Gents,
Just taken my 300bar cylinder in to my local dive shop to be filled and realised its certificate ran out in Feb 2017. The last time it was filled was Feb 2012 (don't use my FAC Superten that much!) and it has dropped to below 200bar. They wanted £55 for a re-test and £35 to refill (apparently has to be filled/cooled four times from empty) so £90 in total. That would be bad enough but apparently as I haven't got a 'surface valve' on the cylinder the new regulations are that it has to be tested every 2.5yrs - what nonsense! Boy I wish I'd got it filled it in January as it would've cost just a few quid and probably lasted me another 5 years - doh!
So I walked away and thought I'd canvas your opinions as to whether it was now time to spend the money instead towards a pump which will certainly be cheaper in the long run. So any thoughts please on pumps versus cylinders and if I go this route which one, where from and how much are they please?
I look forward to hearing from those with greater knowledge on the subject than me!