having such a hard time deciding on a regulator! >

[TTwizted13]

im looking to purchase my first reg set up.

im looking in the mid range, something i can get down to 130 or so and have good breathing.

im torn right now between the apeks xtx 50, cressi ellipse mc9-sc, or the hollis dc1 with 212.

i like the idea of the swivel first stage that a few regulators have.

anyone have any advice? any recommendations?

 

[petrieps]

Of the regs you mention, I believe Apeks is #1.
I've had my TX100 for over 10 years now and have never had an issue with it.
The xtx50 is an easy breathing cold water regulator and you couldn't go wrong purchasing one.

 

[Akimbo]

There isn’t a regulator sold in the US that isn’t good well beyond 50 Meters/160'. Service availability is a factor in your area, but I wouldn’t depend on any particular dive shop to survive in this economy.

 

[Thalassamania]

Look carefully at HOG.

 

[Krazytomdiver]

Been using the same Scubapro MK25/S600/R395 for ten years of dive guiding with without any problems other than someone took the black plastic top off the MK25 first stage & the decortive chrome piece came off the S600 second stage.

"living life without a hard bottom"
KT

 

[Scuba_Noob]

Scuba Gear Reports seems to have reviews for the three regs you listed above plus many more comparable ones. TOP GEAR They seem to like all three, but prefer Apeks.

Personally I have an Aqualung Titan LX (which is cheaper and good for cold water). For the same price as your above choices, you can get an Aqualung Legend. Obviously I'm biased.

 

[knowone]

[video=youtube;66owXqZaexs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=66owXqZaexs[/video]

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Any properly-tuned, well-maintained reg from the major manufacturers should demonstrate "good" breathing down to a depth of 130 ft.

For single tank diving, a swivel turret on the first stage is not necessary to have good hose routing. Thoughtful placement of fixed low pressure ports should work just fine. Some people say that a swivel turret can help with doubles hose-routing. Having a low pressure port in the end cap might also be useful for such an application.

When I was shopping for my first reg setup, I looked for a reliable, robust, high performance reg based on a time-tested design from a major manufacturer. I also wanted one that would be easy to tune/service when I had the time to invest in reg repair. That narrowed down the field considerably.

I now own Aqualung (Legend) and Apeks (ATX100, XTX200) regs. In addition to those brands, I'd recommend taking a look at Atomic Aquatics, Scubapro, Zeagle, and HOG.

Make sure that your local, trustworthy reg repair tech can work on whatever brand reg that you purchase.
FWIW, reg performance probably has more to do with the skill of the tech who last worked on the reg than the brand.

 

[TTwizted13]

my local apeks guy, i went to try and speak with them... he was a total tool to me. tried selling me aqualung (when i know there the same parent compapny) and was persistent on it. never even wanted to show me apeks. so i dont really wanna deal with them and their the only local apeks retailer.

that being the case i would have to go with either mares, hollis, oceanic, cressi, automic, or something similar :blinking:

 

[Bubbletrubble]

my local apeks guy, i went to try and speak with them... he was a total tool to me. tried selling me aqualung (when i know there the same parent compapny) and was persistent on it. never even wanted to show me apeks. so i dont really wanna deal with them and their the only local apeks retailer.

that being the case i would have to go with either mares, hollis, oceanic, cressi, automic, or something similar :blinking:

@TTwizted13: You can order Apeks regs online via the Aqualung website. During the check-out process, you can specify whether you would prefer to pick it up at a local Aqualung/Apeks dealer or have it shipped to you.

Sorry to hear about your negative experience with the local dealer. Perhaps he makes a larger commission on Aqualung regs or needs to move more Aqualung merchandise to meet a sales quota. Or maybe he's just more familiar with the Aqualung line. Too bad that he didn't/couldn't answer your questions about Apeks gear.