cold water regs

[Seraphimx]

Here's a link to simplyscuba.com Apeks Regulators : Buy an Apeks regulator | Simply Scuba UK

You do have a point elan.
Also, the Apeks Resellers are not obliged to be part of the Free parts for life program. Check it first before getting your reg serviced.

 

[andy j]

Parts-for-life is non-transferable. It's to push people to buy new instead of used.

Apeks overhaul kits, if what I see on ebay is correct cost 20pounds. I buy my kits for DS4 at 35$ which similar.
Let's compare USED vs NEW, for a combo kit XTX40 at 500$.
New: 500$ + 60$/year (labor) + 0$/2year (parts) = 860$(6years) or 1100$ (10years)
Used: 250$ + 60$/year (labor) + 70$/2year (parts) = 820$(6years) or 1200$ (10years)

The XTX/ATX 40 is the lowest I would go for cold water.
All the second stages are similar but with different upgrades.
ATX20= Base
ATX40= Base + Heat exchanger
ATX50= Base + Heat Exchanger + Metal adjustment knob
etc...

I have both the MK17 & DS4. Having started to service my own regs I can say that the DS4's design is truly bullet-proof.
It has minimal moving parts, while the MK17 is more complex.

If you are diving single tank and plan to use a long-hose (DIR) configuration.
I would recommend to get the DST instead of the DS4.
DST has a swivel turret with a 5th port at the tip. Which let's you route your hoses like this.
http://i38.tinypic.com/155qf47.jpg (this is an MK25 but same concept)

Thats a good appraisal of the future costs, however i tend not to get my regs serviced every year as i,m from the thinking if it aint broke don,t fix it.
I don,t mind buying second hand if its mint as most people buy these things new and store them in the garage un used.
So to be honest scubapro or apeks? I think its gonna be down to getting the best deal.
Back to my original question will i need a coldwater reg, water temp gonna be around 9 degrees,

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I think what peeople miss is that cold water regs are not just sealed against cold water. That is why I refer to them as enviro seals. Cause they also keep other things in the ENVIRONMENT out besides the cold. Stuff like silt, salt, mud, rust, etc are also kept out. A sealed reg is no harder to service, unless it's one that requires $40 bucks worth of christo lube to be pumped into it, usually takes less time since there is less junk to clean out, and is often only few dollars more (20-30) or so.

 

[Lemna]

Back to my original question will i need a coldwater reg, water temp gonna be around 9 degrees,

9C? The mk2 will be fine, just be a bit careful on the surface - orally inflate your BCD and don't breath them until you are in the water.

 

[Seraphimx]

If it's only for a short trip take Lemna's advice.
The MK2 is dirt simple and that simplicity makes it reliable.

I see people around here diving with Basic Sherwood regs all the time and they don't freeflow.

Sorry for the long calculations. I am pro buy used. So I usually need to show calculations to show that new is not always the most sensible route.

 

[SwimJim]

Sherwoods don't freeze up because of their dry bleed system which isolates the piston. IMHO a better design then Scubapro regs which are notorious for taking a dump below about 38F.

 

[Seraphimx]

True, the Sherwood have a one-way bleed valve.

I have also seen multiple divers with MK2 on stages at 40ish F.
The basic rule in Ice-Diving is, don't breath from reg at surface, only in water.

If you apply this to an MK2 in the 50F range. Seems to be a better tactic than buying 500$ of gear for 1-2 trip.