Experience Level

[waterpirate]

NJ Mike,
Steel tanks last forever. You are in the right location to be looking for some used steels. I have seen them 150-200 dollar range, when people are offloading doubles or get to old to lift them, or move to rebreather. Keep your eyes open, you will find a set.
Eric

 

[highlandfarmwv]

Outer Banks Diving in Hatteras, NC has 100's of Nitrox for rent. They have been in buisness 15 years, and do have dive guides for hire. I saw more fish at Hatteras than at all the Caribbean sites I've been in combined. (Aruba, Bonaire, Grand Cayman, BVI). You won't be disappointed. My avatar is from Hatteras.

 

[JayJudge]

Isn't the HP 120 five or six lbs heavier than the AL 80 and the -100? But I guess you could offload weights, which would then even it out.

Which then makes the big difference to be cost.

Actually Mike, if you go with an x-series (3442 psi) 120, the weight you could take off would be around 8+ lbs. This is because the 100 steel and 120 steel end the dive negatively bouyant. An aluminum 80 ends a dive 4 pounds positive. The low pressure tanks are even heavier, but, that means more weight while trying to get on a ladder.
Also, as for used, check the hydro on the low pressures- some people overfill them, and you might only get one more hydro on them-supposedly. Northeast Scuba in PA has a screaming deal on 120s right now- right in the $270 range new. As for size, if you are over about 5'8", a 120 is managable, and my girlfriend uses one at 5'4". I hope this gives you some information to base a decision on.
-Jay