Originally Posted by 95th
IIRC the date on the bottle is the date it was (first) tested. There may be subsequent dates if the bottle has been re-tested.
Biggest 300 bar bottle you will get is 12 litres. Mindful this bottle contains enough energy to be considered a potential bomb, I strongly recommend 'short-cuts' are avoided.
Buy second hand from a trusted source, or new off of clubshot. His price includes delivery to your door with all the right bits. I don't think they are £200 new, but if they were, they'd still be worth the money.......
"Surface use" only, tests are good for 5 years. A dive shop may not refill your kit if the 'test' is over 2 1/2 years old, and it uses an underwater valve like the 'A'-clamp as they can't be sure it's for surface use only. Another reason for using the MDE system. People should see this kit as a worthwhile investment. It isn't throwing your money away.
Use either a club pump to refill, or a dive shop that gives you a proper 300 bar fill. When you compress the air initially it warms up. [Some shops fill in a tank of cold water to reduce this.] The fill will cost you £3/£4. Probably less than the cost of the journey to the pump. For that reason alone you need to make sure you get the full fill.
I used too go to Divercity in Potters Bar. Cheap but when the tank cooled, I'd gotten a 280 bar fill. I go to Letchworth now, and get a full 300 bar.