Apeks XTX50 or Zeagle F8...or other?

[buddhasummer]

Scroll down and read divads post.

Other small barrel poppet second stage other than AL Mikron, Apeks Flight?

 

[NorCalDM]

I’ve been using the Apeks XTX50 for about threes years now and love it, my wife and son now use it as well. I have AL legend, Scubpro and Oceanic regulators and all have sat on the shelf since I got the Apeks it breathes great, easy to work on and have never had an issue with it.

 

[McJosh13]

I have both an Apex FSR and Zeagle F8. In my (un-profesional) opinion, both are extremely high quality but I much prefer the design of the Flathead Zeagle F8. It is low profile and I never hit my head on it.. tons of clearence. I do often have a problem with bumping my head on the FSR which can be annoying. I also like the hose routing with the zeagle.

 

[ams511]

As a newbie, you should evaluate your needs. First, don't listen to your LDS if they are pushing you to the most expensive regulators. Second, don't buy a regulator for future "tech" diving. If you are tech diving you will need double tanks, so that means purchasing more regulators. If you want to reuse your singles for doubles then I would recommend either the MK-25 / G-260, S-620, S-600 combo or the Apeks DST/XTX40 or 50. These first stages will be the most flexible for hose routing. Even if you don't plan on reusing the regulators for doubles diving, I would still make the same recommendation because you can use your singles set as a spare in case you run into issues with your doubles set and need to swap out the first or second stage.

I would recommend watching the Dive Rite Videos on singles setups. UTD, Coastal Development and others also have videos on singles and doubles setup. I also recommend reading " The Fundamentals of Better Diving" to see what a technical configuration is.

 

[Scuba Doobie Do]

As a newbie, you should evaluate your needs. First, don't listen to your LDS if they are pushing you to the most expensive regulators.

I think the only way I'm letting the LDS steer my decision is buying new and keeping up with the service for free parts.

I've based my decision thus far just on wanting a good breathing reg that will stand up to harsh environments or cold (Ohio quarries), and that I could grow into and not be wanting to upgrade anytime soon.

I don't necessarily need the best but I can afford to do it right on the first try so I feel like I might as well get a high quality regulator.

From there the decision is just based on what's available/serviceable here which narrowed me down to the Apeks/Zeagle decision.

Travel might honestly be a bigger consideration than a potential move to tech diving, but all in all I just want a regular I'll be happy with.

 

[Anthony A.]

If you service your regs regularly, the chance of them getting screwy while travelling is slim. Either zeagle or apeks is a good choice and i wouldnt worry about servicability while away.

 

[ams511]

I've based my decision thus far just on wanting a good breathing reg that will stand up to harsh environments or cold (Ohio quarries), and that I could grow into and not be wanting to upgrade anytime soon.

It is your money and you can spend however you want to. However, there are very few bad breathing regulators out there, especially from the main stream manufacturers. The liability cost is too much to produce crap. I dove in PA quarries which I don't believe are any warmer than Ohio quarries in Sherwoods and Oceanics. Two brands that get little love on SB and I never had a problem. I got into Scubapro and Apeks latter.

Usually the best value in a main stream manufacturer's lineup is in the middle of the range. For example with Aqualung it is the Core line, with SP it is the S560 (Same as the S600 with a plastic air barrel. For Apeks it is the ATX line, if you want adjustable seconds a person in the UK sells the knobs for $15.00 or so. There is a YouTube video on how to install them.

Regardless of the advertising, regulators are a mature technology. Any improvements are going to be evolutionary than revolutionary.

 

[Scuba Doobie Do]

You guys make it sound like these regulators are way overkill for me huh?

For Apeks it is the ATX line, if you want adjustable seconds a person in the UK sells the knobs for $15.00 or so.

Is there no difference between the 40 fitted with these knobs and the OEM knobs on the 50? That doesn't sound like a bad plan.

I could save a bit in the regs going that route but if I then need to get knobs shipped over and installed by my shop is it really going to save me much in the end? I'm not sure how comfortable I am messing with brand new regs (even though I'm sure that's a pretty simple mod).

 

[KenGordon]

You guys make it sound like these regulators are way overkill for me huh?

They are overkill for everyone. Buy an Apeks DS4 with ATX40 second stage. This is a bit more than half the price of the fancier regs but inside it is the same. The external knob is pointless. Get the reg set up properly when it is serviced and dive it like that. They all have a venturi adjustment so you can turn down your octopus to reduce freeflow on jumping in.

The DST with a 5th port is handy for twinsets as it reduces the strain on the hoses. You can buy a lot of hoses for the difference though.

If you ever find yourself looking at £800 regulator sets have a bit of a lie down.

 

[Scuba Doobie Do]

I'm ok not having the adjustment knob if they are really used as infrequently as you say. Do people really just set it and forget it? Is it that useless??
The only reason I like the idea of having the crack pressure control is that i can potentially use it to adjust and correct a freeflow or worn seat if need be. Or just adjust the pressure to taste... Is it really that useless? I really wonder how much people actually use them?