I just picked up an Apeks reg set from someone leaving the hobby, it has 2 good 2nd stages, the primary is XTX50 and backup is XTX40, but the 1st stage is a DS4. I want to replace the DS4 1st stage because it lacks some features I want. I was looking at the Hollis DC1 because it seems to offer everything I want at a decent price point, but I wasn't sure if it's actually compatible out of the box. I was hoping someone knowing the technical specs of these regs could chime in about this combo. I can see that Apeks says their regs use an IP of 9-10 bar, I can see that Hollis specs for their 2nd stages are 9.5 bar +/- .5 bar and a maximum input pressure of 11 bar. It sounds to me like the Hollis DC1 should be fine, but wanna make sure before buying one.
Also, if there are other 1st stages that I should be looking at, I'd love to hear about other suggestions. My features that I want/need are:
2 HP ports
Swivel Turret
Balanced or Over-Balanced Diaphragm
Available as a 1st stage only
Compatible with my Apeks 2nd stages
Priced in the $150-200 range (approximately, I know the DC1 is a tad higher)
Would prefer environmentally sealed out of the box but not absolutely necessary.
Also, if there are other 1st stages that I should be looking at, I'd love to hear about other suggestions. My features that I want/need are:
2 HP ports
Swivel Turret
Balanced or Over-Balanced Diaphragm
Available as a 1st stage only
Compatible with my Apeks 2nd stages
Priced in the $150-200 range (approximately, I know the DC1 is a tad higher)
Would prefer environmentally sealed out of the box but not absolutely necessary.