PST price drop

[Marcus80]

I was in my LDS this weekend and the guys at the counter told me that PST tanks were going to be less expensive than they have been in the past, according to a new pricing sheet they had received. Does anyone know if this is actually true or were these upstarts just blissfully un informed. I reasoned that maybe the limited availability of there product caused them to roll back prices in an effort to regain possible lost market share. But what do I know. Anyone have the skinny? Mark

[OE2X]

Why do I have the sudden urge to duck out of the way of flying pigs? ;)

I hope this is true. I think the demand is still there though, so most of us will pay whatever price we have to.

[jagfish]

Does seem strange to drop prices when all the posts on this topic seem to suggest that demand currently outstrips supply...

[Marcus80]

It seems strange to me, too. These guys were speaking amongst themselves and were incredulous that the prices were lower, albeit on tanks that are the hard to find sizes. They didn't go so far as to discourage a purchase, just suggested that it might be wise to hold off for a while. I'm really starting to hate thinking that I have started a completely bogus rumor on my second post of all time.

[OE2X]

Hey Marcus,
Sorry I didn't extend a welcome to the board. Hope you have fun here. No worries if it is a rumor. Better to make posts that get us happy versus ones that makes us want to turn our computers into boat anchors. ;)

[scubafanatic]

......I'm skeptical, although perhaps that new line of Worthington steel tanks has PST a bit nervous? ....at any rate, even if prices drop, the LDS may keep prices high and just increase their own profit margin, negating any savings.

[drbill]

PST seems to have had so many problems the past two years. I was lucky to pick up a HP120 from one of my dive buddies at a good price. I couldn't wait for PST to deliver. Will be interested in the 2005 pricing though.

Dr. Bill

[pgdive]

If everybody (PST, Faber, Worthington) is able to produce and ship tanks by the spring, I think there is going to be a lot more competition than there has been in years past. A lot of these tanks are going to have very similar characteristics (fill pressure, dimensions and buoyancy) and determining what the "hot" tank is may come down to price. I vaguely remember the price for the new "PST like" Fabers being lower than I expected, but I don't have the price sheet in front of me.

Paul

[jonnythan]

Faber doesn't have anything comparable to the E-series (high pressure tanks 8" diameter), Worthington has tanks just like the E-series, but with the same trashy spray-galvanized and painted coating as Fabers.

Sounds to me like PST tanks will still be the ones to get, and the only thing hot about the Worthingtons or Fabers will be your face when you realize how much you paid for a tank you need to scrape rust off of and touch up with paint a couple times a year ;)

[pgdive]

Faber is comming out with new line of tanks that are designed by same enginner that created the PST E-Series and they are going to have the same working pressure and dimensions. Faber is handling distribution direct through a company called blue steel.

I don't know much about the worthingtons, but I don't know how you can condemm them before they exist.

[jonnythan]

Faber is comming out with new line of tanks that are designed by same enginner that created the PST E-Series and they are going to have the same working pressure and dimensions. Faber is handling distribution direct through a company called blue steel.

I don't know much about the worthingtons, but I don't know how you can condemm them before they exist.
I'm all for waiting and seeing how they do, but the word is that they have the same galvanizing and painting that the Fabers have. Hm.

[NWGratefulDiver]

I'm all for waiting and seeing how they do, but the word is that they have the same galvanizing and painting that the Fabers have. Hm.

Hmmm ... well, I own three Faber LP95's and I haven't experienced any paint or rust problems with any of them. Of course, I've only put a few hundred dives on 'em so far ... so I'll have to wait and see how they do over time.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[pgdive]

I think for the average recreational diver the Faber coating is not an issue. I've had two sets of them for about 6 years and for what they are used for; single tank shore and boat dives they still look fine inside and out. I don't anticipate any shortened lifespan due to scratches in the outer finish. About the only environment that I would worry about would be caves.

What I also like about them is that they are very negative and for a larger person like me in a 7mm or drysuit that equals less weight on my belt. They would be a little too negatively buoyant as doubles, especially for a smaller person.

I recomend to customers that they should get whatever high-pressure steel tank is available at the best price and then enjoy diving the hell out of it rather than losing half a dive season waiting for a specific brand to become availaible.

[2TH DIVR]

My LDS said that pst E-80's have come down in price. He is selling them for $189.,$40. more than an Al 80.
Don't know about the sizes.

[ChrisA]

...with the same trashy spray-galvanized and painted coating as Fabers.

I have a steel tank that was made by US Divers in 1968. It was built as you describe: spray-galvanized and painted. It has seen continous use and has two colums of hydro stamps on it. It will likely last for at least another 36 years.. Eventually they might run out of places to put inspection stamps and have to retire the tank The dive shop I frequent opened in the mid 50's and I hear some of thier steel rental tanks date from "way back then".

Theory says that if there is a huge un-met demand someone will meet it. I can see some guy getting a bank loan to build a factory in China. Why can't they make tanks for $50 each that retail for $150? My Canon A80 digital camera was built in China. Scuba tanks have to be a bit easier to build than digital cameras.

Funny how I paid $50 more for a very low-tech PST steel tank then I did for my 4 megapixel Canon digital camera. I just can't believe that tanks cost more to build in either labor or material.

The first guy to set up a production line that ends in $150 retail price for steel tenks will become rich and run the competitors into the ground and it would be easy to do. I'm sure the folks at PST know this.

[mack50md]

I ordered an E7-100 in July and ordered a second one last weekend. The price went up $15.00 at my LDS.

[Leadking]

Faber doesn't have anything comparable to the E-series (high pressure tanks 8" diameter), Worthington has tanks just like the E-series, but with the same trashy spray-galvanized and painted coating as Fabers.

Sounds to me like PST tanks will still be the ones to get, and the only thing hot about the Worthingtons or Fabers will be your face when you realize how much you paid for a tank you need to scrape rust off of and touch up with paint a couple times a year ;)

Quit the b.s. I've sold over 10,000 Faber tanks and not one came back (other than damage in shipping)

[tfunk]

At least the inside won't rust, unlike the PST's flash rust, etc. I've had my faber tank for half a year now, and so have I missed my twice-yearly scrape-rust-and-paint-touch-up? No. The tank is in excellent condition. The boots are quality, too.

Tyler



Faber doesn't have anything comparable to the E-series (high pressure tanks 8" diameter), Worthington has tanks just like the E-series, but with the same trashy spray-galvanized and painted coating as Fabers.

Sounds to me like PST tanks will still be the ones to get, and the only thing hot about the Worthingtons or Fabers will be your face when you realize how much you paid for a tank you need to scrape rust off of and touch up with paint a couple times a year ;)