Hey guys,
I bought a ScubaPro MK16/S550 combo and R190 octo a few months ago when I bit the bullet and bought my single-tank DIR rig. The dive shop sold Apeks, but I hadn't even heard of them! I suppose I just didn't do enough homework.
All the homework I did assured me that ScubaPro was the way to go, though -- so I walked into the store and said "I trust ScubaPro." Being an employee of a trustworthy and friendly store, he talked me through the choices, and dutifully sold me the ScubaPro regs.
Now everything I hear is Apeks...
My DM instructor, whom I trust a great deal, agrees with most of the crowd that the Apeks is the best reg made. I've been very pleased with my ScubaPro regs so far, except that my S550 always free-flows when the mouthpiece is pointing up, which gets old. As it stands, I can't clip off my primary to my harness, because it'll just free-flow like nuts. I believe this has nothing to do with it being a ScubaPro, and everything to do with it being poorly tuned. I'll get it tuned soon.
I'm seriously considering a set of double LP steel 95's or 104's in the future (Cave I is calling my name!) and I'll have to buy an additional first stage. I'd like to have two identical first-stages just to be "consistent."
So my choices are:
1) Sell (or just retire) the ScubaPro regs and get two Apeks first stages and two Apeks second stages (TX100 and TX50?)
2) Keep the ScubaPro regs and buy an additional MK16 first-stage.
3) Use one MK16 and one Apeks first-stage.
I'd be interested to know what everyone thinks -- my instructor has me pretty much convinced that choice (1) is the best -- go for Apeks all-around. Maybe keep the MK16 with a yoke connection for open-water rec diving.
And Matt, you can save your breath, because I'm not going to listen to you -- you're obviously more salesman than diver, and I don't trust you.
- Warren