Apeks vs. Zeagle

[c6six]

I heard that the zeagle line of regulators came from the apeks line, just before they were bought by Aqua Lung. That they went through and designed "fixes" for the known problems they had, the result being the line of zeagle regs we see today.

So that zeagle regulators are basically, in many ways apeks regs with upgrades??

I may be up the creak w/o a paddle on this one, or maybe I misunderstood, but could someone elaborate on this??

Because last time I checked into it Zeagle regs were cheaper besides. If the line up matches up as I was told!!

 

[Nismo]

Right now I believe that all Zeagle regs are designed in house. The Envoy and Rezort regs are fairly new and I'm sure that the Flathead VI and DS/V are not Apeks designs. They were once the same. Maybe after they separated the Zeagle regs were improved Apeks, but that is not the case anymore.

 

[blatter]

Have had Apeks T50D, TX100, TX50, ATX50, Zeagle Flathead VI and Zeagle ZX-DV and have serviced all of them. All these regs are nice breathing and good to use.

Zeagle used to rebadge Apeks regs and sell them as their own. However, a few years ago Zeagle started producing their own designs their current line up is not related to Apeks. Service kits are not interchangeable although the second stages and diaphragm first stages share many design features.

In my opinion, a major design difference at the moment is that except for the Apeks ATX/TX200 (as far as I know - and may be out of date about this) the knife edge / hard part of the Apeks 1st stage HP seat is integral with the main body of the reg. If it is damaged / worn the main reg body has to be replaced. Last time I checked that part costs about as much as a new first stage, at least in Australia.

The components that make up the HP seat in Zeagle 1st stages are all replaceable and relatively cheap.

The hard part of the Apeks HP seat is critical especially as the soft part of the seat is hard plastic and very unforgiving of imperfections - in my experience minimal wear seems to result in IP creep. So far I have had to replace 2 Apeks first stages as it was too expensive to replace the damaged parts. One after nearly 15 years use and the other after maybe 3 years use (to be fair in the second instance this was probably due to salt water getting into the first stage).

Anyway, when my Apeks 1sts fail I have been replacing them with Zeagle ZX-DSVs and that is what I am planning on doing in the future. If I could get the worn body section of the reg at anything near a reasonable price then I would keep on using Apeks. Just my 2 cents.

 

[c6six]

Have had Apeks T50D, TX100, TX50, ATX50, Zeagle Flathead VI and Zeagle ZX-DV and have serviced all of them. All these regs are nice breathing and good to use.

Zeagle used to rebadge Apeks regs and sell them as their own. However, a few years ago Zeagle started producing their own designs their current line up is not related to Apeks. Service kits are not interchangeable although the second stages and diaphragm first stages share many design features.

In my opinion, a major design difference at the moment is that except for the Apeks ATX/TX200 (as far as I know - and may be out of date about this) the knife edge / hard part of the Apeks 1st stage HP seat is integral with the main body of the reg. If it is damaged / worn the main reg body has to be replaced. Last time I checked that part costs about as much as a new first stage, at least in Australia.

The components that make up the HP seat in Zeagle 1st stages are all replaceable and relatively cheap.

The hard part of the Apeks HP seat is critical especially as the soft part of the seat is hard plastic and very unforgiving of imperfections - in my experience minimal wear seems to result in IP creep. So far I have had to replace 2 Apeks first stages as it was too expensive to replace the damaged parts. One after nearly 15 years use and the other after maybe 3 years use (to be fair in the second instance this was probably due to salt water getting into the first stage).

Anyway, when my Apeks 1sts fail I have been replacing them with Zeagle ZX-DSVs and that is what I am planning on doing in the future. If I could get the worn body section of the reg at anything near a reasonable price then I would keep on using Apeks. Just my 2 cents.

This is sort of what I mean. From what I heard the similarities are because this was to be the new design that would "fix" the problems that Apeks had. The sharp knife edge was the main issue addressed. I was wondering how much truth there was to this. Also if that is the case is the Zeagle a better reg?? It was basically put to me that the Zeagle was better as it was designed off the Apeks and issues adressed.

 

[Jimmer]

I personally feel the Zeagles are better regs. I own 2 Flathead VI's and 2 DSV's and I have dove some Apeks on occassion, and I feel the Zeagles breathe smoother. Plus you can usually find them a little cheaper since Zeagle doesn't have MSRP restrictions, like Aqualung/Apeks. Also if you choose to do your own service on your regs, Zeagle rebuild kits can be purchased without any restrictions. A lot of people seem to struggle to find Apeks kits.

 

[tfsails]

The older pre-2001 Zeagles are Apeks regs (can't remember the model numbers of these) through and through except for the badging. Post-2001 the Zeagles are their own design, but basically identical in function to the Apeks. Nothing from one to the other is interchangeable, but they operate in the same identical manner. In the first stage, Zeagle has moved the soft side to the HP poppet seat and the poppet itself is metal. The seat is replaced every service interval. The second stage is physically smaller now and the poppet has different actuating lugs on it, but the stage also operates identically to its antecedent.

Zeagles are good regs; I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

 

[c6six]

So basically for cost reasons if nothing else I believe I'll start going with Zeagle over Apeks!

THANKS ALL

 

[sporket]

Love my Flathead VI, its awesome. I'm now worried about setting them up for doubles. Not trying to hijack the thread. But it may be a considering factor. To my understanding the Apeks XTX series is better suited for doubles.

 

[Jimmer]

Love my Flathead VI, its awesome. I'm now worried about setting them up for doubles. Not trying to hijack the thread. But it may be a considering factor. To my understanding the Apeks XTX series is better suited for doubles.

What information were you given that the Apeks are better than the Flatheads for doubles?

 

[sporket]

What information were you given that the Apeks are better than the Flatheads for doubles?

Hey Jimmer, I was led to think that the XTX series had a better hose routing than my beloved Flathead VI. Also, I have been "told" that the first stage's are very bulky and big in comparison to the Scubapros MK 25. These are primarily DIR divers (which whom I hope to join soon). What is your opinion?