Advice on Regs and BCs for UK diving

[CatB]

Hi

I am looking to purchase my first regs and BC (or wing - I am open to persuasion!) for UK diving and I'd really like some advice!

I currently have a drysuit and all my personal gear (computer, fins, mask etc and 3 torches - not sure how that has happened already!) and I want to get my own BC and regs so I can stop borrowing the club kit.

Regs - I am currently keen on the Aqualung Legend Supreme or Titan LX Supreme as they have had generally good reviews in magazines etc and I have seen them advertised for a good price. However everyone here seems to recommend Apeks which I have previously heard described as 'bomb-proof but heavy and chunky' which didn't endear them to me - added to this - our club kit is Apeks regs and I would ideally like something that doesn't look like the club kit so I don't have to keep rescuing it from overzealous novices 'tidying' kit into crates on club trips! On the other hand if they stand head and shoulders above the rest it would be pretty silly not to consider them.

BCD - I would like to get a ladies fit BCD as I have found all the club kit I have used fairly ill fitting, restrictive and uncomfortable so far. The ladies fit ones seem like a better idea BUT they generally don't have much lift, since I dive in a drysuit with about 11kg of lead I am thinking that this may be a problem - what do you think? The Tusa Selene and Mares Ariel look like nice BCs but have relatively little lift in a small or medium. I am happy to consider a wing but firstly I want pockets (I prefer to tuck things out of the way in them especially as I always carry a spare torch and a DSMB) and secondly I don't want something that will confuse my Buddy (who may never have seen a wing before) in an emergency. I also have no idea where to start with understanding wings and I am a bit concerned that they are 'over the top' for a recreational diver who will probably never even use a twin-set.

Finally, how sensible is it to buy second hand, I have seen some nice looking deals with regs and console on e-bay and obviously I would get the regs serviced before using them, is this a way of getting good quality kit cheap or is it too risky?

So, advice and comments very welcome please.

Please Help!

Thanks

[trimix taz]

i would recomend apex .i have used them(tx 40 & tx100) in water temps down to 3deg and to depths of 96 mtrs.
apex seem to give far better after care to .

[Eeyore]

Hi WannabeMermaid,
PM sent
Aaran

[recurve]

My wife has problems with a conventional BC, largely because she is petite, and even an XS has to be tightened up to the limits of the straps. With this in mind we are going down the route of a backplate and wing. Our intention is to use twin 7's which is by no means essential, but she will end up with a very nicely balanced rig with about the same weight as a 10L plus 3L pony. Hopefully the twins will address redundancy issues.

Backplates are infinitely adjustable to suit all body shapes, and should you chose to stick with a single tank, there are wings that are dedicated to single tank rigs. There are arguments that wings may not suit begginers, at least in part due to the way that they support you at the surface, I would say this is mostly a confidence issue.

I wouldn't say no to buying second hand stuff, but you must factor into your purchase price the cost of the proposed service, and this might make the buy rather less attractive. There are really good buys to be found on regs if you don't mind shopping abroad, check out Woz's thread on Apeks ATX100's he got from Germany.

Apeks are good pieces of kit, and I would say that the ATX40 that I have is pretty compact. They have a good reputation, and mine has a nice breathe. Being a UK company, back up is easily available. My Primary reg however is a Mares that I got from the USA (new).

Everything I say should be taken with the perpective I have only been diving for just over a year.

[purple vonny]

They all seem to like wings on here but I (and a couple of other diving birds) love the Seaquest Diva LX. It fits women beautifully, is mostly a wing but has a jacket design. It has plenty lift and is very stable and comfortable in the water.
http://www.aqualung.com/products/diva_lx.html
I also like APEKS regs but everyone to his own. They are very highly recommended by most of the divers I know.
I started off with cheap kit and replaced it all after about 18 months. Now I love my set up and would never wish to change it.
If you could try some different stuff out in a club pool before buying it might be helpful.

[CatB]

Thanks for that. I have looked at the Diva LX but unfortunately I think it is just out of my price range I haven't seen it anywhere for much short of £400 - the Diva XLT then seems to lack lots of the features of the LX. I guess maybe this is one case where e-bay could come into it's own as I might be able to get an older one.

I have also heard people concerned that the crossover front can get in the way of a drysuit inflate - do you think this is likely to be a problem?

I am going to have to find a way of trying a couple of things on I think.

[Wacker]

You won't go wrong with Apeks regs and if you want a BCD Buddy jackets are very good and tough as old boots and the after sales service is second to none with a life time garentee to the original purchaser.

[Neill]

Hi,

I have used Titan LX Supreme regs for UK/red sea < 30m for 4 years 80+ dives and they are fine. I got mine very cheap as a trade in deal (sham really as I had nothing to trade in). I think they were only £140. Depends what you want - they always come out well in comparison tests, I've always looked out for them.

I had a scubapro glide 1000 which I used for a few years and is fine. Great deal from divein in spain. Horses for courses. use what evidence is available - tests and opinions.

Luck


Neill

[ardhill]

I just wish that someone had persuaded me to buy a Wing when I started buying my own kit. More comfortable, more streamlined and more adaptable than a stab jacket, IMHO. You also don't have to use a twin set if you don't want to. You could use twin 7's but if you are sure you don't want to go that route then you can get a wing for single tanks. If you are not sure then you can get a wing and back plate that will do both.

Pockets on wings - sure. Find a pocket or two you like from any wing manufacturer and it will probably fit on the waistband of the harness you have. You don't need to buy an integrated one, just adapt the straightforward harness to suit your requirements.

As far as Apex regs go, many UK divers like then 'cause they perform well in our cold water and you can easily get parts and servicing for them. The ATX range are lighter than the TX range.

Though there are a lot of good regs out there, I am currently changing my set to APEX - so if you want to buy a working second hand set of Mares regs, give me a shout.
.

[daz]

The aqualung regs are very similar to Apeks from what I have seen. They even use the same service kits.

Apeks are actually owned by Aqualung now so the similarities should not really be that much of a surprise.

Daz