Picked up a reg today! Setup questions

[StreetDoctor]

Apeks is having a deal until the end of the month... buy any regulator and get a free octo. I ended up going with the xtx200 and the xtx50 octo and I'm very pleased! $680 for both! That's almost $100 cheaper than LP.

I ended up going with a 7' hose and the octo on a 22". The octo fits nicely but the 7' hose seems to get caught on other hoses off the 1st stage, I assume this won't be a problem in the water. I don't think a 5' would have fit as I'm over 6'. How many of you run only an SPG gauge? I really wanted a small gauge and ended up going with just the SPG. I'm a little leary about putting all my faith in a computer. What do you guys run? The computer I picked up is the suunto D4.

 

[Scuba Ken]

Is Aqualung and Apeks offering this again this year? What shop did you buy from? I'm about to to purchase an Apeks regulator and my LDS hasn't said anything about this offer.

Thanks,
Ken

 

[DeNomad]

You got one heck of a deal. I bought my XTX50's/DS4 a few months ago, I never heard about the Apeks offer either.

As for set-up I am using a 2.5" Highland SPG bought from Phil at divesports.com and a UWATEC computer. Great deal on that SPG. Are you concerned about redunacy (ie an air integrated computer?). Can't hurt to have an SPG if that is the concern.

 

[StreetDoctor]

The deal is supposed to be good from june 1st to july 31st. I purchased my regulator from scubaemporium.com in orland park, IL.

I was a bit concerned about not having a back up analog depth gauge in cause my computer craps out on me but I think it'll be ok.

 

[u4ia]

I asked a couple of different shops in June and July if there was anything like this on offer this year from AL/Apeks and they said no. The only thing they had going and were aware of for 2008 was the Suunto computer deal - I think you get $200 off a new Suunto computer purchase if you turn in an old computer.
I wonder if your deal was shop specific?

 

[Scuba Ken]

Thanks for the info. I just purchased a Apeks xtx50 from the LDS and asked them about the deal. They knew nothing about it. Maybe its regional. Would have been nice to save the extra $250 I paid for the xtx 50 alt. I'll have to ask again.

The Suunto computer deal was the only one they knew about.

On a side note. If your worried about a backup depth gauge get a compact SPG/Depth gauge and clip it off. Use it when you need it. I saw a couple really small ones when i was looking at them.

 

[cave_diver]

7' hoses are usually used by cave- and technical divers. You need to know what you are doing and not just running a setup to stick-out of the crowd.

Most tec-divers have an SPG only, since they use a computer. If you do blue water diving, a compass helps, but you can wrist-mount it. A dive computer is totally different story and you need to consider the type of diving you do. Do you need a 7 or 10 gas computer like the Delta VR3? Perhaps not!

Training is key, not only to improve a divers skills, but also to know how to rig your gear. You can then decide if you want to jump into politics (ha-ha) or go straight!

 

[Trinads]

I also just purchased 2 new XTX 200 w/ FSR First Stage for an amazing price. I bought them at Ocean Enterprises in San Diego during there tent sale as part of a combo package, If you purchased an aqualung Pro QD BC for $399, then you had the option of buying the Apeks XTX200 reg. w/ the status first stage and octopus (I forgot model of the octo) for only $380 more!! I couldn't pass this up, I did exchange the octo for the Airsource 3 integrated alternate air source. All in all, it was a great deal, there pretty good about matching sale prices even after the sale is over, worth checking out if you think that was a good deal.