Which Reg?

Which would you choose?

  • Apeks ATX200 w/ATX40 backup

    Votes: 12 75.0%
  • Scubapro MK25/S600 w/R380 back up

    Votes: 4 25.0%

  • Total voters
    16

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

Dryglove

Contributor
Messages
2,587
Reaction score
17
Location
Central CA, Now Christchurch New Zealand
My wife has given me the go ahead to buy a new reg set up as she is gonna take over my MK20/S550 W/R380 backup.

These are my two choices below.Keep in mind they are both gonna cost close the same amount with the scubapro set up slightly higher.They will be used in the Hogarthian/DIR style set up.Which would you choose?Im having a heck of a time deciding :hmmm:

Apeks ATX200 with ATX40 backup
or
Scubapro MK25/S600 w/R380 backup
 
I would really suggest you check out Rodales recent reviews. The scuba pro did very well, better than the Apeks buuuuut I just bought the apeks. I bought it despite the review because i test dove one and fell in love. the primary concern I saw in the review was about marking on the adjustment controls, well I dont know about you but when I adjust my reg under water I usually dont take it outta my mouth and read the freakin letters. I simply adjust it. I love the way it breathes I love the ...well we wont go there suffice to say if my wife leaves me she can have everything but my Apeks 200. But I think I would decide based on the best service available at your LDS
 
What kind of diving are you doing? I would propose the Apeks atx50/40/ds4. You're going to have a heck of a time trying to beat these for the price, unless you dive super cold conditions where you need the better heat exchanger. Save the couple hundred bucks and get the 50 instead of the 200. (that's what I did, love my 50)

mike
 
I'm in a similar situation, wanting to replace a Conshelf SE2 with something newer, and I'm also rigging it DIR (single tank). I don't have an answer for you, but here's some things to consider, or at least what I've been mulling over. I'd appreciate your feedback too.

1) I decided against a 1st stage swivel (turret) to eliminate the dynamic o-ring there. I think the Mk25 uses a 1st stage swivel.

2) I decided against a 1/2" regulator hose (1st -> 2nd) in favor of the more universal 3/8" size. That would mean plugging (or adapting) the dedicated port on some regulators (e.g. ATX200).

3) Are you planning to setup for a single or twins? I don't know for sure but the hose routing concerns are probably different for the two configurations. There's some nice pictures here http://www.wkpp.org/articles/Gear/equipmentimages.htm of a TX100 twin setup, looks very clean.

4) I'm still debating the TX vs ATX 2nd stage question. I've read that the larger TX 2nd is somewhat better than the ATX for bubble interference, but I don't know that for a fact. Also for 2nd stages, is the adjustment on the ATX50 worth having, or would the ATX40 be a better choice? I'd prefer not to have a 2nd stage adjustment if possible.

5) If I was buying today, I think I would get a TX50 with DS4 1st stage and an ATX40 backup, probably from www.simplyscuba.com. Unfortunately this combo costs more than getting an ATX50 with the DST 1st, since Apeks doesn't offer a regulator set with the DS4 1st, making this a custom order. I've heard that the DS4 breathes as well as the TX100 and is considerably smaller, lighter, and less expensive.

6) My choice in the Scubapro would probably be the Mk16, again to eliminate the 1st stage swivel, but I maybe over reacting to what might be a useful feature.

Anyway, those are my thoughts today, but will likely change.

Don
 

Back
Top Bottom