Apeks ATX200 / ATX40

[noshow]

This week I will be putting in an order for my reg. Can I get some feedback on this combo from experienced users?

1. What do you think of the ATX200?

2. How is the ATX40 as an octo?

3. Is the ATX200 worth the diff in $ over the ATX50 (ATX200 just $80more CDN than the ATX100)?

Can't wait to get it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:loopy:

 

[Lost Yooper]

1. I haven't used the ATX200, but do have the ATX50 second stage which is nearly identical to the 200's second stage. It's a fine second stage. I don't think the lightweight first stage of the 200 will be worth the extra money over a DS4.

2. I wouldn't spend the extra money for a lightweight backup either. It's just not used enough to warrant getting (at least to me). I like the TX40 for a backup.

3. I don't think so. I would opt for an ATX50/TX40/DS4.

Good luck,

Mike

 

[wheezy]

Dude, if you have the money go for the 200... why wouldn't you?

I myself was on a major budget and opted for the 50/40 DST combo, which is super sweet...

 

[newton]

The ATX200 first stage is an unknown at this point. If it were me, I'd do this. (As a matter of fact, I *just* did this 3 weeks ago.)

I would go with the ATX100 setup, which is the standard TX100 1st stage, and the ATX200 second stage. (Which is virtually identical to the ATX50 second stage.)

Then, I added a TX50 for my Octo. This gave me a great well-known performing 1st stage, a great light-weight primary second stage, and a heavier but also well known secondary second stage.

If I had to do it over again, I'd do the exact same thing.

Note, the ATX100 is not sold in the states, and you can only buy it overseas, but it's the same configuration as I mentioned above. I ended up doing my a bit differently than this since I got my setup through a US dealer who gave me an *awesome* deal.

I bought a TX100 setup (1st and 2nd), and adding an ATX50 Octo which gives me the exact same setup as above, but with US parts. The only downside to this setup is that it's my wife, and I'm jealous of it. ;-)



Nate

 

[GeekDiver]

Noshow

I was making the same choice not to long ago.

I had made up my mind, had the money, and was intent on buying the ATX200/TX40 when I was asking I got alot of the same responses your getting. Yea it's a great reg but to pricey etc etc etc... Even after I got all the responses from this board I was still intent to buy the best I could get which I considered as the ATX200. My bro-inlaw (diving since 72' instructor and all) tried real hard to convience my that if I wanted it that it would be a great reg but for normal non-tech diving I could go with a much cheaper reg and would be Fine.

I sold some stock and headed off to buy a full set of gear had $3200. The store I bought from the Manager said he would be glad to sell me the reg and give me a bit of a price break if I "just had to have the ATX200" but sug that I did not have to spend the big bucks. He showed me several other regs lower in price. Still not changeing my mind he broke out a tank and then sug to tryem all out and compair them. In the end I couldn't tell much dif between the ATX200 at $650 vs a USD SEA4 nitrox setup at $300.

I chose to buy the USD, Yea the second stage is a bit biger and is not adj but with the money I saved I was able to use on a wetsuit, Knife, light, slate, and wistle. It's a tough choice, the ATX200 is a Great reg and you wont go wrong with it but think about the price, what kind of diving you'll do and if you would rather spend the extra money on something else to help round out your gear. We all think long and hard about the big ticket items but in my case I had forgot about all the other little items.

In the end I spent $2400 have a complete set of gear, dive computer and gear bag plus my OW/AOW training and had money left over to spend on real diving.

Good luck on your choice and have fun diving,
GD

 

[wheezy]

GeekDiver.... maybee not the best choice. ANY reg breaths fine at the surface... and MOST in shallow water. It's when things get cold and deep that you wold begin to notice a difference.

Especially on LONG cold and deep dives.... anyhow,

I'd stick with the apeks... ATX line - maybee not the 200 but at least the 50.... you'd be happy for years to come.

Good Luck

 

[BigDiver]

Well put Wheezy,

Nothing can beat a reg test in the water you will be diving. Surface breathing doesn't really tell you much.

If you have the chance to try the different Apex models before buying, I would say go for it.

 

[GeekDiver]

wheezy

I can get it enviromently sealed and I know several people With the SEA4 that have been to 150 ft with no problems or complaints. So far I have had nothing but fun and problem free.

Yes there are better regs for example the ATX200, the MK25/S600 or the Zeagle Flathead. The point I was trying to make is that there are choices which are alot less than the ATX200 and still would be a fine choice for most diving not that I was sugesting one vs the other. Had I had it to do over again I might have chose the USD micra+ or the ATX50 but have no complaints about my SEA4. I'm having fun being wet which is the important part.

Regards,
GD

 

[wheezy]

Please, don't get me wrong. Not saying that it's a bad reg by any means. I was commenting more on the fact that you judged a regulator by how it breathed at the surface... which basically would tell you noting about the regs. The Apeks is basically a "you can't go wrong" setup.

I know my reg will breathe as easy at 150' in 40 degree water as it will in 20' of 80 degree water.

Just my opinion though, and well you know what they say about those...

 

[GeekDiver]

Wheezy

I think we were both try to sugest the same point. I might not have worded mine very well.

I agree that trying a reg in a pool or at the surface is not a true test of a reg and there will be a diferance at deeper depths but only people with experiance and training are truly capable of diving past 130' or in water temps at or below 40 deg where the true performance of a reg will be appearant.

Most balanced regulators will take you to 130' and will breath just fine. When I started to research about what to buy I had a hard time understanding that a reg like the ATX200 with a 650+ price tag that I wouldn't be able to tell much dif with it vs a reg like the ATX50 or even my USD at normal non-technical depths 130' or less.

I didn't have to spend a load of cash on a highend reg that I can't truely benifit from due to my limited training and experiance or how I expect to dive in the near future. Breathing at a shallow depth helped drive that part of it home and alot of divers will never have the need or want to dive past PADI's limit of 130' If noshow is like me with no real intent on deep diving, then having a Highend Top of the line reg would be like building a drag car for daily driving back and forth to work. Could you do it? Yes, Would it be cool? Yes, Do you have to or spend the money? No

Regards
GD