Another tank buying question...

[Malibugary]

Ok my head is spinning in circles trying to figure out best tanks to get. Have been reading through the forum for a few weeks and have a pretty good understanding about lp and hp tanks. Also have spoke with a few local dive centers. Being located in the Midwest I primarily dive lakes and quarries in a Fusion Bullet. As far as air goes an al80 is usually sufficient. I've noticed some of the LP tanks aren't available anymore like the LP 95. The other issue is most of the places I can get fills only do 3200 max and no one has agreed that they will do an overfill on a LP tank (3k). I'm also a tall person at 6'3" so a longer tank isn't an issue. Also the shops around here can get me XS Scuba. I've been leaning toward getting some HP 100's since at 3200 or even 3000 I will still have at least the same air as an al80. Also if I did doubles in the future I wouldn't need to repurchase tanks. On the other hand I could do the X7-120 and have extra air and have less weight to the dock. Just don't think the LP 108 is worth the extra weight or is it. Ever time I think I'm close i start second guessing my decision. Want to buy once and not have any regrets.
thanks Gary

 

[decompression]

I said this many times, the hp100 is one of the best and versatile tanks around. Mid pressure as a single it's far better than an Al80. The size and weight are excellent (I'm 6'3) and give a great capacity for most tech dives when twined. I've had those along with many, many other tanks and they are hard to beat.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tbone1004]

E7-100 and E7-120 are essentially the same as far as weight, so you don't get to take any weight benefits from them. Always look at empty buoyancy, they are all about the same in the steel realm from Faber which is the only new supplier. Don't pay more than $390 for them with a pro-valve. That's the going rate.

https://www.divegearexpress.com/faber-high-pressure-steel-cylinders-triple-protected


https://kansascity.craigslist.org/spo/5105952219.html
Alternatively, with a hydro and VIP, these LP72's are my personal favorite tanks. Try to negotiate down to $50/tank since they have yoke valves and are out of vip/hydro which is the going rate for these things in that condition.

 

[Malibugary]

That's my other dilemma. The dive shop I've bought all my stuff through since I've been diving wants retail $425 for them. Online I can get for $330 plus some shipping. Am I just too loyal.... I don't really feel like I've gotten any breaks on anything I've bought. Plus they have to order them anyway. Not in a big diving area.

---------- Post added July 31st, 2015 at 01:53 PM ----------

Saw those on CL. Not sure about buying used. I've read about tumbling and not sure I want to get involved with that from the start.

 

[stuartv]

I have one HP100 and more recently acquired 4 HP120s (2 sets of doubles that came with singles valves, too).

I'm only 6' 1" and I love the 120s! They are just a little tall for me. When I sit down on a boat bench, fully geared up with a single 120, it does force me to sit kind of leaned forward - until I undo my waist belt and take the crotch strap off it. With your height, you might not even have that issue.

More gas for the same weight and buoyancy? Why not!? I am also now a big fan of diving to my NDL and still getting out with PLENTY of gas left.

 

[Malibugary]

In a seated position it's 28" from chair to top of my shoulders. I just didn't know if the added expense was worth the extra gas. If I'm diving with others and they only have al80's the hp120 would be overkill?

 

[tbone1004]

yes, they aren't enough to be able to do two dives on vs an 80, especially if you aren't getting fills. Those 72's shouldn't have lining so they shouldn't need tumbling.

Think about it this way, since they need hydro/vip, you can probably get them for $50 each, that's just the going rate for 72's these days. $150 for all 3. Get 3 new valves for $40 each, in for $270. You have a bunch of good hydro places in KC, so go there, probably $25-30 to blast the insides if they need it and hydro. Total in for $350-$400, which is cheaper than your LDS wants to charge for one tank before sales tax.

You are not doing your LDS a favor by spending more money than you should to support them, it's not a good business model. You can get those same tanks, brand new, shipped to you, for $320 each from Dive Right in Scuba. Why would you pay $100 to support your LDS?

Think about it this way too. You could drive 500 miles to DRiS, pay the sales tax in IL, drive back to Olathe, and spend the same amount of money on one tank. Granted your out a 1000 mile road trip, but you can also dive the Great Lakes while you're out there, and if you buy 2 tanks, you'll be saving money vs. "supporting" your LDS.

 

[Malibugary]

Ok so those 72's are 2250 +10% overfill for 72cuft? I just can't find them on any charts. I'm interested in going the used route now that I've called around. Hydro would be $25.

 

[Bob DBF]

They are too old to be on the charts, they are about neutral empty. There have been discussions on the vintage forum from time to time.

I haven't met a tank I didn't like, and a small tank is better than no tank.

I look for deals and have been lucky enough to have old 72's and Al80's given to me. I've doubled up some of the 72's with old school j-valve manifolds, which gives a lot of gas even if they don't have the + hydro.

Over the years, I've also picked up an LP 95, an HP 100, and two Faber MP 120's. All were in hydro and viz, $250 was the most I paid. All tanks have their positives and negatives and it depends on the dive which one gets used. So far all tanks continue to pass hydro, I did scrap a couple of "bad alloy" AL tanks that were old and no one else wanted to deal with them.

If I were to start over, I'd grab 72's and /or AL80's to keep down rental costs until I could find a good deal on larger tanks. So go for the Craigslist deal with Tbone1004's advice and look for a deal on a larger tank later.



Bob

 

[tbone1004]

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/tanks-valves-and-bands/331899-steel-lp72-2250psi-tank-spec.html

there's tank specs for them. The HP100's are basically the modern version of these tank, they're spectacular. Love all 3 pairs of mine