Consideration for first set of doubles regs?

[Mr. Dooley]

How in the hell did you spend $1500 on a twinset?

Well I haven't yet - looking around at new stuff online as well as my LDS (from XS Scuba), I'm seeing 1,200 - 1,500 for HP steel doubles. I'll keep shopping around and also see if there are any used sets on the market.

 

[halocline]

You actually don’t need din unless you’re using 300bar tanks, you don’t need a fifth port, I’ve never used one back mount or side mount and you don’t need a swivel turret it’s actually a weakness.

Yoke connections do work fine. But in this case the OP is specifically looking for technical diving advice, and that means DIN. Practically every set of manifolded doubles in existence is outfitted with DIN valves.
The OP also said it was a plus to be able to use these regs with sidemount, and for that, a turret is a big advantage.

 

[Marie13]

Well I haven't yet - looking around at new stuff online as well as my LDS (from XS Scuba), I'm seeing 1,200 - 1,500 for HP steel doubles. I'll keep shopping around and also see if there are any used sets on the market.

I hope you’re looking at DGX.

 

[halocline]

Well I haven't yet - looking around at new stuff online as well as my LDS (from XS Scuba), I'm seeing 1,200 - 1,500 for HP steel doubles. I'll keep shopping around and also see if there are any used sets on the market.

$1500 for a set of doubles is much higher than I would ever spend. Even new, a set of HP100s should be around $700, maybe $150 for a manifold and $100 for bands. Check places like DGX and dive rite in scuba, I bet you can get a brand new set for under $1000. Of course, buying this stuff used makes the most sense by far. Used twinsets are all over the place, sometimes shipping is a pain, but it's worth it. Many divers have switched to sidemount in the last several years, so you'll have no problem at all finding used bands and a manifold. I still have a pair of 7" bands laying around that are gathering dust in a closet. If you go for LP85s, you can buy mine for $50 plus shipping.

I wouldn't go any bigger than the HP100s for your first set of doubles, unless you're a linebacker or a pack mule. Even if you eventually need bigger tanks on a twinset, you'll always get use out of a couple of HP100s.

 

[Mr. Dooley]

$1500 for a set of doubles is much higher than I would ever spend. Even new, a set of HP100s should be around $700, maybe $150 for a manifold and $100 for bands. Check places like DGX and dive rite in scuba, I bet you can get a brand new set for under $1000. Of course, buying this stuff used makes the most sense by far. Used twinsets are all over the place, sometimes shipping is a pain, but it's worth it. Many divers have switched to sidemount in the last several years, so you'll have no problem at all finding used bands and a manifold. I still have a pair of 7" bands laying around that are gathering dust in a closet. If you go for LP85s, you can buy mine for $50 plus shipping.

I wouldn't go any bigger than the HP100s for your first set of doubles, unless you're a linebacker or a pack mule. Even if you eventually need bigger tanks on a twinset, you'll always get use out of a couple of HP100s.

HP 100's are the goal I think. I dived twin AL 80's during training in Key Largo . . . even the weight / awkwardness of that was a bit of a thing. I'm not a linebacker but pretty fit, muscular 185 lbs. But yea I can see no reason to go beyond hp 100s.

It was fun doing my first single cylinder dive after diving doubles - felt like wearing nothing at all.

DGX has a Faper HP doubles package for about a grand - bands, hardware, manifold, etc. Trying to figure out the difference between the premium vs. premium long neck manifold . . .

 

[rddvet]

Not sure where the numbers are coming from:

DGX Custom - Faber LP85 Doubles Package

A complete Nitrox-Ready double package consisting of: two Faber LP-85 cylinders, premium quality manifold with isolator, premium quality bands and bolts, left and right manifold port plugs.

www.divegearexpress.com

 

[UCFKnightDiver]

Wow, arguing that Yoke is better than DIN seriously boggles the mind and posters argument is essentially - many people have always used yoke and therefore it is better. Lol

I have a bunch of HOG regs, some Dive Rite, and a few ScubaPro. I like that I can service the HOG and Dive Rite regs without too much trouble. Any reg on the market these days will probably be fine.

Also, for doubles, just buy a used set. Likely a good bit cheaper than buying new and steel tanks last a long time as long as there is not a ton of rust inside (a bit of surface rust isn't a huge deal and can be cleaned)

 

[Marie13]

$1500 for a set of doubles is much higher than I would ever spend. Even new, a set of HP100s should be around $700, maybe $150 for a manifold and $100 for bands. Check places like DGX and dive rite in scuba, I bet you can get a brand new set for under $1000. Of course, buying this stuff used makes the most sense by far. Used twinsets are all over the place, sometimes shipping is a pain, but it's worth it. Many divers have switched to sidemount in the last several years, so you'll have no problem at all finding used bands and a manifold. I still have a pair of 7" bands laying around that are gathering dust in a closet. If you go for LP85s, you can buy mine for $50 plus shipping.

I wouldn't go any bigger than the HP100s for your first set of doubles, unless you're a linebacker or a pack mule. Even if you eventually need bigger tanks on a twinset, you'll always get use out of a couple of HP100s.

Your pricing is out of date. Due to supply chain issues, cost has gone up. This is DGX’s current price for HP100. Without shipping. Bands included. This is DGXs doubles package.

 

[Marie13]

Who knows when LP85s will be back in stock.

 

[lostsheep]

Scour the classifieds and be patient. The only tanks I ever bought new were my LP50s cause they just aren’t that common. I’ve gotten al80s from free to $25, my pst HP100s for $50 and was super lucky last year and got 2 sets of of double lp85s for $300 total ($75 per tank).

I live in sillycon valley and nothing is cheap here. If you’re diligent, patient, and quick, deals can be had. Don’t buy brand new steels unless you have to.