APEKS AT20/ATX40/ATX50 alternate??

[Lost Yooper]

That's because swival first stages are well known for leaking (even Apeks, though not the worst by far). For overhead stuff (where they can get accidentally banged), this can (and does) reap havoc on swival first stages. I recommend non swival first stages to all divers, so they don't have to worry about replacing them in the future if they get into advanced diving. Adjusting knobs do not have this track record of failure.

Mike, if you were three miles inside of a cave, would you use what any ole manufacturer was willing to give you, or would you use the best? The best use Apeks adjustable seconds (not counting the rebreathers, of course) for their primaries. If these are good enough for them, are they good enough for our weenie dives? I would hope so.

The adjustable Apeks second stage will give you more air than the non adjustable. If a diver (either recreational or technical) needs a ton of air, for whatever reason, you will want the adjustable second as an option. You will also want that air during air sharing, especially under difficult conditions at deep depths. I've been there, and know what's it's like to need a ton of air, and the adjustable Apeks supplied it adequately (I'm glad I had it).

You're crackin' me up again. Come on back to reality, Mike ............. yup, here I am!

Mike

PS. Having a Posiedon on bottle or stage is one thing, but having them on your back in such an environment is quite another . Just ribbin' ya, Mike.

 

[blacknet]

Hello,

Case studies have proven there are several top quality regulators and the apeks tx-50 is on that list, so is the ds4 and dst first stages.

By a regular open water NON CAVE DIVER using cave diving equipment is illogical to say the least. What purpose does this person have with using cave diving equipment?

Getting back to the subject at hand. If one is looking for an alternative to apeks I would recomend one look at mares, scuba pro, poseidon, zeagle, and the conshelf series. These are all top performer units and you won't hear any complaints from me if a member of my dive team shows up with one. In fact you will hear a good word from me.

In the end the regulator does not make the diver. The diver makes the regulator. If one does not feel at ease using a certain type of equipment then my motto is CHANGE IT! Personaly I have found that with good equipment you can enjoy the dive and have abit less stress just knowing that you have good equipment.

Ed

 

[large_diver]

Ed,

I actually think that looking at the gear extreme divers use is a useful exercise when making gear choices. Of course -- you need to understand WHY they use the gear in question before deciding it's right for you.

Also -- do you think using a term like "dial of death" is responsible on a board with plenty of newbies on it?

My $0.02.

 

[Lost Yooper]

Ed,

Concerning your last couple paragraphs, we have found more to agree on than is usual . We dive with guys who use all of the regs you mentioned, and they are decent regs.

The words "cave diving equipment" brought a real grin to my face when I read it. Why wouldn't a recreational diver be interested in a very streamlined configuration that utilizes quality gear, promotes proper trim, and is entirely adaptable? The only real answer I can think of is that such gear isn't "cool" looking with fancy colors and gimmicks -- which is more important anyway, I guess .

Mike

PS.

To all,

Many in the technical diving community have a lot to offer those in the recreational community. This has been proven over and over throughout the years. Keep your ears open and take everything in.

 

[HoosierDiver]

Just to add to what has already been said, my advice for any new divers who might be considering buying equipment...

The equipment that has been mentioned in this thread is top quality. You can use it for both recreational diving and technical diving. It's going to cost a few more bucks up front, but it's going last forever. And you never know when the "bug" might get you that makes you want to penetrate a wreck instead of just looking at the outside of it. So if you spend a little extra money now, you might actually be saving yourself in the long run by not having to buy a whole new set of gear.

 

[devjr]

The old DACOR LUNG two hose regulator had a small brass knob on the back of the case. The knob turned a baffle inside the case which was located between the air venturi and the outlet hose fitting. The effect of turning this knob, which was hard to reach, was to decrease the flow of air. In those days(50's), hard breathing was thought to conserve the compressed air which was expensive and hard to obtain. The company called this feature "DIAL A BREATH". Actually, it was a gimmick which didn't improve the performance. Two hose regulators are much different than single hose and didn't benefit from adjustable sensitivity, at least not in the way it was undertaken. Some WAGS started calling the superfluous feature "Dial a Death".

Evidently, some young diver saw this on E Bay or similar place and is now passing it off on modern regulators which feature true adjustable breathing. Just a cheap shot.

 

[Lost Yooper]

Now I understand. OK, I'm slow .

Mike

 

[blacknet]

Lost Yooper,

As for what you stated your preaching to the choir! I fully agree with you on that one. However my statement of the 'cave diving equipment' was more intended towards the 'granny with a formula 1 car and driving 20mph' it's purely a waste of resources, equipment, time and money.

Ed

 

[Lost Yooper]

OK, Ed.

Later.

Mike

 

[jbm]

"First of all, I wouldn't buy the ATX200. I have been hearing some less than favorable things about the first stage"

Thanks for your imput, but can you expand on this.

Also, I realize you prefer the DS4 over the swivel first stages. This I can understand ( failure point and all.) What I would appreciate knowing is why you prefer the DS4 over the other APEKS non-swivel firsts such as the one incorprated in the ATX200.

Again, thanks in advance.

thanks to all that replied to this thread........I'm taking it all in!!


Best regards; jbm