Experienced views on Apeks Flight?

[Osric]

I'm thinking of getting a regulator as my next piece of equipment (I currently only own a dive computer).

I'm a dreaded "vacation diver" who dives about 10-12 dives every two years; e.g. my most recent dives were in Greece over a year ago. All my diving is exclusively warm water and I'd imagine carrying my regulators/octo as carry-on and still renting the bulk of my gear.

My LDS recommends the Apeks Flight for its light weight, easy packing, and easy breathing. I've searched around for more info and can't find much for or against it; I'm interested in the views of owners or ex-owners or divers who have researched this regulator extensively and decided to not buy after due consideration.

Thanks!
Osric

 

[SangP]

Hi Osric,

My technician friend carries the full range of apeks and aqualung regs and when I asked for a travel reg he highly recommended the Aqua Lung Titan LX ACD as it uses parts common to other aqualung regs so servicing isn't an issue at most dive locations.

Cheers

 

[Osric]

My technician friend carries the full range of apeks and aqualung regs and when I asked for a travel reg he highly recommended the Aqua Lung Titan LX ACD as it uses parts common to other aqualung regs so servicing isn't an issue at most dive locations.

I am no expert but this doesn't seem a similarly targeted regulator at all. I don't need cold water performance; it is nowhere near as small and light, and at 10 dives every two years the regulator will be going on dive trips just after service at home - odds of needing parts on the road have to be lower than a boat accident taking out the entire crew.

Osric

 

[elan]

You just got the whole crew sunk
It is quite the opposite actually. A lot of issues actually appear right after servicing...

 

[SangP]

I agree you are right in that the Titan is a different reg and it's heavier 1020g vs 585g or so.

However, you do sacrifice durability for weight
WTS Apeks Flight 1st n 2nd Stage
Also the price differences are rather large $445 vs $595

Anyway you could also consider the aqualung mikron green $495
Aqua Lung Mikron Green Scuba Regulator at Divers Direct

Cheers



Aqua Lung Mikron Green Scuba Regulator $495

 

[kierentec]

You just got the whole crew sunk
It is quite the opposite actually. A lot of issues actually appear right after servicing...

about 9 out of ten times I see regulator failures, the first thing out of the owner's mouth is "I JUST had this thing serviced!".

sorry to the OP, though, can't comment on that specific reg.

 

[buddhasummer]

I have never dove with the Flight but the owner of my old LDS dove it many times and recommended the AL Mikron over the flight he said it breathed much better. I use to own a Micra ADJ, older Mikron, and really liked the way it breathed. The biggest problem I had when considering a Flight was the proprietary hoses that they use, especially given I do a lot of travel diving in more remote locations where I imagine a Flight hose would not be easy to come by.

 

[eelnoraa]

... at 10 dives every two years the regulator will be going on dive trips just after service at home
Osric

Have you ever considered just do rental? 10 dives every two years, to me, is now worth owning your own regulator, dragging it on flight to destination, and service it.

 

[Osric]

Have you ever considered just do rental? 10 dives every two years, to me, is now worth owning your own regulator, dragging it on flight to destination, and service it.

Yes, I have and might very well stick with renting. Each time I look into regulators, I convince myself that rentals is the way to go for me, partly because of servicing and frequency of diving...

Osric

 

[Aqua-Andy]

I would not consider the flight due to the proprietary hose connection it uses. I don't know why any manufacturer would do something like this.