Apeks WTX Harness - Experiences?

[dugur13]

Hi, I'm new to SB and a fairly new diver as well. I will soon be leaving for a three month divemaster training program and need to purchase some equipment. I am working with an aqualung dealer and have been strongly considering the WTX Harness system w/32# cell for my BC. It seems like a high quality option that lies between a BP/W setup and a traditional BC, like a Diverite Transpac I'd imagine. Since I'm probably going to be buying apeks regs (xtx200) and a suunto comp (vytec), I am trying to keep in the same company of products for ease of servicing.

There are few posts on this product as it is fairly new, and I am looking to get some experiences or impressions.

I will be diving in warm water for the internship, and will be traveling quite a bit, but I will probably return to California afterward which is temperate to cold water diving. Any suggestions regarding my equipment - my other options are the Black Diamond or the Balance I suppose. It seems like the B Diamond might be a bit bulky, and the Balance might not provide enough room for growth.

Thanks

 

[terrasmak]

I check it out at the LDS , OMG what a Joke . It is junk . The harness is not attached to the plate , the STA is not attached to the plate and will wobble like mad from side to side. There were many other things a laughed about when say it . Look into DSS instead , get there comfert harness and youll be much better off.

 

[sbushong]

+1 on what Terrasmak said. The wing has some issues too. I checked one out and the quality was not up to par. Also, the inflator hose on wing is WAYYY too long. The DSS stuff is great and Oxycheq also makes some very innovative wings.

 

[scubanimal]

I do own one, and there are pros and cons just like any other setup. The question is what is right for you. At this stage of your training, you may not be as aware of what is important to you; I know my needs changed over the years.

This is Apeks first venture into the tek world, and as admitted by the sales rep it was designed to appeal to wanna-be tec divers vice real / experienced tec divers. I had to redo a lot on mine to get it right. I use it with my doubles but I had to change out the BC as well as all the D Rings (I prefer rigid). I not need or use an STA on it, nor does it flop/wobble. But it is not my first choice for a single tank dives. On the plus side, BP/W setups are easy to pack for trips.

Pros - the weight system. I'm a big guy and need quite a bit of lead regardless of the type of diving, and so the pocket system was a big factor for me. Even in tropic waters I need 20lbs. I'm not as limber as I was, plus have had a few shoulder injuries so a few of the features of the Apeks appealed to me. For me it is easy to trim, as I do a lot of photography and I need to be other than just level. If you don't need much beyond the plate for weight then there are systems that may be more appropriate. I happen to like the long inflator hose, it rests in just the right spot for me, but someone with a smaller frame it indeed could be way to long. You will need to secure it with a bungee or clip though.

Cons - Like any BP/W setup on the surface is not as comfortable. If the type of diving you're going to do is in&down fine, but if you expect to be on the surface for extended periods you will want to be comfortable. Most folks can get comfortable with skills but it can be frustrating when first learning.

There is a lot of hoopla over BP/W setups, they are way to similar to the late 70s rigs I used, and I chuckle quite a bit when I pull out my first one and compare it to my new BP/W. Some improvements but not the end-all-be-all. My advice is finish out your training, rent-borrow etc a few different BCDs to find what you are comfortable in and fits your physical needs. Match it to the type of diving you're going to do or at least what you think you're going to be interested in.

Take your time and try out many things, get what is right for you. They are way too expensive to chose by cool factor or 'cause my buddy has one. Good luck.

 

[BSea]

There is a lot of hoopla over BP/W setups, they are way to similar to the late 70s rigs I used, and I chuckle quite a bit when I pull out my first one and compare it to my new BP/W. Some improvements but not the end-all-be-all. My advice is finish out your training, rent-borrow etc a few different BCDs to find what you are comfortable in and fits your physical needs. Match it to the type of diving you're going to do or at least what you think you're going to be interested in.

Take your time and try out many things, get what is right for you. They are way too expensive to chose by cool factor or 'cause my buddy has one. Good luck.

I agree 100%. I too use a BP/W and it's so similar to my 1st setup.

If you try the BP/W, you might want to use a comfort harness. Both DSS & Oxycheq have them, along with Dive Rite. You get the benefits of a backplate with the adjustability of the apeks harness.

I know several people that have the Apex harness. They all seem to like them. But I don't think any of them use a steel backplate with their's. So it isn't much different than a regular back inflated bc. I'm sure their tank wobbles a bit, but that's one of the con's of a bc compared to a BP/W. The BP/W will make the tank feel like it's locked to you body. It just won't move around if your harness is adjusted properly.

BTW, I use the Apex weight pockets when I need allot of weight. I haven't found anything better.

 

[SparticleBrane]

Halcyon? Agir?

 

[LG Diver]

You should go read some of the infamous Aqualung thread over in the basic discussions forum and then decide if Aqualung is a company you want to support with all of your purchasing decisions. There are better products out there and there are certainly more consumer-friendly companies out there.

 

[stoiclown]

I have an Apeks BPW I really like it. Very Simple, no wobble at all. I can hover in any position, upside down, laying down, etc. After playing around in the pool with it, the instructors and divemasters I work with are getting also purchasing them. The Apeks equipment was tested by a world famous tech diver, and apeks has been in the tech business for many years. Take a look at what Aqua Lung sells to the military.

If you like the Apeks harness buy it, afterall you configure it how you want it.

 

[ae3753]

Welcome to SB!

If you are planning on being a dive professional, keep in mind that many shops have a strong preference for you to dive the gear that they sell. So if you plan on coming back to the California, you should talk the shop and staff and see what their standards are.

As for the Apeks BC, I use the WTX-3 wing with a Hammerhead backplate and am luke warm about it. It replaced a Dive Rite Trek wing, and I feel that it was a lateral move at best.

The WTX-3 wing is very wide and big. As the result, with my set-up, it wraps significantly and requires conscious air management to vent. In addition, the dumps are not close enough to the highest points of the wing so venting is inefficient.

I also don't care for the power inflator or the dump. They are very aggressive. If you are in a hurry to inflate or dump air, they are great. However, if you want to fine tune, it's not that good.

Of the single tank wings I dove, I rank the WTX-3 wing with the Zeagle Ranger wing. Both are large and require management and some patience while waiting for air to migrate from one side of the wing to the other. Not the end of the world, but not as slick as the more compact wing. On the other end of the spectrum, I really like the Dive Rite Travel wing. Small and compact, it vents easily and quickly. A downside is that it feels like it's overrated capacity wise. I'd be amazed it it really is 30#s of lift.

Overall, the WTX-3 wing is ho hum. It's not bad enough that I need to get rid of it. But it's not good enough that I'd recommend it to anyone.

 

[BSea]

Welcome to SB!

As for the Apeks BC, I use the WTX-3 wing with a Hammerhead backplate and am luke warm about it.

I also had the apex wing with a hammerhead BP, but took the wing back as it didn't line up with the cam stap slots on the BP. It was fine with the STA, but I only use the BP without the STA in warmer water, so the wing didn't work. I replaced it with an oxycheq signature wing. The oxycheq a much nicer wing, and has longer slots for the cam strap so it will work with most if not all BP out there.

I was wondering if you have tried the wing without the STA?