Sorry but APEKS XTX50 or Atomic Z3??? Help...

[saxman242]

I would recommend to get the Z2 not the Z3 since the only difference is the overpriced second stage hose swivel that is permanently attached to the hose. You should buy a Z2 and buy a third party swivel and you will save lots of $$. I'd also buy a sealed Z2 first stage.

I came into this thread to post the exact same thing.

There is no good reason to go with the z3 over the z2 when you can swap out for a non proprietary hose/swivel for a lot cheaper than the atomic specific hose that makes up the difference between the z2 and z3.

 

[scrane]

I have the Z2 and wouldn't trade it for anything else. I'm sure the Apeks is fine also.

 

[stuartv]

Another vote for the Atomic Z2 (not the Z3). Get the sealed version. Get a 2nd Z2 2nd stage for your octo. If you want a swivel, buy the $25 one from Cave Adventurers. Be happy.

As for buying Huish stuff, I've place 3 orders with Huish in the last few months and everything has shipped promptly. There have been, I think, 3 items on back order (out of, I don't know, 50 - 60 items ordered?) and even those came in and were shipped within a week or so of the order. Those orders have spanned most of the Huish brands - Atomic, Bare, Stahlsac, Hollis, Oceanic, and, I think, Suunto.

As far as servicing Atomic regs goes, it's like somebody else said - if you're going to have them serviced by an authorized Atomic shop/tech, I can't really see it being a problem.

 

[eelnoraa]

I dive quite a few atomics myself, and currently don't own Apeks, but I have used enough. Looking at OP's usage, I would say Apeks DST/XTX50/XT50. The decision is not performance at all. In fact, I don't think anyone can tell the difference in blind test. I do think Apeks has better world wide support in SE Asia in case you need them to be checked or work on.

 

[buddhasummer]

I've been waiting for some G250V air barrels for coming on three months. And before that had to wait coming on 2 months for current production model orifices. I have no idea how they are organizing parts inventory but it's ridiculous.

 

[Still Kicking]

I can't speak to Atomic specifically as I am not a dealer but getting parts for Huish's Oceanic and Zeagle brands is a nightmare. I am thinking specifically of getting replacements for their notorious disintegrating purge covers, an issue I have also seen on Atomics.