Mixed Apeks 1st stages - DS4 left, DST right?

[Tortuga68]

Yeah, it's funny to come to this conclusion at the end - after reading so many reviews where 50, 100, 200 are treated as different models which perform and breathe differently... I think, I stay with the XTX50s and save some euros on cosmetics to afford the FST

The issue is confused because the different second stages (50, 100, 200) typically retail with different first stages (DST, FST, FSR) so when they are tested as a pair, the breathing performance IS different... but in isolation the performance of the seconds would be identical, assuming they were all tuned the same. So, good plan to stick with the 50s (or even a 50 primary and 40 secondary). In case you have any lingering doubts, just look at what comes with the Tek3 package: two XTX50s

You can also fit a breathing resistance knob to a 40 and convert it to a 50... I will get around to doing a How To thread on that one day

What the FWIW and HTH stand for?

For What It's Worth and Hope That Helps... and here's an earlier reference for you Urban Dictionary: chopped liver

 

[Centrals]

You can also fit a breathing resistance knob to a 40 and convert it to a 50... I will get around to doing a How To thread on that one day

Bought couple of them from Capt Gregg's several yrs ago when they were dirt cheap!!!

 

[Tortuga68]

I really like the ATX second stages... purge button is better than the XTXs. My rigs mostly have XTX primaries with the wide exhaust T, and ATX secondaries. If the ATX had a wider T I wouldn't use XTX second stages at all. The TXs have the wide T but are too big and heavy for my liking, although I did have a couple on my deco regs for a while before switching to ATX40s

CGs have upgraded all their rentals to XTX50s now, as you probably know already

 

[Centrals]

The ATX-20 is probably half the size and weight as the TX-50.

Happy Mid Autum Festival and stay away from the "Moon Cake"!

 

[Tortuga68]

Thanks... have managed to avoid Moon Cake so far this year! So sweet & heavy, blergh

I think the official weight reduction from TX to ATX was 25%... maybe 30% if you compare a 50 to a 20

 

[ajduplessis]

You could also move the DS4/DST to stage bottles and get Tech3 or MK17 for your backgas stages.

 

[Johanan]

I will get around to doing a How To thread on that one day

Great, even if I'm not sure our local technicians can do the trick. They service Apeks, but in fact Aqualung regs rule Latvia. This fact narrows my search even though I've read that MK17s are good first stages, too. May be I should forget Apeks and go with Aqualung? For that money I could easely buy a Legend in that Russian shop few blocks away. Hmmm...

I noticed that the Tek3 goes with 50s. I also found out in the store that a 100+50+FST cost virtually the same as a 50+50+FST. That's because 100+FST comes as a set and costs less than a sum of separate elements. No big savings like with 50+DS4. You recommended to look at FST and they really seem to be the best. As I understood, FSR has a replacable valve bed, but FST has a lower profile. Otherwise they perform much the same?

XTX 40 would save me some 80$ but surely I'll have to pay as much for installing the button...

Isn't ATX disconected? Have not seen it in any store.

... and here's an earlier reference for you Urban Dictionary: chopped liver

Hey, this link is a goldmine! I feel that my self taught English will come to a different level soon!

C'mon! The chopped liver thing was just a cross-cultural problem. Latvians say thanks at the end of conversation. I was closing the Miflex topic with linedog and said many thanks to him. But with you I anticipated a long and fruitful conversation. The absence of thanks was not a disrespect but a Latvian way to express appreciation and hope!

Cheers!

And thanks to everyone for your contributions. HTH

 

[j2s]

PM Sent

 

[Tortuga68]

PM answered

Great, even if I'm not sure our local technicians can do the trick. They service Apeks, but in fact Aqualung regs rule Latvia. This fact narrows my search even though I've read that MK17s are good first stages, too. May be I should forget Apeks and go with Aqualung? For that money I could easely buy a Legend in that Russian shop few blocks away. Hmmm...

Your local techs should be able to fit the knob, it's pretty simple, swap one component only - if they can't do it I wouldn't be very confident in their reg service! I don't have any experience with AL regs, I always recommend Apeks or SP, whichever local service & parts are available for

I noticed that the Tek3 goes with 50s. I also found out in the store that a 100+50+FST cost virtually the same as a 50+50+FST. That's because 100+FST comes as a set and costs less than a sum of separate elements. No big savings like with 50+DS4. You recommended to look at FST and they really seem to be the best. As I understood, FSR has a replacable valve bed, but FST has a lower profile. Otherwise they perform much the same?

Yes, all correct

XTX 40 would save me some 80$ but surely I'll have to pay as much for installing the button...

Genuine Apeks parts are expensive, but you can buy copies of the knob for about $10 - so it depends how much the fitting will cost. If you can do it yourself then it's free

Isn't ATX disconected? Have not seen it in any store.

Yes they're discontinued but you can still get some models of ATX first & second stages - NOS I guess (New Old Stock)

Hey, this link is a goldmine! I feel that my self taught English will come to a different level soon! C'mon! The chopped liver thing was just a cross-cultural problem. Latvians say thanks at the end of conversation. I was closing the Miflex topic with linedog and said many thanks to him. But with you I anticipated a long and fruitful conversation. The absence of thanks was not a disrespect but a Latvian way to express appreciation and hope!

Haha... I was only pulling your leg (you can look that one up too!). No problem. And your English is fine - better than some of the native English-speakers on this board!

 

[Johanan]

Thanks! Have a good day! I'll try to have one, too - after spending too much time for diving websites and too little for the work.