Which AL 80 For Bail Out?

diverreb · 19th May 2008, 14:26

Getting ready to buy a few AL 80's for Bail Out. Doing Ocean Wreck Dives.

I noticed that that there are different Buoyancy characteristics for Luxfer (full
-3.6) & Catalina (full -1.8). The Catalina is also about 4" shorter.

They also offer Compact 80's and some other flavors....

Does anyone have a preference of one over another for trim/boyancy?

Thanks,

Richie

Mike Costanzo · 19th May 2008, 14:38

Richie good question. I am also interested in any comments anyone would like to contribute to this thread.

**sfldiver** · 19th May 2008, 15:10

Quote: (Originally Posted by diverreb)

Getting ready to buy a few AL 80's for Bail Out. Doing Ocean Wreck Dives.

Richie

"...A few AL 80's for Bail Out"? Uh, Richie, you planning something steeper and deeper that we should know about????

Inquiring minds would like to know???

JCdesign97 · 19th May 2008, 15:10

Hey Richie - it still says 'New Member' under your buddy Mike's name ... sucks to be him! Tell him I said hi. I would myself, but I don't talk to lowly unwashed new members directly ...

diverreb · 19th May 2008, 15:17

Quote: (Originally Posted by sfldiver)

"...A few AL 80's for Bail Out"? Uh, Richie, you planning something steeper and deeper that we should know about????

Inquiring minds would like to know???

Nothing over 200'...

I want to keep different mixes in each so I don't have to re mix gases for say the 160' dives & the 200' dives... He is pricey these days....

I'm a gas hog and 40's are cutting it too close for my dives....

Richie

EricD · 19th May 2008, 16:59

Quote: (Originally Posted by diverreb)

Getting ready to buy a few AL 80's for Bail Out. Doing Ocean Wreck Dives.

I noticed that that there are different Buoyancy characteristics for Luxfer (full
-3.6) & Catalina (full -1.8). The Catalina is also about 4" shorter.

They also offer Compact 80's and some other flavors....

Does anyone have a preference of one over another for trim/boyancy?

Thanks,

Richie

Richie-

This link should help you out with Luxfer vs. Catalina buoyancy and measurements:

TECHDIVINGLIMITED.COM

I personally own/use a Luxfer Al 80, and have done so on many o/c dives when I needed only one deco gas. As you will see on the chart, both flavors of al 80 get 4+ lbs. positive when nearly empty. From what I remember from a discussion I had a few years back with a very experienced deep diver is the reason why many divers prefer luxfer over catalina cylinders is due to the trim the tanks assume when they become buoyant. Luxfers tend to be a more tail light and pull up and away from the diver when mounted on the chest and side d-rings. Catalinas tend to become a little more frustrating when buoyant with the cylinder becoming positive toward the head of the tank and riding up the diver's side, rather than away. I personally have no complaints with the luxfer al 80, and was using it yesterday as my bail out bottle (side mount style) when practicing in the quarry. I couldn't even tell it was there as it trims out nicely, IMO.

Hope this helps.

Eric

netmage · 19th May 2008, 17:09

Standard Luxfer 80's....

Shawn · 19th May 2008, 17:41

I use Luxfer tanks as well. I have a Catalina that I also use but the trim on it sucks so bad that I only use it for my shallow stops when I'm already towing empties and trim is a relative term.

tflaris · 19th May 2008, 17:59

Quote: (Originally Posted by Shawn)

I use Luxfer tanks as well. I have a Catalina that I also use but the trim on it sucks so bad that I only use it for my shallow stops when I'm already towing empties and trim is a relative term.

I noticed the same on my Catalina. It rides poorly in the water used as bail-out never dove it partially full.

Mike Costanzo · 19th May 2008, 20:09

Eric, thanks for the info. What quarry u been diving in?

19th May 2008, 14:26	#1 (permalink)
diverreb DE/MD/NJ Wreck Diver Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 595	Which AL 80 For Bail Out? Getting ready to buy a few AL 80's for Bail Out. Doing Ocean Wreck Dives. I noticed that that there are different Buoyancy characteristics for Luxfer (full -3.6) & Catalina (full -1.8). The Catalina is also about 4" shorter. They also offer Compact 80's and some other flavors.... Does anyone have a preference of one over another for trim/boyancy? Thanks, Richie
(Online)

