HP100 or HP120?

[Linedog]

Underwater air is a good thing to have. So why not have more of a good thing? They are almost the same size, I get to drop some lead and have more air. So why not? BTW I have short legs and a long torso so the few extra inches in size won't be a bother.

 

[UWPhotoKeith]

Kind of depends on what type of dive you are doing if you NEED the extra air and if you don't mind lugging the extra 5lbs around. Also the extra 4 inches in tank height might make a difference if you are shorter rather than taller, though you say that is not a problem for you. Do you do much shore diving where you have to hike or mostly boat diving? Maybe see if you can rent/borrow a 120 and do bouyancy check to see how much a difference it really makes full and nearly empty. Also, do think you will ever need doubles?

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Do you really get to drop some lead (going from the HP100 to HP120)?
I have both kinds of tanks. I wear an identical amount of weight with both my PST100 and PST120.
I wear slightly less lead with my Worthington X7-100, compared to the PST100 and PST120.
Understand that you should be comparing buoyancy specs when the tank is empty (or near empty).

For 90% of my local dives, 100 cuft. is sufficient gas. Personally, I don't want to deal with the extra dry-carry weight of the HP120 if I don't need 120 cuft. of gas.

 

[Scott L]

Underwater air is a good thing to have. So why not have more of a good thing? They are almost the same size, I get to drop some lead and have more air. So why not? BTW I have short legs and a long torso so the few extra inches in size won't be a bother.

For newer divers and hunters I would say it is a good idea if you are physically able to handle the extra weight. A majority of very experienced divers would not benefit from the extra gas unless they were going outside of NDL's.

I elected to sell my HP120 tanks as one of my favorite 6-pack charters hated the cylinders with an intensity of a thousand stars. The boat is not set-up to handle the cynlinder's considerable height (29")...

 

[Linedog]

I'm using AL80's now so I will be dropping some lead. What's the difference if I have 5 pounds on my back or belt? I will look around and see if I can rent one.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I would really consider the depth and type of diving you plan to do in the next couple of years and the type of tanks your buddies have. The 120/130 is certainly a valuable tool for specific needs, but as your gain experience, you air use decreases considerably and the extra weight may not be worth it if the majority of your diving is of moderate depth. Fills can be more expensive, significant if you use nitrox. The extra weight might be a pain in the back on shore dives which are shallow and sometimes have a considerable hike back to the car.

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

If you do not mind the weight...and your buddies have similar tanks go for it. The long dives are a plus. It is a long skinny tank. You may want to rent/borrow so you can be sure you can get it trimmed out without issues.

 

[tbone1004]

Definitely prefer the 120's to 130's... A lot of boats can't hold the 8inch tanks... They aren't really that bad, especially for singles. Oh, and with the HP120's, if you aren't already using DIN regs, they only come in DIN if you get the true HP bottles. The 3442's can have pro valves. It's closer to 8 ish pounds, but if you're in Washington State, it doesn't sound like 5-8 lbs is going to change a whole lot. For some of us, it's the difference in wearing a weight belt or not, for you, it just pulls a weight or two off of your belts.
I'm 6'4 with a 32 inch inseam. The HP120 is about the perfect height when back mounted for me, so keep that in mind. The HP100 may be a better option, especially since it has essentially identical buoyancy characteristics and is a few inches shorter.

 

[Linedog]

I have an Atomic B2 with a din fitting. So a HP with a din is a no brainer. I an 6 foot with a 31 inch inseam so the taller tank should work fine. My first step sounds like I need to find a 120 to rent.

 

[diver 85]

to me, you answered your question(sorta)----HP 120's..........