What to do with HP119 tank

[Clark Fletcher]

I agree with tbone. Trade it for a matching HP100. If you aren't using the HP119, there's no point having it sit around going to waste. I have two HP100s and absolutely love having all that air available. For me personally, when I'm diving with friends I don't like being the one who ends the dive because I'm low on air. I know there's no shame in it. It's just one of my many quirks.

Just out of curiosity, what's the weight different between the HP100 and HP119? The weight different between my HP100s and HP130s is about 8 lbs. I would imagine the difference between the HP100 and HP119 would be about half that. And, I would imagine you could drop the amount of weight you carry by the weight difference in the tanks. Am I completely off base here?

 

[TheHuth]

Just out of curiosity, what's the weight different between the HP100 and HP119? The weight different between my HP100s and HP130s is about 8 lbs. I would imagine the difference between the HP100 and HP119 would be about half that. And, I would imagine you could drop the amount of weight you carry by the weight difference in the tanks. Am I completely off base here?

Good question. Thats something I've never considered. I've never strapped it on because of its heft. I dont have the tank right now since its at the LDS for VIP, so I cant weigh it. I'll make a guess though. Full, its probably about 8 pounds more than the HP100 full. Empty its probably about 4 pounds more. Its about the same height, but larger around than the 100. I'd bet it would displace close to a gallon more sea water. So again, guessing here, I'd think I could probably remove about 2 pounds off the belt, but would gain about 8 pounds on the back at the start of a dive. Sure, its only 6 pounds gained, but every bit helps.

 

[Compressor]

Steel tanks are awesome; keep them as the yearly cost of keeping them is minimal. VIPs are in general cheaper than those of AL tanks.

 

[doctormike]

I'm 40 dives in to my career. I have my Rescue cert, and am working on Divemaster. I'm also planning to eventually do tec, but that could be a few years still down the road.

Sell it or trade it for another matching 100. You bought it and don't want to dive it, so basically thats $100 plus the cost of a VIP every year going to nothing. I doubt that at some point you will want to start diving it from what you said. If you do tech diving you will need doubles, and the two 100s will come in handy then.

Hanging on to things because they might be needed someday isn't a great idea, especially if you don't have unlimited storage space. You pay money to hang on to things that you no longer (or never) use. Think of eBay (or SB classifieds) as your personal storage locker. You put unwanted stuff in there (sell it), and if you ever need it you can take it out (buy it again).

 

[Bob DBF]

Bite the bullet and try it.

I have an old Faber 120 that is about 15# heavier than my 100, and I drop 6# of lead. As far as I'm concerned it's all too heavy but the added gas in the 120 is great when I can do one long shallow dive instead of dragging back and forth and doing two, or not having to get nervous about gas at 130'.


Bob

 

[CT-Rich]

I have an AL100 and two steel 120s. I was a bit worried about the weight also. But once I got used to it, I don't dive anything else. I never run out of air with a 120. I got used to hefting on and off. I also like that it makes swapping tanks really simple when you don't have to adjust cam bands between dives. If you decide to sell it, sell it while it still has years left on the hydro, you can ask for more money. If you let it sit for a few years, the buyers is going to have to sink money and time into getting it re-certified.

I am not sure why you are getting it a visual if you never dove it since the last hydro. A full tank can sit in your basement for a couple of years. For me, the reason I don't like to accumulate tons of equipment is the cost of up keep. I would dive it a couple of times and then make a decision about keeping it. Nothing trims better than a steel tank, less lead, more bottom time. AL 80 tanks are like drinking Coors light, its fine, until you try a really well done craft beer. Once you are past the initial differences, you will always dive steel.

 

[TheHuth]

Well, I think I've made my decision. It passed VIP and is good for 4 more years on its hydro. I'm diving Anacapa in 2 weeks. Its a 3 tank dive. I'm filling all 5 of my tanks with 32% nitrox, and will loan this tank to my buddy. He's got an HP100 that he'll fill which will give both of us 3 tanks each. After that dive, I'm gonna attempt a straight across trade for another HP100. If I cant work out a trade, I'll sell it.

 

[Compressor]

Sad to see it go. But if its not going to get used, you might as well sell it.

 

[Clark Fletcher]

Good question. Thats something I've never considered. I've never strapped it on because of its heft. I dont have the tank right now since its at the LDS for VIP, so I cant weigh it. I'll make a guess though. Full, its probably about 8 pounds more than the HP100 full. Empty its probably about 4 pounds more. Its about the same height, but larger around than the 100. I'd bet it would displace close to a gallon more sea water. So again, guessing here, I'd think I could probably remove about 2 pounds off the belt, but would gain about 8 pounds on the back at the start of a dive. Sure, its only 6 pounds gained, but every bit helps.

While I do notice the difference between my HP100s and HP130s lugging just the tanks around out of the water, I notice no difference at all once I'm actually in the water. And, even with the small amount of weight I shed using the 130s over the 100s, once I'm suited up and moving to get into the water, the difference isn't very noticeable then. To me it's most noticeable when I'm getting out of the water after a long dive and I'm tired. You might try diving the 119 a couple of times to see how bothersome it is to you and then make a decision based on those dives.

 

[EricTheDood]

Since buying them, I've never used the 119. Its big, and heavy. I'm a tiny guy, and know my limitations.

Hold off on selling it. I predict new trends.

First there was backmount.

Then there was sidemount.

The next big thing is going to be frontmount, aka straddle mount.