Apeks ATX200 1/2" port for primary or 3/8" port?

[cybordolphin]

Looking to see which is better to use for my primary. Should I buy a 7' hose for the 1/2" port and run that as my primary, and use one of the 3/8" ports with a 22" and bungie for my secondary? Or use a 3/8" port for my 7' hose to my primary, and use the 1/2" port with a 22" and bungie for my secondary?

lol... does it really matter?

If I use a 3/8" port for my 7 footer..... I can save a few bucks by using the short hose (with 1/2" connector) that came with the reg for my secondary with bungie. Oh and also I can then invert my first so the hoses are coming out at a downward angle instead of an upward angle (The ATX200 first only has one 1/2" LP port on one side normally pointing up).


Thanks for any input.

 

[raxafarian]

I believe that the 'correct' thing to do is plug the 1/2 in. port (apex has the plug/o-ring) and run everything off the 3/8 ports.


just found where I saw that... following is from GUE's website:

"Avoid regulators which have custom hose fittings, as these can be difficult to source in some diving destinations around the world. For instance, Apex uses a custom half-inch hose which should be replaced with a standard off-the-shelf hose. You may be tempted to use an adaptor to accomplish this, however Apex provides a half-inch plug and O ring (part numbers AP1487 & AP1410 respectively) which is used to block the half-inch port. The diver may then use the other standard-size ports."

link: http://www.gue.com/equipment/regulators.shtml

 

[GP]

Plugging the 1/2 inch port makes no sense to me because if you are running your regs in a DIR long hose config, then both are coming around your right side. If you plugged your 1/2 inch port you'd have to run one of your regs off of a 3/8 inch port on the left side and that would put unwanted stress on the hose since you'd have to bend it back around to the right side (unless you ran your backup over your left shoulder which I've never seen anyone do). It would also be a mess and look like crap IMO. What I did is get a 1/2 inch to 3/8 inch adaptor (or you could just buy a 1/2 hose too), and put the backup on the 1/2 inch port and the 7 foot hose primary on the 3/8 inch port on the right side. Works great.

 

[Goldminer]

Originally posted by GP
Plugging the 1/2 inch port makes no sense to me because if you are running your regs in a DIR long hose config, then both are coming around your right side. If you plugged your 1/2 inch port you'd have to run one of your regs off of a 3/8 inch port on the left side and that would put unwanted stress on the hose since you'd have to bend it back around to the right side (unless you ran your backup over your left shoulder which I've never seen anyone do). It would also be a mess and look like crap IMO. What I did is get a 1/2 inch to 3/8 inch adaptor (or you could just buy a 1/2 hose too), and put the backup on the 1/2 inch port and the 7 foot hose primary on the 3/8 inch port on the right side. Works great.

I don't think that this is really a problem. The DIR guys usually run 2 first stages with one secondary stage on each primary so in this case it's not a problem. But, if you only have 1 first stage, you mount it on the tank "upside down". The two 3/8" ports now come out the proper side. There is no "top" to an Apeks reg and it doesn't care how it is mounted.

 

[GP]

Hmm...I never thought of mounting the first stage upside down, but then your HP ports would be on top . Oh well, I still don't see anything wrong with doing it the way I am now. All the adaptor adds is one extra o-ring, no big deal to me.

 

[Scubaroo]

You can always buy the 1/2" long hose (or use your existing 1/2" short hose), and throw a 1/2" -> 3/8" adapter in the save-a-dive kit, so if your 1/2" hose ever does need replacing in a hurry, you can use an off-the-shelf 3/8" hose to get you out of trouble. Or just use the adapter anyway, as Uncle Pug likes to point out, it's just another single static o-ring in the line. As long as you tighten the hose correctly, it's one of the least likely places of failure. I've been using an adapter on my Apeks DST for a while no with no concerns.

 

[Goldminer]

Originally posted by GP
Hmm...I never thought of mounting the first stage upside down, but then your HP ports would be on top .

You can deal with this by tilting your reg a little to one side thereby raising the LP ports a bit and lowering the the HP but, you are right that it is still a bit awkward. The LP inflator hose gets an awkward routing this way.

Oh well, I still don't see anything wrong with doing it the way I am now. All the adaptor adds is one extra o-ring, no big deal to me.

I don't either. But the DIR guys go to the n'th degree to eliminate unnecessary potential failure points. I personally just kept using the 1/2" port on my TX100. I mean Apeks regs are becoming much more common now especially since US Divers/Aqualung bought them. Parts aren't that tough to find. If you are that worried buy a second hose and keep it in your save a dive kit.

 

[GP]

One of the reasons I like using the backup on the 1/2 inch port is that then I don't have to worry about making sure the long hose crosses over the "top" of the backup hose. If you look at my profile pick you'll see what I'm talking about. That picture was taken before I switched them around. There were several times that I'd gear up and accidently have the backup crossing over the long hose which is incorrect. Now that the backup is on the 1/2 inch port which is closest to me the hoses don't have to overlap anymore which is a little nicer routing I think.

 

[cybordolphin]

I like the idea of just using the 1/2" port to run my stock Apeks hose to my secondary bungied. Then a 3/8" port for my long hose to my primary. I save buying a short hose (cheap ain't I).

But I also like turning my first upside down.... hmmmmmm.....
can I do both? Have to go pull my reg out and see I spose.

I just was not sure if Apeks used the 1/2" port on the primary as it allowed better airflow at depth? Anyone heard anything to that effect?

Thanks for all the ideas.

 

[GP]

Originally posted by cybordolphin
I like the idea of just using the 1/2" port to run my stock Apeks hose to my secondary bungied. Then a 3/8" port for my long hose to my primary. I save buying a short hose (cheap ain't I).

But I also like turning my first upside down.... hmmmmmm.....
can I do both? Have to go pull my reg out and see I spose.

I just was not sure if Apeks used the 1/2" port on the primary as it allowed better airflow at depth? Anyone heard anything to that effect?

Thanks for all the ideas.

If you turn it upside down then the 1/2 inch port will be on the left side. I can't tell any difference in perfomance between the 1/2 inch port and 3/8 inch port. I think it's just a marketing gimmick. I've even heard that Apeks may ditch the 1/2 inch ports and go back to all 3/8 inch in future models but we'll have to wait and see on that.