xtx100 v legend lx

[scubafanatic]

Time to add to the confusion.....
what about trying to decide between apeks xtx 100 or 2000, atomic Z2 or Z2x or Legend LX?

Apeks xtx 2000 ? isn't set for release until the year 2040.

Legend LX--I thought we'd ruled that one out as it has no extended exhaust 'T' ?

Apeks XTX 100 vs 200 -- I thought we'd decided the 1st-stage port layout wasn't a factor in your case ? (that's really the only difference you'd notice)

Atomic ? last I heard it was only Legend vs. Apeks and now the list is expanding again?

I will say this, my favorite regs are my (2) Apeks XTX 200's and my (2) Atomics (M1 and T2). All are excellent regs, and there are some good reviews available @ divernet.com and scubadiving.com.

 

[scubafanatic]

Do you know if they made any changes to them since 2006? I'm looking at a "nib" 100 and 100 (leftover inventory from 2006) and am wondering if I may need to have it serviced and replace parts prior to using it rather than just inspected by my lds as that will add to my final cost analysis.

assuming the old stock 'NIB' unit is at a local shop, the selling dealer can let you compare in person the 2006 version to the 2010 version. Or, do a GOOGLE search, or visit divernet.com and/or scubadiving.com and there's a good chance you can dig up prior reviews of most of the regs out there.

a 2006 version really shouldn't need a full service unless it's been stored out in the heat and O-rings/etc have dried out. They should check it out for you prior to shipment/purchase for basic 'usability', dive shops are supposed to do this anyway to make sure everything is in order/operating properly, otherwise they are just completely worthless middlemen marking up the price for no good reason and they are a waste of space!

 

[scubafanatic]

To my knowledge, I'm not an Apex regulator technician, the changes that have been made are mostly to the 2nd stages. When I was getting mine services last year the tech was using XTX stuff on my ATX 100, again in reference to the 1st stage.

I'm sure I'm gonna get lit up on this, but here it goes. Atomic regs don't impress me. Atomic is the designers from ScubaPro who left when Johnson & Johnson purchased ScubaPro and the only ScubaPro reg that I've been impressed with is the MK17 first stage. I have a couple of SP regs and they've all free flowed in cold water even though they were cold water rated. They are on pony bottles and are my loners. I've had Atomics free flow in the cold as well.

I've never had any of my Apeks free flow.

SP piston regs free flow in cold water as they are NOT environmentally sealed, whereas the Atomics either come standard with environmental seals on the 1st-stages OR they can easily be retrofitted with one, all Atomics use the same exact environmental seal. I've never had any of my Apeks free flow, but then again, I've never had any of my Atomics freeflow either.

 

[mrdohc]

Both 100 and 200 use the same service parts. In fact all Apeks use the same service part. If you are buying a 2006 model, there should be the same as the 2010 model. You don't really have to worry about parts, since Apeks has limited lifetime warranty and free service parts program. As long as you bring in your reg to an authorized dealer to service annually, you get free service parts for life. The only condition is you purchase the reg from an US authorized dealer (I presume you are in the US. For Canada, you have to purchase from an authorized Canadian dealer) Legend LX and Apeks XTX200 are identical reg, at least the principal design. Apeks XTX 200, 100, 50, DS4, Tek3 are also the same reg design with just a different housing so to speak. The Apeks range reg has different port set up on different model 1st stage. Different between XTX and ATX are the primary 2nd stage XTX is a 3/8" threaded port while ATX is a 1/2" threaded port. All XTX have 2 exhaust T come in the box: one long, one short. If money is no object, and you are a recreational diver, only dive single, go for the XTX Tungsten. Good luck

 

[coralcruiser]

Apeks xtx 2000 ? isn't set for release until the year 2040.

Atomic ? last I heard it was only Legend vs. Apeks and now the list is expanding again?

I will say this, my favorite regs are my (2) Apeks XTX 200's and my (2) Atomics (M1 and T2). All are excellent regs, and there are some good reviews available @ divernet.com and scubadiving.com.

What can I say... changing ones mind is programmed into females.

Actually, I have recently gotten what I think is pretty good pricing for the atomics compared to the apeks and the atomics are 2009 while the apeks are 2006. Neither would come with warranty as I don't think they come from authorized dealers.

However, the lds that I want to switch over to for servicing my reg isn't too fond of working on atomics... according to him they're a PITA to work on. However, I am pretty sure that if I talked really nice to him he would do it for me anyway.

 

[Hallmac]

However, the lds that I want to switch over to for servicing my reg isn't too fond of working on atomics... according to him they're a PITA to work on.

I take it you have the environmental seal on those.
It is not that they are hard to work on, it is they are a messy PITA to clean and then filling them with Chrysto-lube to protect them is kin to filling your mouth & nose with Vaseline to prevent the flu bug.

I will admit that to date I have not found a smoother breathing reg than the Atomics line. I am not a fan of their first stages at all.

To the OP, Stick to the Apex TX 100, in my opinion for what it is worth I would say it is your best investment dollar for your desires.

 

[coralcruiser]

I take it you have the environmental seal on those.
It is not that they are hard to work on, it is they are a messy PITA to clean and then filling them with Chrysto-lube to protect them is kin to filling your mouth & nose with Vaseline to prevent the flu bug.

I will admit that to date I have not found a smoother breathing reg than the Atomics line. I am not a fan of their first stages at all.

To the OP, Stick to the Apex TX 100, in my opinion for what it is worth I would say it is your best investment dollar for your desires.

I would not consider buying one iwith the environmental seal since I'm not a cold water diver and have no need to spend extra $$ for the christo when getting the reg serviced.

I think what my tech is referring to is that the system that reduces the seat pressure on the second stage is a PITA to work on.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

It's pretty darn easy to self-service Apeks regs. For a modest investment up-front in a few tools, you'll be able to service the regs when/how you want...and learn how to tune them properly.

One problem with doing this is that you have to purchase the reg overhaul kits from somewhere since Apeks/Aqualung doesn't sell the service kits directly to the consumer. The kits can be found online at Ebay and certain retailers if you look hard enough, though.

 

[DCBC]

OK... time for a new reg and have sort of narrowed it down to the xtx100 or legend lx.

Although they are both good regulators I have to cast my vote for Apeks. I own several ATX-100s and XTX-200s and use them regularly in extreme conditions (water temperature and depth) and have never had a problem. Not even a hint of free-flow in 30 degree water. I'm a believer.

 

[paddler3d]

SP piston regs free flow in cold water as they are NOT environmentally sealed, whereas the Atomics either come standard with environmental seals on the 1st-stages

I've got the SP MK25 with the T.I.S. which they claim is for cold water. Warm water, maybe. So I declare shenanigans.