Compact Aluminum

[Tug]

I was wondering if anybody had any opinions on the new compact aluminum tanks? They are negatively buoyant when empty compared to a regular aluminum. I am looking to get a few tanks and was debating getting these.

Thanks in advance.

Lewis

 

[WD8CDH]

They weigh about 4 pounds more and are about 4 pounds less buoyant than a standard 80. They are also less than an inch shorter. Personally unless they were the same price or cheaper than a standard tank, I wouldn't buy one. Just add 4 pounds to your belt or strap it to the standard tank.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Unless you can get them for the same price as an AL 80 they do not make much sense. A Worthington X7-100 hold 23 more cubic feet of gas than an AL 80, weighs only 2 lbs more, but is -2.5 lbs buoyant when empty compared to +4.4 lbs for an AL 80, so if you use any lead weight at all the X7-100 saves you 5 lbs in total weight.

With the compact/neutral 80, you have a 35 lb tank that is neutrally bouyant, so you gain basically nothing over a normal AL80 - you just pay more and if you have to pay more an X7-100 makes sense as you both save weight and gain 23 cu ft of gas.