Either a Dive Rite XT or a Deep 6 Expedition would work just as well as any Apeks, would be cheaper and would also keep you away from a brand with questionable longevity. I own both of them and they are excellent regulators. Both are popular with cold water divers as well and would perform without issue in Monterey, Seattle, the Great Lakes or even under ice.
If you like the AL/Apeks comfobite mouthpieces, which I do, you can easily swap the mouthpieces. That is what I've done on both my DR XT and Deep 6 Expedition.