Regulator advice

[deepstops]

docmartin once bubbled...
DIR Tec Diver, where can you pick up an atx 200 plus octo for Euro 350? i have not seen anything close to that.

Try the following:
www.diveinn.com
www.simplyscuba.com
www.deepstop.de (click on the English flag unless you speak German)

 

[jonnythan]

deepstops once bubbled...

Try the following:
www.diveinn.com
www.simplyscuba.com
www.deepstop.de (click on the English flag unless you speak German)

DiveInn:
ATX200 + ATX40 = 581.95 Euro
ATX200 = 457.58 Euro

SimplyScuba:
ATX200 = 421.59 Euro

Deepstop doesn't even sell the ATX200.


I think that DIR Tec Diver is full of it. You can't buy an ATX200 anywhere for 250 Euro (plus about 100 for an Apeks octo). I was ecstatic last year when I got a TX40 for just less than 200 Euro.

If he's not, I'd love for him to share his information. Fact is that a decent Scubapro (MK16/S500 = $250) and a decent Apeks (ATX40 = $250) are roughly the same price. Top of the line SP (S600 + MK25 = $350) is generally cheaper than top of the line Apeks (ATX200 = $400).

 

[shrwdtech]

I posted this on a similar question here... with a few changes. A lot of the people, as we can see, are very happy with their gear. Which is a good thing. And opinions abound. And my name here gives away where my allegience lies. But all that in mind your best bet is to visit a couple shops and check around online (preferrably at sites that are authorized dealers of the gear they sell), and find a few regs that interest you in the price range you are comfortable with.

Once found, see about renting a set of each and taking them for a dive. If you can't do that, and can't find a rep who will let you demo them, ask anybody and everybody what they think, and why.

Try to be specific in your questions otherwise you wind up with answers from us wise guys along the lines of "this company sux... buy my reg or you are gonna drown"... or "I dive the XYZ123 because I was convinced it's the best!".

Well, maybe not that bad, but you get the gyst.

But honestly, even though I have my own opinions and biases towards a manufacturer or two, if you do that all, you can't go wrong. There aren't many regs out there on the market that can be really considered a bad choice, and your homework will bring them to the surface and eliminate them straight away. After that, no matter what you choose, you'll be winding up with a nice new toy. Keep in mind that Scubapro and Apex are only 2 of a larger group of very good equipment manufacturers out there. Don't limit your search based on us here and I think you may be pleased to find some great options, with great service at reletively inexpensive prices out there!

Good Luck!

 

[sachar]

deepstop does sell the apeksatx200

Apeks-Set ATX 200 1. & 2. Stage with Octopus ATX40 apeks 486.00EUR

cheers

 

[kavka]

I paid 140 euro for MK 25 in Italy, S 550 is near this price, but my first choice for first reg is still MK16, R190. I have them for backup.

 

[Cudabait]

If you have'nt done it, get a scubapro.. I'm currently using Dacor, Seaquest and scubapro. Over the years I've probably used them all. Bite the bullet and get a scubapro, you'll be better by far in the long run.

 

[cstreu1026]

I am not all that cray about my scuba pro Mk25/S600. For $500 it should breath better than it does. I question my purchase and I wish I had bought an Atomic Z1 since its environmentally sealed and more than $100 cheaper than the list price of my SP reg. Maybe I will have a better opinion when i get my regs wet again since the dealer "tweaked" them and after I get my recalled Smart Pro computer back. But until then , I say go with the Atomic.

 

[ElectricZombie]

I say go with ScubaPro, they breath great and are reliable. I have a bunch of their regs and have never had any problems with them.

 

[Genesis]

I am not all that crazy about my scuba pro Mk25/S600. For $500 it should breath better than it does.

Getting the S600 right is a pain in the butt as the balance chamber adjustment (which is critical to getting it to breathe smoothly) is under the adjuster knob, AND you must depressurize the stage to change the setting. This is a real PITA.

When mine is set right it JUST freeflows a touch with the knob all the way out, is pretty "tight" with it all the way in, and turned about 1/8th turn in from all the way out breathes like being on the surface.

However, it takes me a good 30 minutes to get it tuned that well once I take it apart, due to the inability to make that balance chamber adjustment with the stage pressurized.

As a point of comparison, the "non-adjustable" G200B, which does indeed have the adjustment (but no external knob - its done with an allen screw) can be set in about 5 minutes to breathe just as well as the S600.

The S600 a very nice-breathing reg but the G250HP (or G200B if you don't want the external knob for resistance) breathes just as well and is a HELL of a lot faster to tune properly.

I suspect the problem is one of tuning, but good luck getting it adjusted - its not a trivial thing to get right due to SP's wonderful design on the balance chamber adjustment.

 

[ElectricZombie]

Genesis,

The G250HP is the new version, it does have the same fine adjustment as the S600. The old G250 with the metal knob does not.

The old G250 is much easier to set up...I don't know why they decided to complicate the design when they both breath the same.