Ruth Denmark
Registered
What is the difference between XTX and ATX?
Difference between Apeks XTX and ATX
- Thread starter Ruth Denmark
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Ruth:
With the XTX, your hose can come out of either side. Also you can switch exhaust port sizes. large or small.
TrickyRicky
Registered
Ditto!
OP
Ruth Denmark
Registered
Thank you for your replies 
The XTX first stages (XTX DST, XTX FST, XTX FSR) have four 3/8" LP ports (referred to as "medium pressure ports" by Apeks) instead of one 1/2" and three 3/8" LP ports of the old DST (ATX50), FST (ATX100), FSR (ATX200) first stages.
goodeatsfan
Guest
The cosmetics of the second stage look different (better or not is subjective)
goodeatsfan:
The redesigned XTX front cover supposedly "improves the durability of the most vulnerable part of the demand valve... The new purge button has improved the purge itself. Due to the new open design the purge is self clearing and prevents debris build-up." Imho, it's just ugly...
I really hate the new hard exhaust diffuser/tee option - I much prefer the soft rubber exhaust diffuser/tee from the TX series. I also think the "audible ratchet Venturi lever mechanism" on the XTX second stage is rather annoying.
OP
Ruth Denmark
Registered
Great replies, all. It seems like it is mostly a matter of taste which series is to be bought. The performance/reliability should be same.
Additional question. I will by an Apeks regulator and consider buying a XTX 200 with a XTX 40 octopus. But I have been told that everything over 50 or 40 is a waste of money, as the first stage is the same and the regulators are so similar - some have a few more adjustments, that's it.
On the Apeks homepage it seems that the only difference of importance between the models is only:
40 and 50: Swivel turret body
100: Solid one piece body
200: Compact one piece body
Does above have any impact? And what about the second stage? I am a cold water diver, so it must be as good as possible for this kind of diving.
Hope you can give me som clearence on this issue.
Additional question. I will by an Apeks regulator and consider buying a XTX 200 with a XTX 40 octopus. But I have been told that everything over 50 or 40 is a waste of money, as the first stage is the same and the regulators are so similar - some have a few more adjustments, that's it.
On the Apeks homepage it seems that the only difference of importance between the models is only:
40 and 50: Swivel turret body
100: Solid one piece body
200: Compact one piece body
Does above have any impact? And what about the second stage? I am a cold water diver, so it must be as good as possible for this kind of diving.
Hope you can give me som clearence on this issue.
Choose the one with the best hose routing for your needs, imho. The Apeks first stages are not the same but they are very similar - all are high performance and reliable. The XTX50, 100 and 200 second stages are essentially identical (with minor material/cosmetic differences).
For single tank diving I would go for the DS4/XTX50 combo (XTX DST is the standard first stage that is paired with the XTX50; DS4 can be ordered instead as an option) or the XTX FSR/XTX200. The DS4 (basically a turret-less DST) or XTX FSR offers very nice hose routing options for a single tank setup. The XTX FSR's hose routing is a bit neater due to the angles of the HP ports. I also prefer a second stage with cracking resistance control (CRC) so I personally would not consider an XTX40 second stage/octopus.
I dive with AL80 doubles and prefer angled LP/HP ports and a lot of space between the two first stages (more room for my head) - the FST (TX100, ATX100, XTX100) is therefore my choice.
I personally think that the swivel turret on the XTX DST is pointless unless you would prefer to have this feature when using the reg with a stage/deco bottle.
For single tank diving I would go for the DS4/XTX50 combo (XTX DST is the standard first stage that is paired with the XTX50; DS4 can be ordered instead as an option) or the XTX FSR/XTX200. The DS4 (basically a turret-less DST) or XTX FSR offers very nice hose routing options for a single tank setup. The XTX FSR's hose routing is a bit neater due to the angles of the HP ports. I also prefer a second stage with cracking resistance control (CRC) so I personally would not consider an XTX40 second stage/octopus.
I dive with AL80 doubles and prefer angled LP/HP ports and a lot of space between the two first stages (more room for my head) - the FST (TX100, ATX100, XTX100) is therefore my choice.
I personally think that the swivel turret on the XTX DST is pointless unless you would prefer to have this feature when using the reg with a stage/deco bottle.
Hi,
I mostly agree with what Vie has said as I have the DS4/ATX200/TX100 and the FST/XTX100/XTX100 for comparison.
I don't really like the TX100 cus it is really HUGE. The exhaust on it is fine though LOL!
I hate the looks of the XTX100 or any of the XTXs for that matter. They are just F*&^ing ugly. Also the newer exhaust is a weak point as a hard knock to it might just damage the rails with the 2 halves slide onto each other.
Don't get the DST the DS4 is just so much more compact and lighter without the swivel. If you are not going to be doing any deep dives more than 40m you really won't be able to tell the difference between the DS4 and the FST.
Personally I would get the DS4/XTX50/ATX50 for my single diving and the FST when I do my deeper twin tank dives.
Just to mix things up a bit, you could also consider the Scubapro MK17/D400/G250 combo. The D400, you will have to find 2nd hand though.
I really like Apeks regs but they are a tad heavy compared to the Scubapro MK25/S600 or the MK17/D400 so for my travel dives I mostly take my MK25/S600.
Cheers,
SangP
I mostly agree with what Vie has said as I have the DS4/ATX200/TX100 and the FST/XTX100/XTX100 for comparison.
I don't really like the TX100 cus it is really HUGE. The exhaust on it is fine though LOL!
I hate the looks of the XTX100 or any of the XTXs for that matter. They are just F*&^ing ugly. Also the newer exhaust is a weak point as a hard knock to it might just damage the rails with the 2 halves slide onto each other.
Don't get the DST the DS4 is just so much more compact and lighter without the swivel. If you are not going to be doing any deep dives more than 40m you really won't be able to tell the difference between the DS4 and the FST.
Personally I would get the DS4/XTX50/ATX50 for my single diving and the FST when I do my deeper twin tank dives.
Just to mix things up a bit, you could also consider the Scubapro MK17/D400/G250 combo. The D400, you will have to find 2nd hand though.
I really like Apeks regs but they are a tad heavy compared to the Scubapro MK25/S600 or the MK17/D400 so for my travel dives I mostly take my MK25/S600.
Cheers,
SangP
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