Sidemount/double config - XTX50/DST or MTX-R or MTX-RC ?

[runsongas]

getting kits from NESS is easy if you don't mind they are aftermarket. so it is a wash on the DIY front.

 

[UCFKnightDiver]

It's not that they're expensive, it's that they are something like 10-15% more expensive in the US market than they are in Europe which is irritating



Dive Rite imports their regs from Taiwan as well, I'm not sure I'd use a companies historic legacy as a buying criteria when they don't actually manufacture their own regulators. This applies to essentially everyone except Poseidon, Scubapro, Apeks, Aqualung, and Mares. I'm sure I'm missing someone else, but essentially everyone else is important at least part of their regulators from the big OEM's in Taiwan, and yes that includes Atomic.

What about TUSA?

 

[tbone1004]

What about TUSA?

Forgot about them, and Scubapro actually gets a lot of their stuff made by TUSA so scratch them from the original list.

 

[runsongas]

TUSA doesn't make bad regs, but they don't offer a 5th port turret that is desirable for SM. also not a fan of their 2nd stages.

 

[runsongas]

View attachment 637187

Could be an optical illusion, I've not seen one in the flesh.

the mtx-rc hp port works fine for backmount doubles in a standard DIR config. it also gives a little extra spacing for an AI transmitter without a short hp extender hose. not as good for backmount singles with a long hose on the fifth port though. better off running it as shown and leaving the 5th port unused.

 

[MichaelAnderberg]

Hello All,
I know the XTX50/DST is the best seller as very reliable and i have one already for several years and i love it.
I am planning to buy Apeks sidemount/ double regulator set and i thought that MTX-R/MTX-RC might be good for that purpose since it is certified according to Navy standards , but i am not sure if it has been tested and if it is considered reliable as the XTX50/DST or not, that why i am seeking your opinion?

Thanks to share with me your thoughts , which one you would buy ? why ? and if the service kit for the MTX-R/RC is identical as the XTX50/DST ?

Thanks in advance!.
Regards

Hi,

I dive the MTX-R for Sidemount and love them! I got them originally as the dealer was out of XTX50s and offered me a better deal on the more expensive MTX-R. I live in Sweden, so the coldest I've dived them was 0 degrees C or about 32 degrees F and they worked perfectly. Very easy to breath at all depths and I've had zero free-flow issues.
As for the angled HP-ports, that's true if you want to put the SPG or a transmitter on a short HP hose there, it will look a little bit like a banana but it works. If you put a transmitter on the top port without the hose and an SPG or a second transmitter on the lower port that's no issue whatsoever as that gets bent in the correct direction.
True, the 1st stages are big like moped engines but they work flawlessly! I've removed the little plastic cap over the 5th LP port and use that port for the BCD and Drysuit hoses.

My 2 cents/Mike