STEELS for stages?

[DIVE BUDDHA]

i use steel stage cylinders too and love em !

[Ahmed Adly]

Originally Posted by adamaldred

do any of you use steel cylinders for stages i have just been bought a pair of 12l steels for xmas and was wondering if i could use them?

I have used steel stages and did not like them very much.
Here in Egypt, we have the aluminum 80s and 40s readily available on every corner.

Another reason I could not use steels is habit I suppose. The use of Ali 80 have been mademinto a science down here. We even use gas blends and pressures to induce optimum pre and post use bouancy characteristics

But I also know there are a lot of guys out there who swear by their steel stages, so please don't take it that I am preaching.

[Moray Brown]

As Mark mentioned....

Originally Posted by Mark Chase

If your using them for trimix bailout gas they will be fine. If your using them fro Nitrox deco gas they will be heavy. Doable with the right wing but best avoided.


To need 12ltr stages it must be a very big dive or you have the SAC of a horse at canter on deco

ATB

Mark

[nigelH]

One of the most amusing pictures of an Ali stage was where somebody actually wanted to stage it so it had two blocks of lead bungied to it to make up for its buoyancy characteristics.

I remember on my 'mix course being told that the next drill started with handing over my mask, then stage my bail out (7L steel), then follow the line until told to turn round, return, locate and refit my bailout when I would be given my mask back. Do that in current with an Ali or two.

Both sides will have their proponents so I guess it is a matter of deciding what sort of diving you want to do and going with the best fit to that.

[adamaldred]

ime looking to probably get a new halcyon wind or frog wing not sure which will be better ime pretty sure ile be going for a single bladder 40lb though

[Bardo]

Originally Posted by adamaldred

ime looking to probably get a new halcyon wind or frog wing not sure which will be better ime pretty sure ile be going for a single bladder 40lb though

To be perfectly honest, there's not a lot to separate the Halcyon and Frog wings - they're much the same although I have to admit that I still think the Halcyon is slightly better made. I also prefer the oval-shaped corrogated inflator hose which seems to sit nicer than the Frog equivelent. Other than that, there's not much difference between the two products so whichever you buy, you'll get a good wing.

btw - if you're planing to stick with using the steel 12s as stage bottles then I'd seriously consider going for a 55lb rather than 40lb wing as you'll definately need the extra lift

[adamaldred]

thanks ile keep that in mind, ive been using an old Mares now for about 5 years, with almost 600 dives on it so ime really needing something to spruce up my gear

[David Parker]

Reckon this might make a good stage......

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by Bardo

To be perfectly honest, there's not a lot to separate the Halcyon and Frog wings - they're much the same although I have to admit that I still think the Halcyon is slightly better made. I also prefer the oval-shaped corrogated inflator hose which seems to sit nicer than the Frog equivelent. Other than that, there's not much difference between the two products so whichever you buy, you'll get a good wing.

btw - if you're planing to stick with using the steel 12s as stage bottles then I'd seriously consider going for a 55lb rather than 40lb wing as you'll definately need the extra lift

Do you really see the Halcyon with its poor reputation for dodgy inflater's, inflation hoses falling off and fraying seams as being better made than the Frog?

I am quite stunned at that myself.

ATB

Mark

[adamaldred]

Originally Posted by Mark Chase

I am quite stunned at that myself.

Mark

Does that come from personal experience then?