What's the best Apeks regulator setup for DIR?

[carlthecat]

All Apeks regs have a venturi control. The 50, 100, and 200 have a cracking resistance control. I dont think you will have a problem with the regs being too sensitive because you can turn them down. My opinion is I want my backup to breathe as well as my main if I need it at 200 feet.

Many tech divers like the DS4 first stage... reliable and good for routing hoses. I am going to use 2 FSR first stages because 1 came with my ATX-200 and someone I know sold me another. My research has resulted in the overall opinion that both were excellent. Keep in mind everyone is bias towards what they like. In summary, I dont think you could go wrong with either.

Carl

 

[carlthecat]

Oooops double post.

 

[PerroneFord]

JJ dives a ScubaPro Mk25. That must be the best.

 

[Adobo]

Mikey,

You should check out Dan Mackay's book called Dress for Success. A lot of DIR gear recommendations and details on why.

If memory serves, DS4/TX-50 (though I am sure atx50 and xtx50 are both fine) are on the recommended list. Proven track record, doubles hose routing, politcs all play I role I suspect. The other reg that I remember is the scubapro mk25/g250 combo. One thing to keep in mind, those are recommendations. More ideal is to understand the why's just like what TSandM is saying. That way, you can go beyond the recommedations and still find appropriate gear.

If you are really interested in the DIR opinion, you would do well by saving some of that extra coin and put it into DIR-F (fundies). You'll wind up with someone you could go to for gear advice. You'll also get the other 90% of what DIR is about which will help you understand whether DIR is something that you are truly interested in.

 

[scubamikey]

You should check out Dan Mackay's book called Dress for Success. A lot of DIR gear recommendations and details on why.

Thanks, I just read Dress for Success and JJ's DIR-Fundamentals this past weekend. Great stuff. Why would anyone use another system?

Since the XTX line just came out, I thought I'd ask opinions about it.

One thing to keep in mind, those are recommendations. More ideal is to understand the why's just like what TSandM is saying. That way, you can go beyond the recommedations and still find appropriate gear.

I have that awareness, I'm not stuck on a specific list. But since I can now afford Apeks, and my LDS sells Apeks, and I believe Apeks is one of the best, then I figure I won't be sorry with Apeks. Just of question of which to choose, and I guess more like "is there a reason NOT to get the new XTX line?", and go for an older (but field tested for years) model?

DS4 vs. XTX-fst, fsr, etc?

If you are really interested in the DIR opinion, you would do well by saving some of that extra coin and put it into DIR-F (fundies). You'll wind up with someone you could go to for gear advice. You'll also get the other 90% of what DIR is about which will help you understand whether DIR is something that you are truly interested in.

On this note, at what point should I start diving? Right now I've only gone to classes and OW dives, I need to get some gear so I can get some experience (renting not viable option). I figured if I get a good DIR setup, and understand why I am choosing each piece of gear, then I won't make too many bad choices. I feel like I need to do some diving first before I can really appreciate more education, particularly Fundies.

 

[Adobo]

Thanks, I just read Dress for Success and JJ's DIR-Fundamentals this past weekend. Great stuff. Why would anyone use another system?

Since the XTX line just came out, I thought I'd ask opinions about it.

I have that awareness, I'm not stuck on a specific list. But since I can now afford Apeks, and my LDS sells Apeks, and I believe Apeks is one of the best, then I figure I won't be sorry with Apeks. Just of question of which to choose, and I guess more like "is there a reason NOT to get the new XTX line?", and go for an older (but field tested for years) model?

DS4 vs. XTX-fst, fsr, etc?

I won't pretend to be an expert here but I think the question is, what benefit do you really get for your added investment? If the benefit is minimal, wouldn't the money be better applied elsewhere?

On this note, at what point should I start diving? Right now I've only gone to classes and OW dives, I need to get some gear so I can get some experience (renting not viable option). I figured if I get a good DIR setup, and understand why I am choosing each piece of gear, then I won't make too many bad choices. I feel like I need to do some diving first before I can really appreciate more education, particularly Fundies.

Dive right away.... but dive only to your level of comfort and training.

DIR based gear purchases make a lot of sense if that is the direction you are going. And even so, you will need someone who has experience with the gear to show you the right way to configure, don, deploy, stow and undon the equipment. For example, a 7 foot hose needs to be stowed so that the slack is out of the way. To deploy it, you need to unwind it from around your neck. Not complex but not necessarily something you want to figure out yourself.

Your best bet if you move forward with an investment in DIR gear is to connect with some local DIR divers. Quite a few have the mentoring mentality so at the minimum, you can get feedback on configuring your rig and how to use the long hose. See if there is a local DIR instructor. He/she may know the local crew and may also be willing to help get you started as you wait for the next fundies class.

There is a guy named Bob Sherwood. Here is some info on his shop:
ALL ABOUT SCUBA
829 Main Street
Vestal, NY 13850
http://www.allaboutscuba.com

I dunno if he is close by but it is worth a shot.

 

[rainman_02]

I dive with two Apeks Black Pearls in a DIR double configuration. Why? Because I got both the Black Pearls for less than the retail price of an ATX50 (or the TX50/DS4).

If I hadn't got the nice price, I would have just gone with an additional ATX50 2nd (since I already had an ATX50/DST) and two DS4 1sts.

The DS4 and the ATX200 (Black Pearl) both have nice hose routing for doubles. The XTX200 will route the same way as the ATX200 and it doesn't have the obnoxious 1/2 inch port that the ATX series regs have.

The ATX200 and ATX50 2nds are almost exactly the same. The major difference is the size of the heat exchanger. The firsts...hard to say.

Tech divers choose the TX50/DS4 combo for price, hose routing, and the big exhaust tee keeps the bubbles farther from your face.


The Scubapro regs are also nice. Don't focus on the best because it's the most expensive. Only a shady LDS will push you in that direction. Focus on it being the best because it is a good value, high reliability, easy to maintain/repair, etc.

 

[scubamikey]

Adobo- Thanks for more great advice. Through NE-UE I have found a DIR diver in Rochester (2 hrs away) who has offered to mentor me. Also, I think Bob Sherwood might be in in Egypt now teaching classes, but all the smudges on the windows of his shop are from me peeking in and looking at gear this past friday...lucky for me I'm only an hour away from him.

 

[scubaputz]

I have Atomic, Scubapro, and an assortment of Apeks (DS4/TX50, ATX 200, XTX 200) regs. I use the new XTX200s on my doubles, because I prefer the hose routing over the DS4 first stage. I chose the Apeks, over the Scubapro/Atomics due to their ease of maintenance, especially in the field. I use the Atomic reg for my singles set-up.

All qualify as a "DIR" set-up, but none of them will make you a DIR diver.

Bruce

 

[cerich]

If you can afford the best why would you be concerned about DIR's opinion? Do you suspect they'd want you in less than the best?

Provided the performance is stellar (which most Apeks are) I imagine because he is interested in progressing his training/style towards DIR. In which case it would make sense to look for a reg that is considered DIR by DIR divers. There are also concerns like hose routing etc as the diver may progress towards more advanced tech. diving.

What's the beef with DIR BTW? I have taken GUE training and been closely professioanly involved with many from GUE/Halcyon. I dislike many of them personally and disagree with some aspects of the philosophy but understand a person right to choose.

Just because I find the idea of "Divorcing Well" as a form of making money repugnant, I would be wrong to assume that all do.

DIR or Not DIR is a personal choice.

Best,

Chris