Apek XTX50 vs. Oceanic Delta 4/FDX 10

[Jimmer]

I really dont understand this fascination with Apeks. I bought some Oceanic Delta IV's about 6 months ago and all my colleagues and fellow divers went on at me saying i should have bought Apeks or Aqualungs. I thought fine, but I liked my Oceanics, I like the swivel, I like look and above all they breath great.

About a month ago I got a chance to use a set of Apeks XTX50 for a week and, I honestly found them worse than the Oceanics, perhaps they needed servicing too (I doubt it), the breath wasnt as smooth and I found the second stage a lot more uncomfortable due to the lack of swivel.

I guess the other argument for XTX50s is ruggedness. They do feel very strong, they certainly feel more rugged than my Oceanics. That said, ive done well over 200 dives with my Oceanics in 6 months and the only thing that has deteriorated is the mouthpiece.

I think that favour towards Apeks has been born out of tech diving and reliability over the years, but this doesnt mean that newer brands arent up to the task. In my opinion the FDX10 Delta IV is a fantastic regulator that breaths brilliantly, is comfortable and is rugged enough to survive the demands of working with a PADI instructor everyday.

However the only drawback is when it comes to tech, im no tech diver (yet) so im not sure but looking at the swivel, I can imagine that fitting a longer hose could be problematic and the Apeks looked a lot more versatile, ive not really looked into it though so i dont know.

The swivel is a pretty easy work around with the Delta 4. You just need one part from the GT3 second stage, and then you can use a standard hose.

I honestly don't understand the way people seem to run away from Oceanic. They have a good history making regs, produce some very high performance regs. Maybe they just haven't been pushing hard enough into the tech world so far. I think with time, and the addition of Hollis, Oceanic will start to show up more and more on tech diver's rigs.

 

[John_B]

About a month ago I got a chance to use a set of Apeks XTX50 for a week and, I honestly found them worse than the Oceanics, perhaps they needed servicing too (I doubt it), the breath wasnt as smooth and I found the second stage a lot more uncomfortable due to the lack of swivel.

I don't understand the fanaticism for Oceanic regs.

I'm not sure what Apeks you thought you were using, but the XTX50 first stage has a swivel. Link (Apeks.co.uk) Personally, I much prefer the XTX100 first stages that don't have a swivel. In fact I like them so much that I have three of them.

If you were talking about a second stage swivel, Apeks and Atomics both make one similar to the one you have, but IMO you'd be better off with a 90° elbow or Miflex hoses instead. The real problem with the Oceanic version of the second stage swivel is that it uses non-standard parts which makes a field repair almost impossible.

 

[Jimmer]

Like I said, swap out the parts from the GT3, and the Delta IV now uses standard hoses like everyone else. I do agree with you wholeheartedly that the swivels are unecessary.

I don't understand the fanaticism for Oceanic regs.

I'm not sure what Apeks you thought you were using, but the XTX50 first stage has a swivel. Link (Apeks.co.uk) Personally, I much prefer the XTX100 first stages that don't have a swivel. In fact I like them so much that I have three of them.

If you were talking about a second stage swivel, Apeks and Atomics both make one similar to the one you have, but IMO you'd be better off with a 90° elbow or Miflex hoses instead. The real problem with the Oceanic version of the second stage swivel is that it uses non-standard parts which makes a field repair almost impossible.

 

[michaelcbear]

Just the throw in my two cents. NOAA has been issuing FDX10 regs to all it's divers. It seems that they feel it is a very good reg for the money.

http://www.ndc.noaa.gov/pdfs/07_NDC_annual_report.pdf

 

[John_B]

Just the throw in my two cents. NOAA has been issuing FDX10 regs to all it's divers. It seems that they feel it is a very good reg for the money.

http://www.ndc.noaa.gov/pdfs/07_NDC_annual_report.pdf

Which is more about co-branding and marketing than anything else.

 

[bluegill]

I'm the original poster on this thread. Well guys, I took the Apex xtx 50 to a different dive shop this year for service. The Oceanic still beats it pretty handily. It seems a lot of people that write how Apex is better don't understand what has been going on at Aqua Lung (who now owns Apex). Flame me if you want, but you're living in the past. Unless you own both or have used both many times - as I have - you are coming from a one sided perspective. Your first girl friend is always the best...until you find your next one.