Help in finalizing regulator choice

[theatis]

Hi everyone,

My tax return is on its way and I think I found a great way to spend some of it! Given the helpful and informative suggestions that I got from many of you in my thread on BC recommendations, I thought I'd try again with reg suggestions.

I read just about everything I could possibly find here and elsewhere and narrowed down my choices. My primary concern in ruling out alternatives was the ability to service locally. I'm from a Greek island and spend my summers there and may possibly relocate there in the future. So, naturally, the biggest problem is servicing the regs there and not here in the US. As such, many brands that many people seem to favor here such as Atomic, Oceanic or Zeagle are simply not an option for me since there would be no way to service them locally.

The brands that fit the above criterion are Apeks, Aqualung, Mares and Scubapro. I would like to buy a high quality regulator now that I will not be likely to want to upgrade in the future. So, my short list is the ATX 200, Legend LX, Abyss and MK17/X650. Based on everything that I've read and the price that i can get them for I'm leaning towards either the ATX or the LX.

I have a few questions. I read about the new XTX line; is there enough in terms of improvement there to choose the XTX-200 over the ATX-200? I didn't inquire about it yet with the LDS (I only know discussed the ATX) so that should be kinda relative but still it's a legitimate question. I read here that some of you don't like the new version aesthetically but that's the last thing on my mind personally.

I've read some people suggesting the ATX over the LX and some suggesting vice versa but always for minor reasons; am I correct in the assessment that it's pretty much a toss up between the two. Some comment in favor of the LX in terms of bubble interference. That's something that could make a difference to me but at the same time the XTX is supposed to have an expanded T, right? On the other hand, others comment on the ability to dismantle the ATX more easily but (given my newbie status) I'm not about to try that anytime soon.

Also, would any of you recommend the Abyss or the X650 over the other two? And, by that I don't mean do any of you own them and are happy with them (which I'm sure is the case) but whether you compared them to the ATX and/or LX in making your selection and on what terms?

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Tavi]

You can't go wrong with Apeks!!
If your worried about the bubbles get the XTX200, I've heard you can swap the exhaust tees, smaller ones and larger ones.
I have the ATX200 and haven't been bothered by bubbles.

I have 7 regs now. All Apeks. never any problems!!

Best of luck with your decision!!

 

[colsonn]

My thoughts:
I own an apeks 50d, a model slightly below the 200, and I love it. Just yesterday I took the equipment specialist class and saw a legend lx supreme get taken apart, then went home and took my reg. apart...exactly the same reg on the inside. I mean identical. The only difference I found was the housing. Either way you go, you are buying a reg that is top of the line. With a mares, there are no user adjustments, but you already knew that. Why? Because mares believes if the reg is properly tuned, it doesn't need adjustments, and they are right.
User adjustments were originally meant for regs that were unbalanced, so when you had less pressure in your tank, you could adjust it so you could break easier. The regs you are looking at are balanced. I find the adjustments nice but not necessary.
Apeks or aqualung would be my choice, simply since that is what I dive and have for a while, but I know guys at the LDS that like mares because you get a great breathing reg without bells and wistles.

And I don't have any trouble with bubble interference.
Hope this helps, I don't have as many answers as you probably would like though, good luck with your choice.

Nick

 

[ProfessorAronnax]

Hi Theatis

Here's Scuba Mags Muscle reg report (pdf form). MUSCLE REGS It's a great report and has several of the brands you're referring to.

Also, as for ZEAGLE service, I actually refer folks here for warranty work etc. You can't beat the price and it's the most state of the art facility I've ever seen: DIVER'S DIRECT REGULATOR SERVICE
Hope this helps

Disclaimer: Zeagle Dealer, no affiliation with Diver's Direct

Rap

 

[theatis]

Thanks tavi and colsonn for your comments. I still hope to hear from someone who has actually made direct comparisons with the Mares and the Scubapro, hopefully someone will respond.

Sorry rapidiver, Zeagle is not an option; if i can't get it serviced back home, i'm not buying it.

 

[ProfessorAronnax]

Thanks tavi and colsonn for your comments. I still hope to hear from someone who has actually made direct comparisons with the Mares and the Scubapro, hopefully someone will respond.

Sorry rapidiver, Zeagle is not an option; if i can't get it serviced back home, i'm not buying it.

I can understand that-just wanted to throw that service option out there-wasn't sure if you were aware of it.

 

[ScottZeagle]

Sorry rapidiver, Zeagle is not an option; if i can't get it serviced back home, i'm not buying it.

Hi Theatis!

Have you checked with these folks?

EXTREME DIVERS-AIK. PRITSI
70 EL. VENIZELOU AV.
16344 ILIOUPOLI ATHENS
Greece

They are our Greek distributors, and should be able to help you with servicing. Whatever you decide to do is fine, but just wanted you to know that there were options available over there!

Good luck with your search and dive safe!

Scott

 

[aquaoren]

I have a pair of Apeks DS4/ATX50's for my doubles and a Mares Abyss as a single reg setup. I actually bought the Apeks because I wanted to "upgrade" from the Mares but guess what, the Mares breathes better than the Apeks and definitely more solid and better built. The Abyss does it without any knobs and wheels.
I took the Mares Abyss through over 200 dives ranging from The Red Sea to The North Atlantic and Great Lakes in the winter. Regardless how deep or cold, it was a great breather. It always performed flawlessly, which I can't say about my Apeks.
Hell, who knows maybe my Apeks were build on a Friday or Monday. Anyway, I'm not impressed with them.

 

[Tristessa]

I too spend my summers in the greek islands with lots of diving there. I use apeks regs (atx200), and dive rite(rg2500). They are both superior regs and easy to service in multiple places in Athens and the islands. I personally know the greek distributors for Atomic, Scubapro and Dive rite. Most of my gear is dive rite and i have received excellent service and competitive prices in greece, contrary to popular belief. If you have any questions PM me!

 

[BikerManiac]

Well I just purchased my regulator from scubatoys. I was researching and asking a lot of questions. For a regulator I would not want to be cheap and wanted the best I could buy for my budget. I was even considering those expensive Poseidon Regs...love them but out of my budget. The other question was to buy new or used?

Well, 1 hour ago I received my first regulator. Mares Abyss. I haven't used it yet, but I will let you know what I feel about it in 2 weeks. I kept reading really good things about it. From the scuba diver's magazine and other people who used it. For $299 with the trade-in. it was no brainer for me. I bought the cheapest and olders Dacor regulator from ebay so I could trade it in.

This guy sent me a Dacor Balance regulator that weights 8 pounds! That was my trade in for the Abyss.