OMG! ...just bought my 1st AL80 tank!

[spectrum]

I picked up a pair used with a few years on the hydro's for $50 about 3 years ago. They''re coming due.

I wanted something that would not overweight me when doing a local fresh water dive in a 2mm shorty, or less. They also give me a reserve that keep me from running for fills "just in case". If Somebody needs to borrow one they're expendable. Otherwise it's steel all the way but these do have their uses.

Pete

 

[halocline]

I love AL63s, but my local diving is usually in very shallow water.

There's nothing to be ashamed of, buying an AL80, but you should have found one used!

 

[scubafanatic]

I love AL63s, but my local diving is usually in very shallow water.

There's nothing to be ashamed of, buying an AL80, but you should have found one used!

well, I wanted 'shot-blast' finish, and the convertable 'Thermo' valve, which significantly narrows the used 'pool' of choices....plus add in freight, and the hassle factor of waiting around/hunting for a good candidate, just didn't seem worth the effort for the likely price differential.

 

[kanonfodr]

I picked up a pair used with a few years on the hydro's for $50 about 3 years ago. They''re coming due.

I wanted something that would not overweight me when doing a local fresh water dive in a 2mm shorty, or less. They also give me a reserve that keep me from running for fills "just in case". If Somebody needs to borrow one they're expendable. Otherwise it's steel all the way but these do have their uses.

Pete

I second the notion about "expendability," I would let just about anyone I know borrow my 80s. I'm sure that's part of the reason they are the standard for dive shops worldwide, you don't have to worry about them much. My steels I tend to be almost anal about, really worried about them as they are much more prone to rust/corrosion than AL tanks.

Peace,
Greg

 

[Graeme Tolton]

Well, if you are doing any tech diving or doing any recreational extended range diving, they are great stages. I just picked one up with a lot of stuff for $200.. Tank was 13 years out of hydro and rest of the gear sucked... so, i sold the rest of the lot for $400 and kept the tank. Hydros were on sale that week with vis for $20. Moral of story... i made $180 to have essentially a new tank. However, i wouldn't have chose the lime green paint.

That being said, i don't suppose that the boot in itself, jet black or not would be considered DIR.

 

[mike_s]

...I put my ear up close to the tank and didn't hear any ticking noises, so I think I'll be OK...... I'm hoping having the boot in the official DIR-approved jet-black color will spread some good karma...

You'll just end up knocking the boot off soon anyway.

They can trap salt and sand/silt. and they don't fit in some tank racks on some boats.


Anyway... congratulations on your new tank.

 

[diver 85]

You can't tell?? The wind blew 20 knots from the east and scrubbed the diving plans :depressed:

well move to the other side(Gulf I guess) side of Fl...

 

[Jax]

...well kids, broke down and bought my 1st AL80 (Thanks Scubatoys!). Shot-blast finish, boot, thermo 'convertable' valve......just under $ 150 + sale tax. I've owned only steel (both HP and LP singles, LP doubles......either PST or Faber) except for a couple of AL 'pony' bottles, but as I usually end up diving AL 80's on the majority of dive trips involving air travel anyway, thought I'd buy one so I can do the pool or lake 'thing' to dial in bouyancy when I change/update gear/wetsuit configurations, and I'm not fond of having to bother to return 'rental' AL80's, a bit of a hassle.

Thanks for an opening, ScubaFanatic, I hope you don't mind a question in your thread . . .

I know someday I will probably want steel tanks, but for now - and for at least the next six years hbrother: - I will be a vacation diver using rentals (99% sure AL80) everywhere I go.

My thought is to buy a ?new? ?used? AL 80 for messing around in the pool and such, and that way I'm not messing up my buoyancy and trim by swapping around from steel to aluminum every time I go diving.

Is this a good plan, and should I go new or used?

 

[mike_s]

Thanks for an opening, ScubaFanatic, I hope you don't mind a question in your thread . . .

I know someday I will probably want steel tanks, but for now - and for at least the next six years hbrother: - I will be a vacation diver using rentals (99% sure AL80) everywhere I go.

My thought is to buy a ?new? ?used? AL 80 for messing around in the pool and such, and that way I'm not messing up my buoyancy and trim by swapping around from steel to aluminum every time I go diving.

Is this a good plan, and should I go new or used?

if you get steel, most likely in the long run you'll like it better.


new or used? all depends on the deal.


seeing how I know where you live... and there is a LOT of desert there. can you even dive locally much? and since I know that you dive mostly on vacation where you fly to... is there a real reason to own a tank at home? (sounds like no.)

 

[Jax]

if you get steel, most likely in the long run you'll like it better.

new or used? all depends on the deal.

seeing how I know where you live... and there is a LOT of desert there. can you even dive locally much? and since I know that you dive mostly on vacation where you fly to... is there a real reason to own a tank at home? (sounds like no.)

Pool drills. I have been renting a tank locally, but if I miss the shop while it's open Saturday, I'd don't get to dive Sunday. That's why I thought I should get an AL80 now, and worry about the steels in the future.