@Dan_P start cave diving in Florida, you'll realize REAL fast that AL80's don't work and you pretty much need steel tanks. Also saying that 1x large steel is better than 2x al80's, when al80's are actually pretty meh tanks to begin with is a little ridiculous. Al80's actually represent one of the most inefficient tank designs in terms of weight:buoyancy:gas capacity so shoehorning yourself into only using them is not a great idea for most diving
Yet, I like it and it works well. Will hit you up for a dive next time I'm in Florida. Maybe I'll find that in that venue, different tanks would make sense. I don't generally love the bouyancy caracteristics of steel indies, but that's on a more general note.
You're telling me that in Florida, sidemounting steel tanks is sensible - bene. I simply don't understand why is all.
I like that the AL80s are near neutrally bouyant and for this and their size, find them easy to handle.
Would a 12L steel tank hold more gas? Sure, a whopping 0,9L.
But I personally think even a 7L steel tank is aweful to reposition, let alone a 12L.
If I don't need steel in icewater, what is the reason I
need them in Florida?
That said, it's not like I don't appreciate a use - I like a 12L for single-tank backmount, for instance.
But I can't use that single 12L for anything else than shallow rec diving. And it requires a separate rig.
I can, however, use a single AL80 for light rec diving, deeper rec, tech, stage or deco application. And have only one rig for all my diving.
That's one reason I prefer that setup.
All those AL80s will not work for a 200+ft dive in Puget Sound in ripping current on a scooter with dry gloves. Plus lord knows how much lead you'd need, 40+lbs easily. I wouldn't even let you on my boat if you showed up with all that full of 15/55. Forget it.
PS if you showed up with a Z system for anything other than a recreation dive you are also staying on the dock. Sorry that thing is stupid and the gas switches are especially problematic.
I dive dry gloves exclusively.
If you can't handle your gear with dry gloves, that's the core issue;
A perception that the Z system - or any other gestalt in this case - has anything to do with causation, in this logic, is flawed by what I'd best describe as an associated reversal of effort heuristic.
And I've never heard of anyone who needed 40lbs of lead..
But of course, it's your prerogative to invite anyone you wish, onto your own boat.
It's been my experience that people who concern themselves with their minds' negatives surrounding the Z-system, generally haven't ever even tried one on.
In my view, the gas switch is no more problematic than a gas switch is as a baseline when there are multiple deco tanks to pick from. On a side note, that is a general problem. One that has to be solved with a protocol in all cases.
Are you familiar with the gas switch protocol employed when using a Z-system?
tbone 1004 and rjack321 you guys should take your rigs to Scandinavia and see how well suited those rigs are there where the OP is diving. You guys tell the OP all about VA and WA where he isn't diving, you guys should try diving where he is diving.