Steel doubles - 119's or 130's

[Rainer]

Did you say that the 120's are longer than the 130's? I thought the 130's were longer than the 120's?

120s are 7.25" and 130s are 8" diameter. Volume increases with the cube of r. 120s are significantly longer. I find them as annoying as the shorter 119s.

 

[Rainer]

I find my LP85s (Worthingtons, so 7.25" not 7" Fabers) are easier to trim than my HP100s (Worthingtons as well) [it's not that the 100s are difficult, just noticeably more mass high]. The 85s are slightly longer.

Curious why you struggled with the 85s but were fine with the 100s...

Seriously, you need a good reason for doubles this big. I used my LP85s for quite some time before getting the larger cylinders. They really aren't needed for reasonably long OW dives less than 200' deep (even there you could just add a stage). I use them only when trying to get two T1 (~160', 20 min BT) dives off one set or when doing longer (>60min) 100' dives, in either case where I don't want to bother with a stage.

Beyond height, don't forget the 119s are also 8" diameter (like the 130). Seems no big deal, but it is likely going to make the v-drill a little more complex, unless you are already 100% comfortable with the 7".
After struggling heavily with LP85, I almost considered starting doubles with LP72 to save another extra 1/2 inch in diameter...

Then for extra gas, I compared x7.120 vs x7.100, and looking at extra weight/size i went with the x7.100 which appeared the right compromise (I'm 5.11). I can still carry them for quite some time on land, and still haven't been able to empty them yet (but l'm looking forward to it)

x8.130 ... waouw ... next next next step !

 

[stargost]

Did you say that the 120's are longer than the 130's? I thought the 130's were longer than the 120's?

tank table from divegear express (also available from many others inc. Padi enc. of diving)

X-Series Steel SCUBA Tanks by Worthington Cylinders - Dive Gear Express

The 130s are 1.5" longer than the x8.119 and the x7.100

to me the diameter and the weight were a much bigger deal than the length !

 

[iztok]

Beyond height, don't forget the 119s are also 8" diameter (like the 130). Seems no big deal, but it is likely going to make the v-drill a little more complex, unless you are already 100% comfortable with the 7".

Why?

Valves on them are just as far apart as 7.25" tanks.

 

[elan]

...those are some heavy tanks! I'm using a wing with 80 lbs. of lift. One drawback of these monsters is the need to either carry a spare bladder, wear a drysuit or, if you plan to use a wet suit, be sure you can crawl back to surface! If you lose your bladder buoyancy & have no other source of lift, you effectively become an expensive anchor!

I'm 6' 1", 230 lbs. I do alot of mid-to-heavier resistance training. You should have strong quads & back for moving about, plus good shoulder strength for hoisting them up onto dressing platforms.

Not everyone's cup-of-tea, I'd wager.

Regards,
DSD

Worthingtons x8-130 are only 4 lbs heavier (doubles) when full than x7-100. And that's with a nitrox fill. They are even lighter when empty. So you are not that much of an anchor comparatively to the 100s
where do you use those 80lb ?


And at the end you can always under-fill them so they are not that negative.

 

[stargost]

Curious why you struggled with the 85s but were fine with the 100s...

Well, few hours of stretching maybe ;-) and I'm not saying I'm not struggling anymore either
The point was, with difficulties with 7", there was no way I would have taken x8 diameter tank.

Seriously, you need a good reason for doubles this big.

I would for sure support that statement ! As mentioned I was close to get LP72

 

[Rainer]

Yeah, I have no idea why he's bothering with an 80# wing. Maybe a lot of steel deco/stages? In any case, I've been fine with a 50# wing and the 130s filled with nitrox (they usually have trimix in them, in which case, they're much less negative).

As you note, the in-water difference between the 100s and 130s is minor. Out of the water, though, it's a bit more than a 4# difference.

Worthingtons x8-130 are only 4 lbs heavier (doubles) when full than x7-100. And that's with a nitrox fill. They are even lighter when empty. So you are not that much of an anchor comparatively to the 100s
where do you use those 80lb ?


And at the end you can always under-fill them so they are not that negative.

 

[Rainer]

As mentioned I was close to get LP72

We have a set of those, too (well, they're currently broken down for singles, but I kept the 'fold and bands). They're quite nice from shore for easy dives, but still heavier than a single 130 (which basically holds the same amount of gas).

 

[rileymartin]

How heavy are the 130's? I lift so that shouldn't be an issue. I weighed 100's filled and they came out to 94lbs. I'm diveing with a drysuit and carry a lift bag but I hope I never have to rely on them to make it back up to the boat. If the 130's aren't that much heavier than 100's or 119's than I guess it's not any more problematic.

 

[stargost]

Why?

Valves on them are just as far apart as 7.25" tanks.

meaning the valve is 0.75"/2 away of reaching with the x8.
I agree it's small, but I felt it would still make things worse. As I said (...) I was about to get the LP72 which are even thinner, just for that reason.

Eventually, I like the x7.100 which seems a decent compromise.