Mailing List Archive

Mailing List: techdiver

Message Display

 
> 
> 3. I'd like to solicit more detailed explanations of what it is about 104s
> that make them so completely superior to every other tank.  And, yes, I've
> been reading the thread.  "Bouyancy is perfect."  Why?  Why is -9 lbs. empty
> better than -13 or -2?  Is it a big deal only for caving or do the
> advantages apply to other types of diving as well?
> 
> Use humor, sarcasm, flames, and insults--whatever you want.  But please have
> a clue.

I can't answer your first 2 questions, but I can give my opinion on
the third.

The PST104's are a good trade off between weight (the dry weight
of the tank) and bouyancy. I am trying to get as much weight off
my belt as possible without needing a crane to lift my tanks. I
try to limit the weight of my doubles rig to 100 lbs. That's 
as much as I can comfortably carry up the ladder.

There are tanks that are lighter weight with simmilar capacity 
(genisis 120) but they are more bouyant. There are heavier 
tanks that are negativly bouyant. The 104's have a reasonable
weight (44lbs empty) and they are negatively bouyant empty
so I don't have add additional weight to my belt for the
empty tank.

I am doing ocean, not cave diving. I don't have the luxery
of being able to tie off to log, put on FFM, and sleep for
a 2 hour 10 foot stop. My dive times are limited by the 
amount of deco I'm willing to do under a boat in 4 to 6
foot seas. I don't need the capacity (or the dry weight)
of a PST 121 or a Faber 120. With doubles like that I
go without a weight belt but I would have to put a davit 
on the boat to lift me out of the water.

Stephen Galperin

Navigate by Author: [Previous] [Next] [Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject: [Previous] [Next] [Subject Search Index]

[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]

[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]