ATX200 proces in UK and Sharm

[steve_r0binson]

Hi,

I have been told to wait till I go to Sharm in Egypt before getting my regs as it is cheaper there. Is this true and are they the same quality. Would I have any problems getting them fixed under warranty if they went wrong. £300 is a lot of money for this reg and I don't want any problems exchanging them if I have to. Thanks

 

[wetlettuce]

Hi

£300 is a lot of money to spend. I recently went looking for this reg but after loads of research found out that the ATX 100 is as good a performer and you'll save £50 or so.

I didn't buy an Apeks at all in the end as they use a special intermediate hose on their first stage and I have gone off anything non standard.

I chose to go for an Aqualung legend (Aqualung own Apeks) which is coldwater ready also O2 to 40% from the box and has standard hoses and got it on a DIN fitting. I also have a Scubapro S600 MK25 which is excellent but am having that fitted with a DIN fitting as I type this.

That way if anything goes wrong you can just use a standard hose and I haven't lost a port on my first stage. Also most dive shops around the world can fix Aqualung or Scubapro regs. Also its only £200 ish

The reason I did all this is because my Mares Orbiter reg let me down in Oban and I couldn't get it fixed bacuse of the lack of Mares dealers. and then I found out that it was just an Oring inside the A type yoke fitting !

Would recommend that you have another look around. I doubt that Sharm sells stuff much cheaper and you will be lucky to find a DIN fitting off the shelf as it is all A types over there.

 

[steve_r0binson]

Why did you change to Din is there an advantage?

 

[nickjb]

There are loads of advantages (search?). The other question is are there ANY advantages to A-clamp? If you are buying new then definitely get DIN.

 

[wetlettuce]

Hi

Main advantage is that there are fewer O-rings meaning less things to go wrong. There is loads of info on this board and also on www.gasdiving.co.uk. Also it is more streamlined as the Yoke on an Atype can get bang tangled etc.

Also it is easy to convert an Din to an Atype if you need it but you cannot convert a Atype to a DIN. Most cylinders can be converted to DIN in just a few seconds.

Using Atype in Oban cost me a days diving because the Oring went. I didn't know then how to fix this stuff but do now. If I was using Din probably wouldn't have had this problem.

 

[The Chairman]

I have heard the argument to the contrary, and I just don't buy it. That being said, I use DIN as I use HP tanks. 200 bar fittings don't go on 300 bar tanks.

If you plan on staying @ 3300 psi or lower, A-Clamps are fine. They do have more to tangle on, but they present little additional hazzard for most divers. Most of the world uses K valves which are accessed using an A-Clamp.

If you plan to do wreck diving (lots of tangles) or use HP, than DIN is a must. But then you are limited to using an adapter, or providing your own tanks most of the time.

 

[steve_r0binson]

OK, I think as more people use K type and I will be traveling I will get an A clamp fitting. If you can change this with an extra fitting to make is a din then I will get this when I get my own tanks for diving in the UK.

I am new to diving so I may not make much sense.

1) dont have my own tanks or regs yet.
2) will dive abroard so cant take tanks.
3) want to dive all over UK so will investigate best setup form home use.

 

[nickjb]

I've dived in quite a few places around the world and have NEVER been to anywhere that you can't rent DIN tanks. It is an American thing, so this might not be the case over there. DIN is getting more and more popular (as are metres, litres and kilograms ).

Get a DIN. You will definitely be fine in Sharm and the UK. If you do end up somewhere without DIN compatible tanks (where??) then you can buy an adapter for £10.

DIN really is much better

...But it is your money.

 

[wetlettuce]

Hi

It is your money but if you're diving progresses and you end up wanting to use doubles etc then you'll need DIN. The reg you buy will last easily 5 years.

Like I said, a DIN can be converted to A Type with an adaptor when a cylinder isn't available. An adaptor costs £30 or thereabouts.

When I was in Sharm in April DIN cylinders were available on every dive.

When I go to Sharm in June 2003 it will be with a full DIR setup and DIN regs. I'll just take an adaptor if DIN cylinders aren't available although you can check beforehand. I dive with Oonas and they're very helpful.

When you do buy you're cylinders then you'll probably end up with Fabers. All Fabers new cylinders can be adapted to DIN with an allen key in seconds.

My first regs were A type and I wish I'd bought DIN and now I'm having them all converted.

One of my new mottos

"Learn from other peoples mistakes. Life's too short to repeat them all yourself "

 

[steve_r0binson]

Thanks for all the info. I think I will get my new DIN stuff here with an a type adapter.