Review by: Les Venus (January 2012)
Our thanks to The Airbrush Company Ltd for supplying our review sample. 
Some History and a follow up…
I am a little nervous about the prospect of reviewing another airbrush, as the last time I did so was my brief review of the Harder & Steenbeck model I bought in 2010. I gave that product a huge thumbs up for quality and value, but sadly since then it’s let me down to the point that it’s now in a landfill somewhere. Let me fill in the gap before reviewing this Neo for Iwata.
The H&S airbrush felt and looked like quality and initially it sprayed at all pressures like a dream.
I loved it; indeed I loved it for a good few months. The issue came during a good cleaning session.
The whole thing stripped down easily and cleaned just as well. One of the things I loved about it was the interchangeable cups. I removed mine for cleaning and gave the seat of the airbrush where the cup screws on a clean with a soft brush. In doing so, out popped the rubber seal.
Normally this is OK as it just pops back in. On the H&S, it has to be twisted into a figure 8 pattern covering not only the cup seal but the seal to the valve too. This I found impossible.
Luckily Paul at Little Cars fixed it for me, but it popped out twice more and eventually I just lost patience and it went in the bin.
I am absolutely prepared to accept that in some way it was my ineptitude that caused the problem, but I can’t help but think that such an awkward rubber seal in such a vulnerable position I believe to be a serious design flaw.
On to the Neo for Iwata…
I found the video below from an American chap and I have to say it is really helpful, but does show up the one serious flaw it has.
The Neo for Iwata (hereafter I’ll call it Neo) is assembled in China from components in Taiwan (that’s a political conundrum if ever I saw one).
It comes in an attractive, sturdy lime green coloured box with a handy window that shows off the quality nicely. It screams ‘buy me’ and if you see one you probably will, as it will have a price tag of just £44.99 or less on it; yes that’s right £44.99!
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge images.
You can see that the Neo has two interchangeable cups, something that I really appreciate and a small spanner to remove the tip. It’s all solidly done; attractive and very compelling.
You can see that it looks like an Iwata and has that heavy well balanced feel typical of the Parent brand. I am pleased too that it takes a standard Iwata hose, or indeed the Iwata quick release valve, to facilitate swapping airbrushes.
The two cup sizes, one small the other standard size, screw on and off easily. There is a lid for the larger cup.
The Neo strips down easily and the trigger and spring valve also can be removed easily for deep cleaning. The needle is reasonable quality and feels smooth without any notable pitting that could disrupt flow or cause clogging.
Now for the downside.
The tip (that gold thing at the sharp end) on most Iwata brushes pops out and can be cleaned or even soaked. With the Neo, and incidentally the Iwata TR series, there is a small brass tip that has to be unscrewed for cleaning.
I just know that this will ping across the room one day and be lost forever, unless of course I refer to Bill Curtis’s excellent video article on airbrush cleaning in your SNM Techniques Bank. If I follow his guidance, all should be well.
Interestingly, parts for the Neo are plentiful and good value. A .35mm tip is £14.00 as is the .50mm tip. Needles are £6.50 (£18.00 for and Iwata HC-1).
Summary…
On all counts, this is a good airbrush and despite the quality being not quite top draw standard, Iwata is not far off the mark. It sprays well and feels good to use. It is outstanding value for money.
It’s easy to use, the cups change smoothly; my only doubt remains its long term robustness and that tip. Time will tell and I will keep you informed.
Meanwhile, it’s an ideal first airbrush and at the price no risk at all. I highly recommend it.
FEATURE STAR RATING (out of five)
Quality ****
Ease of Use ***
Ease of Cleaning ***
Value *****
User Experience ***
Overall ****
Les V.