Opinion of OMS tanks

[mth71]

Dear fellow divers,

I am a relatively new diver (only 15 dives thus far), but I know that I'll be diving for a lifetime, and would eventually like to get into technical (cave) diving when I move back to FL. Therefore, as I do my research about the different types of equipment (I already have my bp & wing), I seek the advice of those who are where I want to be, and have the expertise to help with my decision making. As I already own my own rig and regs, I am now looking for a tank. So here's my question:

After a lot of research, I have my eye on a low pressure steel tank by OMS, and would like to know what opinions anyone may have on the OMS brand, and whether or not it is considered DIR (it seems like the DIR bunch doesn't like OMS too much, even though OMS just hired two former employees from Halcyon and GUE to help make their line more DIR-compatible). I'd also like to know if a 98 cf steel tank would be too heavy for use with a 36 lb Explorer wing and diving without a dry suit. I know that depends, in part, on how much weight I currently require, but my question is more of a general one: are steel tanks more or less relegated to drysuit diving, and, if so, am I stuck with using aluminum?

I'm more or less familiar with the pros and cons of Al and steel tanks (like I said, I've done my research), and price isn't really an issue when it comes to getting quality equipment, so I'm really just seeking out what you, the diving community, think. Any and all opinions relating to this subject are welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.

Mark

 

[rjchandler]

Its probably not too heavy for the wing.
I guess you know it means you'll have more non'ditchable weight if your wing craps out.
Do you really need that much gas?

 

[strider]

I won't address the drysuit vs. wetsuit or wing lift because they both really seem to be more personal preference in a lot of ways. I am large, not fat, and with my wetsuit I used 34 pounds to get down, so steel tanks didn't bother me too much. I'm more worried about coming up too fast than not being able to get up.
I love OMS Tanks. I have 3 98s, 2 112s and a 131. I have 2 98s twinned and H valves on a 112 and the 131. Again, they are great tanks, nearly perfect and a caver friend recommended them to me. Personally the 98 twins are too short for me, I have to wear ankle weights with them, but I'm also 6'2", a friend who is 6'1" liked em. My plans are to twin up the 112s and get another 131 to twin and probably sell my 98s to my friend.
The 131 is about 10 obs negative and if I were much shorter it would probably smack me enough I wouldn't use it as much.
The 112s are a great compromise between the two and the 125 miight be even better.
Good luck, let me know how they work out if you get any.
Justin

 

[matt t.]

Stay away from the OMS cylinders. They WILL rust under the boots/bands. Even is fresh water. A while back OMS was advertising some hot dipped galvanized cylinders, but I haven't seen any or heard of them being released yet. IMO you're better off with PST cylinders, they are galvanized and won't rust on the outside. Any steel cylinder can rust on the inside, depending on how "dry" your fills are. Good luck!

Matt

 

[mth71]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Since I've received both glowing and not so good reviews of OMS (though I've read elsewhere that they are excellent), I'm not going to rush out and go get one just yet. I'll probably end up doing many more hours of research and asking questions befor deciding on a tank.

To answer the question of if I'd need as much gas as a 98 offers, the honest answer is...I don't know. When I called my LDS this morning asking about tanks, I was inquiring about the 85, but the guy recommended the 98 since it could provide for one more dive (and that's a good thing, right?) Again, my diving experience is too limited at this point to know how much air I really need (but I do know that my breathing rate is rather rapid now since I'm still not completely relaxed underwater). I'd just like to get something that I can grow into as my diving requires it, although now that I think about it, perhaps I should get the 80 for air diving and another size for Nitrox (since I assume that I cannot use the same tank for both).

One more thing - while I don't drysuit much now, I do plan on getting one, but I'll probably wait til after taking the DIR-F course (since after reading a recent thread about one's DIR-F experience, he learned a great deal about exposure protection during the class, so I'd like to wait til I learn that stuff).

Thanks for all the replies so far.

Mark

 

[VTernovski]

Galvanized OMS tanks are not happening. If you are very careful with your tanks, they won't rust, but any minor "bangs and dings" will scratch the tank. I had both OMS 112 and OMS 125. The area on the neck around the valve rusts pretty bad. When the valves got put on those brand new tanks, they scraped and chipped the top paint of the neck, which started to rust right away. pretty bad, I may say, even in fresh water. Some people (on scubaboard and also my buddy) experience paint chipping from the use of Halcyon SS Cam buckles.

I hated the buoyancy characteristics of the 125, 112 is much better as it -1lb negative. I used these tanks with 35lb wing and a wetsuit, and had no problems with buoyancy.

So, speaking strictly from buoyancy characteristics, these tanks are not so good for Drysuit diving. but not bad for wetsuits. From durability point of view, they are not as good as Hot Dipped Galvanized PST tanks, however, they are still better than original Faber tanks. (white tanks)

 

[VTernovski]

85's are sweet just becasue they are not as "fat" in diamter as 98's or 112's... of course, they hold less gas though. How tall are you? I am about 6' and 98's are way too short for me. 112's were ideal for me.

however, when taking everything in the account, I sold my OMS tanks and ordered PST e8-130's to double up. However, I dive dry 100%, no way would you want to do with your wetsuit.

 

[sylvester]

PST are very nice tanks, I bought the E7100 and love it, so I bought a 2d now I have a E7120 ordered for Nitrox. These tanks are tough, balance well and I like the smaller size on my back. I have dove the E8 and OMS tanks my balance seemed off a little and I personally didnt like the larger diameter no other reason then my personal choice there, no reason based on function or preformance.

 

[rjchandler]

I'd just like to get something that I can grow into as my diving requires it, although now that I think about it, perhaps I should get the 80 for air diving and another size for Nitrox (since I assume that I cannot use the same tank for both).


Mark

You often can use the same tank for both. depends on where you get your gas and how clean you keep your tank.

I doubt you would get more than one dive out of 98. Unless you were doing short/shallow dives - for which you probably don,t need all that gas. You can get into trouble with too much gas because you can be tempted to overstay your welcome on the bottom. It might be helpful to think about where you intend to dive in the more immediate future. You'll find that an AL80 will give you a lot of time at rec depths - particularly as your breathing settles down with experience.

I have had an OMS85 for several years w/o any rust and it passed its hydro last year. Its one of the old blue ones.They're a nice tank.

 

[padiscubapro]

Stay away from the OMS cylinders. They WILL rust under the boots/bands. Even is fresh water. A while back OMS was advertising some hot dipped galvanized cylinders, but I haven't seen any or heard of them being released yet. IMO you're better off with PST cylinders, they are galvanized and won't rust on the outside. Any steel cylinder can rust on the inside, depending on how "dry" your fills are. Good luck!

Matt

I have early faber cylinders that were sold by scubapro.. already been through three hydros without any problems, my oldest OMS tanks are getting ready for another hydro, no rust to be seen anywhere.. These tanks see little fresh water, usually only salt.. I personally don't use OC very often anymore but my tanks still get regular use...

I do rinse my gear correctly after use.. Most of my tanks have boots since the boats want them, and there is no rusting under the boots..

I have been able to scratch the paint off my white fabers (on my rb) but they take lots of abuse from my Titanium chasis.. nothing a bit of galvanizing paint cant cure....

I am also 6' and like the length of 95s/98s.. 112s are ok anything bigger is too long..