My first experinced with AL80s

[JacobK]

Over the weekend, I did three dives for my Advanced Open Water class. This time, I used AL80s for the first time. In my OW class, I did all my dives on steel 80s.

After careful and quick consideration... I am sticking with Steel 80s.

Almost had to call in a helicopter drop for more weight. ;-)

 

[Lexy]

Over the weekend, I did three dives for my Advanced Open Water class. This time, I used AL80s for the first time. In my OW class, I did all my dives on steel 80s.

After careful and quick consideration... I am sticking with Steel 80s.

Almost had to call in a helicopter drop for more weight. ;-)

Oh yeah. I hear ya there. Steel will change your life. Some of my dive buddies really like the steel 120's, as well.

Not sure if you were doing the AOW dives from boat or shore - but steel 80 is the only way to go if your shore diving!

 

[Wayward Son]

You need a chopper to bring in a lousy 6 lbs?

 

[Lexy]

I have like 30+ pounds of extra lead in various denominations simply because of the AL80 -> ST80 conversion. Could have trucked the whole load down to ya!

 

[Wayward Son]

30 lbs over a single tank? Sorry, I just don't see that. An AL80 is neg full, a few lbs pos when empty, for about a 6 lb swing. The whole thing only weights about 32 lbs.

A steel 80 is neg full, and stays slightly neg when empty. It still gains in bouyancy by the amout of gas consumed, but even empty is still neg. I simply don't see any way that 30 lbs lead is reasonable with all else being identical except the tank, unless you have a steel 80 I've never seen that is about 25 lbs negative.

 

[Lexy]

30 lbs over a single tank? Sorry, I just don't see that. An AL80 is neg full, a few lbs pos when empty, for about a 6 lb swing. The whole thing only weights about 32 lbs.

A steel 80 is neg full, and stays slightly neg when empty. It still gains in bouyancy by the amout of gas consumed, but even empty is still neg. I simply don't see any way that 30 lbs lead is reasonable with all else being identical except the tank, unless you have a steel 80 I've never seen that is about 25 lbs negative.

Easy tiger... I failed to mention I had signifcant weight loss over the last year too. Opps. But your right, I'd be smokin' somethin' funny if a ST80 was 25 neg.

 

[Kaiser442]

I was reading yesterday about how the steel cylinders are preferred - but I still went with an aluminum due to cost. Bought my first tank last night, in fact...a dinged AL80 for $152.

 

[Scottri]

I sold all of my steel tanks except 1 80. I got tired of dragging those things around. Where I do most of my diving it's very rocky paths to get down to the water. I would consider the new E series tanks but the LP's were just too damned much work.

 

[Wayward Son]

Kaiser, don't feel bad. I prefer steel tanks as well, but the cost has resulted in my owning mostly AL right now. I do have one steel 72, but I bought it in 1978.

What I'd really like to have now is 6 or 8 E-7 100's, but at a min of $325 plus per tank it just ain't gonna happen for a long time.

 

[PerroneFord]

Two thoughts here.

1. $159 for a dingled AL80? I can get them new, locally for $139 (Luxfer) and have seen similar deals all over the internet.

2. The Worthington LP steel tanks are very inexpensive, with the LP85 listing at about $179-$199 with the valve, and the LP95 for $20 more. At those prices, I'd pretty hard to argue AL80s, unless you are doubling them and diving wet.