XTX40 vs XTX50 for octo

[hypertech]

I've decided I want a long hose and it is looking less and less like I'll be able to do that with my EOS reg. So, I'm thinking of selling it and moving to something else.

I'm leaning towards the XTX100. As long as I am changing, I'm also considering abandoning the SS1 safe second and going to a necklaced octo. The integrated second seems like a good idea, but in an ascent situation from depth, its a lot of meddling with one control to manage air in the BCD, a shared air situation, breathing off of the safe second, and venting the drysuit. The necklaced second with a nice 22" miflex hose seems like a good idea.

Anyway, the only differences I can find on the chart between the XTX40 and the XTX50 is that there is no diver adjustable breathing resistance or wide exhaust on the XTX40 - who cares. It just needs to deliver air on the rare occasion I would need it. Here is what bugs me, they also label it not suitable for extreme diving. I recently learned to ice dive and had a good time and plan to do more.

Does anyone know if it is the first stage that would give it this designation on the comparison chart? It would be connected to the XTX100 first stage which should be good for ice diving. Or, is there something about the second stage that I should avoid and go with the XTX50?

 

[mikeb663]

If you want to save a little money just get the XTX50 for your primary with the DS4 first unless you need a swivel first stage then you can get the DST first stage. I dive the DS4/XTX50 on both posts of my doubles and could not be happier with their performance. I have had these regs under the ice without issues. As far as your octo goes you could easily pair the XTX40 with the DS4 or DST as both of these first stages ar environmentally sealed. As far as your concern about ice diving I would urge you to move to a redundant air source (pony bottle), but this would require another set of regs. It is money well spent though. I hope this helps. Have a nice evening.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

The XTX40 and XTX50 are essentially the same second stage. The only difference is that the XTX50 has the user-adjustable inhalation control knob. Both are very easy to service. If you really wanted to, you could even buy the parts and retrofit the XTX40 to become a XTX50. If you're planning to use the XTX40 as your backup, it's very easy to de-tune it prior to your dive/during servicing...but you may not even need to do that.

Personally, I like the inhalation adjustment knob. I'd pay an extra $50 bucks for the feature. However, I wouldn't spend an extra $100 for it. Just depends on your budget.

A separate issue to consider is that you may want to change the yellow octo face cover to a black one if you're planning on using it as your necklaced backup and donating your primary long hose XTX100. This might decrease the chance that an OOA diver will try to breathe off of your backup reg on a short hose.

 

[hypertech]

Yeah, I've been dealing with that yellow cover issue. Through US authorized retailers, I cannot find a black second stage sold separately. I can get it out of Spain though and I'm leaning towards going that way.

Its not a money issue - its a what is the right tool for the job issue. A pony is on the list as well. One thing at a time

One of the LDS's I called suggested I go for the XTX200. The price difference is less than $25. He thought that if it did get flooded, that that replaceable seat may be worth it.

The other thing is that the diaphragm is up instead of down so it isn't as protected. I'm not sure if this is an issue? If it was a problem risking damage, I wouldn't think the top of the line would be that way.

I'm not sure either of the choices for the XTX50 will do the job for me. I don't like the swivel and I need 4 LP and 2 HP ports.

So, now I'm leaning towards a XTX200 with XTX50 backup. If I decide to use it on a pony or something later, the 50 might be nicer.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

One of the LDS's I called suggested I go for the XTX200. The price difference is less than $25. He thought that if it did get flooded, that that replaceable seat may be worth it.

I'd say that your LDS guy is trying to sell you an XTX200. Besides, I'd be more interested in the absolute price rather than the relative price difference between the next reg down in the line (XTX100?).
The non-removable HP valve seat in the first stage of the FST, DST, and DS4 works and really isn't at risk of getting damaged during servicing (so long as you're not completely careless). On the other hand, I have heard that the removable HP valve seat in the FSR can be damaged during servicing. The removable HP valve seat makes it more like the removable crown on Aqualung's Titan and Legend regs. Advantage or disadvantage? You make the call. I would just call it "different."
FWIW, unless you do something impressively bad to your first stage, you won't have an issue with flooding. Just maintain it properly and overhaul it when it requires servicing.

The other thing is that the diaphragm is up instead of down so it isn't as protected. I'm not sure if this is an issue?

