Apeks Question

[cnidae]

So my plan is the following

Backgas ATX200
Stage bottles ATX40 Nitrox (I assume they come with DS1's)
Argon DS1

Any suggestions before I make my order?

Thanks

 

[metridium]

I'm no fan of turret/swivel regs, but many seem to like them on stage bottles because of the better routing.

Just something to consider...

 

[The Iceni]

cnidae once bubbled...
So my plan is the following

Stage bottles ATX40 Nitrox (I assume they come with DS1's)

As metridium says, as a complete regulator set up the ATX40 comes with a turreted, multiport first stage which is a bit OTT for a stage/deco regulator.

Apeks will supply any combination of first and second stages and I had a similar set up to the one you planned but I had to submit a special order for the TX40s (Twinned TX100s for back gas, with DS1 + TX40 Nitrox stage regs).

DS1 has one HP port and one LP port with no turret so it is lighter and cheaper than the standard (A)TX40 setup. One criticism I have for the DS1 is that the ports are not close enough to run the hoses parallel along the cylinder when not being used.

Sadly, I've just sold my stage regulators.

 

[Scubaroo]

cnidae once bubbled...
So my plan is the following

Backgas ATX200
Stage bottles ATX40 Nitrox (I assume they come with DS1's)
Argon DS1

Any suggestions before I make my order?

Thanks

Backgas - no problems
Stage bottles - These will probably come with turreted DST regs rather than DS1. Some people like DS4 here, some like DST. No reason not to go with the DS1 I can think of - it's perfect (1 LP, 1 HP).
Argon - the DS1 is not a good choice here - you only have a single LP port, and you will need an OPV (over pressure valve). A US4 or DS4 might be a better choice if you're sticking to Apeks. I'm not an argon user though.

 

[cnidae]

Dr Paul Thomas once bubbled...
DS1 has one HP port and one LP port with no turret so it is lighter and cheaper than the standard (A)TX40 setup. One criticism I have for the DS1 is that the ports are not close enough to run the hoses parallel along the cylinder when not being used.

I've never heard of anyone complaining about this. Are you runing your gage in a different config opposed to just looping and tie wrapping it?

Scubaroo, thanks for pointing out the DS1 has only 1 LP port.

 

[cnidae]

Are the ports on the DS1 180 degrees apart instead of inline?

 

[Braunbehrens]

I would go with all DS4's. It's nice to have interchangeable parts. I went with all DS4/TX50. and a DS4 for argon.

The DS4 on the stage will have a couple extra ports, but just put a port plug in it and you're done. I've never heard of a port plug causing a problem, if you maintain your gear at all.

Just my .02

 

[SimonN]

cnidae once bubbled...
So my plan is the following

Backgas ATX200
Stage bottles ATX40 Nitrox (I assume they come with DS1's)
Argon DS1

Any suggestions before I make my order?

Thanks

I'd go all ATX40s and DS4s for back gas and argon, DSTs for stages (the swivel is nice for stages).

Don't get DS1 or US1s, 1 lp port is not enough.

The benefit of having to carry less spares far outweighs any possible benefit from having an ATX200 instead of an ATX40.

 

[cnidae]

SimonN once bubbled...


I'd go all ATX40s and DS4s for back gas and argon, DSTs for stages (the swivel is nice for stages).

Don't get DS1 or US1s, 1 lp port is not enough.

The benefit of having to carry less spares far outweighs any possible benefit from having an ATX200 instead of an ATX40.

Why is 1 lp port not enough for stages? Don't the ATX200's breath better and dryer?

 

[Scubaroo]

cnidae once bubbled...
Don't the ATX200's breath better and dryer?

There are no physical differences between the ATX40 and ATX200 second stages that would prevent one breathing dryer than the other - they are basically the same regulator, with a slightly different heat exchanger, and tuning knob.