Choosing new regs (Deep6, Zeagle, Apeks or Mares)

[KevlarCoated]

Hi,
Im looking for new regulators as my girlfriend has decided she likes diving and I want to move more into tech diving so I needed to upgrade anyway.
My requirements are
Environmentally sealed (I live in canada so it's cold)
Support world wide (I dont know how long I will be in Canada for, I may end up in Europe, Asia or NZ and I would like my expensive regs to still be supported)
Suitable for both tech diving and for rec diving.

My options right now
Deep6
People here seem to love them, the are reasonably priced (looks to be around 750USD although I cant price it up right now as Id prefer the Signature over the scribble first stage)
I like they idea that I can service them myself but that's probably not something I am going to do for a few years if ever.
My issue with them is that it may be a pain getting support over seas, I know they will ship the parts but if it's hard to find someone to work on them and it's expensive to get the parts into which ever country I end up in then that's an issue.

Mares
One of my LDS has a Mares Tech package on sale at the moment (This set with the 25XR first and the CR second MARES 25X CR Tek Set For Sale Online in Canada - Dan's Dive Shop ) the price is $1000CAD+taxes. I would also need to add a SPG and BCD inflator hose
It looks like a nice option, it has world wide support. The LDS owner was mentioning the dynamic flow control and the vortex assisted features as making it easier to breath from.
The issue I see is that it appears to only have 2 LP ports which would mean that if I want to use it for rec diving with a single first stage that's not really an option.

Apeks/Zeagle
My other LDS recommended the Apeks XTX50 or the Zeagle Onyx II. Both come in at around $1600CAD+tax. His recommendation was the Zeagle but he suggested the Apeks would be better supported world wide. Obviously these are both much more expensive than the other 2 and I've read on here that because of how the Apeks is built they are a pain to service.

My questions are
Out of these options what do people recommend?
Are there other options that I should be considering?

Thanks

 

[BoltSnap]

Apeks XTX50

This the one to go with out of all the ones you mention. Proven design with awesome support worldwide and top performance.

 

[Fyffer]

Why no zeagle flathead 8. I have flathead 7. Ans love it. Dive cold bc waters.

 

[runsongas]

deep 6. owning them will give you the kick in the pants to start self servicing, so service problems will be a non issue long term.

might actually be cheaper to buy an economy ticket to the UK to buy a set of xtx50/dst than buying it in canada

 

[Marie13]

Apeks XTX50. Not sure if they're priced better in Canada than in the US.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

The recommendations you receive are generally what people own. The regs I have owned or currently own are Deep 6, Atomic M1, IST, ScubaPro MK25 Evo with S600/G260, and Apeks XTX50.

There are lots of great regs. You will probably be quite happy with what you own, and then when someone asks for recommendations, you'll recommend what you own too!

 

[Grey Goose]

In Canada, you should be able to get an xtx 50/DST for $800 or less. I see that is the cnd price @ dris (just cite this site to local shop and they should price match). You can get shipped from Europe for $500cnd (shop4divers.eu). If buy in Canada, free parts for life. If EU, not free parts for life. (Labour same for each service).

 

[lowflyer]

When I do a SCUBA trip, I don't count on there being anyone who can service my regs in a timely fashion or maybe at all, no matter which brand I use.
I always bring an extra first and second stage. Having said that Deep6 is IMO as good as the others and less expensive due to their direct selling. So I vote for Deep6.

 

[Goingforsound]

Xtx 50 for sure! (I own deep6)

 

[Centrals]

Apeks/Zeagle
My other LDS recommended the Apeks XTX50 or the Zeagle Onyx II. Both come in at around $1600CAD+tax. His recommendation was the Zeagle but he suggested the Apeks would be better supported world wide. Obviously these are both much more expensive than the other 2 and I've read on here that because of how the Apeks is built they are a pain to service.

Apeks is dead easy to service.

The ONLY Specialist Apeks Site in the UK. In stock for fast despatch.
Import duty is your only concern.