AL Legend vs. Legend LX (vs. XTX50) - adjustable inhalation feature...

[inka]

wrong.... the Legend is built in France.

(unless they've changed something in recent months.)

Parts are made in England in Apeks' factory, and 1 stage assembled in France, sorry

 

[inka]

Can you elaborate on the correlation of the current and breathing adjustment knob? Thanks.

No i can' t , but this is what others divers who had the Legend LX told me about this problem they used to have and prefered the Legend without the ajustment knob.

 

[mike_s]

Thanks, this information is very useful. My LDS also says air adjustment is not really as important on Legend. On the other hand, this is one feature I would like to have just in case - Apeks XTX50 seems to offer all the same features + breathing adjustment for the same cost as Legend...and is considered a more 'technical' brand. Is XTX50 a low end Apeks reg? Thanks.

Aqualung owns Apex. So many of their regs use either the same parts or have same or very simliar first or second stages. I can't remember exactly which ones are which, but one of the Apex regs is very similar to the Legend first and/or second stage.

How would you compare the two regs? I read somewhere that Legend and Legend LX have the same exact design and Legend is just missing the actual knob - but you can still remove the plug (or whatever) and adjust the breathing using an allen wrench...Is there any truth to that?

the Legend the exact same as the LX but with just the knob/parts removed.

here is the diagram. the Legend is the same just with the adjustment parts removed. I'm not sure if it's adjustable w/ an allen wrench.

 

[mike_s]

Parts are made in England in Apeks' factory, and 1 stage assembled in France, sorry

ok... that makes sense.

 

[andrethediver]

Any Apeks XTX50 owners out there?

 

[piikki]

How would you compare the two regs?

First I should clarify that I own several XTX50 second stages but they are connected to Apeks DS4 first stages (not the XTX50:s). DS4 would be the typical "tech 1st stage" that is all around. I have no experience with the XTX50 first stage.

Anyhow, between those and my Legend LX the differences are barely appreciable. They both breathe great. If there ever are differences it's because technician did not do a good job tuning them - and that can effect either reg.

I would say though that I like the Legend LX second stage better. I think it breathes slightly smoother, and it is also a little smaller and nicer in use. Yet, I like the fact that XTX50 has ratcheting metal knobs instead of composite ones. Feels more robust. Physically I like the DS4 first stages over the Legend ones because they are more compact but I think AL just came out with a smaller one this year.

I have do date to have any issues with my regs but when serviced by same tech to same specs it seems like the Aqualungs lose their tune a little sooner. However, this could be totally unfair statement because I use the Legends the most (as my primary) I guess it's a statement of sorts I use the Legends for primary...

Again, I'd be happy to buy either one again (and will).

 

[andrethediver]

First I should clarify that I own several XTX50 second stages but they are connected to Apeks DS4 first stages (not the XTX50:s). DS4 would be the typical "tech 1st stage" that is all around. I have no experience with the XTX50 first stage.

Apex XTX50 comes with either DS4 (DIN) first stage or DST (one with swiveling turret and 2 HP ports) - the DS4 costs about $25 less. One question here - is there a DIN/Yoke adapter that you use (and was it included with the reg if so)? Is it better to go with DIN first stage in general? I've read some places in Europe use DIN exclusively...

Anyhow, between those and my Legend LX the differences are barely appreciable. They both breathe great. If there ever are differences it's because technician did not do a good job tuning them - and that can effect either reg.
Again, I'd be happy to buy either one again (and will).

Also - what octopus do you use with either setup? Thanks!

 

[halocline]

if you dive in the northeast apex is an all around good reg i dive mares mr22 abyss but it doesn't have inhalation adjustment, the aqualung are good, but apex is a safer more technical choice aqualung is more recreational

Huh? What makes you say that Apeks is "safer"?

To the OP, forget about the stupid "overbalanced" crap, it's meaningless marketing BS. In fact, I'd advise you to NOT buy a reg advertised as overbalanced just to send a message to the scuba manufacturers who seem to love telling us fairy tales.

Any of the regs you listed will work great, the choice is yours. The titan is often mentioned as one of the best buys in regs.

 

[andrethediver]

To the OP, forget about the stupid "overbalanced" crap, it's meaningless marketing BS. In fact, I'd advise you to NOT buy a reg advertised as overbalanced just to send a message to the scuba manufacturers who seem to love telling us fairy tales.

I think all AL regs are advertised as 'over-balanced'...Here's a link to their description of that that term means: Apeks Regulators

Any of the regs you listed will work great, the choice is yours. The titan is often mentioned as one of the best buys in regs.

Thanks

 

[andrethediver]

Is there any difference between their ACD (Auto-Closure Device) on Legend and Titan and Environmental sealing system (on Apex)? Thanks.