Looking at high capacity tanks (120cf) and have some questions

[danvolker]

I have a drysuit and I am thinking of tech in the future, though not for a couple of years. I am more interested in the tanks and using them as singles and having the option of double tech diving in the future.

In your drysuit, with a full flood, you may be able to swim the single 120 to the surface, but it is unlikely to be able to do this with double 120's.... I don't like the idea of having to count on a bc as a lift device critical to getting me off the bottom. Too many have died from making this assumption. The idea is to have a tank system that is not so heavy that you can't swim it up without help from the BC/wing.

When I use doubles in the ocean, it is double 80's....I can swim them up easily even with no wing whatsoever. I question the need for more gas for this on any dive in the ocean. The more you bring beyond this, the more problems it will introduce. More drag, more weight that requires redundant lift, more problems dealing with currents, and on and on.

Hostage , I have said my piece. It sounds like you are determined to get these 120's, so I will leave you to your decisions.

 

[herbdb]

Nothing wrong with owning a couple of single 120s, I do. I suspect that after seeing how heavy they are, he won't be anxious to double them. Tech diving specialty instruction should include contingency planning for tech configurations and this will be addressed when he gets to that level.

Lots of us don't know what we don't know. So don't be offended if one of us without tech experience doesn't get it.

 

[Hostage]

I can also get new 80AL for $150 from another shop...hrmm

 

[halocline]

I can also get new 80AL for $150 from another shop...hrmm

Buying a used HP120 is a MUCH better use of $150 than a new AL80, regardless of what anyone might tell you about his experience with those size tanks. You will only find out about how these tanks work for you by trying them out. In cold water, which is pretty much all you have up there in the frozen north, virtually ALL divers prefer steel tanks. If these tanks don't trim out well for you, chances are very good that you'll be able to sell them for $150, or maybe even trade them for HP100s. But lots of taller people like the 120s. $200 each for the tanks would still be a good deal, especially from a shop.

At this point, I would go to the shop, take down the numbers on the tanks, and post them here. Someone can then confirm exactly what kind of tanks they are. The valves are likely to be 300 bar DIN, which you can't use with yoke regs. Maybe the 'donuts' the shop is referring to are inserts, which are used on the 200 bar DIN valves, also known as convertible valves. If that's what are on the tanks, even better. If not, you'll have to convert your reg to DIN or buy a new (used is fine) 200 bar DIN valve.

Don't buy the OMS BP/W set up. OMS dual bladder bungie wings are not highly thought of, and completely useless for single tanks. The regs, SP MK25/S600, are worth about $250 or so each IMO, assuming the shop will service them before selling them to you. They're nice regs, maybe not ideal for frigid water diving. If you're looking for a new reg, fine, if not, pass on 'em. There are plenty of used regulators available, that's for sure.

 

[Colliam7]

I called the shop again, the owner is gone for a month in Bali ><. He left a note with his team for the whole package, though neglected to put the price of the two tanks. The guy mentioned it would be about $575 to $600 for both tanks.

I may have missed something in the thread, that moved the price from $150/tank to a combined total of $600. So, my comments may be a bit off base.

First, some background for my comments: I am the same height (5' 10.5"), I dove single HP120s for a while, then doubled them up when I took tech training - they were what I had, and it was the least expensive way to go. I loved the tanks for single tank, drysuit diving. I did not have any trouble maintaining trim, never felt that they had any tendancy to roll, didn't find that they affected my horizontal position, etc. As doubles, I made it through tech with them, did not mind the weight, BUT found that they really contributed to a foot-down position. As doubles, they were too long. Subsequently, I have acquired double AL80s, HP100s, and HP130s, and actually broken the double 120s down for use as singles again. I cannot recommend them for you as a set of doubles, based on my experience. Personally, I find my double 80s and 100s to be great as far as trim goes in my drysuit.

As a couple of singles, at $150 each, the 120s are probably a reasonable purchase, definitely more useful than spending $150 on a new AL80. (I recently bought a second pair of HP100s (with right and left hand valves) for ~$400, bought a used manifold on eBay, and a set of used bands, and doubled them up for less than $500 total. I would suggest that a set of double HP100s might be more appropriate for you for tech.)

The tanks are setup w/ a manifold for tech diving. So I am guessing the $600 was a price including VIP, hydro, plugs, donuts (DIN to yoke), crossbar, and bands. Even at $600 is it still worth it?

Not for double HP120s, for YOU.

Also the whole tech setup, BC, 2x Regs, and Tanks were offered to me for $1750 used. Any input?

That's A LOT. I would walk away from the deal. You can get used regs on eBay for a better price (if you are willing to be patient and disciplined), and I agree with another post that the BC is probably not ideal.

 

[Hostage]

$1750 is a lot for me to spend when I am only considering tech diving maybe a couple years down the road.

The owner of the place said it would be about $150/tank. To bad he is away, the guy who watching the shop quoted me at $600. I think I might wait till the owner gets back. I hate to say though the male owner is the most down to earth guy there.

Another shop has AL80s for $150 each new (not including boot).
The same place is offering 100CU LP for $275 each.

I all see some old beat up 72's on CList for $50 each no current vip/hydro.

 

[danvolker]

$1750 is a lot for me to spend when I am only considering tech diving maybe a couple years down the road.

The owner of the place said it would be about $150/tank. To bad he is away, the guy who watching the shop quoted me at $600. I think I might wait till the owner gets back. I hate to say though the male owner is the most down to earth guy there.

Another shop has AL80s for $150 each new (not including boot).
The same place is offering 100CU LP for $275 each.

I all see some old beat up 72's on CList for $50 each no current vip/hydro.

72's were awesome tanks, but pretty old now to assume they will pass hydro and vip....If they have this current, they would be worth something for you Nice single, great doubles. Very balanced.