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Description
Zoom on the Sportsman GEN1000i
In summary, the Sportsman GEN1000i is a quiet, compact and lightweight portable inverter generator especially useful for:
- Tailgating and campground aficionados with the desire of enjoying power anywhere they go
- Amateur DIY lovers
The following sections will present you in detail its power characteristics, the different outlets it offers, its overall portability, the extra features it benefits from, and any relevant emission compliance details.
Power & Run Time
The Sportsman GEN1000i
The Sportsman GEN1000i houses a 40 cc (1.3 hp) OHV 4-stroke engine, which provides 120V, consumes gasoline and delivers a running wattage of 800W along with a peak wattage of 1000W.
At a noise rating of 56 dBA (less noisy than a refrigerator), the inverter generator is started via a simple traditional pull-start mechanism.
With a full tank, the GEN1000i can operate for around 6.3 hours at 50% load (fuel consumption around 0.1 GPH), thanks to its fuel capacity of 0.6 gallon.
As the GEN1000i produces a clean sine wave, with a <5% Total Harmonic Disruption (THD), sensitive electronics may be plugged in the AC outlet safely.
Outlets
The control panel features the following AC outlet:
Additionally, it features 1 DC outlet: there's a 5V USB port with which charging of electronics like mobile phones and tablets is made convenient.
Portability
As the Sportsman GEN1000i is an inverter generator, its encased design (L15.6 x W8 x H13.8 in) offers more aesthetics than a conventional, open frame product. This modern design aims to provide an ideal power solution to recreational users.
Weighing just 20.3 lbs, the GEN1000i can be considered a lightweight portable generator. The generator can be moved with ease by only one person and so it can be enjoyed on-the-go. It can also be carried without effort with a featured handle (molded in the case), further improving its convenience.
Good to know: This unit ranks 2nd in our list of the 10 smallest portable generators.
Features
The GEN1000i's control panel
The light indicators show you if the oil level is too low, the generator is overloaded and the generator is ready.
As far as security is concerned, the generator can be used with a peace of mind, as it features an overload protection (circuit breaker) and an automatic low oil shut-off.
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: tool kit, funnel and battery charging cables.
Emissions
The Sportsman GEN1000i is EPA-approved and CARB-compliant. It can therefore be sold and purchased in all 50 states, including California.
Moreover, it features a spark arrestor and therefore, can be used in forested areas.
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).
- In terms of its dry weight, the Sportsman GEN1000i stands at only 20.3 lbs, meaning that is one of the one of the lightest devices of the 500-1500 rated wattage category
- With a lowest noise rating of 56 dBA, the inverter generator is one of the more quiet of the generators of similar power. For those who are looking for a less noisy device, we suggest the Honda EU1000i. With just 42 dBA, it is one of the most quiet devices in this power range.
- As far as autonomy is concerned, providing around 6.3 hours of runtime with a full tank at a 50% load, the GEN1000i falls into the low end in comparison with other devices of a comparable power output. Furthermore, considering the run times, one of the generators which have a roughly same power output, with the highest autonomy, is the Pulsar PG2000, as it provides around 12 hours.
- Autonomy holds its importance, however, it is largely dependent on the generator’s fuel capacity and so, it is nonsensible to discuss it without mentioning fuel efficiency as well. This inverter generator, with an estimated fuel consumption of just 0.1 GPH (gallon per hour) at 50% load, is one of the more fuel efficient generators, for the previously mentioned wattage range. If you wish to further improve in the area of fuel efficiency, the Ryobi RYi1000, which boasts with a gas consumption of only 0.08 GPH, may be the right generator for you.
Price comparison
As you can see from this interactive chart, when compared to other 500-1500W generators, the Sportsman GEN1000i is on the average side of the price range.
Therefore, this generator nicely fits in the expected budget for this kind of product.
The bottom line
- In the expected price range
- Several accessories included
- Inverter
- Lightweight (20.3 lbs)
- Quiet for its power (56 dBA)
- Fuel efficient
- No data center
- Only 1 AC outlet
- No electric start
- No parallel ports
- Relatively low run time
Features and Specifications
| Inverter | Yes |
|---|---|
| Portable | Yes |
| Parallel capable | No |
| RV ready | No |
| Fuel | Gasoline |
| Engine | 40 cc OHV 4-stroke |
| Starting system | Recoil |
| Voltage | AC: 120V 60 Hz, DC: 12V |
|---|---|
| Running watts | 800 W |
| Starting watts | 1000 W |
| Running amps | 6.7 amps |
| Peaks 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% |
| Emissions | CARB, EPA |
| Security | Low oil and overload protection |
| Spark arrestor | Yes |
| Neutral | Floating |
| Accessories included | Funnel, tool kit, and battery charging cables |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Other model numbers | GEN1000iC |
Unlike many websites, we did our best to research each of the specs above. That being said, we are not immune to making the occasional mistake or omission. Should you notice any missing or incorrect values, don't hesitate to suggest improvements so we can address the issue.
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, Buffallo 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 Sportsman Customer Support: 1-636-532-9888.
Questions & Answers
What can it power?
| Item | Running Watts | Starting Watts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| At home | Printer | 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 | Drill | 600 | 900 |
| Total | 600 W | 900 W |
Couldn't find the right answer for you? Ask your own question.
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
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.