19th May 2008, 14:38	#2 (permalink)
Mike Costanzo Never E nuff Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maryland & Florida Posts: 132	Re: Which AL 80 For Bail Out? Richie good question. I am also interested in any comments anyone would like to contribute to this thread. __________________ Mike
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19th May 2008, 15:10	#3 (permalink)
sfldiver S.C.R.U.B.'S Photographer Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 784	Re: Which AL 80 For Bail Out? Quote: (Originally Posted by diverreb) Getting ready to buy a few AL 80's for Bail Out. Doing Ocean Wreck Dives. Richie "...A few AL 80's for Bail Out"? Uh, Richie, you planning something steeper and deeper that we should know about???? Inquiring minds would like to know??? __________________ *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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19th May 2008, 15:10	#4 (permalink)
JCdesign97 My unit can beat up yours Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: PA, USA Posts: 382	Re: Which AL 80 For Bail Out? Hey Richie - it still says 'New Member' under your buddy Mike's name ... sucks to be him! Tell him I said hi. I would myself, but I don't talk to lowly unwashed new members directly ... __________________ Cheers, John Cogan
(Online)

19th May 2008, 15:17	#5 (permalink)
diverreb DE/MD/NJ Wreck Diver Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 595	Re: Which AL 80 For Bail Out? Quote: (Originally Posted by sfldiver) "...A few AL 80's for Bail Out"? Uh, Richie, you planning something steeper and deeper that we should know about???? Inquiring minds would like to know??? Nothing over 200'... I want to keep different mixes in each so I don't have to re mix gases for say the 160' dives & the 200' dives... He is pricey these days.... I'm a gas hog and 40's are cutting it too close for my dives.... Richie
(Online)

19th May 2008, 16:59	#6 (permalink)
EricD New Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2007 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 16	Re: Which AL 80 For Bail Out? Quote: (Originally Posted by diverreb) Getting ready to buy a few AL 80's for Bail Out. Doing Ocean Wreck Dives. I noticed that that there are different Buoyancy characteristics for Luxfer (full -3.6) & Catalina (full -1.8). The Catalina is also about 4" shorter. They also offer Compact 80's and some other flavors.... Does anyone have a preference of one over another for trim/boyancy? Thanks, Richie Richie- This link should help you out with Luxfer vs. Catalina buoyancy and measurements: TECHDIVINGLIMITED.COM I personally own/use a Luxfer Al 80, and have done so on many o/c dives when I needed only one deco gas. As you will see on the chart, both flavors of al 80 get 4+ lbs. positive when nearly empty. From what I remember from a discussion I had a few years back with a very experienced deep diver is the reason why many divers prefer luxfer over catalina cylinders is due to the trim the tanks assume when they become buoyant. Luxfers tend to be a more tail light and pull up and away from the diver when mounted on the chest and side d-rings. Catalinas tend to become a little more frustrating when buoyant with the cylinder becoming positive toward the head of the tank and riding up the diver's side, rather than away. I personally have no complaints with the luxfer al 80, and was using it yesterday as my bail out bottle (side mount style) when practicing in the quarry. I couldn't even tell it was there as it trims out nicely, IMO. Hope this helps. Eric __________________ Classic KISS #317
(Online)

19th May 2008, 17:09	#7 (permalink)
netmage Tim Owens Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coconut Creek, FL Posts: 508	Re: Which AL 80 For Bail Out? Standard Luxfer 80's.... __________________ "You want a bailout bottle? Go get the pink one from Fill Express, BTCH!" - John Cogan "If I sent my rebreather back, I might live longer, but would I live* more?" - Abbo
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19th May 2008, 17:41	#8 (permalink)
Shawn Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR RB80 / Clone Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR RB80 / Clone Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas City Kansas Posts: 142	Re: Which AL 80 For Bail Out? I use Luxfer tanks as well. I have a Catalina that I also use but the trim on it sucks so bad that I only use it for my shallow stops when I'm already towing empties and trim is a relative term. __________________ WWW.DiveOne.net
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19th May 2008, 17:59	#9 (permalink)
tflaris God save the Queen Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Neptune Beach, Florida Posts: 247	Re: Which AL 80 For Bail Out? Quote: (Originally Posted by Shawn) I use Luxfer tanks as well. I have a Catalina that I also use but the trim on it sucks so bad that I only use it for my shallow stops when I'm already towing empties and trim is a relative term. I noticed the same on my Catalina. It rides poorly in the water used as bail-out never dove it partially full. __________________ "Except for this one, I have come to the conclusion that all generalizations are false" -Jim Hayes
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19th May 2008, 20:09	#10 (permalink)
Mike Costanzo Never E nuff Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maryland & Florida Posts: 132	Re: Which AL 80 For Bail Out? Eric, thanks for the info. What quarry u been diving in? __________________ Mike
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