Suggestions for upgrading Double AL-80's

[Akcharger]

Good day everyone!

After my last tech dive I want a little more back gas than the AL 80's I trained with and use. I bought som AL 100's as an upgrade but those things are MONSTERS and just too big.

So what are suggestions and why?

- Occasional Tec diver
- Wetsuit/warmer water
- TEC depth avg 130-150

Thanks in advance!

 

[rddvet]

LP 85s are the most commonly loved move up from al80s. Personally I won't do ow dives with steel tanks in a westuit though. If I'm in steels, I'm in a drysuit. But then again I dive Bonaire in a drysuit as well as south florida because I hate wetsuits

 

[Tug]

I’d go with 85’s unless you’re diving in a wetsuit. If you’re using a wetsuit then I’d just bring a stage.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

I have no answer to what you should do, but my PST HP100's feel / dive / trim identical to my Worthington LP85's. So if you're looking at 85's 100's will work also. I think the 85's hold a little more when filled to the same psi, but I never really notice.

The are the same dimensions in every way except my 85's are a smidge longer, like 1/4" maybe?

 

[Marie13]

I have no answer to what you should do, but my PST HP100's feel / dive / trim identical to my Worthington LP85's. So if you're looking at 85's 100's will work also. I think the 85's hold a little more when filled to the same psi, but I never really notice.

The are the same dimensions in every way except my 85's are a smidge longer, like 1/4" maybe?

I think I’ve read here that the Faber 85s are a totally different animal.

 

[-JD-]

Devil is really in the details. Which AL80, AL100 and which (?) steel ...

ex. For the data that I have I'll include the relevant section entries.

Re: bouyancy ...
A Luxfer 80 is notably different than a Catalina C80 for example.
A Catalina C100 isn't really that much different than a PST HP variant 100 (about 1lb) and the steel is about 12lbs lighter on land.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

I think I’ve read here that the Faber 85s are a totally different animal.

That's why I listed which manf. I was referring too.

Is that what you dive? Are they better or worse? I think they're the only ones still being made? I'm beginning to spout from memory which is pretty shot. I don't own any Faber's to compare.

 

[Lorenzoid]

You're in Florida, so my first thought is whether you're able to get big fills? As you may know, up north in cave country, shops will not flinch at filling "Low Pressure" (LP) tanks to 3600 psi or more. I have a set of old Worthington LP85s, and when they get a generous fill it's as much gas as with HP100s. They're fun little tanks--much easier to move around than my PST LP104s.

 

[Marie13]

That's why I listed which manf. I was referring too.

Is that what you dive? Are they better or worse? I think they're the only ones still being made? I'm beginning to spout from memory which is pretty shot. I don't own any Faber's to compare.

Faber 85s are what I dive (I have 4 pairs). They are lovely for SM and seem to hit all the sweet spots for that (I dive SM). They’re the only ones currently made for the US market. Couldn’t tell you how they are as doubles.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Faber 85s are what I dive (I have 4 pairs). They are lovely for SM and seem to hit all the sweet spots for that (I dive SM). They’re the only ones currently made for the US market. Couldn’t tell you how they are as doubles.

On paper they're slightly longer and neutral when empty as opposed to the Worthington -1. No idea how different they "feel" though. Maybe @tbone1004 would know?