Anyone Use the Apeks Tek3 First Stage for Doubles?

[mikecotrone]

I am building a doubles/twinset kit and I wanted to solicit anyone's opinion on the Apeks Tek3 First stage over say an Apeks FSR First Stage. I see that you can buy the Tek3 for left and right hand positions for doubles which I thought was a benefit since I have my tank valves in the same configuration. I am attaching the stock picture of the hose routing example on the Tek3.

I am new to doubles/twins so please let me know your opinions Thank you.

Mike

 

[Nightscale]

I'm currently using the tek 3 regs

Sorry for not finishing that post, got phone call from family in the brisbane ipswich floods.

I have been using mine for about 1 year so far and havent had to many issues apart from the protectors having to come off the hoses, havent changed any for milfex lines either.

Sorry for the big picture, but thisd is how mine are routed

 

[mikecotrone]

I'm currently using the tek 3 regs

Have you used other Apeks 1st stages with Doubles? What do you like / dislike about the Tek3's?

Thanks!

 

[Scott L]

The Tek3's are clearly superior from a hose routing perspective and virtually the same as the FSR in every other area. Easy decision.

 

[boulderjohn]

I use them. My only complaint is that once they descend from the first stages, several hoses have to take right angle turns that stress them. I have replaced one hose already because it bubbled at the turn point. I made the mistake of leaving the hose protectors on originally, which made the matter worse because it forced them straight down further than necessary and necessitated a sharper turn. They are much better without them.

 

[mikecotrone]

I use them. My only complaint is that once they descend from the first stages, several hoses have to take right angle turns that stress them. I have replaced one hose already because it bubbled at the turn point. I made the mistake of leaving the hose protectors on originally, which made the matter worse because it forced them straight down further than necessary and necessitated a sharper turn. They are much better without them.

John are you using Miflex LP hoses or standard hoses?

 

[boulderjohn]

John are you using Miflex LP hoses or standard hoses?

standard.

 

[HenrikBP]

I have a set for my doubles and really like how cleanly the hoses route, as well as how low profile they provide. I also have a set of DS4 1st stages and the DS4s require a bit tighter bends on hoses.

I use Miflex hoses on my wing inflator and my back-up 2nd stage which eases the bends a bit - well more like the Miflex don't mind the tighter bends.

I also have a set of Scubapro MK10 1st stages. When they're mounted on a bit of a slant the hose routing is near perfect with almost no bends.

The Tek3 is a bit more expensive, but I'm happy I spent the $$ when I set up my rig.

Henrik

 

[Tortuga68]

I have a set of tek3s on my doubles, the hose routing is better than FSR/FST as others have said. I use miflex HP and secondary LP hoses which helps. I tried a miflex 7' hose but didn't like it, it doesn't wrap around your body neatly unless you're really fastidious about it, even then... and I have 2-3 different wings that I use which all suit a different length of inflator hose & I didn't feel like buying 3 miflex hoses, so that's rubber too.

As boulderjohn said you want to take the hose protectors off - on any setup, not just doubles. However with miflex HP hoses the opposite applies - you should get the 'extreme' hose with the protectors, as there have been some failures with the other model - albeit due to mishandling

As far as price goes, IMO the tek3s aren't expensive: Apeks TEK SET-Lucas Divestore that's exactly what you'd pay for two XTX100 sets at the same store

In the photo you can see my tek3s on the right and two sets of FSR doubles

 

[Karl_H]

The Tek3's are designed for use on twin-set tanks and therefore are virtually untouchable in terms of performance for hose routing etc. However this is also a bit of draw-back to many people as they can really only be used for twin-sets (or an expensive stage bottle set-up!).

If you ever want to look at going for a sidemount set-up then the Tek3's wouldn't be my choice. Staying with Apeks, the DST first stages work well for sidemount as the swivel turret makes hose routing much easier and a lot neater. However, the swivel turret is not really suitable for a twin-set, the hose routing doesn't work well while the turret tends to move bringing the hoses horizontal.

The Apeks FST is probably the best choice for allround flexibility, but for me it doesn't work as well as the Tek3 on a twin-set or the DST on a sidemount set-up.

...and then there's the equally as good ScubaPro range..... Have a think about what type of diving you'll be doing the most before buying the most appropriate set, there's nothing worse than having a set of expensive regs you rarely use - it's not good for the regs to be left unused either!

I own a set of Tek3's with XTX50's and am more than happy with them on a twin-set, but that's all I use them for!

Hope that helps!

Karl