Atomic T3 vs Apeks XTX50 / XTX200

[Chiangmeister]

Apologies if this has been asked to death, but I have been looking through the web for a week, but am still quite confused.

I am considering buying either an Atomics T3 or an Apeks xtx 200 or xtx 50.

Here are the factors/non-factors in my consideration:

1. Price is not a huge concern.
2. I might want to cold dive in the future, but for now I will be mainly diving warm water.
3. If time permits, I would want to get into tech dive in the future, either end of next year or start of the following the earliest.
4. I might want to dabble in side mount before I get into tech dive.
5. I am a total noob when it comes to things like hose routing or designs etc. and reading through the discussions I have come across, these aspects usually fly right over my head.
6. One of the reasons I am keen on the T3 besides I find it more appealing than either the xtx200 or the xtx50 secondary is that I was a material science major and Titanium really tickles my fancy.

Here are my understandings:

1. T3 is not as good for cold dives (but how significant is the difference?)
2. If/when I get into twinset/sidemount I will need another Reg of the same model.
3. T3 might be slightly cheaper in maintenance than either Apeks, but not significantly so.
4. Functionally their performance is the same in warm water. T3 is just slightly lighter so easier to lug around.
5. T3 might be more susceptible to dings and scratches.

Here are my questions:

1. Are my understanding above correct?
2. Taking into account my considerations, is there any reason (besides price) I should choose either Apeks over T3?
3. What are the pros and cons for the piston design vs diaphragm designs (those are the main difference in the first stage right?) in practice?

Thanks in advance.

 

[eelnoraa]

One of the reasons I am keen on the T3 besides I find it more appealing than either the xtx200 or the xtx50 secondary is that I was a material science major and Titanium really tickles my fancy.

Here are my understandings:

1. T3 is not as good for cold dives (but how significant is the difference?)
2. If/when I get into twinset/sidemount I will need another Reg of the same model.
3. T3 might be slightly cheaper in maintenance than either Apeks, but not significantly so.
4. Functionally their performance is the same in warm water. T3 is just slightly lighter so easier to lug around.
5. T3 might be more susceptible to dings and scratches.

1. True, how much depend on how cold is cold for you.
2. No, the two regs don't need to be the same
3. This really depends on your location and availability of service
4. Weight saving is really over rated. A few oz to half a lb at most. I have made many weight measurement comparison here. You can do a search for the actual measureed weight number
5. No, T3 is less suscetable the dings and scratches. Ti after all, is harder than brass by a large margin.

I think if tech diving is your foreseeable future, the Atomic reg you should be looking at is M1. but the true is, they are all very good and reliable regulators. Pick one that you can service easily.

 

[happy-diver]

Apeks

 

[EireDiver606]

Apeks XTX50 is perfect. Cheap. Trust me, the novelty of shiny new regs wears off quickly, not that I ever made that mistake. More dealers service Apeks in Europe.

 

[Chiangmeister]

Thanks for all the response so far. Where I am, servicing either is not issue. Again without any emphasis on price, objectively I am interested in seeing how these two compare, especially in terms of the first stage architecture. Perhaps the question I am asking is moot, but would appreciate if that's the case and a short explanation on why so I can learn a bit more about gearing up in the future. Thanks!

 

[Centrals]

Don't know anything about Atomic.
If I have to make a choice between XTX200 and XTX50 and cost is NOT a factor then I would go for XTX200. The valve seat in the first stage(XTX200 ie FSR) is removable but not in XTX50(DST).
The latest XTX200 is also 5th port compatible.

Have been using the same Apeks for rec and tec dives over 20yrs. Pretty easy to service(DIY).

 

[Chiangmeister]

Don't know anything about Atomic.
If I have to make a choice between XTX200 and XTX50 and cost is NOT a factor then I would go for XTX200. The valve seat in the first stage(XTX200 ie FSR) is removable but not in XTX50(DST).
The latest XTX200 is also 5th port compatible.

Have been using the same Apeks for rec and tec dives over 20yrs. Pretty easy to service(DIY).

Ohhh I see you are in Hong Kong too! As far as I know both Apeks and Atomics have dealers in Hong Kong who can provide service. Thanks for your input on 50 cs 200 by the way, much appreciated.

 

[Mike1967]

The valve seat in the first stage(XTX200 ie FSR) is removable but not in XTX50(DST).

What does that mean, if/when the seat wears it's a throw away?

 

[Centrals]

What does that mean, if/when the seat wears it's a throw away?

I am afraid so!
The chance that the seat worn off is very very slim, mine is 21 yrs old and is still going strong.
Metal against soft synthetic material(HP valve) the winner is obvious. But if you get sea water into the high pressure chamber and then forget to deal with it asap. And once corrosion set in at the valve seat then.......
Apeks does has a special tool to polish the seat but it is only a short measure. Corrosion = cancer.

Ohhh I see you are in Hong Kong too! As far as I know both Apeks and Atomics have dealers in Hong Kong who can provide service. Thanks for your input on 50 cs 200 by the way, much appreciated.

The ONLY Specialist Apeks Site in the UK. In stock for fast despatch.
Check it up and see if they will deliver to HK.

 

[Mike1967]

I am afraid so!
The chance that the seat worn off is very very slim, mine is 21 yrs old and is still going strong.

Cheers