Info Aqualung Financial Troubles

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I can't see it being a cost issue when they have purchased their own ANSTI machine

if you aren't happy with your Apeks then why didn't you complain to the shop to fix it or take it back for a refund?
 
Mostly retirees that stopped diving selling boxes of regs (doubles + stage + deco regs) tells me a different story
(Not that the SSI pipeline thing doesn’t get on my nerves)

Devalued Apeks regs that stay listed/relisted for so long OTOH.. the demand is certainly low

I admit it’s a speculative metric on my side and doesn’t necessarily have to correlate to quality/satisfaction, but speaks to market dominance

Once more I’m a fan of neither myself, the only time I dove a Mares reg it was a rental, during my PADI OW training, and the Apeks that I bought from new (DST) has been such a disappointment that after 4 dives I shelved it then demoted it to backup deco reg (after an AL), but I plan to replace both with SP mk2 for a better hazard mitigation


i don’t think that’s how things work from an operational cost management nor a legal perspective; but I’m no insider myself so 🤷🏽‍♀️
What was it about the Apeks that you didn't like?
Just curious.
Was it about the first stage, second stage, or both?
 
Well at least the Aqualung saga is sorted out and things can start moving in the right direction again.
 
Count on seeing some interesting stuff in the Mares pipeline. Maybe not earthshaking, but very innovative.
Mares' Chief engineer used to work for Scubapro. Now heading Mares, he'll have Aqualung to benchmark off of. This is where my money is. So much "confidential" technology to compare.
As for the TBP, experiments using the TBP without the oring and reinserting the diaphragm are showing promise, if only because there's none of that "overbalancing" that Aqualung bragged about, but was just a design flaw, IMO.
Like I said, my money's on Mares for the next decade.
 
Count on seeing some interesting stuff in the Mares pipeline. Maybe not earthshaking, but very innovative.
Mares' Chief engineer used to work for Scubapro. Now heading Mares, he'll have Aqualung to benchmark off of. This is where my money is. So much "confidential" technology to compare.
As for the TBP, experiments using the TBP without the oring and reinserting the diaphragm are showing promise, if only because there's none of that "overbalancing" that Aqualung bragged about, but was just a design flaw, IMO.
Like I said, my money's on Mares for the next decade.
Pretty please do a Reg Geeks on Mares.

I understand if you want to get a Poseidon one first, but someday?
 
I had no clue what I was doing back then when choosing equipment, so please note that it was a „self inflicted hit“
What was it about the Apeks that you didn't like?
Just curious.
Was it about the first stage, second stage, or both?
I bought only the DST 1st stage, with the sole purpose of upgrading to a swivel turret (I was hyped by lame YT videos), and the non 360 action really soured my experience (coming as a surprise)
(For context: I stuck with my cressi 1st stage (what the Apeks was replacing) on my following few dive trips as it was much lighter; and its lack of service techs drove me away as well - and into the DIY trap)

Beyond that, I had no „personal qualms“ at that point in time, but when I started reading/lurking here on the boards, then latter actively learning about DIY, is when I started learning few more things about Apeks that I „dislike“ — nothing that I personally experienced; just me eating up other people’s opinions
(Non removable 1st orifice, non squared 2nds barrel, overbalancing…)

Then (after a mountain of used SP and diy service, and great experience) I bought a used DS4 to convert to a fixed IP reg (for mCCR); and experienced the struggle of opening up the env sealing — no joy there (it has been 6mo of freeze/boil cycles and that thing is still stuck); and made me despise (not just casually dislike) whoever (under-)designed the dimples for the C wrench and the whole env seal part

My balanced „fair“ take: Apeks regs are „meh“~alright, but lack lots of value for their price and with simple and tiny deviations/better design choices could’ve been their/my money’s worth (either used or new)

When I buy a used SP OTOH, it is always giving me my money’s worth
 
Finally some positive news that those 2 brands have a chance to stay on the market.
I know of very few people that stick to only one brand. Most of my friends incl me have gear from AL/Apeks/SP/Mares/Tusa and others.

I wish AL would continue making colorful gear and eventually someday... one day, one of those brands will come up with a "have it all" compact titanium regulator set. (probably won't).
 
I can't see it being a cost issue when they have purchased their own ANSTI machine
I assume they bought the machine so that they can keep running continuous tests while incrementally developing products /prototyping, not to „certify“

Test facility rental for a day of CE testing is what, in the order of magnitude of 5-10k/day?
A machine is 0.5~1M?
So to just certify, not „innovative“/try to push the envelope, that’s a 100 runs worth

Now where is where my guessing starts turning to fishing in the absolute dark:
- CE testing can be carried out by manufacturers no need for 3rd party, it is compulsory for EU sales
- NORSOK U-101 isn’t compulsory, needs 3rd part testing, needs pricier day testing than CE
- some project manager deemed it unnecessary to pay externally to achieve it
- claim on literature have to be backed up by (certification or not) test documentation; I am sure compliance and legal dept. would insist on it to limit litigious exposure

If these conditions aren’t true, them I agree with you: why claim it but never provided official certification for it 🤷🏽‍♀️

if you aren't happy with your Apeks then why didn't you complain to the shop to fix it or take it back for a refund?
Did I forget mention I’m a regaholic 😅
No but really it was an online purchase, and it was already too late (I bought it about 3+ months before I first used it so out of returns period), selling it after 4 dives would have gutted the price
I eventually found a use for it, so I’ll get my „losses worth“ before I sell it eventually

I only blame myself for not doing my research

But as I was telling Eric, it was more of a „didn’t live up to expectations/hype“ than absolutely hated it and wanted to extinguish its whole linage

I know of very few people that stick to only one brand. Most of my friends incl me have gear from AL/Apeks/SP/Mares/Tusa and others.
This absolutely this, a matter of best tool for the job; case by case
 
Despite what some of you fantasize about here, I don't see a bright future for the remnants of AL or Apeks in the coming 2 - 3 years.
 
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