Doubles - which tanks??

[M_Bipartitus]

It seems the overwhelming advice is the HP100's but I've noticed that they are much shorter than an AL80 which I am accustomed to diving right now. How do these cylinders trim out in comparison? I really like the idea of these tanks since they are almost the same weight as AL80's but with much better buoyancy characteristics. I currently have two mismatched AL80 tanks and don't want to end up with another 2 if I break up a AL80 doubles set in the future, I'd rather just continue staging the tanks I have right now.

All advice is greatly appreciated - keep it coming folks!

Many of the other posters are far more experienced in doubles than I am, but I'll note you mention Great Lakes dives. If you plan on diving in the Great Lakes, you will likely need the negative buoyancy of steel tanks to help overcome drysuit undies suitable for 35-45F waters.

I'm about 6'1". I didn't have much of any trouble trimming out in LP95s. It looks like X7-100 would be about the same. The main reason I got the LP95s over HPs is that I found a good used pair for sale several hundred less than used HP100s were going for.

 

[rjack321]

Many of the other posters are far more experienced in doubles than I am, but I'll note you mention Great Lakes dives. If you plan on diving in the Great Lakes, you will likely need the negative buoyancy of steel tanks to help overcome drysuit undies suitable for 35-45F waters.

I'm about 6'1". I didn't have much of any trouble trimming out in LP95s. It looks like X7-100 would be about the same. The main reason I got the LP95s over HPs is that I found a good used pair for sale several hundred less than used HP100s were going for.

LP95s/hp119s are ok for most people. But they are heavier (esp. full of nitrox) and shorter/smaller people can really struggle to balance them in the water and walk in them out of the water.

Generally speaking most people can "trim out" most tanks. Whether you can learn on them and be flat without dropping your knees is more complicated.

If the OP knows someone with lp95s (and there are significantly different flavors of this tanks by PST, Faber, Worthington) and can demo them then maybe 95s are an avenue to explore.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

104/108/130s for cave diving only.

LP85/HP100's for everything else IMO, until you're doing massive dives.

You really need to get out and see a bit more of the world before you make statements like that ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[kanonfodr]

I'd agree with either HP100s, LP85s, or AL80s for beginner doubles. My set of HP100 singles came to me as doubles and I dove them a few times, but I prefer the AL80 doubles I'm using now because they do cause me to wear some ditchable weight, which allows me to correct for trim. I was using none with my HP100s and it just gets tiring having to do all the work yourself for trim, I'd rather have some lead down low to help out. I dive LP85s as singles and absolutely love them, would love to double a set up and see how they fly, but for right now I would run into the same problem as the HP100s.

But we can all gasbag all day long, your best bet is to go and try out several sets of doubles and see what makes you happy.

Peace,
Greg

 

[ucfdiver]

You really need to get out and see a bit more of the world before you make statements like that ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Why's that, Bob? LP85/HP100s have enough gas for most all tech dives and are only slightly heavier than AL80 doubles. HP130's are a great way to get hurt on a rocking dive boat, IMO no need to take that much weight if you don't have to.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Why's that, Bob? LP85/HP100s have enough gas for most all tech dives and are only slightly heavier than AL80 doubles. HP130's are a great way to get hurt on a rocking dive boat, IMO no need to take that much weight if you don't have to.

104/130's are the most popular choice for doubles on the west coast for a reason ... it's easy to get crazy deep from shore, especially if you own a scooter. The majority of the wrecks around where I live are in the 200-240 range. Lots of walls go down deeper than that, even without a boat. 100's ain't sufficient for those dives ... not if you want enough bottom time to make the dive worth doing.

And check out some of the dives folks are doing in places like Monterey, San Diego, or British Columbia.

Don't get me wrong ... I really like the feel of HP100 doubles. I used to own a set. Traded them straight up for a second set of 119's because they just didn't have the capacity for a lot of the dives I was doing.

Seriously ... caves are awesome ... but they're a tiny, miniscule fraction of the big dives that are being done around the world. So far you've stated that side-mount is only good for caves, that 104/130's are only good for caves. That's just wrong-headed.

You take the tools that make sense for the dives you're doing.

There's an awful lot of people out here who are diving 130's because it's the optimal choice for the way they dive and the dives they're doing ... and we ain't got any caves on this side of the continent ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Gilldiver]

Some times you just need the right tool for the job. These are vintage LP72's, 80's, 100's, 130's.

Just take what you need for the dive you are doing

 

[ucfdiver]

104/130's are the most popular choice for doubles on the west coast for a reason ... it's easy to get crazy deep from shore, especially if you own a scooter. The majority of the wrecks around where I live are in the 200-240 range. Lots of walls go down deeper than that, even without a boat. 100's ain't sufficient for those dives ... not if you want enough bottom time to make the dive worth doing.

And check out some of the dives folks are doing in places like Monterey, San Diego, or British Columbia.

Don't get me wrong ... I really like the feel of HP100 doubles. I used to own a set. Traded them straight up for a second set of 119's because they just didn't have the capacity for a lot of the dives I was doing.

Seriously ... caves are awesome ... but they're a tiny, miniscule fraction of the big dives that are being done around the world. So far you've stated that side-mount is only good for caves, that 104/130's are only good for caves. That's just wrong-headed.

You take the tools that make sense for the dives you're doing.

There's an awful lot of people out here who are diving 130's because it's the optimal choice for the way they dive and the dives they're doing ... and we ain't got any caves on this side of the continent ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I said unless you're doing massive dives, and I consider 200+ft pretty massive in perspective...

 

[rjack321]

104/130's are the most popular choice for doubles on the west coast for a reason ... it's easy to get crazy deep from shore, especially if you own a scooter. The majority of the wrecks around where I live are in the 200-240 range. Lots of walls go down deeper than that, even without a boat. 100's ain't sufficient for those dives ... not if you want enough bottom time to make the dive worth doing.

And check out some of the dives folks are doing in places like Monterey, San Diego, or British Columbia.

Don't get me wrong ... I really like the feel of HP100 doubles. I used to own a set. Traded them straight up for a second set of 119's because they just didn't have the capacity for a lot of the dives I was doing.

Seriously ... caves are awesome ... but they're a tiny, miniscule fraction of the big dives that are being done around the world. So far you've stated that side-mount is only good for caves, that 104/130's are only good for caves. That's just wrong-headed.

You take the tools that make sense for the dives you're doing.

There's an awful lot of people out here who are diving 130's because it's the optimal choice for the way they dive and the dives they're doing ... and we ain't got any caves on this side of the continent ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Ummm 200-240 is not a beginner dive, so of course "beginner" hp100 doubles are a bit suboptimal. Although you can always add a stage. Most of the deco dives "beginning" tech divers stepping into the first set of doubles are, sensibly, shallower than that. Like 110-170 which is where 100s are perfect, as well as on a crummy boat ladder and waddling up the beach.

Nevermind the fact that most people regularly doing 200+ around here have gone CCR.

But of course there certainly are plenty of people doing 2+ shore dives a day on a set of 130s plus a v-weight on there as well. On my boat we call that a "Cove2 rig" as we grunt, swear, and heave to get them back aboard.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I said unless you're doing massive dives, and I consider 200+ft pretty massive in perspective...

I don't see them as particularly big dives ... just a bit deep.

I'd probably consider some of the dives you do bigger in terms of planning and preparation ... it boils down to familiarity.

This is one of my dive buddy's garage ... most of those doubles are 130's ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)