What are the pros/cons of this valve? Also, who has used an HP80?

[Sonic04GT]

as opposed to this:



Just easier to carry?

My girlfriend is 5'3", 105lbs and I'm looking to get a tank for her. I dive HP100's and she seems to be able to manage them, but I think she'd be more comfortable with an HP80. I came across an HP100 born 01-09 in current vis for $200. Debating getting that or waiting on an HP80 for her.

 

[halocline]

Someone that small might do well with a HP80; they're very short tanks. The 1st valve in your post is a convertible DIN/yoke valve and can be used with either DIN or yoke regulators. The 2nd is the deeper 300bar DIN (I assume) and cannot accept yoke tanks. In terms of pros/cons, there are no cons to the convertible valve IMO, only pros. The 300bar valve is not any stronger, nor is the connection any more secure. In fact, the valves themselves are reputedly a bit more fragile because the deeper opening typically leaves less metal surrounding, and they can get knocked out of round a bit easier. But in terms of real-world, if you're certain you're only using DIN regs on the tanks, there's probably no significant difference between the valves.

$200 for a HP100 that new is a really good deal, I'd jump on that regardless as long as you can make sure there's no serious corrosion in the tank. It only takes a peek with a light that can fit down in there.

Other possibilities for tanks for her would be AL63 (far nicer to use IMO than AL80s) or LP72s, which you can find used for $50 all over the place and are really fun tanks for someone that doesn't use a lot of air. You need to be able to get a 2475 PSI fill on the LP72 to get 72 cft, otherwise you're looking at about 65cft.

 

[Wookie]

I agree with everything Halocline said.

Except. I think both valves are convertible DIN 200 bar, but I think that the top one is a right hand manifold valve that has a plug in the manifold port, and the other is a regular Thermo (or a knock off). If you don't ever plan to double tanks, the top one is indeed easier to carry, the bottom one is much less expensive. Neither has an advantage over the other in terms of functionality.

 

[Sonic04GT]

Thanks for the quick reply! I'll agree with you that she would probably be better off with the HP80 but also agreeing with you, the price of the HP100 is appealing. He says it has a current VIP, from a reputable local shop that I frequent so I don't think I'd want to mess with it myself. However, now that you mentioned the valve difference, she will likely be using yoke, unless she buys a new regulator then I will try to find one in DIN. I myself have the shorter Thermo Pro convertible valves on my HP100s and use DIN 100% of the time. He says the tank is also O2 clean. Not really a huge concern since my other 2 HP100's aren't and I can get banked blends anyway.

I will keep those other considerations in mind but I haven't found much lately that caught my interest and in good condition.

This is said HP100
http://www.lolzilla.net/images/48777935134284275583.jpg

These are my HP100's I've used since '08. Man they were beautiful.
http://www.lolzilla.net/images/63717107929781799001.jpg

Edit: I do not intend on diving doubles. I think I'm too scrawny to comfortable maneuver with 2 of these things haha

---------- Post added ----------

Well I think I'm going to hold off for now. Was talking to the girlfriend and she said the 100 was too heavy for her when she used it a while back for a lake dive.

 

[eelnoraa]

The first valve, beside it is convertible between DIN and Yoke, it is also modular. Later, you can attach something like a manifold or a y valve to the stemp that stick on the right side. Easier to carry is a side effect.

As for the tank, I think HP100 is a much better than than HP80. 100 isn't that long to begin with. the 80 is just too short especially if you ever will use bp/w bc.

 

[Sonic04GT]

Thanks for the input. The HP80 is primarily for my girlfriend that is brand new to diving. She used my HP100 previously and complained of it's weight. As for myself, I love my HP100's but I figure this would be a nice shallow dive tank if I wanted to use it.

 

[n2ogto]

My wife is about the same size and LOVES her Steel HP80's! She has 3 and I'll see if she might part with one.They look so small next to my 130's......

 

[Sonic04GT]

My wife is about the same size and LOVES her Steel HP80's! She has 3 and I'll see if she might part with one.They look so small next to my 130's......

Haha I could imagine they do! Thinking about getting a 130 myself in the future. Right now I need to find a buddy that can get an equivalent amount of bottom time.

Thanks, where in FL are you?

 

[n2ogto]

Haha I could imagine they do! Thinking about getting a 130 myself in the future. Right now I need to find a buddy that can get an equivalent amount of bottom time.

Thanks, where in FL are you?

Melbourne. We are going to Jupiter this weekend to dive with Jupiter Dive Center and Blue Tang. (Saturday and Sunday)

 

[halocline]

I guess the reason I thought the 2nd valve might be a 300bar DIN is because the image title says "va300" and the first one "va200". So the 2nd one might very well also be a 200bar w/out the plug. It does look like the first one is a plugged manifold valve.