Apeks XTX200 vs Atomic B2

[DuncanLee]

Hi Everyone,

I am Planning to get a regulator, however I am not sure which to choose from.

Please kindly give your comment for the following 2 regulator that I more likely to buy.

1) APEKS XTX200
2) Atomic Aquatics B2

And from one of the shop they offer Atomic Aquatics SS1 (Inflator/Regulator) together with B2. But I am not sure how good or how SS1 perform. Can anyone advice the SS1 Inflator/regulator together.

Or it will be better to have 2nd air-souce for a regulator set?

Regards,
Duncan

 

[Tortuga68]

I have Apeks XTX200 regs, and would recommend them to anyone - easy, dry breathing at any depth/position

I would suggest you get a regular secondary (eg Apeks XTX50) rather than the SS1 - combined reg/inflators are no good for buddy sharing

 

[super7]

I have Apeks XTX200 regs, and would recommend them to anyone - easy, dry breathing at any depth/position

I would suggest you get a regular secondary (eg Apeks XTX50) rather than the SS1 - combined reg/inflators are no good for buddy sharing

Same opinion here. I also have an Apeks XTX200 with XTX50 octo.

 

[scubajcf]

I have both and recommend both at any time. The B2 is less expensive and has one of the best Work of Breathing rates in the industry. I have been diving B2s and B1s for years and have put many students in them. I also have some XTX 50s and 200s. Great quality and the average diver could never tell the difference between the B2 or 200.

As for the SS1, it is supposed to have the exact same Work of Breathing rating as the B2. If you are looking for a good performing air integrated inflator hose, the SS1 is one of the best.

The air source is great for streamling and eliminating hoses. I also like it because you are donating the primary hose from your mouth and your alternate is on your chest versus on your side. A lot of folks do not like them because they think the corrugated hose is too small.

With training and practice, they are both very good options ... pony bottle is the best option!


jcf

 

[pkdiver]

I have an APEKS XTX 100 and XTX 50 octo and agree with Tortuga and Super above. Great regs. I was considering going to an octo/inflator but as a DM I decided to stick with a standard octo as it it easier when working with and assisting students. IMO anyway.

 

[fnfalman]

I love my B2. Frankly I can't tell the difference between it and the various rental regulators. But I do like the swiveling hose joint feature that keeps the second stage from twisting out of my mouth, and the swiveling turret on the 1st stage is also nice.

 

[SDAnderson]

Both the XTX200 and the B2 are excellent regulators. The piston design of the B2 causes concern for cold water divers and the swivel is a gimmick, otherwise your choice should come down to acquisition costs, maintenance costs and, if you're a travel diver, service availability.

Skip the integrated octo. The problems they cause are worse than the problems they resolve.

 

[BDSC]

Hi Everyone,

I am Planning to get a regulator, however I am not sure which to choose from.

Please kindly give your comment for the following 2 regulator that I more likely to buy.

1) APEKS XTX200
2) Atomic Aquatics B2

And from one of the shop they offer Atomic Aquatics SS1 (Inflator/Regulator) together with B2. But I am not sure how good or how SS1 perform. Can anyone advice the SS1 Inflator/regulator together.

Or it will be better to have 2nd air-souce for a regulator set?

Regards,
Duncan

Hello Duncan.

I don't have any experience with APEKS regulators but I have dove Atomics a couple of times and if I didn't already have an excellent Scubapro setup, I'd buy an Atomics. I think overall they are the best regs on the market. So I'd say go with the B2 but I have no doubt the APEKS reg is a good one also. Probably can't make a wrong decision.

But I would highly recommend the Inflator/Regulator combo. I've been diving the Scubapro AIR II since I was certified back in 1991 and have had zero problems with it. I like the fact that I have one less hose attached and I think you are a little more streamlined with a SSI type system. And my AIR II breathes just fine. Not as good as my regular reg but it's there for a backup and not a primary so it doesn't need to be quite as good as my main reg. Definitely get the Inflator/Reg combo.

BDSC

 

[beanojones]

Integrated inflator regs are great, and I think everyone should use them.

As long as your primary second stage has an long hose on it.

Atomics and Apeks make great regs. If you are getting the SS1 and you can afford it, get the titanium version.

 

[giles45shop]

I think you'll find you're definitely in the minority here w/ that comment. Another "solution" to a non-problem.

Kind of like your comment about a titanium regulator.

Integrated inflator regs are great, and I think everyone should use them.

As long as your primary second stage has an long hose on it.

Atomics and Apeks make great regs. If you are getting the SS1 and you can afford it, get the titanium version.