First set of Regs

[mikecsmith]

Hi Guys,

Just bought my first dive computer on Sat at the LIDS and now I'm looking to get my first set of Reg's in April when I have the cash. I'm looking to spend around 350 maximum.

I've been looking at getting 2x XTX40 for 2nd stage and Octo with a DS4 1st and a Mares Mission 3 console which will fit my new dive computer (went for a cheap Mares Puck) - estimate I can get all of that for 350. I've seen some pretty decent deals on ScubaPro Mk11's with R395/R295 octopus which would cost me about £50 less than the Apeks and come with a three in-line Suunto.

Was wondering what peoples opinions were and if anyone had any better suggestions or knew of anywhere I could get a better deal on regs?

Cheers,

Mike

[Twinsetmad]

Here you go Mike... Brett at Divelife

Apeks XTX 40, XTX 40 octo & free triple console RRP £525 - DiveLife - Scuba

I wouldn't go for a DS4 unless you intend to go twinset in the near future. A DST is designed for the job.

XTX40/50's are superb regs and will see you from beginner to deep tech.

Leave the computer on your wrist.. put it in a console and it'll get bashed about and be a pain to monitor..

have fun... good luck

I see your up north... Deep Blue have some good deals.

http://www.deepbluedive.com/product.aspx?id=11448

Go for Din.... not A clamp.

[Woz]

Cheapest place to get Apeks at the moment is Dive Cellar.

£155 for an XTX40 on DS4 plus ooooo about £70 for an ATX40 octo IIRC. Stick with an SPG for £30 and that's your lot at more than £100 less than your budget. Call Phil for the prices though- not online. 07832117066

[Scu-bamboo]

Divers Warehouse in Bradford is really good. they have like starbuys so you get a reg, octo, bag and depth/compass/air thingie.
i got my first reg set from there 2 week ago, a mares proton metal with prestigue octo. tried them out at cape in 5degrees and they were lovley!
and the man at the shop who put it all together for me was nice too!!

[John63]

Hi,

my vote would be for the Apeks as I have found them to be bombproof.


Avoid the 3 inline Suunto. I got one years ago think that it would be convenient. WRONG.
The spg is great, the compass is great (they do a wrist version too), however the depth guage is crap. the graduations in the shallower depths are compressed, so just when you need more accuracy and scale(0-10m) you don't have it.

Stick to an spg and keep the computer and compass on your wrist

Cheers, John

[Richard Mason]

Originally Posted by John63

Stick to an spg and keep the computer and compass on your wrist

IMHO, a specialist "dive compass" is bit of a con, they're really a waste of money. I've always used a bog standard orienteering type Silva compass, oil filled - they work just as well underwater and it lives in my BCD pocket, held on by one of those retractor-wire things, clipped to a D-ring. And if it gets broken/lost, it's maybe $30 for a new one.

If the compass is on your wrist, you can't point it true straight ahead and central, as your wrist is usually a bit off centre and oriented a few degrees to left or right.

[steve6690]

Stoney Cove are doing a free octopus with Aqualung regs. We picked up a Legend Supreme ACD with octo for £265. I think they had the Titan LX with octo for around £230.

[dct]

Mike,

I went through the same thing, and as ever most people will recommend what they have. For what it is worth, I went Apeks (XTX40's), I liked the established reputation of Apeks.

Daniel

[hyweldavies]

as other have said, you won't go wrong with apeks. I've got a pair og the older TX50s and a TX40 all with the DS4 non-turret and am completely happy, though obviously they are not the only good make. Onto specific points - the DS4 is fine on a single and to be honest can't see much point in turret. also the turreted DST has one different sized port & hose which is silly and a nuisance if you need to swap hoses. as some others have said, just get a pressure gauge not a big console. And do get a nice big brass one that you can actually read like the 63mm one our Mr ninkanks sells. finally at least have a think and read about the "long hose" (ie 2m long) thing. Wrongly seen as a techie thing by some, but I had one on my first bought regs and can see no disadvantage at all.

usual caveat - I'm far less experienced than most here, but a couple of years ahead of you and hence been through all thses questions not that long ago mysels Now diving twins and sling cylinder but still use same regs & long hose on recent holiday with single tank

[hyweldavies]

As other have said, you won't go wrong with apeks. I've got a pair of the older TX50s and a TX40 all with the DS4 non-turret and am completely happy, though obviously they are not the only good make. Onto specific points - the DS4 is fine on a single and to be honest can't see much point in turret. Also the turreted DST has one different sized port & hose which is silly and a nuisance if you need to swap hoses. As some others have said, just get a pressure gauge not a big console. This was very good advice as I could easily have been seduced by an "all in" deal otherwise. You're better off paying a bit more and getting perhaps less stuff but exactly what yo want. And do get a nice big brass one that you can actually read like the 63mm one our Mr ninkanks sells. The suunto gauge is a bit small and flimsy even though other Suunto stuff is fine. At least have a think, and read, about the "long hose" thing (ie 2m long) thing. Wrongly seen as a techie thing by some, but I had one on my first bought regs and can see no disadvantage at all. finally do get DIN regs not A-clamp - clearly superior - and specify the metal handwheel not the horrid plastic one apeks sometimes fit.

Usual caveat - I'm far less experienced than most here, but a couple of years ahead of you and hence been through all thses questions not that long ago myself. Now diving twins and sling cylinder but still use same regs & long hose on recent holiday with single tank