buying tanks...

[scubajoh44]

I know there are posts on this...I just couldn't find them.

Anyway, where is a good place to purchase a steel tank? I've looked on e-bay and most of those scare me. Leisure pro has a few. Anyone know where I can get em cheap?

[rockjock3]

You can find good deals at your local dive clubs. They usually have some members that might be selliing off some older gear. Other than that you just have to shop around. Tanks are one thing that are hard to buy from online because even though you might get a great deal the shipping will usually drive the price over what you would have paid for a new one. Then again, you can always look for ebay tanks from sellers in your area and see if they will let you pick the tank up.

[Wayward Son]

Larry at scubatoys.

[NJdiver85]

Try Divesales.com. Never used them but their prices look pretty good and shipping is free to the lower 48.

[crlavoie]

Larry at scubatoys.

Yeah. Pretty sure Larry is carrying the Worthington LP 108's. Based on my research over the summer, these were the best value for anything in the LP 100 range (around $225). If I had it to do over, I would have purchased HP 100's to save some bulk... but I just spent a ton of $$$ on other stuff.

Regardless, I've been very happy with these tanks. I'm a little on the tall side at 6'1" so the length of them helps my trim. They are also about 1lb negative when empty which is great. If you're a little shorter, consider the next size down.

[J75]

LeisurePro is decent, but I don't think their tanks come with any kind of VIP, so when you factor in that cost, they're not worth it. While I have made many equipment purchases on line, I have bought each of my three tanks in person. How far are you away from ScubaToys? It might be worth the drive. Some

[J75]

Some shops will offer free fills for the life of the tank with purchase, so you might want to looks for specials like that.

[scubajoh44]

I don't have a LDS close to me that sells them. I'll look into scubatoys. Thanks for the info.

[scubajoh44]

OK. I usually use steel 72's at my LDS. I've found a few 80's and 100's that are pretty good priced. How much bigger and heavier are they gonna be than what I'm used to. Which one would you prefer?

[cyklon_300]

http://www.techdivinglimited.com/

[Hoyden]

Dive Rite Express http://www.diveriteexpress.com/ and Tech Diving Limited http://www.techdivinglimited.com/ are both good places to get steel tanks - usually Joel at TDL has better prices, but Dive Rite Express has free shipping - you have to do the math for the tanks you want.

Jackie

[Wayward Son]

I personally have a great liking for the new PSt E7-100 steel tanks, though I don't have any yet. They are the same size and weight as AL 80's, but have better bouyancy characteristics. If I had the cash I'd buy about 6 of them. The downside is that they tend to sell for about $350 each.

The E7-80's are real nice, several inches shorter an an AL 80. Look like they'd be great for smaller/shorter divers, like a lot of women & younger divers. They may not work well as doubles, though, as they're so short they likely won't trim well for taller people when doubled.

[dbg40]

PM diesel298, he posted yesterday about getting a smokin deal on some. The more he orders, the cheaper they are. worth a try.

[scubajoh44]

I will. Thanks. What are yalls thoughts on e-bay tanks?

[aabond]

You also might keep an out on local dive stores. Alot of stores that keep a many of them on hand will sell tanks cheaper since they no longer posses a fresh hydro. Not a big deal since a hydro lasts for 5 years.

If you check the classified section, there was a website listed that was selling faber 100's for $210 and 120's for $211.

Personally, I just bought a PST hp 100 about a month ago and love it. I'm looking into buying another one.

[aabond]

Unless the ebay tanks are local, it's probably not a good idea. Personally, I would like to look at a steel tank in person, and if possible take it for a vip which costs about $10 depending where you go.

[BigWhiteSquare]

http://www.divesales.com/tanks/index.html

http://www.divesports.com/IndexPages_Cat/cylinders_cat.htm

___

[spectrum]

If 80 CF serves you well then the PST E7-80s are a nice tank for the money. With a going price of $205 with VIP and a fill they are IMO a bargain.

Here's a comparison I made a while back:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=1191538&postcount=16

If you've decided to carry more gas then the same math will let you compare options.

Pete

[Sea-Diver]

Might want to check our World Water Sports. They buy in volume and have great prices.

[scubajoh44]

You also might keep an out on local dive stores. Alot of stores that keep a many of them on hand will sell tanks cheaper since they no longer posses a fresh hydro. Not a big deal since a hydro lasts for 5 years.

If you check the classified section, there was a website listed that was selling faber 100's for $210 and 120's for $211.

Personally, I just bought a PST hp 100 about a month ago and love it. I'm looking into buying another one.

I'll look there. As soon as I do a lot of comparing and searching, I'll post what I find.

Merry Christmas.

[scubajoh44]

Here is what I found. I priced a high pressure 100 cu ft tank.

World Water Sports $325 (plus shipping...?)
Dive Sales $280 (free shipping)
Dive Sports $340 (free shipping)
Scubatoys $300 (plus shipping....?)
EBay (new tanks) $300 (buy it now plus shipping)

I bet if you called scubatoys they will give you your scubaboard discount and they will be comparable or cheaper than Dive Sales.

[Jersey Jim]

I just spent days doing the same research. Was looking for 4 HP 100's. Was partial to PST. Some deals came with or without valves or boots or shipping or VIP. I wanted the Pro DIN K valve, which sells for $49 if you had to buy it separately. Everywhere I seemed to put a package together came out to about $350. I ended up ordering 4 PST E7-100's HP steels today from DiveRite Express. Had 18 in stock. They came with Pro DIN K valve, free shipping, boot, Nitrox ready, spare o-ring, cap, VIP and valve attached (under slight pressure) for $349. Some distributors ship with valve off. These tanks are the same 7.25" diameter as my aluminum 80's but 2 inches shorter. Only a pound or so heavier (empty) but their negative buoyancy characteristics will allow some weight to come off of the belt. I'm guessing 6 pounds for doubles.
An outfit in Texas, http://www.absolutescubadivingequipment.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?
had an incredible price for the same type of tank and specs but from Worthington. They charge $279, but not sure what their shipping arrangements are. Granted this purchase really hurt, but double Al. 80's (78) cut it a little too close for the Jersey wrecks we dive (150-170'). For smaller tanks, 23% more air, and a lighter weight belt, it was a no brainer. Only it hurt the wallet. But to be honest, I never think of my wallet while underwater.
Good luck,
Jim

[voodoodiver]

Joel at TDL ( techdiving limited ) has some great deals and hes on the board here and at TheDecostop.com if you have any questions he always seems to be willing to answer them. Just my $.02.


Russ