beaver or faber or summit else

[eey_ore_9]

Im going to stoney at weekend but just incase i forget..... which cylinder(s) should i get to twin up with? I already have a faber 12 ltr steel and its 12s i want on twinset but should i go for twin faber steel ie add one to my current cylinder to make it twins 21% (air).... or new twin steel O2 clean for mixes of more than 21% air ie nitrox? also any idea as to wether to go to twin alu (nitrox). Pros and cons re DIR configuration. Also any preference and why beaver or faber. I know from a friend that beaver do good cylinders O2Clean, but send cylinder and valve separate and when put together (as the valve is not sent O2 clean) ,m akes the set up not O2 clean,seems a bit suss to me.

[witchieblackcat]

Originally Posted by eey_ore_9

Im going to stoney at weekend but just incase i forget..... which cylinder(s) should i get to twin up with? I already have a faber 12 ltr steel and its 12s i want on twinset but should i go for twin faber steel ie add one to my current cylinder to make it twins 21% (air).... or new twin steel O2 clean for mixes of more than 21% air ie nitrox? also any idea as to wether to go to twin alu (nitrox). Pros and cons re DIR configuration. Also any preference and why beaver or faber. I know from a friend that beaver do good cylinders O2Clean, but send cylinder and valve separate and when put together (as the valve is not sent O2 clean) ,m akes the set up not O2 clean,seems a bit suss to me.

If you have the cash I'd go for two new tanks. There is a raging argument about tanks - the heavy euro cylinders versus anything else. I have the heavy euro cylinders but that's because I got a good deal. All tanks ought to come o2 clean.

Some places won't fill tanks you put together yourself so be careful there. Personally I would buy from somewhere that sticks them all together and you get it "complete" rather than a complete kit.

Don't consider twin aluminums at all.

HTH

[Bardo]

Originally Posted by eey_ore_9

Im going to stoney at weekend but just incase i forget..... which cylinder(s) should i get to twin up with? I already have a faber 12 ltr steel and its 12s i want on twinset but should i go for twin faber steel ie add one to my current cylinder to make it twins 21% (air).... or new twin steel O2 clean for mixes of more than 21% air ie nitrox? also any idea as to wether to go to twin alu (nitrox). Pros and cons re DIR configuration. Also any preference and why beaver or faber. I know from a friend that beaver do good cylinders O2Clean, but send cylinder and valve separate and when put together (as the valve is not sent O2 clean) ,m akes the set up not O2 clean,seems a bit suss to me.

Depends on your budget, really. Nothing wrong with making up a twinset by adding an additional Faber if funds are tight but you'll have to use a 'horseshoe' style wing (ie. a Halcyon Explorer) rather than one of the more popular 'doughnut' styles (ie. Halcyon Evolve) as the Fabers aren't long enough for an Evolve.

If money is no object, though, I'd skip Beaver altogether (their cylinders are fine but their bands and valves are shite) and go for a Halcyon twinset...

Halcyon UK

The Halcyon twinset uses longer, better-balanced Euro cylinders which are easier to trim out, are heavier (helps to drop some weight from your belt!) and they're a lot easier on the back too. Don't even consider aluminium cylinders for backgas...

EDIT - Re: having to assembly twinsets yourself. To be honest, unless you know what you're doing, I'd advise you to leave this to someone that knows how to do it. Whilst it's not difficult, you do need to be careful not to contaminate the set and you also need to use the right type of lubricant. Plus, of course, I very much doubt if Beaver supply VIP stickers anyway so no one will put nitrox into them anyway! Sure, you can put your own on but then you're not the poor fcuker that has to stand next to the set when it goes boom! Do yourself a favour - get a preassembled set complete with VIP stickers and peace of mind.

[Fiona]

I would try and borrow a Faber twin set first if that's the way you want to go, I have always had Faber cylinders (last 13 years singles and twins) that is right up to a week ago, I had become so frustrated with the Faber twins (MDE manifold) that I have had to sell them. They are reputed to be neck heavy.

Today I borrow a set of ECS cylinders from Clare and was immediately surprised with the difference in the two brands. Before I got in the water I thought I would just borrow a set for a few dives when I could to see how I got on, I will now be purchasing a set as soon as I can - yes for me it made that much difference.

So before spending lots of money I would recommend you try some out.

[nickb]

Originally Posted by witchieblackcat

Some places won't fill tanks you put together yourself so be careful there.

How the hell would they know you'd assembled them yourself?

[big_si]

Originally Posted by eey_ore_9

I already have a faber 12 ltr steel and its 12s i want on twinset but should i go for twin faber steel ie add one to my current cylinder to make it twins 21% (air).... or new twin steel O2 clean for mixes of more than 21% air ie nitrox?

I started using twins by twinning up the cylinders I already had and diving them as independants. Was a convenient step to twins for me to provide more gas for longer dives with added redundancy...

Since then and doing more tech courses I have moved onto the Euro Cylinder manifolded twins (and like Fiona said... They're loooooovely!)


As a result my indies have been laying dormant for a while. I'm going to sell on of the cylinders (twinning bands already sold) so have a left handed valved (which can be manifolded) faber 12L for sale. It's not currently in test or O2 clean so would need that doing, as a result I'm sure we could do a bit of a deal.

If you want to head down that road or have any questions then feel free to PM me.

Cheers,

Si

[eey_ore_9]

Hi folks thanks for all the replies, some good info there! I was at stoney with the GUE crew at DIR stoney. It was a wicked day even though I didnt get to dive as I had no cylinders, but got my harness set up just lovely so a BIG thanks to mal and claire! I have decided to get the euro twins cylinders O2 ready and buy a single steel to go with my other faber for when i go sludgy deep diving on air lmao Got to start carol singing early to pay for em though ha ha.

[neilh]

Originally Posted by eey_ore_9

Hi folks thanks for all the replies, some good info there! I was at stoney with the GUE crew at DIR stoney. It was a wicked day even though I didnt get to dive as I had no cylinders,

Damn I wish you'd said - I'd got two sets with me and I'm sure we could have rustled up some regs between us!

Still, bit late now

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by eey_ore_9

I was at stoney with the GUE crew at DIR stoney. It was a wicked day even though I didnt get to dive as I had no cylinders,

OI you were offered the ones I was using and Marty offered his so don't whinge now

[divemaster-uk]

this guy is a great diver, but please please please dont let him start carol singing, he sounds like a croaking crow with emphysemia :-)

Sorry Rob, Had to let them know mate or it could have been painful.

Sean

divemaster