optima purchase and a question

swadiver · 3rd January 2008, 15:37

hello all, just signed the deal with mark at fill express for an optima. start training in early feb. looking forward to diving with some of you guys here in SE Florida. trying to decide on cylinder size to go for. am leaning towards the alum 20's for diving saltwater, 3mm to 5mm wetsuit here in florida. for the caves (eventually) with a compressed 2mm neoprene drysuit in fresh water looking at the steel 27's. any thoughts on this appreciated.

after 21 years of oc tech diving this should be interesting!

stay wet!

diverreb · 3rd January 2008, 16:49

IMHO I'd stick with one or the other. The best thing is to try both of them, if possible, before you decide. Mine came with the Steel 27's, which I used for a few months. I was very happy with them. One of my reasons for switching over from OC to CCR was for weight reduction. I'm an old dude. Just turned 59. I was getting tired of hauling double 100's & double 120's around and having to climb ladders with all that weight on my back.

I decided to try the AL 20's with an AL backplate for maximum weight reduction. I never looked back.

I had to start using a weight belt again with my Drysuit, but I only use six pounds. With the Steels I didn't need any additional weight.

Warm water diving next week, but I don't think I'll need any weight, other than maybe four pounds total in the trim pockets.

My trim is a lot better with the AL tanks and it just feels a lot better for me U/W with the AL set up.

Everyone's different and some use the argument that if you are going to carry extra weight, why not use it in the form of extra gas. Valid enough, but you should always carry enough Bail Out gas so you really shouldn't need the extra 7 - 10 cf of gas. That being said, if you try both and are comfortable with the Steels I'd use them. Another advantage of the Steel's is that they are low pressure. Easier to get good fills.

If you like the comfort, weight reduction and trim of the aluminum tanks, go with them..... Then get a mini Booster.

There really isn't a right or wrong answer here.

Some guys dive with 13's and love them. Too small for my personal taste.

If you decide on one or the other and want to go a different route it isn't hard to sell either the Steel's or the Aluminium 20's. You might have to take a small hit, but they hold their value pretty well.

Look forward to diving with you someday....

Richie

MarcLaukien · 3rd January 2008, 18:50

I'm using AL-13's. I never had a problem with the size of the tanks. I can easily do 3+ hour dives with them (or three shorter dives). I'm using a plastic BP. I'm mostly diving wet suits (3mm in open water, 7mm in caves). Aside from 2 x 1 to 2 pounds of trim weight, I don't need any extra weight.

I started with Steel LP 27 tanks, but had problems with my trim. However, one of my dive buddies, who mostly dives dry, has no problems with Steel LP 27 tanks and trim.

**sfldiver** · 3rd January 2008, 21:44

If you can get away with it, the 13's are light and convenient. I dive the 13's and get about 4 hours out of them. I've completed 4 dives in a day without any problem.

I actually have two sets of 13's, and that seems to work great for me, especially when I'm diving two days in a row. I exclusively dive with a wetsuit, so I can't speak for the whole drysuit thing.

I use 3 lbs in each top pocket (6 lbs total), and that works great buoyancy wise. However, I am now adding another pound to each top pocket, because I'm trying to get my trim a bit more horizontal.

Congratulations and I too look forward to diving with you soon!

**Dsix36** · 3rd January 2008, 23:03

I started out with the AL 20's. I got good trim with 6lbs in the pockets. This was with a 3mm wetsuit.

I am currently reconfiguring for my drysuit. It required 14lbs to get the same bouyancy, but I don't have the trim right yet.

I changed to Steel 27's and am still working on the weighting. 14lbs and I sank like a rock, tooooooo much weight.

Obviously, I don't have a clue yet and never should have posted! My preference is the 20's, both for weight a amount of gas. Now I feel better.

