Apeks Status - another reason to avoid gimmicks

[mhoneth]

I just bought my first Apeks reg (XTX100 Status). I live and work in the Marshall Islands with no shops, technicians or service centres less than 2,000 miles from here. I have been diving Mares almost exclusively, but heard that Apeks was famous for reliability and quality. I would have avoided the Status electronic gimmicks, but the reg was on sale so I bought it.
Shipping was prompt, opened the box, installed the 1st stage, and no M.P. reading! Did a few checks, read the instructions, eventually tested the battery. All good. But still not working. I've been emailing Apeks regularly but they won't reply to me. Not even an auto-response.
Now I know I could still dive the Apeks without a working Status, but why should I trust the reg when I can't trust the indicator?
Moral of my story:
1) stay away from unecessary gimmicks like regulator electronics;
2) be aware of Apeks...their reputation is not warranted.

 

[Hatul]

Maybe the indicator is correct and showing status: reg not working.

 

[scubafanatic]

...well, you trusted your Mares with no indicator either...just sayin'

 

[sardiverdan]

Let me get this straight, the regulator tells you if the air is at the right pressure before you use it? I just put mine in my mouth and inhale and if I get air it must be working. Then the Apeks records the amount of usage and tells you when to service the reg? Well if you just bought it, mail it off next August and get it serviced. All kidding aside, I have a kirby morgan reg that I have to mail off to get serviced so I know what that is like. From the looks of the breakdown of your reg, having the mini computer working or not should have little impact on its use. I know that is not the point because you paid for a feature that is not working. Your only options are to return it or keep it and live without the reg telling you what to do. I have a wife that tells me what to do all the time so I don't need a reg that will do the same.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Maybe the indicator is correct and showing status: reg not working.

Adam brings up a good point.

Perhaps the best way to deal with this is to purchase an i.p. gauge. Check the i.p. manually. Disregard the electronic Status display. At least that's what I'd do...

 

[Blue Sparkle]

I'm not sure you were asking for advice, but... if it were me I would return the reg if possible and get something different. Even if it cost me in the short term. It bugs me to have things not working that are supposed to, and I would always notice/remember that and it would annoy me. On the other hand, knowing that, and knowing they tend to break, I go for things without too many "features" - as you advised!

 

[naimis]

I had an XTX-100 status and the status module failed repeatedly. Most recently, the LDS offered me a replacement, brand new, non-status 1st stage. I took them up on it. I still have my XTX-200 status, but when that fails I will probably end up getting it replaced with the non-status 1st stage.

It looks like Apeks still makes them, but the LDS in question will not sell them anymore.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

....Perhaps the best way to deal with this is to purchase an i.p. gauge. Check the i.p. manually. Disregard the electronic Status display. At least that's what I'd do...

1+.

It is likely the regulator is just fine, but I'd hook a real IP gauge up to it and check. The status-thingie belongs in the great dustbin of "cutting-edge scuba ideas that actually were not so hot".

Good luck, and Best Wishes.

 

[John_B]

I have XTX100s (including a doubles rig for sale) that are rock solid.

Instead of buying the gimmicky Status versions I bought the regular versions and have an intermediate pressure gauge in my dive bag (which is all the fancy, nancy Status does anyway). LP sells an IP gauge for less than $20: Intermediate Pressure Gauge Plugs Into The BCD Quick Disconnect Hose

I just bought my first Apeks reg (XTX100 Status). I live and work in the Marshall Islands with no shops, technicians or service centres less than 2,000 miles from here. I have been diving Mares almost exclusively, but heard that Apeks was famous for reliability and quality. I would have avoided the Status electronic gimmicks, but the reg was on sale so I bought it.

So you got a case of "surface logic" and bought an unnecessary fancy widget without any consideration for where you could get it serviced, because it "was on sale"?

Your best bet (no matter what gear you bought) is to send it back to whoever you bought it from. If you are going to live in paradise but buy from New York or Spain or wherever, you should expect to have to return your stuff to wherever you bought it if you have a problem. Honestly, I don't know what you thought Apeks was going to be able to do for you if, as you say, there are no reg techs (for any brand) where you live to fix the problem. How is Mares or Scubapro or Aeris or any other brand going to be any different?

 

[mike_s]

While I would agree that the problem originates with Apeks, some of the fault here can also be attributed to the dive shop you bought it from.

I mean if I'm going to ship a reg 2,000 miles, I'd want to make sure it works. Seems to me that they failed to do any kinda of a bench test on it before shipping. (not sure if you requested that or not.... if not... maybe you should have.)

I agree with the above post of buying something you can get serviced easier based on your location.