Aluminum Doubles??

[Scubaru]

I see your point but the time line will be wayyyy longer. I'll be lucky to get sidemount/cavern training in the next month or two, then I plan to spend a solid year or two before going for intro/cave. Call me a holiday diver or what have you, but I'm changing nurse jobs in February (headed for the Operating Room) so I won't be able to peel away quite as often for a little while until I'm finished orienting. I'm totally fine going slow and taking training slow. I'd rather be super competent going to each step than playing zero to hero. If the sms50 and alums last me a couple years, then it was money well spent, and I can sell them and reinvest in new gear as I progress- the beauty of buying used.

[rddvet]

I'm reading pretty much everywhere that the sms50 is a pretty perfect rig for AL80s and wetsuits. .

No offense to those so willing to sell you theirs, but there's a reason the 50 is in the bargain bin on DGE and other sites. It's got mixed reviews and results. Just wait till your class before you consider a rig like this. Better to buy once or maybe twice as opposed to 4 or 5 times as some of us have.

Edit....was in the bargain bin.

[Scubaru]

Gotcha. Still sticking to that advice. I figure everything is going to have mixed reviews, esp. a sidemount BCD. It's the most personalized piece of equipment in the most personalized configuration of a very personalized hobby.

[bamafan]

I think the world must be coming to an end. I agree with Richard again.

[rddvet]

I think the world must be coming to an end. I agree with Richard again.

I agree with a heavy of percentage of what you say. I just don't tell people.

[Scubaru]

I think the world must be coming to an end. I agree with Richard again.

I agree with a heavy of percentage of what you say. I just don't tell people.

LOL. I'm listening to that advice, but not counting out a sweet deal if it comes before. Worst case I dive it, hate it, resell it. No worries. Worked 130 hours this check; somebody's going to Florida soon.

[bamafan]

Lol

[Sludge]

I'm approaching 700 cave dives (all in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama) and the last time I saw someone use an SMS-50 and aluminum 80s was, let me see, never.

[Scubaru]

Care to explain why not? Or why you think it isn't a good idea? Still trying to understand why steel other than the extra weight for drysuit.

[bent]

Care to explain why not?

You can carry quite a bit more gas in LP85s than in 80s because you can overfill the steel tanks. It's almost a 30% difference. If going to train in JB at 100' you'll be out of the water way before you get cold in your wetsuit... even if your sac rate is good.

I wouldn't spend my money on good deals before the course... I'd trade the tanks you have with Forrest or sell them and get Fabers. I know you're exited and everything but being a little more patient will probably save you money.