mmcdds
Contributor
I have an Apex TX20 second stage that I'm using as an octo with my ATX200. I recently decided that I'd like to convert this TX20 to TX50. The only difference between the two second stages is the knurled cracking resistance adjustment screw on the TX50(the TX20 adjustment screw can not be easily adjusted during a dive, it requires an 5mm allen wrench to adjust it) and the heat exchanger on the TX50 (the TX20 uses a plastic nut to secure the barrel to the housing, on the TX50 its made of metal and thus also acts as a heat exchanger.) So, I called my LDS with the parts numbers and asked if they would order the parts for me, which they happily agreed to do. Two days later I got a call back from the LDS with the prices that she was quoted from Apeks, she called because she was suprised at the prices and thought that she'd better check with me before ordering them. To say that I was also surprised would be tremendous understatement. The heat exchanger, which again is not much more than a nut, was $75.00 and the knurled adustment screw was a whopping $98.00, and that was just for the parts, since I told my LDS that I'd swap the parts out myself. I was stunned, needless to say, since I can pick up a brand new ATX50 octo at Lp for $149, I canceled the order. Well, as much as I really like Apeks products, I can't say that I'm wild about their upgrade policy, they don't make it impossible to upgrade, just so expensive that it becomes impractical.