Yet another newbie agonizing over reg choices

[Eriden]

Greetings All,

The name is Jonathan, or Eriden if you prefer.

Having recently completed basic open water dive training with my LDS and looknig towards the not so distant horizon of my advanced (and eventually technical) training, I have decided that the time has come to purchace some equipment.

I was fortunate enough to become friends with one of my dive instructors who offered me an excellent deal (under $300) on a brand new SeaQuest Black Diamond BC (for those of you who love to buy all your gear online, this is an excellent lesson of the potential benefits of developing a good relationship with your LDS )

Naturally, the next piece of equipment that I am considering is a regulator, and therein lies the problem... so many good choices (which is a damnably good thing in my opinion... gotta love the free market ) Having done research on various models, I have narrowed my choices down to several different models, one of which will hopefully serve me well for years to come. My current favorites are:

1) Apex ATX200 (nuff said!)

2) Poseidon Jetstream/Odin (supposed to be great at depth)

3) Aqualung Legend LX Supreme (uses apex designs?)

4) Atomic M1 (Advertised compatibility with 80% oxygen mixes)

Which one of these regs would be best suited for both air and Nitrox diving, and are any of them adaptable to trimix diving? Technical certifications are a year or two away for me, but I try to live by the rule that it's better to spend the extra money now to get something capable of fufilling all of my future needs than to go with a less expensive model and be forced to spend another wad of cash when my desired training forces me to find another piece of gear.


Thanks for taking the time to help a newbie in distress,

Eriden

 

[Mverick]

Apeks Tx 100, Atx 100, Atx 200, atx 50/ds4, tx50/ds4, atx 40/ds4, tx40/ds4.

ScubaPro S600/MK25 is also a great reg. I prefer the apeks though. Unless it's for a stage tank. Then it's the ScubaPro.

Any of these and you can't go wrong.

Of the others, Atomic is a good deal, I'm not big on the Poseidon, and haven't used a Legend.

 

[melfox26]

I have the Aqualung Legend LX. It's a great reg that breathes great at depth. It is Nitrox compatible, not sure to what O2 percentage. It's also one of the highest rated regs out there, which is why I purchased it. I haven't regretted that decision.

Mel

 

[Ranz]

Many of the board members are Apeks fans.....guess I am one too

Go for the ATX200

 

[detroit diver]

I'd go with the Apeks for two reasons:

1. They're great to breathe from.

2. They're VERY easy to service.

 

[buff]

I like the Poseidon for the minimal jaw fatigue -but I have TMJ and that might not be a concern for you.

The other thing I like about the Jetstream is the cold water reliability but Apeks is very good too.

I have an Apeks TX50 and it does not breathe as well as the Jetstream no matter how it's adjusted. The Apeks is easy to service and more universaly servicable than the Jetstream.

 

[Finesse]

Eriden once bubbled...
Greetings All,


Having recently completed basic open water dive training with my LDS and looknig towards the not so distant horizon of my advanced (and eventually technical) training, I have decided that the time has come to purchace some equipment.



Technical certifications are a year or two away for me, but I try to live by the rule that it's better to spend the extra money now to get something capable of fufilling all of my future needs than to go with a less expensive model and be forced to spend another wad of cash when my desired training forces me to find another piece of gear.


Thanks for taking the time to help a newbie in distress,

Eriden

You need to do whats right for you……..but……..

From what I gather from your post your very new to diving (BOW) which is great...BUT.. you're already gearing up for Tech diving..I personally might advise you to take this one step at a time...I guess the question is …..how do you know for sure your going into that type of training…..being so new to this…..

Please don’t get me wrong …..Your enthusiasm is fantastic ....... just dont let it run too wild !!! or else your going to be out a whole lotta cash!!!!!!! When you start your Tech training you'll be more familiar with the gear and you'll look at this type of gear from a "different angle" therefore maybe the stuff you thought was appropriate now ..... wont be appropriate when you're really into the tech phase.......OK Off the soap box......

Regs....We own two of which you speak..... but by the time you're ready for the more technical or advanced diving ..... there will be new gear that you'll want even more (trust me been there done that …too many times).....and with some of those regs your already into some serious performers (not to mention serious cash)

I'm Biased towards Apeks as that is what I currently dive and we just purchased a Legend for my wife......We really like both of them.... and yes AquaLung has incorporated some design features of the Apeks into the Legend series.

Whatever you decide just enjoy what your doing!!!!!!

 

[GeronimoDF]

The answer is easy...
Apeks ATX 200

 

[ElectricZombie]

I would go with a ScubaPro MK25 and then add a G250, S600, or D400 as a second stage. Then use an R190 or R380 as a backup.

I'm a little biased, but I really think that ScubaPro makes a great product. Never had any problems with any of their regs; they are outstanding breathers and very reliable. I'm sure the APEX regs are ok too but, I don't have any experience with them.