ATX200 vs. DS4
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Yeah... my sentiments exactly. Never seen a TX100, but the TX50 is huge. I hear they are some of the best breathers and I'm not too crazy about Aqua-lung. Also thought about the Mares Abyss... good reg, a little more affordable.
Good luck with your choice.
Good luck with your choice.
Actually check out the Aqualung website http://www.aqualung.com and look at the new Legend LX regulators. As I'm sure you know Aqualung owns Apeks, so keeping that in mind...the Legend's first stage looks real similar to the Apeks ATX-200. Also, Sea-Quest is not distributing the ATX-100 in the US, they are going to keep distributing the tried and true TX-100.
I am wondering how much the Aqualung Legends are going to run...if they are real high like ATX-200 I'm probably just going to go with an ATX-50 or TX-100 instead but I'd at least like to get a close look at a Legend in my LDS before I make up my mind.
I am wondering how much the Aqualung Legends are going to run...if they are real high like ATX-200 I'm probably just going to go with an ATX-50 or TX-100 instead but I'd at least like to get a close look at a Legend in my LDS before I make up my mind.
large_diver
Contributor
Spyder Tek,
First of all -- take a look at JoelW's Apeks first stage link -- VERY HELPFUL!
There are a couple of reasons that tech divers prefer the DS4. First -- no swivel (some Apeks first stages have swivels, some don't). Some tech divers avoid swivels because to them this is another potential "failure point". Second, as I said in my original message -- hose routing. JoelW's comments again hit the nail on the head. The DS4 port orientation results in the reg hoses coming straight out vs at an upward angle with the TX-100 (it is hard to see if the ATX-200 first stage is the same as the TX-100). The pictures on JoelW's link make this more clear. This does not have to be an issue. There are plenty of divers out there using TX-100s for singles and doubles with no problems. If the angle seems different than you are used to, you can change things by mounting the first stage upside down, changing hose lengths, or changing the positioning of your tank in the BC.
Regarding the 1/2" port on the some of the first stages -- I personally wish they would get rid of this. They have assumed that everyone wants their primary second stage hose originating from this port (if you look at the picture of the TX-100 first stage on JoelW's link -- there are 3 ports on each side. The 1/2" LP port is the one on the top row that is closest to you when mounted on the tank). This is a BAD assumption. I actually have my necklaced back-up coming out of this port for cleaner routing, since it is on a shorter hose going directly from the tank to just under my chin (I use a port adapter with a "standard" 3/8" hose). It is a piece of complexity I wish they would do away with.
BTW, here is a link for the ATX200
http://www.sea-quest.com/pages/regs/reg_apeksATX200.html
Hope this helpful.
-LD
First of all -- take a look at JoelW's Apeks first stage link -- VERY HELPFUL!
There are a couple of reasons that tech divers prefer the DS4. First -- no swivel (some Apeks first stages have swivels, some don't). Some tech divers avoid swivels because to them this is another potential "failure point". Second, as I said in my original message -- hose routing. JoelW's comments again hit the nail on the head. The DS4 port orientation results in the reg hoses coming straight out vs at an upward angle with the TX-100 (it is hard to see if the ATX-200 first stage is the same as the TX-100). The pictures on JoelW's link make this more clear. This does not have to be an issue. There are plenty of divers out there using TX-100s for singles and doubles with no problems. If the angle seems different than you are used to, you can change things by mounting the first stage upside down, changing hose lengths, or changing the positioning of your tank in the BC.
Regarding the 1/2" port on the some of the first stages -- I personally wish they would get rid of this. They have assumed that everyone wants their primary second stage hose originating from this port (if you look at the picture of the TX-100 first stage on JoelW's link -- there are 3 ports on each side. The 1/2" LP port is the one on the top row that is closest to you when mounted on the tank). This is a BAD assumption. I actually have my necklaced back-up coming out of this port for cleaner routing, since it is on a shorter hose going directly from the tank to just under my chin (I use a port adapter with a "standard" 3/8" hose). It is a piece of complexity I wish they would do away with.
BTW, here is a link for the ATX200
http://www.sea-quest.com/pages/regs/reg_apeksATX200.html
Hope this helpful.
-LD
SpyderTek
Guest
Thank you Large,
That does give me at least one issue to think about on swivel first stages. I hadn't thought about the 'additional point of failure'.
I also hadn't realised it was acceptable form to mount the first stage in an upside down meathod. Is this standard when going double tank?
ST
That does give me at least one issue to think about on swivel first stages. I hadn't thought about the 'additional point of failure'.
I also hadn't realised it was acceptable form to mount the first stage in an upside down meathod. Is this standard when going double tank?
ST
large_diver
Contributor
ST,
I guess in a "perfect world" all regs would be the same and would be mounted the same regardless of whether you're using singles, doubles, etc. ;-)
Since all regs (and divers) are different, there are many different resulting configurations. No, it is not standard practice to mount first stages upside down....but again the port orientation and the given diver's gear config determines this.
