Apeks DS4 alternatives for rebreathers

[rddvet]

It won't work on the MK17, they are a completely different size. Martin at TecMe did a run of blanking plates for the MK17, you may be able to ask him nicely to make one for you.

He did a run for me. I just bought 5 to make it worthwhile

 

[Wibble]

The stories about DS4 HP seat failures make me think about possible alternatives to DS4 regs in rebreather setups. If you swapped out DS4 for something else, what did you choose and why?

Revo now use Mares regs since Mares bought Revo.

Apeks DS4s are cheap as chips, even if the seat goes pop they're cheap to replace the main casting... unlike a Tec3.

Have yours failed? If not, then leave them alone!

edit: Revo are flogging the first stages for €181. Deffo can get a DS4 cheaper!

 

[mr_v]

Revo now use Mares regs since Mares bought Revo.

Apeks DS4s are cheap as chips, even if the seat goes pop they're cheap to replace the main casting... unlike a Tec3.

Have yours failed? If not, then leave them alone!

No, my have not failed. I am playing the "what if" game and curious what the others have done. I'll throw in a spare DS4 in the dive kit just in case.

 

[berndo]

There are so many things I personally hate about apeks regs especially coming from using scubapro my whole life.

Why do you keep using Apeks and bring them on trips when you hate them and had 10 failed seats?

 

[rddvet]

Have yours failed? If not, then leave them alone!

I don't disagree with that statement. Obviously its not a worldwide problem. All of my service kits were from the US or Mexico through authorized repair centers

Why do you keep using Apeks and bring them on trips when you hate them and had 10 failed seats?

Because I keep getting told that the problem has been solved, but obviously it hasn't. I've replaced my wife's regs. I haven't replaced mine because I've had less failures and have been waiting it out hoping the issue would go away. I always have multiple backups, so a dive is never ruined. Its just an annoyance. And more importantly I shouldn't have to spend more money on regs (or permanently steal some backups) just because Apeks can't get their sh-t together. My wife finally got wholly fed up which is why she's got the new regs

 

[Wibble]

Just on the kick Apeks theme; have several Apeks regs needing repairs and servicing. Most of my regulators are Apeks (about 10 1st stages and 12 second stages) as they are generally have been very reliable, but now seeing too many failures for my liking.

This past year I've had at least 3 second stages leaking with one doing a full-on free-flow. One cost me around 70 bar of rich mix.
For first stages, a Tek3 needs the seat re-reaming, basically it's scrap until I get a new body which will cost more than a new Tek3 -- that really annoys as they're sold as pukka pro kit. Had a DS4 used for suit inflation literally blow the OPV, thankfully before blowing the hose apart and on the boat before jumping in. Now have another DS4 with IP creep which shagged my digital IP gauge (replacement coming tomorrow).

Not very happy with Apeks and their piss-taking pricing.

Oh, whilst at it, Apeks cylinder valves are crap. People used to rave about them a while back. I regret changing many of my cylinders to Apeks as they get very tight and aren't very resilient to picking the cylinders up by the valve handles where they can leak --- that's what we do for goodness sake.

 

[beldridg]

I don't have time to go into details right now (eventually I will post the details to my blog), but I had a custom O2 first stage built for my rEvo for deep dives to avoid the O2 shutoff at ~ 90-100m. As others have noted, the rEvos now ship with Mares regs which are "drop in" replacements for the Apeks in terms of port placement / size /etc.

Personally I haven't had any problems with my 5 or so Apeks regs.

Here is a picture of the Mares reg:



Regards,

- brett

 

[Cio]

FX CCR config let’s you choose apexs or dive rite for fixed IP.

 

[Underwater Tourist]

My understanding (based on other SB threads) is that regs that were manufactured after June 2021 had the issue fixed, so would interesting to know if @rddvet had new regs that were made after June 2021 and still failed.

Fyi this is how you can check the manuf date, the serial number is in this format:
YYMM XXXXX

YYMM is when the reg was made (year and month), and XXXXX is the actual serial number

Someone also mentioned that those HP seats work: HP seat for 1st stage scuba gear as SG 1419 - Scuba Gaskets

 

[mr_v]

My understanding (based on other SB threads) is that regs that were manufactured after June 2021 had the issue fixed, so would interesting to know if @rddvet had new regs that were made after June 2021 and still failed.

Fyi this is how you can check the manuf date, the serial number is in this format:
YYMM XXXXX

YYMM is when the reg was made (year and month), and XXXXX is the actual serial number

Someone also mentioned that those HP seats work: HP seat for 1st stage scuba gear as SG 1419 - Scuba Gaskets

Well, sucks to be me 50% then ;-( O2 is from '19.