Tank Bands: OMS? Highland? Dive Rite?

[Campana]

I need some bands for my Scubapro (faber) 95's. I already have a Scubapro Manifold that will work, though the tanks seem rather close together, the manifold should adjust enough to separate them a little more. I have been told that Highland Mills bands are the very best, but they are $126. OMS bands, also 2" wide like the Highland Mills bands, are about $75 with a bolt kit. Dive Rites are even less expensive (I get a big discount). My question is this: Are the Highland Mills bands really that much better. Are the OMS bands good enough? Are Dive Rite Bands good enough? This is for cave diving, and I'll pay what I have to pay, but don't want to waste money either.

Thanks for your consideration and opinions.

Dave

 

[Ontario Diver]

Same question but with AL80s and cold water wreck diving.....

 

[RobP]

Go with the Highlands. I put my first set on some AL80s and liked them so much I junked the bands on my 95s and put a pair on my Faber 95s.

They actually come with honest-to-God bolts instead of the threaded studs that other manufacturers (read Dive-Rite) use. These are much easier to adjust and nicer to use.

Highland makes two widths of bands for 8" tanks, 2.5" and 3". For 95s, get the 2.5". This is the same width as the bands for 7.25" (AL80) tanks.

They'll work fine with your Scubapro manifold.

 

[Walter]

Save your money, you can make your own better system for less than $10.

DSSW,

WWW™

 

[Campana]

Originally posted by Ontario Diver
Same question but with AL80s and cold water wreck diving.....

Now I know that Dive Rite or Scubapro or whatever less expensive bands are ok for 80's cause I've used them with no problems. In fact, I've got about three sets laying in my store room. Wanna buy a set of almost new bands for your 80's for, say, $35?

 

[retnug]

Originally posted by Walter
Save your money, you can make your own better system for less than $10.

DSSW,

WWW™

Please elaborate... out of what and how?

Thanks

 

[Walter]

Send me your e-mail address and I'll send you a .doc file with all the details. I'd post it, but I can't post .doc files here.

DSSW,

WWW™

 

[Lost Yooper]

Yes, the Highland Millworks bands are that much nicer. I have never looked back.

Mike

 

[roakey]

Another vote for the Highland Millworks, they're worth it.

http://www.highland-millwork.com/index.html

Roak

Ps. Ignore *everything else* that they sell except for maybe the bolt snaps and D rings.

 

[Conch]

OK.... I give up. WHY are Highland bands better than OMS bands? I saw the post and took a look at the sets we have at the shop to compare, just out of personal curiosity. The OMS bands appear to be a slight bit thicker and have a heavy duty support where the bolts go through. The OMS ones are 6 years old and look as good as the brand new Highland bands one of our customers got with his tanks. I'm no metalurgist but my preference is the OMS. NOT for price, but cause they sure look stronger than the Highlands. What exactly makes these Highlands worth the price? Judging by the price they should be made of gold.