I hope that you enjoy your training and look forward to diving with you soon, Don.

surgeondress · 3rd January 2008, 23:19

I dive the LP steel 27s with a drysuit (weezle extreme undergarment) in the caves and gulf up in the panhandle, with 3lbs in each trim pocket. Fully charged to 3000 psi, I get an entire weekend of diving thus far (6+ dives).

jiseson · 3rd January 2008, 23:21

Quote: (Originally Posted by surgeondress)

I dive the LP steel 27s with a drysuit (weezle extreme undergarment) in the caves and gulf up in the panhandle, with 3lbs in each trim pocket. Fully charged to 3000 psi, I get an entire weekend of diving thus far (6+ dives).

u use a backplate?

surgeondress · 3rd January 2008, 23:33

Nope. Just those stab plates with a Transpac harness.

human · 4th January 2008, 02:23

As you can see, everyone has their on opinion about the tanks to use. I would suggest, that you talk with Mark at Fill Express, about trying out different tanks sizes during training before you settle on a size. This may help you avoid buying a size that you may not be happy with. Good luck with your training.

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 4th January 2008, 21:11

I dive dry with the 27 steels. Perfect trim. I carry six pounds of lead in the top pockets in fresh water. In salt, I add another six pounds that I nest between the tanks inside the case.

