Aqua-lung Or Scubapro?

[ERIC.K]

Since it would seem that many of us post to help each other decide which reg to buy, I thought it might be my turn. We as divers are at a major disadvantage because we cannot go into a dive shop and simply say, "I want to take that reg on a test dive" and if you might be lucky enough to have a shop hand you the reg it might only be in their 10 foot training pool. Here in Ohio you would be hard pressed to find a shop that would offer up new gear to "get wet"! most shops offer very little gear on hand. Most have to order gear on a "must purchase" basis unlike dive destination shops where it might help sales to have rental gear that they actually sell. I'm sure thats why we see so many "which reg to buy" threads. I thought that I would just go out and buy a reg without difficulties but here I am. My regs to choose from 1.) Aqua-lung Titan LX 2.) Aqua-Lung legend and the adjustable Legend LX 3.) Scubapro MK20 and S600. ALL regs i'm sure I would be happy with, so whats all the trouble? This adjustable reg thing! I hear most of you talking about adjusting regs and never using the knob again, I plan never to be 300 feet in a cave! but I do want the best I can have with not purchasing something I don't need! I'm 100+ dives into my logbook and have rented alot of gear, all of which have been non-adjustable regs and never wished I could have adjusted a reg but Maybe if I could have adjusted the reg It would have increased my enjoyment of the Dive! Thanks Eric, P.S Apeks just does not appeal to me, i've seen only one reg in the apeks line and it seems not to be really popular here in Cincy, well, nothing is real popular in Cincy....Thanks again

 

[Goldminer]

Originally posted by ERIC.K
<snip> This adjustable reg thing! I hear most of you talking about adjusting regs and never using the knob again, I plan never to be 300 feet in a cave! but I do want the best I can have with not purchasing something I don't need! <snip>

P.S Apeks just does not appeal to me, i've seen only one reg in the apeks line and it seems not to be really popular here in Cincy, well, nothing is real popular in Cincy....Thanks again

Given your choice I would lean toward the Scubapro they have a good reputation, not to say that Aqualung is bad, just Scubapro seems to be better. But I am curious about what makes the Apeks so unpopular in Cinci? I admit that I am biased, I own a TX100 (the S600 was my second choice) but I have read an awfull lot of good things on newgroups and chat rooms about Apeks. Even the DIR crowd likes the DS4. It was good reviews like these that sold me on my Apeks. If you search around even a little bit you will find someone who will tell you that any reg on the market is bad and you should stay away from them (in my cynical experience usually a dealer that doesn't carry that brand).

As for adjustability in a second stage, I find it usefull at and near surface not at 300 feet. I enjoy setting the reg at a really light cracking pressure but this is usless at surface where every wave slap aginst it will induce a free flow. I adjust mine every dive.

Reulators are life support equipment and I regard buying a good reg as life insurance. I don't think you should buy a good enough reg for the type of diving you usually do. You buy a reg that can easily deal with the most dificult situation you may find yourself in when things go wrong, your buddy in an OOA situation, at depth, stressed, in a current, task loading etc. Get the best reg you can afford. That choice will be a bit abitrary and everyone here has their favourites. That reg will probably have some adjustability on it as well. When I bought I did it after weighing a lot of recommendations and listening to the reasons why.

 

[MNScuba]

I'd second the vote for Scubapro... excellent reputation and I love mine.

 

[Scuba446]

Hi,
I have used (I'm still a novice) - SP's R380 and AIR2 (octo) and my Aqua Lung Titan XLC and Aqua Lung Legend LX and Mares Axis.

Actually, I found my Aqua Lung to breathe better than the R380 and the AIR2 - even though the AIR2 isn't really going to be a super performer as an octo.

I found both the R380 and the AIR2 to breath a tad 'hard' - but that was MY experience. I was more impressed with my Aqua Lungs.

My Mares Axis isn't bad either, but I'd probably buy an Apeks ATX or TX 100 as my next choice.

I haven't heard one thing bad about the Apeks - and just pondered one thing - if Apeks can make sucha great reg - how come everyone else can't?

