Took the plunge!
- Thread starter dr_shappero
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MarcG
Guest
Keith;
I was in the November fundies class at 5th dimension / Pacific Rim. I used my can light during the class. I wasn't planning on it but the instructor said that since I have it I may as well learn with it. Definitely added to the task loading. I think in our class half the people used can lights, half didn't. It definitely wasn't a need to have for the class. With that said, I think it would be a better investment for you to get a set of tanks. Get a good set of steel tanks.
Marc
I was in the November fundies class at 5th dimension / Pacific Rim. I used my can light during the class. I wasn't planning on it but the instructor said that since I have it I may as well learn with it. Definitely added to the task loading. I think in our class half the people used can lights, half didn't. It definitely wasn't a need to have for the class. With that said, I think it would be a better investment for you to get a set of tanks. Get a good set of steel tanks.
Marc
MarcG:
Unless he's cave diving there really isn't a need for steel tanks. AL80s fit the bill quite nicely. He can have a set of banded & manifolded AL80s for the cost of just 2 PST tanks.
piikki
Contributor
dr_shappero:
If you are planning to buy ANYTHING, contact your instructor-to-be and discuss your purchase(s) first. Avoid the ouch to max. You might get advice to buy e.g. Al tanks but there are also 'wrong' Al tanks on market etc... It's best to discuss YOUR individual situation, where you dive, what will you be doing, and get personal recommendations I'd think. That's how I was adviced, and it seems like a sound piece of advice.
MarcG
Guest
Derek S:
Agreed. However, you won't find many diving standard AL80's out here in the PNW. LP steels or the PST are the tank of choice.
pennypue
Contributor
Personally, I wished I had already had my canister light when I took fundies. My long hose routes much better and it would have been in the setup and configuration I intend to dive.
My point in taking fundies was NOT to make it as easy on myself as possible.
-Pue
(likes to make it as difficult as possible, otherwise am I learning what I'm going to need to use?)
My point in taking fundies was NOT to make it as easy on myself as possible.
-Pue
(likes to make it as difficult as possible, otherwise am I learning what I'm going to need to use?)
Penny: I see your point, but one can also just loop the hose and tuck it in the waistband, or route it under the knife. For fundies this is acceptable I believe (at least it was for me).
As for the AL/steel tanks. I personally would only buy steels if I was diving dry. If not, AL's are the way to go. Just because everyone else dives steel should not be an argument to also buy steels. Heck, I still dive my AL80's into caves here in FL every now and then. They are fabulous tanks that hold enough gas, if you need more: add a stage or two.
If however you are diving in a team all with larger volumes of gas, most likely you will be the limiting factor in terms of BT. But if your SCR is low enough, you can stretch the time.
What I am saying is that a decision on tanks should not be based on what everyone else does, but on what/how you are going to use them. If you dive wet, beware of end-of dive- buoyancy characteristics. If you dive dry and want more gas go with steel.
As for the AL/steel tanks. I personally would only buy steels if I was diving dry. If not, AL's are the way to go. Just because everyone else dives steel should not be an argument to also buy steels. Heck, I still dive my AL80's into caves here in FL every now and then. They are fabulous tanks that hold enough gas, if you need more: add a stage or two.
If however you are diving in a team all with larger volumes of gas, most likely you will be the limiting factor in terms of BT. But if your SCR is low enough, you can stretch the time.
What I am saying is that a decision on tanks should not be based on what everyone else does, but on what/how you are going to use them. If you dive wet, beware of end-of dive- buoyancy characteristics. If you dive dry and want more gas go with steel.
pennypue
Contributor
Meng_Tze:
For me too. But I really really wished I'd had my light then. It's not the way I dive NOW, it's not the way I intend to dive. And it does route differently and I hated the idea of getting used to tucking the hose in my waist instead of behind my canister.
Why learn it one way if you intend to do it a different way??
MarcG:
True enough, the same thing holds the same out here, most divers are using steels as well. Heck, I have a set of PST HP 100s that *were* going to be my doubles. :14:
Spend some time talking to the instructor he will most likely have some good advice for you.
The can light is nice to have as you will have a proper place to route the long hose and you'll have some professional advice on how to manage it. If I had it to do over I'd opt for the 18w so holding off on this purchase may be wise. But there are definatly options out there that may allow you to step into the light you want at a doller figure you can afford now. IMHO do not buy a used light unless you can step into for vertually nothing. Light's can be VERY expensive to repair. You WANT a warrenty and someplace you can deal with face to face. Consider a ballist for an 18w will cost anywhere from $250 (conservative) to $500. A bulb (WA) will cost about $200 a Brightstar is about 1/2 that. A battery will run $250 - $600 depending on whether its NiMH - SLA.
I know there are a lot of honest people selling their used lights but in my opinion it's too big of a gamble and to save $500 bucks on a $1500.00 light only to have the battery dump prematurly, or the bulb to go (a gamble even with new in reality, so for me the best/safest bet is new). If any of this happens you really have saved nothing. If the light floods you want a warrenty. Check out Halcyon, Salvo, Terkel and also look for an interesting offering from Dive-Xtras in the next month or two. Anyway I'm getting wordy.. enough said.
Tanks also would be nice to have as you again have some professional advice on how to set them up properly. Having a set of doubles for the fundies will let you learn all about the valves and how to manage them. Without knowing your size, weight, exposure protection, amount of weigt you use in singles & goals advising on tank purchases is difficult and could serve to mislead you.
PM me I would be willing to talk to you about loaning you my set of steal PST LP80's to use for the class.
If your in a drysuit IMHO you would be better served with steal tanks.
The can light is nice to have as you will have a proper place to route the long hose and you'll have some professional advice on how to manage it. If I had it to do over I'd opt for the 18w so holding off on this purchase may be wise. But there are definatly options out there that may allow you to step into the light you want at a doller figure you can afford now. IMHO do not buy a used light unless you can step into for vertually nothing. Light's can be VERY expensive to repair. You WANT a warrenty and someplace you can deal with face to face. Consider a ballist for an 18w will cost anywhere from $250 (conservative) to $500. A bulb (WA) will cost about $200 a Brightstar is about 1/2 that. A battery will run $250 - $600 depending on whether its NiMH - SLA.
I know there are a lot of honest people selling their used lights but in my opinion it's too big of a gamble and to save $500 bucks on a $1500.00 light only to have the battery dump prematurly, or the bulb to go (a gamble even with new in reality, so for me the best/safest bet is new). If any of this happens you really have saved nothing. If the light floods you want a warrenty. Check out Halcyon, Salvo, Terkel and also look for an interesting offering from Dive-Xtras in the next month or two. Anyway I'm getting wordy.. enough said.
Tanks also would be nice to have as you again have some professional advice on how to set them up properly. Having a set of doubles for the fundies will let you learn all about the valves and how to manage them. Without knowing your size, weight, exposure protection, amount of weigt you use in singles & goals advising on tank purchases is difficult and could serve to mislead you.
PM me I would be willing to talk to you about loaning you my set of steal PST LP80's to use for the class.
If your in a drysuit IMHO you would be better served with steal tanks.
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