Al 80s

[lawrence]

Hi,

I'm sure this has been coverd, but I'm danmed if I can find it! What's the best source for Al 80s? Whats the cost?

I may be looking at bying 8, so if people are interested, I may be able to get a good price on a group purchase.

Also, how do people find he bouyancy of these both on the left, in particular when near empty?

Cheers

Lawrence

[Rick Huggins]

Originally Posted by lawrence

Hi,

I'm sure this has been coverd, but I'm danmed if I can find it! What's the best source for Al 80s? Whats the cost?

I may be looking at bying 8, so if people are interested, I may be able to get a good price on a group purchase.

Also, how do people find he bouyancy of these both on the left, in particular when near empty?

Cheers

Lawrence

Try Sandro at www.dirzone.com there about £145 for the CE stamped ones.
I think AK sells them or can get them too!

They seem to go neutral about 145bar

HTH

[wreckweasel]

Originally Posted by lawrence

Also, how do people find he bouyancy of these both on the left, in particular when near empty?

They float noticeably at around 40/50bar. VERY noticably.

(Catalina, in fresh water, at Vobster)


/Z

[Howard Radcliffe]

Whilst AL80's are positively bouyant when empty, or close to empty, its not too much of an issue. I think the Luxfer's have better characteristics than the Catalina's (from reading many debates on quest). I've had 5 nearly empty ones clipped on the left hand side and I dont remember that being an issue.

Andy Kerslake can get hold of the CE stamped versions.

[Chris B]

Originally Posted by Howard Radcliffe

Whilst AL80's are positively bouyant when empty, or close to empty, its not too much of an issue. I think the Luxfer's have better characteristics than the Catalina's (from reading many debates on quest). I've had 5 nearly empty ones clipped on the left hand side and I dont remember that being an issue.

Andy Kerslake can get hold of the CE stamped versions.

I use Ali 80's all the time now and if I could swap my 7lt deco bottles for these, I would, despite being larger. The buoyancy charictoristics are exactly why I like them (not a downside) as handling them in the water is a breeze.
Additionaly, when finished, they can be sent up the line under their own steam.
I had mine imported (with Adam H from Capernwray) they were considerably more than the £145 posted here! as I was led to belive only a very limited number have actually been CE stamped.

I would be interested in getting some more (but don't tell Mrs B)

Chris B

[Fraser]

and if I could swap my 7lt deco bottles for these, I would

Chris, why can't you swap your 7lt deco bottles for AL80s?

Fraser.

[DecoWarrior]

know of of at least a ten people who are after some we were going to sourcxe form a dive shop in america and see what the shipping was going to be and it was rediculously expensive, so we were going to see if we could get a moody deal done with some one,

i was told that there were no ce 80s as they were differant spec, and the price is horrendous any way, i would prefer not tohave the ce on3es and save a few quid, and get the bottles tested and stamped, as long as there is a stamp i dont think people care

[lawrence]

What I was invisaging was that two slightly bouant cylinders on one side, a negative cannister on the other would result in arotational force- from your responses it would seem this is not an issue?

Lawrence

[Howard Radcliffe]

Go for the CE stamped version, you will not get cylinders tested or filled in the UK if they are DOT, so unless you can fill your own (or have a very understanding LDS), you will be stuffed.

The CE version are the same spec as the US, they just have a metric thread, rather than imperial.

Quite a few places have them, Deepstop in Germany, DIR Zone, or Andy Kerslake. The are all from the same batch. There should be good availability as they had to produce a large batch to make it worthwhile for Luxfer to produce the metric version.