I am moving towards using a BPW and LP50 twinset instead of single HP120 tanks to improve my buoyancy and the twins weigh a little less. I am wondering if people just stick to one set or get a second so they can make more dives a day.
How many LP50 twin sets to buy
- Thread starter thomschoon
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tmassey
Contributor
If you’re planning on doing more than one dive a day, it’s usually traditional to use a set of doubles that will handle what you’re looking for. So, if you’re doing two dives and can’t do it with a single set of LP 50s, do it with a set of LP72 or HP 100.
I mean, if you want to have a couple of thousand dollars devoted to tanks just so you can do the equivalent of two single tank dives, by all means go for it. I own a set of LP 50, and if I came across a second set, I would probably take them, and I might even use them like you’re describing. But it’s an expensive way to go.
Now, if there’s some physical reason why you can’t handle a set of LP 72 for example, asking a question is irrelevant: if it’s the only way you can do it, it’s the only way you can do it. But short of that, it would make a lot more sense to just use the proper sized set of doubles.
ETA: To complete the thought about buying a second set: I wouldn’t buy a second set of LP 50s until I had multiple other sets of doubles. Honestly, I wouldn’t make LP 50s my first set of doubles, but I certainly wouldn’t make them my first *two* sets of doubles! You’re going to get a lot more capability, flexibility and versatility from a set of, say, HP 100’s. HP 100 doubles could be used to do a couple of recreational dives, or a single technical dive. Paired with the set of LP 50s you already have, you can do anything from a single laid-back dive, or a pair of significant recreational dives, all the way to a complex technical dive, including deco. With two sets of LP 50s, all you can really do is a couple of recreational dives.
Just my humble opinion, worth at least as much as you paid for it…
I mean, if you want to have a couple of thousand dollars devoted to tanks just so you can do the equivalent of two single tank dives, by all means go for it. I own a set of LP 50, and if I came across a second set, I would probably take them, and I might even use them like you’re describing. But it’s an expensive way to go.
Now, if there’s some physical reason why you can’t handle a set of LP 72 for example, asking a question is irrelevant: if it’s the only way you can do it, it’s the only way you can do it. But short of that, it would make a lot more sense to just use the proper sized set of doubles.
ETA: To complete the thought about buying a second set: I wouldn’t buy a second set of LP 50s until I had multiple other sets of doubles. Honestly, I wouldn’t make LP 50s my first set of doubles, but I certainly wouldn’t make them my first *two* sets of doubles! You’re going to get a lot more capability, flexibility and versatility from a set of, say, HP 100’s. HP 100 doubles could be used to do a couple of recreational dives, or a single technical dive. Paired with the set of LP 50s you already have, you can do anything from a single laid-back dive, or a pair of significant recreational dives, all the way to a complex technical dive, including deco. With two sets of LP 50s, all you can really do is a couple of recreational dives.
Just my humble opinion, worth at least as much as you paid for it…
eightytwenty
Contributor
Depends on how much space you have to store them. If you want to do two long dives, can handle two sets, and have the space to store them, go for two. If you only ever plan for one dive, no sense in having a second set.
Tiny doubles are a lot of fun, but with LP50s you're pretty limited. I ended up selling my set of tiny doubles because I was struggling to find a use case over single 85s or 100s. The stable platform of doubles is nice, as is the redundancy, but for the dives I was using them for I determined that singles were just a better way to go. Plus, the tiny doubles don't feel THAT much more stable than singles if you're properly configured. When properly weighted and in good trim, I have never felt as though a single cylinder was going to "turtle" me.
I also would like to add that based off the cylinder spec sheets, the twin 50s appear lighter, but after you factor in bands, manifold, the extra valve, and the extra regulator, they're going to be a few pounds heavier than a 120, with 20cf less gas when filled to service pressures.
Twin 72s might be a better choice if you're looking to do 2 dives on small(ish) doubles, and will get you closer to that 120cf you had before, but they're a considerable size up compared to the 50s.
Tiny doubles are a lot of fun, but with LP50s you're pretty limited. I ended up selling my set of tiny doubles because I was struggling to find a use case over single 85s or 100s. The stable platform of doubles is nice, as is the redundancy, but for the dives I was using them for I determined that singles were just a better way to go. Plus, the tiny doubles don't feel THAT much more stable than singles if you're properly configured. When properly weighted and in good trim, I have never felt as though a single cylinder was going to "turtle" me.
I also would like to add that based off the cylinder spec sheets, the twin 50s appear lighter, but after you factor in bands, manifold, the extra valve, and the extra regulator, they're going to be a few pounds heavier than a 120, with 20cf less gas when filled to service pressures.
Twin 72s might be a better choice if you're looking to do 2 dives on small(ish) doubles, and will get you closer to that 120cf you had before, but they're a considerable size up compared to the 50s.
Twin 72s are my favorite way to dive, but a nice set of twin 50s [especially white Voit cylinders with a blue fiberglass back pack] are also very nice. Get at least one set, two would be even better, and enjoy the best.
Have you tried an HP117? I just got back from diving with Aldora in Cozumel and most of the divers were using them and loved them.
They are a bit shorter than an HP100, and a lot shorter than a 120, but 8" diameter instead of 7.25".
Last time I was there, I used their 120s, but I didn't like how they trimmed out and I always had enough gas at the end so I asked for 100s this trip. Except on one dive the only tank left was a 117, so I took it. It did not feel awkward at all. In fact, I asked for them the next day, but the port closed due to weather and I didn't get to try them again.
3 is a good start.
I love LP50s for doubles and sidemount. I’m mostly diving in caves, so it is normal for us to bring two sets of tanks if we are planning two dives. But. We also cave fill, so double LP50s is like bringing 150cf of gas….considerably more than a single 100cf tank, plus you’ve got that redundancy and can slide right into a lot of the larger sidemount systems if you’re back mounting baby doubles… 
Funny. But confusing considering your user name.
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