getting ready to buy apeks questions

[goatboy_k]

hi everyone have some questions for you apeks guys

i have decided on apeks for my regs

however there are not to many people around my area that deal in them, most have not even heard of them, maby im looking in the wrong spots

anyway i have no problem with buying online.

i have heard that the DS4 is the choice item but here is my question...

i dive singles right now and im not into tech yet. but i want to spend my hard earned money on equipment that will do whatever i decide to do. Deep, Overhead, Ice, Doubles, etc

the ATX100 second stage is never packaged with the DS4. From my understanding reading the posts the ATX100 and ATX200 second stages are the same becides the sticker

Also it is my understanding that the ATX100 ATX200 second stages only differ from the other models because of the added heat exchanger

simply scuba sells the seperate stages. I could get 2 ATX100 second stages with the DS4 nitrox versions with no hoses and build exactly what i want for something like $550 US shipped. then add DIR hose kit.

Or should i get the ATX100 first and second stage set, and add a second ATX100 second stage?

also i notice that leisure pro does not have the ATX100 stuff???

What is the badass apeks setup using any components?
Are there cheaper sources for what im trying to do?
Is the DS4 really perfered over the ATX100 first stage?
Am i totally off base?


Also very important
I plan on servicing myself so i would like to buy rebuild kits at the same time as i buy my regs so i have parts on hand.


i am looking for people that are familier with the seperate apeks componets, not just "well i bought the ATX200 from my LDS and its a bad mother"

any help would be great
kurt

 

[LUBOLD8431]

WHy would you want two of the ATX_100 second stages? Its overkill to use one of those as an octo. Get yourself a ATX-50 or ATX-100, which are almost identical, except for cosmetic differences, and the tech fine tuning on the adjustment knob.

And then, get an ATX-40 for an octo.

DS-4 is a good first stage. The others are too, but a little more expensive. There is the DST, which has the swivel turret, and the ATX-100, and ATX-200, which both have 2 HP ports, and 4 LP ports. This are up there in price, but very good. ALL of them are environmentally sealed. SOme people dont like the swivel, as it adds another failure point. The AT-20 first stage is a good entry level reg, with no environmental seal, and only one HP port, and its not CE rated for cold water diving (below 50 deg F).

SO, what you need to ask yourself is do you really want an adjustment knob for your octo? And, which second stage do you go with for your primary.

Also, you could look at the older TX models too, as they are sometimes a little cheaper. FOr example, TX-50 with DS-4 first stage, and TX-40 octo. Check the prices on that setup...

The ATX models are just a little smaller, and lighter. Once I used the ATX models, I couldnt go back to the big clunky feeling of the TX models. Just too big. ANd, you dont sacrifice anything, except for a little tiny bit more bubble interfearence (sp).

GOod Luck...

Let us know what you decide on...

 

[j.m.ford]

I began using an Apeks DS4-ATX40 after my wife borrowed my Atomic B1/T2
and liked it so much she wouldn't return it (and sold her Scubapro MK20-G500]. I replaced the ATX40 second stage with the TX50 second stage due to
my (subjective) impression of excessive buble interference with the ATX40. As far as the Apeks 2nd stages, "bigger is better" in my opinion, as the larger TX50 eliminates the bubble problem completely. I feel the ATX series of 2nd stages
are designed to meet the competition in the US for smaller, lighter, but not
particularly "better" 2nd stages. I suspect the larger diaphragm on the TX50
has certain advantages as far as breathing characteristics are concerned.
While in actual use at depth, I cannot notice any difference (subjectively)
between the larger and smaller series Apeks 2nd stages; both are presumably filled with breathing gas, and the exhaust tee of the TX50 rests
quite comfortably on my chin.