3rd January 2008, 15:37	#1 (permalink)
swadiver New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2006 Location: southeast florida Posts: 84	optima purchase and a question hello all, just signed the deal with mark at fill express for an optima. start training in early feb. looking forward to diving with some of you guys here in SE Florida. trying to decide on cylinder size to go for. am leaning towards the alum 20's for diving saltwater, 3mm to 5mm wetsuit here in florida. for the caves (eventually) with a compressed 2mm neoprene drysuit in fresh water looking at the steel 27's. any thoughts on this appreciated. after 21 years of oc tech diving this should be interesting! stay wet!
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3rd January 2008, 16:49	#2 (permalink)
diverreb DE/MD/NJ Wreck Diver Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 549	Re: optima purchase and a question IMHO I'd stick with one or the other. The best thing is to try both of them, if possible, before you decide. Mine came with the Steel 27's, which I used for a few months. I was very happy with them. One of my reasons for switching over from OC to CCR was for weight reduction. I'm an old dude. Just turned 59. I was getting tired of hauling double 100's & double 120's around and having to climb ladders with all that weight on my back. I decided to try the AL 20's with an AL backplate for maximum weight reduction. I never looked back. I had to start using a weight belt again with my Drysuit, but I only use six pounds. With the Steels I didn't need any additional weight. Warm water diving next week, but I don't think I'll need any weight, other than maybe four pounds total in the trim pockets. My trim is a lot better with the AL tanks and it just feels a lot better for me U/W with the AL set up. Everyone's different and some use the argument that if you are going to carry extra weight, why not use it in the form of extra gas. Valid enough, but you should always carry enough Bail Out gas so you really shouldn't need the extra 7 - 10 cf of gas. That being said, if you try both and are comfortable with the Steels I'd use them. Another advantage of the Steel's is that they are low pressure. Easier to get good fills. If you like the comfort, weight reduction and trim of the aluminum tanks, go with them..... Then get a mini Booster. There really isn't a right or wrong answer here. Some guys dive with 13's and love them. Too small for my personal taste. If you decide on one or the other and want to go a different route it isn't hard to sell either the Steel's or the Aluminium 20's. You might have to take a small hit, but they hold their value pretty well. Look forward to diving with you someday.... Richie Last edited by diverreb : 3rd January 2008 at 16:51.
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3rd January 2008, 18:50	#3 (permalink)
MarcLaukien Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Optima Other CCR Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South East Florida Posts: 172	Re: optima purchase and a question I'm using AL-13's. I never had a problem with the size of the tanks. I can easily do 3+ hour dives with them (or three shorter dives). I'm using a plastic BP. I'm mostly diving wet suits (3mm in open water, 7mm in caves). Aside from 2 x 1 to 2 pounds of trim weight, I don't need any extra weight. I started with Steel LP 27 tanks, but had problems with my trim. However, one of my dive buddies, who mostly dives dry, has no problems with Steel LP 27 tanks and trim.
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3rd January 2008, 21:44	#4 (permalink)
sfldiver Optima Army Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 728	Re: optima purchase and a question If you can get away with it, the 13's are light and convenient. I dive the 13's and get about 4 hours out of them. I've completed 4 dives in a day without any problem. I actually have two sets of 13's, and that seems to work great for me, especially when I'm diving two days in a row. I exclusively dive with a wetsuit, so I can't speak for the whole drysuit thing. I use 3 lbs in each top pocket (6 lbs total), and that works great buoyancy wise. However, I am now adding another pound to each top pocket, because I'm trying to get my trim a bit more horizontal. Congratulations and I too look forward to diving with you soon! __________________ *Currently piloting & shooting...* Dive Rite O2ptima FX Rigged w/ a Dsix Custom Aluminum Frame, Nomad Wing, Transpac Harness and VR3 Computer w/ VPM-B/E & a 4th Cell Sensor Link.* Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera *Rigged in a Patima-PDCH 2008 G9 Aluminum Housing w/ an Inon UWL-100 Achromat Wide Conversion Lens, 2 Inon UCL-165M67 Close-Up Lenses and 2 Inon Z-240 Strobes.
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3rd January 2008, 23:03	#5 (permalink)
Dsix36 Going Down? Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Deerfield Beach, Florida Posts: 956	Re: optima purchase and a question I started out with the AL 20's. I got good trim with 6lbs in the pockets. This was with a 3mm wetsuit. I am currently reconfiguring for my drysuit. It required 14lbs to get the same bouyancy, but I don't have the trim right yet. I changed to Steel 27's and am still working on the weighting. 14lbs and I sank like a rock, tooooooo much weight. Obviously, I don't have a clue yet and never should have posted! My preference is the 20's, both for weight a amount of gas. Now I feel better. I hope that you enjoy your training and look forward to diving with you soon, Don. __________________ THE MORE THAT I LEARN, THE MORE THAT I STILL NEED TO LEARN!!!!!!
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3rd January 2008, 23:19	#6 (permalink)
surgeondress New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Shalimar, FL Posts: 38	Re: optima purchase and a question I dive the LP steel 27s with a drysuit (weezle extreme undergarment) in the caves and gulf up in the panhandle, with 3lbs in each trim pocket. Fully charged to 3000 psi, I get an entire weekend of diving thus far (6+ dives).
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3rd January 2008, 23:21	#7 (permalink)
jiseson DSIX/O2PTIMA Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: long island,ny Posts: 503	Re: optima purchase and a question Quote: (Originally Posted by surgeondress) I dive the LP steel 27s with a drysuit (weezle extreme undergarment) in the caves and gulf up in the panhandle, with 3lbs in each trim pocket. Fully charged to 3000 psi, I get an entire weekend of diving thus far (6+ dives). u use a backplate? __________________ *Jonathan D Iseson*
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3rd January 2008, 23:33	#8 (permalink)
surgeondress New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Shalimar, FL Posts: 38	Re: optima purchase and a question Nope. Just those stab plates with a Transpac harness.
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4th January 2008, 02:23	#9 (permalink)
human New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NC Posts: 33	Re: optima purchase and a question As you can see, everyone has their on opinion about the tanks to use. I would suggest, that you talk with Mark at Fill Express, about trying out different tanks sizes during training before you settle on a size. This may help you avoid buying a size that you may not be happy with. Good luck with your training. __________________ *The statistics on sanity are that one out of every* *four persons is suffering from some sort of mental* *illness. Think of your three best friends -- if* *they're okay, then it's you .*
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4th January 2008, 21:11	#10 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,028	Re: optima purchase and a question I dive dry with the 27 steels. Perfect trim. I carry six pounds of lead in the top pockets in fresh water. In salt, I add another six pounds that I nest between the tanks inside the case. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
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