 

[ERIC.K]

As asked in an earlier response to my question, I know of only 1 Dealer here in Cincinnati that carries the Apeks line, they are also a Aqua-Lung and Tusa dealer, but by far the main line of regs they carry is Aqua-Lung! I can appreciate everyones enthusiasm for the Apeks line but dealers in Cincy carry what sells and Apeks must not sell, because they are damn hard to find! or maybe everyone buys them all? hummm. All of the regs in cincy that line the walls seem to be Mares, Scubapro, and Aqua-Lung. Now I don't want to get into a apeks-vs-every other reg debate. back to this adjustable thing again, and maybe this sould be under equipment discussion, but as I understand the adjustment knob is that under pressure at depth the reg can be adjusted to "breath" better or easier due to unscrewing the spring within the second stage. If that adjustment is so important why do you hear of people using the knob once and letting it be? I have made dives to 100+ feet only a handful of times, I'm more happy at medium depths where I can have more bottom time, if that adjustment is used at depth is there any benefit to using the adjustment if you just set it "in the middle"? and stay at say 50 feet to fart around? Lastly I have handled all of the regs I mentioned, just a question? to the s600 owners, this viva knob it felt kinda cheesy when you open and close the knob, kinda like a dollar store wind up toy to me? it felt like it was a ratchet knob of sorts, any problems with this? The venturi knob on the Legend,smooth as silk, one more thing those of you with adjustable second stages, do you really tune them in every dive? and about this free flow thing, I feel that divers who have free flowing regs look kinda newbie if you ask me, with adjustable regs do you just screw them down at the surface to prevent that? have you read any old posts talking about adjustable regs....Thanks Eric

 

[Rick Murchison]

Just got in two Legends. I don't have enough dives on 'em to be really definitive yet, (maintenance requirements, ease of servicing etc) but so far they are the sweetest breathing regs I've ever used in over 30 years of diving.
I think I'm gonna decide they're mighty good.
Rick

 

[Scuba446]

Hi,
As soon as I get to evaluate my AquaLung Legend LX I'll post results here....

As far as adjustment knobs, I use the simple venturi adjustment on my AquaLung Titan XLC on dives if:

1. It free flows at surface from being on the TOO sensative setting (never usually happens)

2. If I want air on-demand to be delivered easier with less effort.

There aren't many LDS's here that have Apeks - but I doubt that means their are sucky! I was just looking at some ATX100's at DiveInn and I sure like the features on their 1st stage - looks pretty sweet too. Maybe you'll want to take a look at some TEST REPORTS on:

http://www.divernet.com/equipment/equipment1.htm

They list Apeks, Scubapro, AquaLung, Mares, etc.

As the understand it, the adj knob is used to adjust 'cracking pressure' - or, the effort required to open the demand valve for air. I have not had enough experience wiht them yet (newbie) to decide if they require more 'playing around' than diving - but others here may be able to respond to that concern in more detail.

I don't think a diver could go wrong with ANY of the high-end Scubapro or Apeks regs, even the AquaLungs...

As I said befoe, I found in our classes and our OW dives, that my AquaLung Titan performed even better than the SP R380's, ESPECIALLY if I had the reg horizontal to the surface. But then, I have seen many regs do this in that posiion in the water... ????

Mares - well, as I stated in other posts, I have one of their octo's -and its been OK, but I just am not THAT crazy about it.

Check out some mail order places, like DIVVEINN or Lesiure Pro - you can get Apeks, AquaLung, SP and Mares at great prices, and variety, vs your LDS, if necessary, in Cincy.

Good luck!

 

[deepocean]

Hi

Are you going to dive warm or cold waters?
IF you are going to dive warm waters Defenitly go for the SP-MK25. Very easy to maintain with minimum parts and very reliable in warm waters. Cold waters: Apeks is your choice or Zeagle. If not available considering AquaLung is not a bad thing. Their new lines is partly designed by Apeks Technicians i heard. (Apeks helped AL wit desiging ideas i heard, but i am not sure btw).

Have fun, xerxes

 

[deepocean]

Hi Eric

forgot to mention: why dont you purchase your regs. from www.simplyscuba.co.uk ? you get even VAT subtraction. 11%!

Very cheap compared to USA i heard! Or consider www.scubastore.com I have some exprience with the last one and i have to say their Customer service is EXCELLENT !!! They are really VERY helpfull also AFTER you bought everything! Nice people.

And very important you can buy Apeks! he he


Have fun, Xerxes

 

[Max]

Two regulator setups, my wife uses the Aqualung legend Lx octopus is SC R380, I use SC Mk25/S600. We have about 30+ dives 60-90 feet. I love my scubapro, my wife refuses to give up her Aqualung. I was able to persuade her to let my try out the legend, maybe it was my imagination but it did seem to be a smoother regulator. As far as the adjustment knobs, we do use them not sure how much difference they make.
max