If the position of the hydrostatic diaphragm (pointing up) is a concern for you...then mount the first stage so that it's pointing down. Attach your hoses accordingly. I really hope that the LDS guy didn't raise this as a potential area of concern.

I'm not sure either of the choices for the XTX50 will do the job for me. I don't like the swivel and I need 4 LP and 2 HP ports.

I don't think the swivel on the DST is a big deal. Potentially, it's another failure point but in practice I have heard that it isn't an issue at all. Some people might be annoyed by stuff swiveling around when they didn't want it to. I have the FST with my ATX100 and like the location/angle of the ports.
Why do you need 2 HP ports? If it's because you'll have a hoseless air-integrated dive computer and you want to have a backup analog SPG connected in addition to the transmitter...then I guess that's OK. Personally, for recreational diving, I'd just install one pressure-sensing device at a time. If I wanted to do hoseless air-integration, then I'd leave the analog SPG in my save-a-dive kit. If the computer failed to pair with the transmitter on my pre-dive checks, then I'd install the analog SPG. For tech diving, I think I would always go for the more reliable analog SPG...and messing with hoseless air-integration is simply more trouble than it's worth. Just my 2 psi.

 

[hypertech]

Yes, he was trying to sell me a XTX200 because he had those in stock. I'm planning to go DIN this time, and it is conceivable that someone would throw the reg into the rinse bucket without the cap on it. I don't know if this would cause enough damage to have to replace that part or not. It just seemed like $25 different that could possibly save me a first stage would be a good trade off. The LDS didn't say anything about eh diaphragm, I conjured that up on my own.

About the swivel - I just don't like them. I've rented regs with them and they just bug me. I'm sure I could deal with it, but when I'm getting ready to spend this kind of money, well, I don't want to

You are right on with the 2HP ports. I use a wireless air integrated computer. I don't currently have a backup SPG, but, I don't want to rule out the possibility I may change my mind someday and want to add one. I want the port just in case I do decide I want that.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Yes, he was trying to sell me a XTX200 because he had those in stock. I'm planning to go DIN this time, and it is conceivable that someone would throw the reg into the rinse bucket without the cap on it. I don't know if this would cause enough damage to have to replace that part or not. It just seemed like $25 different that could possibly save me a first stage would be a good trade off.

I wouldn't ever recommend throwing a reg into a rinse bucket (cap or no cap). That's poor form. Rinse buckets are notorious for not being changed frequently enough. Whenever possible, the reg should be rinsed post-dive in fresh water while pressurized.

Fear tactics. Gotta love that marketing ploy. My advice: don't blow $25 on something you don't need.

You are right on with the 2HP ports. I use a wireless air integrated computer. I don't currently have a backup SPG, but, I don't want to rule out the possibility I may change my mind someday and want to add one. I want the port just in case I do decide I want that.

I highly recommend that you get an analog SPG. The day that you try pairing your whizbang hoseless air-integrated computer with the transmitter and it fails...will be the day you wish that you had an analog SPG. Or maybe you're willing to sit out a few dives. I know I'm not.

Good luck with your reg purchase, hypertech. You seem to know what you want.

 

[hypertech]

So how do you rinse it then? When traveling, I don't have tanks with me. This means it is the rinse bucket on the boat or the sink/tub in the room. I've always come home from a dive and thrown them in the sink. Have I been screwing up from the beginning?

I'll put more thought into adding that SPG to my parts kit sooner than later.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

So how do you rinse it then? When traveling, I don't have tanks with me. This means it is the rinse bucket on the boat or the sink/tub in the room. I've always come home from a dive and thrown them in the sink. Have I been screwing up from the beginning?

If I'm diving multiple times per day for several days in a row, I don't even bother rinsing. I blissfully enjoy the diving and do a thorough rinse/soak when I get back home. If I bring the reg back to my room during the trip, then I'll rinse the second stages unpressurized in the water and gently dip the first stage making sure not to get any water inside. If you have a cap that seals the inlet, then there's probably no harm in soaking it in your room sink.

For day trips, I never use the rinse bucket on the boat. That water is usually brackish anyway. Dunking stuff probably isn't a big deal, but I definitely wouldn't leave any delicate items (regs, UW camera) in the boat rinse bucket. For liveaboards, I modify my rinsing procedure a little.