Time to upgrade zeagle or apeks

[Nitrodiverrr]

My current leaking setup is a poseidon triton. Due to a slight 2nd stage leak, cost of poseidon service, and lack of trust to go very deep with it, a divorce with this poseidon is near. Due to poseidons lack of support in the U.S. I have no intrest in the xstream. I am leaning towards the apeks xtx 100, xtx 50, and xtx200 in that order versus the Zeagle flathead 7. Primary use will be cold water. I prefer the apeks mouthpiece which is a nonfactor, as this could be put on a zeagle for $10. What I really like about the apeks, is the option of using the larger diver changable exhaust for better bubble interference. I prefer the miflex hose used on the Zeagle, but I could always put this type of hose on an apeks. Zeagle has a good reputation and being U.S. based is a plus. Service is a nonfactor as the same local tech handels both. Generaly I take my alpha 4 pony reg with me on trips as a backup , therfore service outside the U.S. is irrevolent. Any input on bubble interference on the zeagles would be appreciated.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

I'll let Leadturn_SD talk about Zeagle regs, since I know that he has that brand.

I own the Apeks ATX100/FST + ATX50 (backup). The ATX reg series lacks the user-changeable exhaust tees of the XTX series. Bubble interference has never been an issue with this particular reg for me. I also own the Aqualung Legend reg and have used Titan regs a little. I'd like to add that with the Aqualung regs, I haven't noticed any problems with bubble interference. I suspect that the XTX exhaust tee is mostly marketing hype. Try it out for yourself, though. Perhaps you wil see value in it.

You'll need to purchase at least one 11/16-inch thin wrench (cone or tappet or equivalent) in order to properly mount Miflex hoses onto Apeks second stages. For some odd reason, Apeks decided to install a not-so-wide retaining nut which makes it difficult to tighten the Miflex attachment nut to it. Silly design really. Not a deal-breaker...but annoying nonetheless.

Hose-routing might be slightly better on the FST first stage (comes stock with XTX100) vs. the DST and DS4. I own and like the FST, but if you wanted to save a few bucks the DS4 should work just fine. The only difference among the Apeks 50/100/200 second stages is cosmetic. Go with whatever's cheapest.

Hope this info helps. Good luck with your reg purchase.

 

[Couv]

If I'm not mistaken, Zeagle allows parts sales to the customer over the internet. If I had to choose one of the two brands you mentioned, that would be reason enough to go with Zeagle.....but don't overlook Hog and Diverite.

c

 

[fire_diver]

Take a look at the HOG regs. You might even compare them to certain Apeks regs

 

[Scott L]

My Apeks Tec3's are the bee's knees. It is not posiable to design a first stage with any better hose routing IMO...

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

I'll let Leadturn_SD talk about Zeagle regs, since I know that he has that brand. ....

I was waiting for Bubbletrubble and couv

Nitrodiverrr: I envy your "problem".... two fantastic brands to choose from.

And sadly, I've never had the opportunity to dive Apeks regs, so I'm not sure how bubble interference compares between the two. I don't notice it with my Zeagle ZX... but then I'm not often a photographer (my wife enjoys it more), so maybe the bubbles are there and I just don't notice them??

The fact that you can change exhaust "T's" on the Apeks might be important in your decision (it would not be important to me). I'm more interested in how a reg performs, and both Zeagle and Apeks are top performers.... I wonder if the wider exhaust "T" increases exhalation effort? Or has no effect (I have no idea)?

Anyway, my standard Zeagle sales pitch is that you can buy parts and the manufaturers tools for them without having to know any "secret handshakes". I've been able to pick up the phone or go online and order rebuild kits, 2nd stage bodies, diaphragms, etc. Zeagle allows parts sales to their customers.... many other brands do not allow this.

None of this is an issue if you never intend to service your own regulator... but it becomes a big issue if you do.... I applaud Zeagle, Dive Rite, and now HOG for "bucking" the scuba industry and having the foresight and confidence to sell parts to their customers.

Sorry, I guess this is a non-answer. Pick the regulator that you think looks the best That is probably just as valid a criteria when it comes to these two brands.

Best wishes.

 

[knowone]

Despite Apeks being handled by corporate thug Aqualung. Apeks. Pommy brand, crap place, cold water, 30+ years. I have the first model side draft and a couple of later ones. Very good. Good for twins.

 

[Scott L]

Despite Apeks being handled by corporate thug Aqualung. Apeks. Pommy brand, crap place, cold water, 30+ years. I have the first model side draft and a couple of later ones. Very good. Good for twins.

Can you rephrase? Thanks!

 

[SDAnderson]

Despite Apeks being handled by corporate thug Aqualung. Apeks. Pommy brand, crap place, cold water, 30+ years. I have the first model side draft and a couple of later ones. Very good. Good for twins.

Can you rephrase? Thanks!

Pommy = British.
Crap place = Britain.
Cold water = Britain.
30+ years = been around for a long time.

All in all, a solid recommendation for Apeks.

LeadTurn_SD had it about right: when comparing Zeagle and Apeks, pick the one you think looks prettier. They're both fine regulators. Personally, I'd give the edge to Apeks - they're a little more solidly built, have a bigger installed base and worldwide support - but we're definitely in 6-1/half-a-dozen to the other territory.

 

[elan]

My current leaking setup is a poseidon triton. Due to a slight 2nd stage leak, cost of poseidon service, and lack of trust to go very deep with it, a divorce with this poseidon is near. Due to poseidons lack of support in the U.S. I have no intrest in the xstream. I am leaning towards the apeks xtx 100, xtx 50, and xtx200 in that order versus the Zeagle flathead 7. Primary use will be cold water. I prefer the apeks mouthpiece which is a nonfactor, as this could be put on a zeagle for $10. What I really like about the apeks, is the option of using the larger diver changable exhaust for better bubble interference. I prefer the miflex hose used on the Zeagle, but I could always put this type of hose on an apeks. Zeagle has a good reputation and being U.S. based is a plus. Service is a nonfactor as the same local tech handels both. Generaly I take my alpha 4 pony reg with me on trips as a backup , therfore service outside the U.S. is irrevolent. Any input on bubble interference on the zeagles would be appreciated.

No interference on Zeagle ZX second stage. Bubbles never were a problem for me.

We have both in the family I use Zeagle Flathead VI , my wife uses Apeks Tec 3.

I dove both personally cannot tell any difference. I had mine in 36F water down to 100 ft and after 150 dives only had 2 free flows on 2 regs simultaneously which disappeared after shutting down and re-openning the valves in mild conditions. I blame it on water in the reg as dove them few days in a raw and did not dry them with cups off.

Other than that no issues. For me the availability of the parts were the decision factor. My wife got a good trad-in deal and with no hesitation we went with Apekes for her.

Just like you I do not like the mouthpiece and replaced them with Apeks ones

Bottom-line performance wise having dived both I cannot really find anything that would lean me towards one or the other.