload protection (circuit breaker), allowing you to use it with a peace of mind.
While the standard documentation and an owner's manual (opens in a new tab), helpful for starting the device promptly, come with the Sportsman GEN1000i, the following accessories are also included: funnel, battery charging cables and tool kit.
Product Videos
The Sportsman GEN1000i versus other generators
The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how some of the key specs of the Sportsman GEN1000i compare to generators of similar power (between 500 and 1500 W).
- Regarding its weight, the Sportsman GEN1000i only weighs in at 20.3 pounds, which means it's one of the lightest generators in the 500-1500 rated wattage range.
- With noise emissions reaching as low as 56 dBA, this inverter generator has a noise level typical for devices of its power category. If you wish to prioritize minimal noise, the Honda EU1000i stands out as one of the quietest options among generators of similar power, with a rating of 42 dBA.
- Concerning its runtime, the GEN1000i provides around 6.3 hours at a 50% load, indicating that it falls on the lower side compared to other generators of its power range. If run time is one of your main concerns, the Champion 201285 could be worth looking at. It boasts one of the highest run times among units of comparable power, lasting around 10 hours.
- While the run time is an important parameter, it is dependent on the fuel tank's capacity and thus, doesn't say much on its own unless we consider fuel consumption as well. This inverter generator is one of the more fuel-efficient options in its power range, consuming approximately 0.1 GPH (gallon per hour) at 50% load. If you are concerned with gasoline efficiency, having a fuel consumption of just 0.09 GPH, the Pulsar PGD16iSCO is a device you could look out for.
Price comparison
As you can see from these interactive charts, when compared to other 500-1500W inverter generators, the Sportsman GEN1000i is on the cheap side of the price range.
It can therefore be a really good buy if you're looking to acquire a budget generator.
The bottom line
- Inexpensive
- Inverter
- Lightweight (20.3 lbs)
- Fuel efficient
- Acceptable noise (56 dBA)
- No data center
- 1-year warranty
- Only 1 AC outlet
- No parallel ports
- Relatively low run time
Do you own the Sportsman GEN1000i and agree (or disagree) with these strengths and weaknesses?
Let us know and write your own review.
Features and Specifications
| Inverter | Yes |
|---|---|
| Parallel capable | No |
| RV ready | No |
| Fuel | Gasoline |
| Engine | 40 cc OHV 4-stroke |
| Starting system | Recoil |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Voltage | AC: 120V 60 Hz, DC: 12V |
|---|---|
| Running watts | 800 W |
| Starting watts | 1,000 W |
| Running amps | 6.7 amps |
| Peak amps | 8.3 amps |
| Run time @50% load | 6.3 h |
| Run time @25% load | Unknown |
| GFCI outlets | No |
|---|---|
| Covered outlets | Yes |
| Automatic Voltage Regulation | Inverter |
| AC outlets | 1x 120V 20A (5-20R) |
| DC outlets | 1x 5V USB port |
| Data center | No |
| Indicators | Low oil, overload and output ready |
| Fuel tank | 0.6 gal |
| Fuel gauge | No |
| Weight | 20.3 lbs |
|---|---|
| Approx. dimensions (L x W x H) | 15.6 x 8 x 13.8 in |
| Noise (lower limit) | 56 dBA |
| THD | < 5% |
| Compliance | CARB, EPA |
| Security | Low oil and overload protection |
| Spark arrestor | Yes |
| Neutral | Floating |
| Accessories included | Funnel, tool kit, and battery charging cables |
| Other model numbers | GEN1000iC |
| UPC | 027077802085 |
We've taken extra care to research and verify each of the specifications above. That said, occasional mistakes or omissions are still possible. If you spot any missing or inaccurate information, feel free to suggest a correction so we can address it.
About Sportsman Series
Sportsman Series is a small brand registered under the US based Buffalo corporation. Founded in 1964, the Buffalo Corporation is a small company, which sells tools and home products. Their brands include AmeriHome, Black Bull, Buffalo Tools and Sportsman Series – which offers a selection of generators and several other general products. The brand, and in fact, the corporation itself seemingly outsources all of its production overseas and acts only as a distributor, under its own brands.
Warranty Information
The Sportsman GEN1000i is covered under a warranty for up to 1 year. This warranty may be limited and may not cover all parts of the generator.
For more information about the warranty of Sportsman generators, please contact the Buffalo Tools Customer Support: 1-636-532-9888.
Questions & Answers
What can it power?
| Item | Running Watts | Starting Watts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| At home | Coffee maker | 600 | 600 |
| Cell phone charger | 20 | 20 | |
| Total | 620 W | 620 W | |
| For camping | RV refrigerator | 180 | 600 |
| DVD player | 350 | 350 | |
| Pair of small speakers | 45 | 45 | |
| Total | 575 W | 995 W | |
| For work | Paint sprayer | 600 | 600 |
| Total | 600 W | 600 W |
Couldn't find the right answer for you? Ask your own question.
User Reviews
This Item now comes with CO2 sensor and shuts down when detecting carbon monoxide. I have seen the parallel ports on these ones on some videos, but I don’t know it is an extra feature. The running time is insane had it running powering our chest freezer for almost 12 hours, the freezer never pulls constant wattage that is why took so long but at the same time we were charging stuff, powering lights and pulling some extra watts and experienced a lot of running time.
Got one of these about 2 years ago. First impression was good, nice workmanship.
First off – it never delivered the 800 running watts, not even close to it. Usually I got shy above 600 watts on a good day.
But then the power output diminished through time.
Now after two years and about 150h runtime, 3 oil changes, I only get about 400 watts out of it before the overload protection trips and shuts down the generator.
So I wouldn’t buy this generator again, it does not deliver at all.
Like many, I had been in the market for a small inverter generator. In my opinion, Honda is the benchmark for said type of generators, but with the 1000 watt unit (that would do everything I need) being around $800 it seemed foolish to not spend a couple hundred more and get the 2000 watt unit with twice the output. But it also weighs about twice as much and has higher fuel consumption. Decisions decisions. The weight generally would not be an issue for most, but I haul my camping gear on a trailer that I pull behind my motorcycle. So 20-30 pounds matters to me. So I thought it to death.
Ok, after doing some reading on this generator I picked up one of these from Sam’s Club in February for the super cheap price of $150. Even better, they offered a 3 year warranty for $15. On top of that, my credit card will give me an additional 2 years after that warranty expires. Hard to go wrong.
I was both impressed and concerned about how light this unit is. However, I knew that I would not be needing it for heavy loads when I camp and electric is not available.
After giving the unit a break in run of 8 hours and varying loads with 10W-30 conventional oil, I changed the oil and refilled it with the updated lower quantity (what used to be the low mark is now the full mark) of full synthetic 10W-30.
I ran the generator for a little over 60 hours this weekend. Other than shutdown for fueling and a couple of oil level checks (no loss noted) it ran non stop. My load was light, running two small fans, a dometic portable refrigerator, and at night a CPAP machine. According to my kill-a-watt, the load varies from 70 watts to 180 watts. Yes, it’s loafing but it’s doing everything that I need. The best part, I let it run for as long as 10 1/2 hours between fueling and it never ran out of fuel. I really wish I had tracked consumption more accurately, but I am confident that I used less than 1 gallon of fuel a day.
I could not be happier at this point. I plan to update my review as I put more run time on the unit.
This unit is well worth the price. It puts out decent power for its size and it is light weight.
The engine is a quality design with iron sleeve and a full roller crankshaft and roller connecting rod along with OHV
It is very quiet and I’m sure you would not get any complaints from the campsite, unless it was 3am