DIN vs Yoke: Who RENTS What Where?

[BOOinTX]

Well with all the experience on this great board - can y'all tell a relative newbie what to expect (DIN vs Yoke) on rental tanks in some common Caribbean dive locations?

I know the US is "behind" the DIN standard - but before I buy a first stage it'd be nice to know what I'll encounter in Coz, Cayman, Belize, etc. What about renting worldwide?

If I'm just renting YOKE tanks on travel I'll probably get a Yoke first stage (which can be converted to DIN) and avoid an adapter.

Thanks!

 

[wheezy]

Most rental tanks are indeed Yoke style... anywhere. There are exceptions of course.. but the Yoke is the standard.

I don't know much about the converters DIN to Yoke, but it just seems another thing that could possibly go wrong.

The advantages to HP systems (DIN) IMO are not really all that benneficial. I guess that a "slightly" smaller tank is a good thing for some (being 6'5" 220 - I could care less)

but from what I understand, HP systems put more stress on valves and internals of the reg.

then again, the tech guys like them because it is a more "solid" system, if it gets banged in a cave or wreck.

If you are just starting out, I would say go with a yoke and wait until you NEED??? a DIN, because MOST highend regs can be converted if need be.

Good Luck

 

[VTWarrenG]

Buy DIN. You'll probably find yokes on rental tanks in the Carribean, but you can easily use a DIN reg on a yoke valve with an adapter. You cannot, however, use a yoke reg on a DIN valve. In addition, most regs are available in either format, and most are very easily changeable with just a hex wrench.

wheezy, the DIN vs. Yoke argument has nothing to do with the HP vs. LP argument. All HP tanks have DIN valves, because they must -- but LP tanks can have either.

- Warren

 

[wheezy]

Yes, true... I never even thought of that.

One other thing though about DIN's ... they are very susceptible to having water blown into the tank on fills.

If you go DIN... MAKE SURE you get ALL the water out of the socket before getting filled ... I would suggest a good shammy and then a good clean dry cloth diaper to get what's left..

Especially if you invest in your own tank

 

[Lost Yooper]

A DIN connection is fine, but you have to evaluate your needs and your ambitions. If all you intend to do is travel, then yoke is pretty common. If you intend to get you own tanks for local diving, then get DIN. You don't have to worry about the adaptor, just buy the yoke conversion for it. It takes about two minutes to convert a DIN reg to a yoke reg, and a yoke conversion costs about the same as an adaptor (which is less than optimal). If it were me, I would buy a DIN reg (300DIN) and get the yoke conversion for it.

Good luck.

Mike

 

[BOOinTX]

Originally posted by VTWarrenG
Buy DIN. You'll probably find yokes on rental tanks in the Carribean, but you can easily use a DIN reg on a yoke valve with an adapter.
- Warren

Does the adapter extend enought that ya can bump ur noggin?

 

[Lost Yooper]

Originally posted by BOOinTX


Does the adapter extend enought that ya can bump ur noggin?

Yup. Get the conversion to avoid this.

Mike