APEKS? or Scubapro

[bodie]

Hi all,

I am considering changing from Scuba Pro regs which I have used since I learnt to dive to APEKS . I just wanted to get some feedback on what is the right one to choose ? I have seen an XTX 50 on ebay , but don't know anyone who has one. Is this a good reg for UK diving, it seems to be a bargin.

[Woz]

The 50 is, IMHO, the best all-round Apeks reg.

However, S/Pro are very good too so I would save your money.

[bodie]

Thanks, but the time has come for a new reg - the scuba pro MK2 i have was bought second hand when I was travelling. Great for warm water diving but not sure it can take UK conditions. But the MK25 seems a good competition.

[Rob Dobson]

Both are generally very good - so what do you have (1st stage and 2nd stages), what diving do you want to do and why are you thinking about changing?

[G man]

Originally Posted by bodie

Hi all,

I am considering changing from Scuba Pro regs which I have used since I learnt to dive to APEKS . I just wanted to get some feedback on what is the right one to choose ? I have seen an XTX 50 on ebay , but don't know anyone who has one. Is this a good reg for UK diving, it seems to be a bargin.

Be careful the seller hasn’t sold anything before and its quite a high price item, you might be unlucky and find its a very expensive purchase when you receive nothing in the post.

If you do get it make sure the seller sends it special delivery and mails you with a tracking number.

Cheers G.

[MarkyBish]

I have Apex ATX 50/40 Main/Octo regs and they have served me well, never a freeflow even in 3c water, so I can't fault Apex as a manufacturer.

It's not my place to comment on scuba-pro regs since I've not owned any, but was told only yesterday by a fellow diver that he didn't rate them. Again though, that was his opinion not mine.

My 2p.

Mark.

[Woz]

The mk 2 is a good reg- dead simple with not alot to go wrong. 1st stage whistles a bit if not dived regularly but they take alot of abuse.

I dive a TX40 main reg and an ATX100 backup- but it depends on whether you dive singles or a twinset.

Personally I reckon the best reg for UK conditions is an Apeks TX50 with DS4 1st stage. Is more robust than the ATX and XTX range which can apparently have distorted 2nd stage bodies. I've used my TX down to 40m and it breathes beautifully all the way down- that balanced 2nd stage, once set up, is the dog's doo dahs. You should be able to pick up a TX50 pretty cheap these days.

I would not bother with the ?TX 100 or 200. They are just jewellery and the port angles on the 1st stage are all wrong. The only advantage the 200 1st stage has is a replaceable seat.

[Rob Dobson]

Just seen your other post - yup the MK25 is very nice, but a DS4 is cheaper and also very good.

I have both (well 7 DS4's and one MK25) and if I was to do it all again I don't think I'd bother with the MK25 simply because of the cost and the fact that it's a turret design.

[G man]

Woz call yourself a kit fondler. You need a set of Atomic B2'S Lovely bits of kit.

[Woz]

Originally Posted by Rob Dobson

Just seen your other post - yup the MK25 is very nice, but a DS4 is cheaper and also very good.

I have both (well 7 DS4's and one MK25) and if I was to do it all again I don't think I'd bother with the MK25 simply because of the cost and the fact that it's a turret design.

Yep I'll 2nd the turret thing. Steer clear. My DST 1st stage was in bits in Seahouses over the weekend as the turret O ring was fizzing. Just a simple buildup of scale which was quickly sorted but still a PITA.