As an example, take a look at this link for a picture of a doubles set-up using 2 TX-100 first stages -- this rig belongs to a tech-diving guy I know here in New England. He has actually mounted his TX-100s sideways in an effort to get the hoses routed in the way he wants them and to maintain a streamlined profile (hoses aren't sticking up or to the side -- potential snag points). This same guy mounts his TX-100 first stage upside down when diving single tank to enhance the hose routing (he is using a necklaced back-up and long primary hose). I am also using my TX-100 for single tank diving with a short hose necklaced back-up and a long hose primary. I mount my first stage "right side up" for now, although once my diving is done for the winter, I may screw around with the hose routing and see if the upside down routing is an improvement (I just bought my TX-100 earlier this year).
http://www.northeastdir.com/images/pages/hoserouting1.htm
Also -- regarding swivels -- there are plenty of people out there with swivels who don't have any issues. If you aren't getting into hard core tech diving, I think a reg with a first stage swivel is fine (as long as you prefer a swivel ergonomics).
Let me know if you have more questions.
-LD
Other reg orientation links:
http://www.h2oadventuregear.com/productinfo/regconfig.html
http://www.gue.com/equipment/regulators8.html
Good discussion here regarding upside down mounting (patmandu is the guy who's doubles are pictured in the northeastDIR link above -- you'll also see a few posts from me on this thread just before I bought my TX-100)
http://www.scubadiving.com/talk/read.php?f=1&i=280557&t=280557
I guess in a "perfect world" all regs would be the same and would be mounted the same regardless of whether you're using singles, doubles, etc. ;-)
Since all regs (and divers) are different, there are many different resulting configurations. No, it is not standard practice to mount first stages upside down....but again the port orientation and the given diver's gear config determines this.
As an example, take a look at this link for a picture of a doubles set-up using 2 TX-100 first stages -- this rig belongs to a tech-diving guy I know here in New England. He has actually mounted his TX-100s sideways in an effort to get the hoses routed in the way he wants them and to maintain a streamlined profile (hoses aren't sticking up or to the side -- potential snag points). This same guy mounts his TX-100 first stage upside down when diving single tank to enhance the hose routing (he is using a necklaced back-up and long primary hose). I am also using my TX-100 for single tank diving with a short hose necklaced back-up and a long hose primary. I mount my first stage "right side up" for now, although once my diving is done for the winter, I may screw around with the hose routing and see if the upside down routing is an improvement (I just bought my TX-100 earlier this year).
http://www.northeastdir.com/images/pages/hoserouting1.htm
Also -- regarding swivels -- there are plenty of people out there with swivels who don't have any issues. If you aren't getting into hard core tech diving, I think a reg with a first stage swivel is fine (as long as you prefer a swivel ergonomics).
Let me know if you have more questions.
-LD
Other reg orientation links:
http://www.h2oadventuregear.com/productinfo/regconfig.html
http://www.gue.com/equipment/regulators8.html
Good discussion here regarding upside down mounting (patmandu is the guy who's doubles are pictured in the northeastDIR link above -- you'll also see a few posts from me on this thread just before I bought my TX-100)
http://www.scubadiving.com/talk/read.php?f=1&i=280557&t=280557
Lost Yooper
Guest
I agree LD. The 1/2" port sucks. The reg is awesome though. I had to tune the first stage up to 130 psi from 120psi today though. I might bump it up another 5psi.
Does anyone know what IP they are running?
Mike
Does anyone know what IP they are running?
Mike
scuba_adventurer
Guest
This could be the wrong idea, but why not get both.
Doest the DS4 have the 1/2" port? I did not think so, but it is the Apeks I am least familiar with. If not ,you could mount your 200 on the right side, flip the hoses, and mount your DS on the left side with the hose coming out the left.
I have heard that the 200 will be very good breathing, but I have a question about it. Anybody have problems with unbalanced octos freeflowing at depth because of the increase in IP?
Doest the DS4 have the 1/2" port? I did not think so, but it is the Apeks I am least familiar with. If not ,you could mount your 200 on the right side, flip the hoses, and mount your DS on the left side with the hose coming out the left.
I have heard that the 200 will be very good breathing, but I have a question about it. Anybody have problems with unbalanced octos freeflowing at depth because of the increase in IP?
I dive doubles unless I'm teaching an OW class. I recently purchased an ATX200 for primary post and switched TX 100 to second post. The 100 works better for me due to the shape of the first stage on the ATX200. I can see where one could get confused if ever doing a shutdown of manifold.
As for breathing, the 200 is the closest thing I've seen to heaven. At 240fsw, mine works fine. Hope this helps
As for breathing, the 200 is the closest thing I've seen to heaven. At 240fsw, mine works fine. Hope this helps
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