Apeks reg

[Randy43068]

If the plastic knobs are breaking, perhaps the regulators are getting knocked around a little more than they should. Maybe the knob is hitting something hard as it's swinging freely. To avoid that issue, I keep mind clipped off or bungied to something, like the tank valve.

 

[fasorud]

I have also read about those wheels breaking. Before I purchased one of my DS4s I sent an email to SimplyScuba asking about this. This is the reply he forwarded FROM APEKS

Hi David,


We have had a couple of comments regarding the new plastic hand wheel, but once explained what we have done, people have accepted that it is an improvement.

The working part of the hand wheel, the part that takes the pressure is still metal, so there is absolutely no difference where safety of the fitting is concerned. We have taken the brass core of the hand wheel and firstly moulded a rigid plastic sub moulding onto it, which is mechanically retained. We have then moulded a soft rubberised plastic over the rigid moulding to give excellent grip on the hand wheel in use. This was all done at great expense and we now have to carry out three operations to produce the hand wheel, so cost savings to us don’t really exist. We have done this to improve the product for the user, you only need to try the product to see that it is much better to use than the full metal hand wheel.

We realise that using plastic may have given the perception of cheapening the hand wheel, but just consider how long yoke clamp screws have had plastic mouldings onto a metal screw and this proves it is a sound design concept.

We know perception is important even if it is unfounded and we have discussed making the metal hand wheel available if required, but we feel that people would be missing out on a better product.

Regards

Gill Hook
Technical/Customer Service
Apeks Marine Equipment Ltd