Apeks CTX-100

[Crystal]

Hi,
Does anybody know about the new Apeks CTX-100?
Not TX-100.

I heard they use different O-rings, the so called:

EPDM O rings (blue instead of black regular ones)
EPDM(Ethylene-Propylene- Dieneterpolymer)

Normally,
is it true that you have to change
from the black Nitrile O-rings
to the brown Viton o-rings if you want to
make your regulator Nitrox adaptable?

I heard that I don't need to swtich when using
the EPDM O-rings because they are more robust.

Can you use a nitrox reg with reg air and interchange frequently?

One more questions to the gurus:
Have you ever heard of the ATX-50 and ATX-100?

I live in Providence RI, and I am currently in Asia for a few weeks. I had the chance to look at a few local diving magazines that had some of the stuffs that I mentioned above, and I was puzzled cause I have not heard of it in the US.

Regards,

Crystal

 

[Warhammer]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong. The CTX line is now the ATX line. And it hasn't yet been released, at least not to the public.

As far as using regs with nitrox goes. It's the general judgement of the dving community that you can safely use any modern reg with nitrox as long as it's used for mixes of 40% or below. However some manufactors, Apeks now being one of them, are now saying that you should NOT use their standard regs for any nitrox blend. These same manufactors now sell a nitrox ready reg. Personally, I use my Apeks TX50 with both even though Apeks says I shouldn't. However you should make up your own mind about that issue and I'm not recommending that you go against the manufactors recommendations. I'm merely pointing out what I do.

 

[Crystal]

Thanks for the info Warhammer.

I called and asked one of the dive shops about
using the regular TX-50 or 100 for Nitrox to see
what they think of it.
(As u do...)

They strongly suggested the blue EPDM O-rings because
you can do both air and nitrox, and they are supposed to last longer.

I thought this might be useful in your case(?).

I will request my black O-rings to be replaced with the blue ones when I do my annual maintenance for sure.

Crystal

 

[large_diver]

Hi Crystal,

Warhammer is right -- the CTX line of regulators were listed on their web-site until recently....then they changed it to ATX. When you click on the ATX line of regs on their website (see link below), it says "details coming soon".

I sent them an e-mail recently asking about the launch date for these regs -- here is the response:

Aegir -- a frequent poster on this board -- also posted a note saying he thought these regs were going to be released sometime this summer (subject to change).

Hope this helps.

==========================================================

Thank you for your interest in Apeks regulators. Unfortunately we have delayed the introduction of the CTX range due to our Military commitments. All I can say at this stage is that we will complete the CTX range ASAP and please keep your eye on the press for details. If I could give you a definite date at this stage I would. I am sorry I cannot be more specific at this stage.

Best Regards
Tony

http://www.apeks.co.uk/apekshome.htm

 

[large_diver]

Crystal -- a few more comments...

From what I've heard, the ATX line of regulators will have smaller/lighter second stages and may switch from a 1 year to a 2 year recommended service interval.

 

[Crystal]

Thanks for the info Large_diver.

I called two dive shops one in Korea and one in Japan to ask some questions about the CTX-100,
and they seemed to carry it in stock.
Hm... Maybe I was mistaken?
I will confirm next week.

Interesting... that Apeks won't give u more info

Crystal

 

[large_diver]

Cool -- what did they have to say about the reg and its features?

One additional note -- have not seen it the ATX/CTX regs yet on Simplyscuba.com -- a big UK dive shop (both online and bricks and mortar) that carries Apeks products. You would think the they would release the product in UK first, since that is where Apeks is based......hmmmm. Of course, a larger shop may be more interested in selling off its existing inventory before offering new models.....

 

[Crystal]

Hi large_diver.

Both stores are closed over the weekend.
So I can't call now.

I could not find the Japanese store's web site,
but have the Korean one:

http://www.divegiant.com

It imports diving equipment to Korea.
Its in Korean, but it has also some English.

on top left corner, u will find "regulator".
click on it, and u will find the CTX-100 above TX-100
on the left column.

Description is in Korean, but you can view the images,
and the blue O-rings that they (supposed all regulators
from now on....) use.

Regards,

Crystal

 

[Warhammer]

Thanks for the link Crystal. Even though I seem to have forgotten how to read Korean, I was waiting to see what they looked like. I'll have to load that page into my interperter.

Interesting about the O-rings. I was under the impression that Aqualung had forced their guidelines concerning nitrox regs onto Apeks. Before Aqualung bought out Apeks, Apeks claimed all their regs were nitrox compatible. Then after the buy out, that changed. So I'm surprised to see that they are now about to change back. I'll quiz my dealer about the new 0-rings next time I talk to him.

 

[devjr]

Warhammer, you are probably correct about USDivers imposing company policy on Apeks. There was a story going around that USDivers techs managed to "smoke" a "standard" regulator on 40% mix. The story goes that the lab was using some rather unusual pressure, velocity conditions resulting in heat build up. Personally, I'm not the least bit concerned about the use of standard regulators, including Apex, with common nitrox mix.

Before using 40-100% the reg needs to be completely disassembled, cleaned, change out O rings to nitrox compatible and lubricate with krytox or equivalent. The hose may also need changing. This is best done by a pro but any knowledgeable person can do this provided they can obtain the factory authorized kit.

Incidentally, I've noticed that some "standard" regs, my Scubapro MK20/G250hp for instance, are lubricated with krytox from the factory.