Apex ATX100 or 200

[SimonJ]

Am thinking about buying my first regulator and from what I have read the Apex regs are about as good as you can get. That said, I have a couple of questions and would really appreciate anyones thoughts...

The only bad thing I have heard is that they exhaust is too small and the result is lots of bubbles hitting the mask and obscuring the view...is this true? As an underwater photographer, this would be a serious issue for me.

Is there are great deal of difference between the ATX100 and 200? Some reports I read suggest that there is no discernable difference between these two regs. If that is the case then the cheaper 100 would make more sense. All of my diving to date has been in tropical waters, but I may dive in the UK this year as well, so the Apex seems like a good balance for warm and cold water.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated, including other regs that I should be considering.

 

[iflyprops]

I believe the only difference between the ATX100 and 200 is the way the ports are set up on the first stage, but my knowlege stops there. Good luck!

 

[LUBOLD8431]

The only difference is the first stage. The 100 is the "flathead 6" design, which has the environmental seal on the bottom. The 200 is a smaller first stage, with the environmental seal on the top. Like all APeks first stages, they use the same internal components. YOu cant go wrong with either. I had a 100 for a while with a TX second stage, and it was nice. They still have the TX series available. They are a little larger than the ATX series, and some of the bubble interference is negated. Good Luck...

 

[will_tekkie]

In my opinion the more important difference between both is that the atx100 has the seat machined in the body and the atx200 has one which can be changed. In case that during a service or anual overhaul the seat becomed damaged or scratched (for a not carefully done work) can be changed in the atx200 very easy and also very cheap. This will avoid a IP creeping problem. In case it happen in a atx100 body ..well you must seek for a new body or a mechanical tool for work on the damaged seat...

If i would buy a apex reg...i´d buy a ds4/atx50 (cheaper the same workable performace) or directly to atx200..( a SP mk25AF/g250..being other very good option)...

 

[ScubaRon]

I don't think the bubble interference is too bad. IMO the main issue with the Apeks is that they breathe very wet, especially in strange positions. You may want to take a look at the Aqualung Legend series: their first stage design is very similar to that of Apeks (no wonder since they're sister companies), but they have a superior 2nd stage.

 

[will_tekkie]

Any thoughts would be much appreciated, including other regs that I should be considering.

As i said , i would think a little about a SP reg., service is very easily to find worldwide, the reg can be upgraded for decades and the performance is quite interesting ( even better than apeks line )...if your diving is mostly done in warm water or at least in temperatures above 50F degrees a SP mk25 in a AF config could be included in your list of possible options..for colder temperatures i will go to a diafragm design.(a ds4/atx50 for example)..i dont know...diving in such temperatures is not a very funny thing for me... verlord:

 

[ScubaRon]

As i said , i would think a little about a SP reg., service is very easily to find worldwide, the reg can be upgraded for decades and the performance is quite interesting ( even better than apeks line )...if your diving is mostly done in warm water or at least in temperatures above 50F degrees a SP mk25 in a AF config could be included in your list of possible options..for colder temperatures i will go to a diafragm design.(a ds4/atx50 for example)..i dont know...diving in such temperatures is not a very funny thing for me... verlord:

Will, I completely agree with you, but.....the bloke is from London. The beer there may be 50F, but the lakes certainly aren't! :cheeky:

 

[ColdH20diving]

I don't think the bubble interference is too bad. IMO the main issue with the Apeks is that they breathe very wet, especially in strange positions. You may want to take a look at the Aqualung Legend series: their first stage design is very similar to that of Apeks (no wonder since they're sister companies), but they have a superior 2nd stage.

What make the Aqualung 2nd stage superior to the TX100/ATX200 2nd stages?

 

[LUBOLD8431]

Some people like the AQ second stage better than the Apeks. Reasons are slightly less bubble interference, and from some reports drier than the APeks.

 

[ColdH20diving]

Some people like the AQ second stage better than the Apeks. Reasons are slightly less bubble interference, and from some reports drier than the APeks.

I have a TX100 and ATX200, as you know the exhaust tee on the TX100 is a little wider. I actually was surprised that there was not that much difference in the bubble interference between the two.