DIR: Regulators

[Vie]

Is this a US vs UK thing?

Possibly - you should have a choice of first stage when you buy an XTX20 "set" but here in SE Asia (where I am located), the first stage with turret is always the "default" when buying an Apeks XTX20/40/50 "set." The XTX20 would be paired with the XTX UST first stage (basically an unsealed DST) and the XTX40/50 would be paired with the XTX DST. A US4/XTX DS4 would need to be specified if you want it but where I am the US4/DS4/XTX DS4 is usually sold alone.

On a completely unrelated note: just saw the extremely pointless (and extremely ugly) XTX Tungsten (with hose swivel) on the Aqua Lung website... What are they doing to Apeks??!!

 

[serrada]

I'd recommend the DS4 and whatever Apeks 2nd you like.

But as other's have mentioned almost any will do. It's more about the hoses.

I like the hose routing of the Atomic and Scubapro 1st stages for single tank diving. (I don't own either and use my DS4, Zeagel Flat Head, Oceanic, etc. for single tank diving)

DS4 is nice for doubles, but others work as well.

Good luck.