Decision - Steel 100 or Steel 119 Tanks

[dbs129]

My next major purchase in the spring will be to purchase two tanks. As I have been renting tanks from my LDS, my experience thus far has been with AL80's. However, as I want to get rid of some lead that I am carrying, I have decided to purchase HP steel tanks.

My only problem is which size steel tanks to purchase? I am partial to the steel 100 tank as it is a bit shorter than the AL80 (24"). However, it appears that the steel 119 is also only 24", but is slightly bigger in diameter (8" as opposed to 7.25" for the steel 100). One other difference is that the steel 100 is -2.5 lbs as opposed to -2.0 for the steel 119.

I would really like the extra air in the 119, as it would allow possibly more than one dive off the same tank. However, the steel 100 is still giving me more air than I am used to from the AL80.

I know it may be personal preference, but I would really like to hear some opinions and reasons for choosing one over the other (rahter than the approx $50 price difference on a single tank)?

Thanking in advance for any replies.

 

[elmer fudd]

To me it would all depend on how much of an airhog you are relative to your buddies. If you're one of those people who always comes back in with 1400 when your buddies have 500, then get the 100's.

If on the other hand you're the one who runs out of air first, then you should opt for the bigger tanks.

I'd forget about planning two dives on the same tank though. I've only found that works out well if experienced buddies are diving with a newbie that's using AL80's. In that case, at the end of the 20 minute dive as often as not you and your buddy still have 2000 psi left.

I don't know what the situation is in Newfoundland, but down here I'd consider just picking up an old LP72 instead. I frequently find those for under $50 and often for $25 or less. After the hydro and everything is done I usually find they cost about $80 total. They're very lightweight and have great buoyancy characteristics. I like to use them for solo diving. Don't get them instead of the big tanks, but as something to use for that third dive or for fooling around in the pool.

 

[Matt S.]

If you are a drysuit diver, you have to carry a bunch of weight anyway. Why not make it more cylinder than more lead? I am an average 5' 9" guy and the 119 is easy for me to use. I too was debating between 119 and 100 and I never have regretted getting the larger cylinder. I end a typical dive with more than 1000 psi left... and there is nothing wrong with that.

 

[knowone]

Getting there and gearing up is one of those things you have to do in order to do what you got there and geared up to do so if you have gotten there and geared up and gone the option of doing what you went there to do in the first place a bit longer may be the thing to do.

 

[rjack321]

Forget 2 dives on 119.

I like 100s and can easily do an hour+ finishing with 800psi on our local sites. For the deep stuff I end up in doubles anyway. 119s or 130s are popular but I don't think I'd do long enough single tank dives to bother, if you are diving dry and have lots of area to explore you might find them useful.

 

[scubadiver888]

I have both HP100 and HP119. When I rented it was always AL80. The AL80 served me fine. I never needed more air and often found myself hitting NDL before I ran out of air. I purchased the HP119 first. It was on sale (floor model) for less than an HP100.

I selected the HP100 originally because compared to AL80:

• It holds over 22 cu.ft. more
• If I get a short fill (3000 PSI) I still 9 cu.ft. more
• Let me take 5 lbs off my weight belt
• Less than 2 lbs heavier out of water

I considered the HP80 but my shop's compressor struggles to put 3442 PSI in a cylinder. The likelihood of getting a short fill was high. So I settled on the HP100.

The buoyancy change on the HP100 is 7.5 lbs. So you need to be 7.5 lbs heavy at the start of the dive in order to guarantee you won't be light at the end of the dive. With the HP119 the buoyancy change is almost 9 lbs.

Out of the water, the HP100 is approximately 2 lbs heavier than an AL80 but if you consider the fact that you can drop 5 lbs from your weight belt, your total kit is 3 lbs lighter. However, the HP119 is 12 lbs heavier than an AL80 and I can still only drop around 5 lbs from my belt. Thus your entire kit is 7 lbs heavier than using an AL80 and 10 lbs heavier than using an HP100.

Since I purchased the HP100 tanks they are my main tank. I bring the HP119 as a back up or if I'm diving a deep, dark, strong current wreck. Or in other words, I use the HP119 when I need the extra air.

 

[knowone]

Forget two dives on anything.

Unless Jennifer Hawkins drops her diamond bracelet into ten feet of water from a pier.

Or some of the James Bond blokes but they would probably dive in and get their diamond bracelets themselves.

 

[T210RVR]

To me it would all depend on how much of an airhog you are relative to your buddies. If you're one of those people who always comes back in with 1400 when your buddies have 500, then get the 100's.

If on the other hand you're the one who runs out of air first, then you should opt for the bigger tanks.

I'd forget about planning two dives on the same tank though. I've only found that works out well if experienced buddies are diving with a newbie that's using AL80's. In that case, at the end of the 20 minute dive as often as not you and your buddy still have 2000 psi left.

I don't know what the situation is in Newfoundland, but down here I'd consider just picking up an old LP72 instead. I frequently find those for under $50 and often for $25 or less. After the hydro and everything is done I usually find they cost about $80 total. They're very lightweight and have great buoyancy characteristics. I like to use them for solo diving. Don't get them instead of the big tanks, but as something to use for that third dive or for fooling around in the pool.

You really get good bottom time with a steel 72 inflated to 2900 PSI. I wouldn't really recommend doing it, but it really helps with my buoyancy and bottom time. I haven't needed more than 72 on most dives as my air consumption is pretty good. I brought a 72 on a recent multi-day boat dive and it seems that they think everything should be filled to 3,000 PSI. :shocked2: With only $50.00 invested in my 72's I'm not all that concerned that they may fail hydro the next time around. I'm sure someone will rant that I let them fill it to 72. Well, it's probably not a great idea but it happened about twelve times over three days and nothing blew up.

 

[christopherm]

Once you carry steel you won't want to use alluminum.

I carry 130s and 120s. The 130s are the same height as the Aluminum 80s (about 26") the 120s are taller (about 29"). 3" can make a difference. The 130s are fatter than the 120s. Weight wise 100s (28lbs), 120s (38lbs), 130 (38lbs).

My recommendation is you rent the tanks from your LDS and try them first. See what you are comfortable wearing/carrying. I see all of the tanks being used. Personal comfort is probably the most critical here. The 100s normally work on boat dives, etc.

My theory is you buy the biggest tank you are comfortable using. Its ok to have extra air at the end of a dive. Extra air gives you that extra safety margin. Remember as you go to depth your air consumtion increases because air compresses at depth. 33' (2x air), 66' (3x air), etc. THis varies with each person and is only a basic guideline.

The bigger tank may not give you more time on a boat dive (normally charters have a time limit as well as a PSI limit) but it may on a shore dive. You may get 2 dives from a tank on short shore dives but I don't count on it. You may just get longer dives for the same air dollars. Let me caveat that with check your favorite place for air fills and see if they charge extra for larger tanks. Some do - some don't. The extra air that you may never use may not be worth the extra recurring cost to you.

Main thing make sure you are comfortable with the tanks.

One last thing - If you buy the tanks from a local dive shop, you may be able to negotiate for some free air/nitrox fills. Saves you money at small cost to the shop.

 

[Megalomegalodon]

I first bought a HP100 and loved it. My wife got me a HP119 which I switched for a HP120 because I wanted the 7.25" diameter instead of 8". I'm over 6' so tank height isn't a problem and the 120 trimed fine on me. I'm going to use the 100 for Nitrox once I get cert'd for it.