Titan ControlMax 1650 18V Paint Sprayer

Between my agricultural construction business and remodeling my home, it’s fair to say that my painting needs are a bit different from most professional painters. When I decided to build my daughter a treehouse for her 5th birthday, I wasn’t looking forward to painting it, but the Titan ControlMax 1650 HEA paint sprayer held some promise. I got my hands on one to complete the project and also gauge its possibilities for fencing and other paint jobs that come my way. Hopefully my experience can help you decide if you should pull the trigger.

Titan ControlMax 1650 HEA Paint Sprayer: What They Say

Specifications

• Sprayer Technology: High Efficiency Airless (HEA)
• Power Source: Bosch 18V battery (accommodates up to 8Ah packs)
• Runtime: 1.25 gallons, ~350 sq ft
• Capacity: 1.25 gallons
• Operating Pressure: 1500 PSI
• Max Flow Rate: 0.24 GPM
• Hose Length: 9 ft
• Max Hose Length: 100 ft
• Max Tip Size: 515

Key Features

• ControlMax App Compatible: Get setting recommendations, access to the manual, keep job records, and more
• High Efficiency Airless Design (HEA): Reduces overspray by up to 55%
• Variable Speed: Dial in the delivery based on the paint or stain you’re using
• Sealed Hopper Lid: Avoids drying out of the contents or letting debris in
• Multi-Position: Set down, carry by hand, or wear on your back
• Adjustable, Removable Backpack Straps: Dial in the right fit or remove straps completely
• Concealed Battery Placement: Protects the battery pack
• Swiveling Hose Connection: Avoids kinking and wear at the connection point
• Onboard Hose Management System: Store the hose on the sprayer when not in use and manage the length while you’re working

Titan ControlMax HEA 1650 Paint Sprayer: What We Say

Solving Problems

My primary goal for this sprayer was painting at height and over long distances beyond the scope of painting buildings. Normally, that involves finding a power source or hauling out a generator, running a long hose from the sprayer to the gun, and managing that long hose as you work around the project.

Titan’s design on this model immediately solved two of those headaches. First, by using Bosch 18V batteries, I didn’t have to worry about power. Second, having the sprayer on my back meant I was only dealing with 9 feet of hose—plenty to reach with, but not so much that it was getting tangled around my feet or slapping against the fresh paint.

Performance

When it came to the actual paint delivery, I got exactly what I was hoping for. The HEA design did a great job of delivering paint efficiently while reducing overspray as promised. I felt like I had all the control I wanted on the treehouse project, but more importantly, I can reduce waste when I’m painting fence boards. Over the course of hundreds of feet of horse fencing, it can save me a chunk in paint costs.

Hose Management

The 9-foot hose can feel like it’s too long when you’re using the sprayer as a backpack, especially when you’re on a ladder. You can loop some of it into the holder on the back to customize the length to your reach and avoid getting caught on things.

Capacity

The 1.25-gallon hopper is good for the 3-in-1 design of this sprayer. If you’re using it in its handheld configuration, it keeps the weight manageable. However, since I primarily use it in its backpack configuration, I wouldn’t mind it holding twice that much, though I would need to upgrade to larger capacity batteries to keep up.

Be sure to note where the intake is for the paint. If you’re on a ladder or set the unit down on uneven ground, you can tilt it far enough that it starts pulling air before you’ve actually run out of paint. Try to keep it as upright as you can while you’re working to avoid that.

Controls

The controls all work great, but they’re not the most comfortable to reach while you’re spraying if you need to make an adjustment on the fly. It’s not a huge deal, especially since you should be dialing in the power level before you start. If you run through ControlMax app, the settings it recommends for the paint or stain you’re using should be just right. You might still want to tweak things, though, and if you’re not very flexible, you may want to take it off your back first.

Titan ControlMax HEA 1650 Paint Sprayer Price

The sprayer includes everything you need to get started for $599 – $649, depending on the retailer. Keep in mind that the tip it comes with is the largest the sprayer is rated for, so you can go smaller if you like, but not larger.

Titan backs this model with a 2-year warranty.

The kit includes:

• Paint Sprayer
• 9-foot Hose
• T2 Composite Spray Gun
• 515 Spray Tip
• 2 x 2.0Ah Bosch 18V Batteries
• Charger

The Bottom Line

The number one thing I was hoping for was that the Titan ControlMax HEA 1650 Paint Sprayer would give me the freedom to efficiently paint at height and on long fence jobs. It does both very well, boosting my productivity on the job. There are a few trade-offs compared to using other sprayer models, but that’s to be expected when you’re shifting the design to accommodate a different way of using it.

If you’re looking for a sprayer you can use with a lot of freedom of movement, this is it. It’s great at height, for touchups, or when you want to move quickly without repositioning your equipment.

The biggest limitations are the runtime and hopper size. While you can fit 8.0Ah packs and get up to 5 gallons of spraying out of a charge, the lower capacity keeps you refilling more frequently than standing designs.

For the way I work, it can be my primary sprayer. For more traditional painting businesses, it’s a solid supplement that can improve the overall efficiency of your crew.