oxyhacker
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Got some clarifications on the Legends - while they are built using Apeks technology, and pretty much on the Apeks pattern, they are not made by Apeks, but in France, and do not use the same rebuild kits as the Apeks - the HP seat is the same 105940 used by most USD BD firsts. Looking inside, one notices other differences - the Legends use an "Air Turbo" passage very similar to Mares' DFC.
One amusing detail: the Legend 2nds have a concealed effort "technician adjustment" inside the external adjustment knob that lets the tech fine tune the range of the ext adjustment knob as many newer 2nds have. The directions say to turn it in all the way, then out 2 turns on the LX and 1 1/2 turns on the Supreme. Since the LX and Supreme are mechanically identical, my first thought was that this was an incredibly crude attempt differentiate between the two models, by tuning the more expensive one breath easier - but the adjuster works in the wrong direction for that since turning it out more makes the cheaper reg breathe better not worse!
Turns out, the reason is that with the adjustment turned out less the reg meets CE colder water standards, to earn the Supreme the cold water snowflake, at the cost of detuning it slightly (though the specs give the same WOB for both)!
Not to worry - with a flick of a (tiny) screwdriver you can turn one into the other and back again whenever you like, to suit the water temp. Think of it as a reversible version of the nipple on the Apeks balance chambers!
I also had a chance to go through the new Scubapro X650. This is intended as a replacement for the unique coaxial-valve D-series. While the X650 takes styling cues from them it is actually a totally new design. SP describes it as having a coaxial valve but it really doesn't - it has a barrel poppet very similar to the S600 and G250HP that even uses the same seat as them.
The funny thing is that, I, who normally dislike most new regulators for being unecessarily complicated, was quite taken by the 650. Sure it has a more parts inside than a 109 or 250, but they are logically arranged, and it is very easy to assemble and tune - the poppet will only go in the right way, and the lever just slides into place once you depress the poppet slightly. If the performance is as good as claimed, it should be a great reg. The only thing I didn't like was the pry-off cover. They had some teething probs with the first batch, due to poorly finished levers which would chew up the poppets, but these seem to have been cured.
Oh, and I finally found someone - the SP tech director for Europe - who could explain how the Mk25 is overbalanced! - it turns out the piston is flared slightly on the end, but not so much that it won't fit through the O-rings and bushes - so there's a little downforce on it from the HP side.
The most intriguing new reg from last year, the Dynamo, was back again, and should be in full production soon. It's a totally dry-sealed balanced piston 1st paired with a unique 2nd that, among other neat tricks, automatically adjusts effort with depth. O the tech model the 2nd cover hinges open, with the diaphragm trapped in it, so DIRers can play with the insides to their heart's content with no risk of lost parts, and if you don't like bubbles the exhaust tee is adjustable. The manufacturer, Advanced Diving Products, while an unfamiliar name to consumers, has been around for years, subcontracting precision parts for many of the major reg manufacturers.
One amusing detail: the Legend 2nds have a concealed effort "technician adjustment" inside the external adjustment knob that lets the tech fine tune the range of the ext adjustment knob as many newer 2nds have. The directions say to turn it in all the way, then out 2 turns on the LX and 1 1/2 turns on the Supreme. Since the LX and Supreme are mechanically identical, my first thought was that this was an incredibly crude attempt differentiate between the two models, by tuning the more expensive one breath easier - but the adjuster works in the wrong direction for that since turning it out more makes the cheaper reg breathe better not worse!
Turns out, the reason is that with the adjustment turned out less the reg meets CE colder water standards, to earn the Supreme the cold water snowflake, at the cost of detuning it slightly (though the specs give the same WOB for both)!
Not to worry - with a flick of a (tiny) screwdriver you can turn one into the other and back again whenever you like, to suit the water temp. Think of it as a reversible version of the nipple on the Apeks balance chambers!
I also had a chance to go through the new Scubapro X650. This is intended as a replacement for the unique coaxial-valve D-series. While the X650 takes styling cues from them it is actually a totally new design. SP describes it as having a coaxial valve but it really doesn't - it has a barrel poppet very similar to the S600 and G250HP that even uses the same seat as them.
The funny thing is that, I, who normally dislike most new regulators for being unecessarily complicated, was quite taken by the 650. Sure it has a more parts inside than a 109 or 250, but they are logically arranged, and it is very easy to assemble and tune - the poppet will only go in the right way, and the lever just slides into place once you depress the poppet slightly. If the performance is as good as claimed, it should be a great reg. The only thing I didn't like was the pry-off cover. They had some teething probs with the first batch, due to poorly finished levers which would chew up the poppets, but these seem to have been cured.
Oh, and I finally found someone - the SP tech director for Europe - who could explain how the Mk25 is overbalanced! - it turns out the piston is flared slightly on the end, but not so much that it won't fit through the O-rings and bushes - so there's a little downforce on it from the HP side.
The most intriguing new reg from last year, the Dynamo, was back again, and should be in full production soon. It's a totally dry-sealed balanced piston 1st paired with a unique 2nd that, among other neat tricks, automatically adjusts effort with depth. O the tech model the 2nd cover hinges open, with the diaphragm trapped in it, so DIRers can play with the insides to their heart's content with no risk of lost parts, and if you don't like bubbles the exhaust tee is adjustable. The manufacturer, Advanced Diving Products, while an unfamiliar name to consumers, has been around for years, subcontracting precision parts for many of the major reg manufacturers.
