Choice between xDeep Zeos and Apeks WTX?

[swgdesign]

HI all,

Have decided to finally switch from back inflate/wing BCD to a BP&W and what I would like to know is anyone has anything BAD to say about either the Zeos or WTX D30 setups (ignoring the price as I have a great deal to take advantage of)?

THanks
Simon

 

[ams511]

Nothing bad to say but I would purchase the Apeks because they are a much larger company than xDeep. If I needed service in the future I am fairly certain Aqualung will still be in business.

 

[ajduplessis]

I dive the new Apeks WTX wing (45), they are very, very durable and well designed. I can highly recommend them.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

I have the X Deep Zeos 38.
It's a quality piece of gear.
The back plate holes and slots have a big radius; smooth finish overall.
The wing outer shell and inner bladder compare favorably to my Halcyon Eclipse.
The Halcyon has been relegated to being a loaner rig since I bought the X Deep.
I couldn't tell you anything about the Apeks.
I purchased the X Deep because I own another one of their BCs and was impressed enough with it that I decided to buy one of their back plate/wing rigs.
Size of the company didn't matter to me when buying this type of gear.
However, as pointed out above, it may matter to you.

Cheers,
Mitch

 

[swgdesign]

Thanks for your input guys. I like both systems, but have heard that the WTX complete setup weighs more than the Zeos, but I cannot find any figures on the WTX weight - does anyone know?

xDeep have been around for quite a while so I doubt they'll be going anywhere fast so the brand doesn't matter so much. I can get the Zeos 28 Deluxe setup for slightly less than the wtx, BUT due to the recall on the wing itself am worried that I'll be sent a faulty wing and then have to send it back. Awaiting confirmation from the dive store.

Will the 28lb/30lb lift be enough? I am 5' 10", 95kg (Quite muscular/built, a little overweight but that is being dealt with haha).

I only ever dive warmish water (rash guard and boardies - 5mm full wetsuit) and with never more than say 12lbs/6kgs of lead if I remember correctly using a Mares Dragon BCD.

 

[CptTightPants21]

Thanks for your input guys. I like both systems, but have heard that the WTX complete setup weighs more than the Zeos, but I cannot find any figures on the WTX weight - does anyone know?

xDeep have been around for quite a while so I doubt they'll be going anywhere fast so the brand doesn't matter so much.
I can however get the Zeos 28lb setup for £120 less than the wtx! Surely that says it all...?


Will the 28lb/13kg lift be enough? I am 5' 10", 95kg (Quite muscular/built, a little overweight but that is being dealt with haha).

I only ever dive warmish water (rash guard and boardies - 5mm full wetsuit) and with never more than say 12lbs/6kgs of lead if I remember correctly using a Mares Dragon BCD.

Tell that to Mike at DRiS. He recently posted a thread about how his company is severing all ties with Xdeep. Their customer support is terrible in the US.

No experience with either wing, but based on the equipment I do use from those companies I would go with the Apeks.

 

[swgdesign]

I'm in the UK, and they're a EU company so I can understand support wouldn't be as good State side - although I bet this is more of a distributor issue?

That aside, with the utmost respect, I'm not interested in a non-UK dive centre/store owner's opinion as it doesn't have relevance over here. I have just phoned xDeep and the UK distributor and got all the information I required within 2 phone calls. To me, that is not bad customer service and the wing fault recall was back in 2011/12 for anyone else who might be wondering.

As the Apeks WTX setup is heavier by nearly 1kg and over £100 more expensive, I think the xDeep Zeos 28 has me hook, line and sinker!

---------- Post added August 18th, 2015 at 12:56 PM ----------

Soooo, back to me original question; is the 28lb wing enough with 12l alu tank use?

Thanks

 

[ajduplessis]

The WTX is a heavy wing, the heaviest I have come across. Part of the weight is the steel cable with the inflator hose. Everything on that wing is thick and tough.

 

[ams511]

I suggest you look at the threads here and on other sites on the xDeep computer. Besides problems here in the U.S. there were also problems in Europe. Granted a BC is much lower tech than a bottom timer but you can gauge the company's customer service from the poster's comments. The backplate will never need anything and the harness will only need webbing replacement once in a blue moon. The main thing to worry about is the wing. If it uses industry standard components and you can get a replacement bladder then you have everything you need to fix it if something goes wrong.

Apeks does have a limited lifetime warranty on their wings, if that matters to you. Not sure of xDeep's warranty.

 

[The Laconic]

Soooo, back to me original question; is the 28lb wing enough with 12l alu tank use?

Yes. I have the 38lb wing, and it's just more than is needed for warm-water, single-AL-tank diving. Not only is the 28 enough, it would be preferable.

Personally, I'm done buying their stuff, unless I can get it secondhand. I wouldn't be so confident that they're going to stick around. The release of the BLACK was a mess, the Zeos 28 was recalled, and their US business must be basically dead at this point.