Apex XTX50 and XTX40 - which first stage to choose?

[grf88]

The FSR can certainly be connected to a drysuit. The 5th port on the regs is more a convenience of hose routing in certain configurations rather than the need for an additional port.

 

[Tiago Machado]

The FSR can certainly be connected to a drysuit. The 5th port on the regs is more a convenience of hose routing in certain configurations rather than the need for an additional port.

Oh right, I was counting wrong the ports. That said, I don't think I need the 5th port at all. At least for the next 5 years, I do wonder why people still choose DS4 over FSR since the cost is basically the same (at least in Europe)

 

[Tiago Machado]

By the way, just to make it interesting, what do you think about the Aqualung Legend MBS?

LEG3ND MBS - Aqua Lung CA - Recreational and Professional Scuba Diving Gear

 

[rsingler]

By the way, just to make it interesting, what do you think about the Aqualung Legend MBS?

The MBS is a dumbed-down system that combines two completely separate functions: Venturi breathing assist and cracking effort.
It assumes divers are dumb and makes one knob an "easy/hard" adjustment.

Cracking effort is the amount of suck you have to apply to "crack" the valve open. It's a triggering force and is static.
Venturi flow assistance is a dynamic force that uses the Venturi principle to keep the valve open during a breath. This becomes important in two places: during the giant stride in, and when diving deep.

During the giant stride, if smacking the octo's reg face against the water triggers flow, having the Venturi adjustment in "Pre-dive" allows the valve to close unless the octo is sitting perfectly "mouthpiece up" in the water.
At depth, when air is "thicker" due to atmospheres of compression, the Venturi flow assist helps breathing by keeping the valve open wide.

The cracking effort function is one that very few divers ever adjust. In very cold water diving, it sometimes helps prevent freeflow to make your breathing resistance slightly harder. And some people erroneously believe that having too easy a breath "wastes gas". It does not.

So in my opinion, the Elite is to be preferred over the MBS. When you want your Venturi off during giant stride, turn it off. It won't affect the ease with which you breathe, because you haven't changed cracking effort. Don't mess with cracking effort, except to perhaps tighten it a hair if a reg (due for service) starts to dribble a little freeflow. You can often temporarily correct an old seat's leak by adding spring pressure with the resistance knob. Or tighten it a hair for cold water diving (along with having the first stage IP lowered).

Combining two different functions and claiming a new "Master Breathing System" is Marketing BS (MBS) .

But it's got a great first stage!

My 2 cents.

 

[Centrals]

Oh right, I was counting wrong the ports. That said, I don't think I need the 5th port at all. At least for the next 5 years, I do wonder why people still choose DS4 over FSR since the cost is basically the same (at least in Europe)

Are you sure about the cost?
FSR is about £100.00 more expensive than DS4 in UK.

 

[buddhasummer]

Oh right, I was counting wrong the ports. That said, I don't think I need the 5th port at all. At least for the next 5 years, I do wonder why people still choose DS4 over FSR since the cost is basically the same (at least in Europe)

There is no way that a DS4 is "basically the same" cost as an FSR anywhere in the world, more like double the price.

 

[buddhasummer]

Not quite:

"So let's if I got everything right:

FSR
- Replaceable high pressure orifice
- 2 HP Ports
- Environmentally Sealed
- No Turret
- 5th port option
- 4 LP Ports - plus option to add 5th. 2x regs, 1x BC, 1x drysuit that's only 4 lp ports, it's enough.

DST
- Swivel Turret
- 2 HP ports
- 5th LP port option
- Environmentally Sealed
- Not replaceable high pressure orifice

DS4
- Environmentally Sealed
- No Turret
- Not replaceable high pressure orifice
- No option for 5th LP Port
- One HP Port

UST
- Identical to DST save enviro sealing

Is that it?"

 

[Centrals]

Is that it?

There is huge price differences.

UST is about the half the price of DST/FSR.
You have to take that into account, otherwise not a fair comparison.

 

[Scuba Client]

By the way, just to make it interesting, what do you think about the Aqualung Legend MBS?

LEG3ND MBS - Aqua Lung CA - Recreational and Professional Scuba Diving Gear

Can't go wrong with Aqualung.

 

[Scuba Client]

The cracking effort function is one that very few divers ever adjust. In very cold water diving, it sometimes helps prevent freeflow to make your breathing resistance slightly harder. And some people erroneously believe that having too easy a breath "wastes gas". It does not.

Does the same principle work when using Trimix at depth?