Please please help me choose!!

[AmysOnline]

You guys are great. Thank you for your help. I see that the majority here like the Apeks. There must be a good reason.

I Think I'll be getting on of them. Thanks again.

Amy

 

[frogman]

Wise choice for the Apeks. It's really a good reg. Some divers out here at my country just made a record open ocean dive using these regs. They were way, way too deep! Worked like a charm.

I own top-of-the-line regs such as the Poseidon, Scubapro, Atomic. All performed beyond expectations. Now I'm also in the process of getting them Apeks too.

Bottom line: get a reg that is high-performance, that you can afford and has support from a nearby dive shop. Don't skimp on quality, part of your life depends on it.

 

[JSO1]

Hi Amy, I know your pain, maybe I can help. I did a lot of research and found above all the rest the Viper America or Viper TEC is above and byond the best. It has side exhaust and the Viper Metal has a swivel on the 1st stage for better mobility.

 

[AmysOnline]

Really... Do you own the Viper? Are you speaking from research or personal experience. I have heard of two drawbacks to the viper 1) the freeflow issue. Apparently that was an issue with the earlier versions, but apparently they had redesigned it a bit to curb the freeflow. Do you have an older model or newer one - and do you have a problem with freeflow? 2) I heard that the side exhaust works well if you are looking straight down, but when you look up or are in an upright position, the exhaust goes over your left eye, interfering with your field of vision - has that been the case with you?

Thanks
Amy

 

[JSO1]

No they have the freeflow in the new models fixed, I am an owner of a viper and love it. The side exhaust is the best, have not noticed any great problem with looking to the side in anyway. At 100 ft. you want the best you can get because its a long way up. There is no PERFECT regulator, just look and read, you will agree VIPER is the way to go.

Mac

 

[BetterLateThannever]

Mverick,

I notice you don't mention the Apeks T20. What do you think of that Apeks reg?

Not to change the subject Amy, I also vote for the Apeks. Haven't heard of anyone yet that owns one that didn't like it.

 

[Mario S Caner]

Just to get me own two cents in here: Yes the Apeks is a good brand (I have a TX100) and so are the Scubapro's (I use a couple of Mk20/G500's) but for bang for the buck let's not overlook US Divers SEA style(now called the Cousteau style) first stage. So perhaps you should look into the US Divers Micra Adj, or even the Seaquest Spectrum XR2 (I have one of each of those as well) All are winners, all perform wonderfully, and non will break the bank.




Sea you in the Deep Blue!

 

[Mverick]

is also a great reg. But it is there baseline model and I just prefer to go a little above that. The TX 20 is a warm water entry level reg. Breathes well though. I dive mostly in cold water so I'm more in tune with regs that will do both warm and cold water.

 

[BetterLateThannever]

What is the official line of demarcation for "cold water" versus "warm water" diving? I anticipate diving in water that may be as cold as mid 50 degree farenheit. In your opinion, will the T20 perform at those temperatures?

FYI, they didn't start the "TX" until the TX40.

Jim F.

 

[Mverick]

At 50 I would consider the TX40 DS4 as the bottom line I'd go. The X stands for the enviromental kit I think. The T20 can have one added later. I'm not sure the cost though. I think around $50. The only difference between the TX40 and T20 is the environmental seal on the first stage and the heat exchanger on the second. The difference in price of a TX40 and a T20 is about $40. I'd spend the extra.

To me any water below 80 is cold. I'll be in my drysuit. Maybe not much layering of undies but I'd still be in my drysuit. I'm used to Thermo clines so it's always around 50 at the bottom. 90 to 100 feet.