What do you think.

[Muzzwezz]

Hi

I am new to diving and im thinking about kit, the problem with only being 15 is that im still growing, i hope, and so i dont want to fork out £300 for something ill have to replace in 3 years [especally as £300 is worth 20 times more to a 15 yearold than a 30].

I have been looking at regulators recently and thinking about buying an APEK-ATX50, although i wanted the FSR first stage to go with it. I was also thinking about buying one of thoes 360' octopuses that work upside down insdie out and round the rounderbout type thing, that i decidided after giving my octopus to my buddie upside down in the pool.

Anyways, my LDS wanted £300 for the ATX-50 and that with a cheaper 1st stage, i have found cheaper on the internet but i cant get it with the FSR first stage. My instructer said that the solution was to go to one of the Dive events and wonder around the stores and see which did the cheapes deal; and then haggle.

I was wondering if you would tell me what kind of price id be looking at for an APEK-atx-50 and FSR first stage while at a dive show. also that you could reccomend an 360' octopus too.
Also all during my training and all the divers ive seen have had their Contentce gauge coming from the left HP port and just clipped on to the left side of the BC, is there and reason for this? although i havent tried it i would susspect that it is much more accesable coming from the right hand HP port and maybe clipping onto a D-ring on you left sholder. why havent i seen anyone with this set up? is it just not very good or get in the way of octopuses or you second stage?

Thanks,
Dom

 

[jonnythan]

If you get a bp (rigged with a 'standard' harness, as opposed to the ones with buckles and padding and things like taht) with a wing, you will never grow out of it.

 

[jonnythan]

What is the FSR first stage? Do you have a link?

 

[Muzzwezz]

What is the FSR first stage? Do you have a link?

Yeah sorry, its the APEK FSR first stage, its the one that comes with the APEK-ATX-200
http://www.apeks.co.uk/home_frameset.htm

 

[jonnythan]

The internal parts of that first stage are I believe identical to what you find in the DST/DS4. I dive with the DS4 first stage. The DS4 is the only first stage many highly skilled and qualified tech divers will even dive with. The "standard" first stage is not a step down from the ATX200 first stage.

 

[Muzzwezz]

The internal parts of that first stage are I believe identical to what you find in the DST/DS4. I dive with the DS4 first stage. The DS4 is the only first stage many highly skilled and qualified tech divers will even dive with. The "standard" first stage is not a step down from the ATX200 first stage.

Yes i was thinking about the DST4 although it only has 1 HP port and i was thinking about having my contentce gauge from the right hand side not left, unless this is possable from the DST4 or there is some reason its best not to. That and the FSR is more attractive smaller, lighter and the ports are better angled and positiond i thaught.

 

[jonnythan]

The DST has an HP port on each side as well as a swivel.

The DS4 has only one HP port, on the left side.

 

[ScubaFreak]

main thing with the fsr is that it's smaller and more compact than any other apeks first stage. I would advise (My opinion) to stick with your ATX50 and go with the FST First stage. I dive with the FST and ATX100. You wont notice a different breathe, my LDS are agents for Apeks and I've tried 'em all. The biggest difference is price.

 

[Muzzwezz]

main thing with the fsr is that it's smaller and more compact than any other apeks first stage. I would advise (My opinion) to stick with your ATX50 and go with the FST First stage. I dive with the FST and ATX100. You wont notice a different breathe, my LDS are agents for Apeks and I've tried 'em all. The biggest difference is price.

ok thanks for the advise, ok apart from if anyone knows of a good 360 octopus i think im done here, thanks guys.

Although the positioning of the ports did seem a little annoying to me for the FST 1st stage, are they irritating or do you just not notice them?

 

[Bobby]

Also all during my training and all the divers ive seen have had their Contentce gauge coming from the left HP port and just clipped on to the left side of the BC, is there and reason for this? although i havent tried it i would susspect that it is much more accesable coming from the right hand HP port and maybe clipping onto a D-ring on you left sholder. why havent i seen anyone with this set up? is it just not very good or get in the way of octopuses or you second stage?

Thanks,
Dom

When I was teaching I put the gauges on the right side for the students the same as I have on my rig. No it is not standard but I think it is better. The main reason is that while ascending you can look at your gauges with your right hand and use your left to dump air from you bc thus reducing task loading. BTW I originally switched because I am left handed and keep my light on my left hand wanting my gauges on my right.