Apeks Regulator Source

[dtdesola]

Having read a number of well considered postings regarding Apeks regulators, I am strongly inclined to buy a couple of pairs of them for my wife and myself. I saw a package price for a 45 and a 200 for $516 on one of the online gear sites. Can someone recommend places to purchase based on your experience of:

*Price
*Service--can seller skillfully maintain units for a reasonable price?
*Warranty issues--I'd prefer not to lose the warrantee due to buying online.

PS I've read a lot of comments on buying at an LDS vs online. While I'm sympathetic to the plight of the LDS, I'm not very sympathetic. It seems to me that manufacturers and retailers are engaging in some just barely legal practices by requiring that a product be purchased in a particular place in order for a parts warantee to be valid. LDS proponents may claim that the practice is waranted given the life and safety issues, but I see this as a red herring. I recommend everyone read and sign the petition listed at:

http://diversunion.org

 

[jonnythan]

Hey, if you're splurging for the ATX200 might as well splurge for buying at the LDS as well. I've never breathed one, but I can't imagine it's worth the extra money over the 100 or even the ATX50. You can get an ATX50 + ATX40 package for $366.

 

[jplacson]

I'm also planning to get an Apeks set. My friend was trying to sell me the ATX100, and as great a reg as it is... I don't need it (I only dive tropical waters so the ATX50 is the most I'll need for now)

AFAIK, my friend told me that the ATX100 & 200 are very similar, with just a few changes in component materials and things like that... and the 1st stage finish.

The ATX50 does perform differently, according to him. Still great... but not as great as the ATX100... I think he means at great depth... or when sharing air.

As far as I've read, Apeks regs are one of the best you can get. And are pretty decent throughout their entire range...even the lowly AT20.

I actually was just gonna get the AT20 set... but for a little more, my LDS was gonna give me the ATX50 with an ATX40 octo... but I'm still undecided (see thread on 'safe 2nd' inflators...:lol

And as far as warranty... I don't think most manufacturers authorized online or phone purchases of life-support gear...fins, mask..yes. But they don't extend the warranty to online purchases... you'll probably have to get your warranty from the online shop you got it from...I'm not sure about this though.

 

[sasdasdaf]

If they are all adjusted the same, they all breathe the same. If you are diving in difficult conditions, consider the dry sealed first stages. If you like manual adjustments, get the 50, 100, or 200. and if you are diving in cold water, avoid the T20.

Personally for an all-around great buy I would look at the DS4/TX50 combo. Or ATX50 if that's all that's available.

 

[jplacson]

Ya, my LDS is selling the ATX50 with an ATX40 octo and DST (II like it better than the DS4) 1st stage.

 

[rescuediver009]

The only difference between the ATX200 and the ATX 50 lies in the internal design of the first stages. The 200 allows for higher air flow under certain conditions. And depending on your experience with the reg, you will not likely notice the difference.

As far as DST vs. DS4 I prefer the DS4 due to its low profile design. Don your tank height and other things the swivel can be annoyingly tall and knock your head a few times. The Ds4 is more technically oriented. Doubles etc.

 

[dtdesola]

Thanks for all the excellent technical clarifications (I'm still a little vague on what to buy for a back-up reg--an LDS told me I'd need an octopus that comes with a back-up reg; and this whole din/yoke issue is not settled in my mind, but on about that later.)

Regarding buying at an LDS vs online, the LDS prices I'm getting on an Apeks 200 come in around $650. The online prices are closer to $399! What's up with that? Would you pay that difference? If so, why?

 

[LUBOLD8431]

Depends on what the LDS is going to do for you to make up some of the difference.

SOme things that I've heard of is air cards, free tank rentals, a portion of rental money that was already spent being returned and applied to the purchase, things like that can make the difference between an LDS price and online price. Alot of people dont care about the warranty, but I will say that the service kits do cost some $$$ and it adds up year after year. These things need to be considered.

We have also been known to do various other creative things to make a sale, instead of people buying online...

 

[joele]

if you're diving in the tropics, like our country, the at20 will do...
the only glaring difference between the at20 and the atx50 is the environmental seal wich makes you able to bring the atx50 to freezing waters...

and as jplacson said, lowly as it is, it's more than dependable...
apeks, i think, now leads other regs since it was used by john bennett when he posted the record deepest dive at 1000ft...
he used atx100...

 

[dtdesola]

Does anyone understand the relationship between Aqualung and Apeks? I've seen some very good reviews fot the Aqualung regs, which apparently incorporate and possibly even improve upon Apeks technology. Apeks is their partner to some capacity, which I don't fully understand Would you consider an Aqualung regulator to be the equal to Apeks? I believe they are a little cheaper.

Parts?
Reliablility?
Will the Agualung/Apeks relationship go the way of the Zeagle Apeks relationship?

As always, your opinions and comments are greatly appreciated!

-d.