Regs but which ones

[Bardo]

Originally Posted by Woz

I'd go for a TX50 primary with a yellow cover and an ATX50 backup with a black cover. Well that's what I dive anyway (actually it's a TX40 primary but hey ho). The reason? TX is nicer for the bubbles and is a tough old reg which doesn't mind being dragged down the car park on the end of a 2m hose. The ATX (I have a 100) is a bit more delicate but nestles under my chin(s) nicely.

As 1st stages Ive got a DST and a the one that comes with the 100. Neither are optimal for twinsets but do a decent job. If I was buying from new I'd go for the DS4/TX50 primary and DS4/ATX50 backup combo.

Never really got on with the TX range as I found they gave me jaw ache. I wouldn't knock them, though - as you say, they're a tough old reg! I suspect, however, that you'll be hard pushed to find a DIR diver who lets their 2nd stages get 'dragged down the car park on the end of a 2m hose', though - very bad form in a rule #6 sense of the word and very likely to get you unceremoniously removed from George's christmas card list!

[Woz]

It's not me who drags them but when you are RIB diving it's the other muppets in the club who stand on, abuse and generally try and knacker your kit. If you want to get rid of the jaw ache, change the mouthpiece for the comfo-bite one so you can take the weight off the pre-molars and onto the whole of your bite.

[Fiona]

The TX regs are not for me, I used to have a TX40 nitrox reg and it was big and bulky so I sold it.

[Tricky]

You wouldn't like the S'pro G250s then.

[duc996bp]

Why do so many people prefer the DS4 1st stage over the DST??

John

[Janos]

Originally Posted by duc996bp

Why do so many people prefer the DS4 1st stage over the DST??

The turret has an extra o-ring so is another failure point. I believe the hose routing is nicer too.

Midn you, don't believe what I say. I have Oceanics with Alpha 7 second stages and they've been brilliant to me. I think they may even be DIR compliant but don't trust me on that one.

Janos

[Bardo]

Originally Posted by duc996bp

Why do so many people prefer the DS4 1st stage over the DST??

John

As Janos has said, the DST features a 'turret' which is considered an unneccessary but - if truth be known - fairly minimal point of failure. The Scubapro Mk25s feature a turret too but the rather nice hose routing that it offers far outweighs the potential risk of a leak developing in its turret. Going back to the DST, though, the DS4 allows for neater hose routing and is a more compact size.

In general, DIR-types with a soft spot for Apeks tend to use DS4s (or ATX100 Flathead 6s) for backgas and DSTs for stage bottles. The DST is favoured for stage/deco bottles because the turret can be seen so any potential bubbling will be spotted straight away. Also, the turret allows the 2nd stage hose to be layed flat along the cylinder when not in use but routed 'outwards' (for want of a better word) when breathing from the cylinder.

Hope this helps!

BTW Janos - There was a time when Oceanic regs were considered 'DIR' by Gorgeous George. Rumours that Oceanic threw the WKPP lots of free kit which may or may not have affected this opinion are entirely circumstantial...

gue.com/Projects/WKPP/Equipment/gearlist.html

[dlegros]

Plus, the DS4 doesn't have the poxy 1/2" MP port that the DST has.

[Andy Phillips]

Hi Fifi,

Hows life treating you, not spoken for yonks, let alone seen you.

I bought some reg's for Lizzy recently and did a bit of testing admitidly only Apeks.

I have an ATX200, a TX40 (and 50) so I thought I would give the XTX50 a go.

They're good, would recommend them, the ATX are a pain the exhaust is just too narrow. I found the constant stream of bubbles going past my ears a real issue. The TX whilst bullet proof feels big and clumpy after the X-Streams I used to have. The XTX is basically an ATX with a wide exhaust valve option. I went for the DST rather than the DS4 because of the swivel end on the first stage which makes them very convinient to route between single and as a stage reg. without having to strip off the octo.

If you do ditch the cyclons then the XTX would get a vote from me. As for Scubapro, yep, ran a MK25 / R380 whist in Egypt (due to some rather enthusiastic box handling by the pickup driver). It was OK, but the Apeks had a more gentle breath.

Take care.

Andrew

[warmwaterdiver]

atx40/ds4 currently £129, xtx40/ds4 £159