Slanted and offset valves for 3500 PSI cylinders

[2airishuman]

I've come across a number of 3500 PSI cylinders for sale with the original slanted and offset valves.

Since these cylinders have 7/8" neck threads, replacing the valves is costly enough to make the difference between a worthwhile purchase and one that doesn't make economic sense. Do the slanted (and sometimes also offset) valves pose any practical problems in use?

 

[wisp]

Theoretically, they'd expose the first stage more, so in an overhead environment there'd be a slightly increased change of damaging the reg.

In practice, I have several tanks with these values, and notice zero difference diving with them vs tanks with the "upright" valves. Also as a person with little hands, I actually find my tanks with the offset valves easier to carry.

 

[tbone1004]

@wisp would you be diving single cylinders in an overhead?

no issues using them and I actually prefer them for single tank use since it helps to get the first stage away from your head. They are also really easy to carry

 

[2airishuman]

The other style I see and wonder about are the slanted but not offset ones like this:

I know that the manifolds with face-sealed crossbars (rather than o-rings) are to be avoided.

 

[wisp]

@tbone1004 I wouldn't Was more thinking of the slanty manifolds