Different types of 1st stages on a manifolded twinset??????

1723 Views 22 Replies 14 Participants Last post by BJ, May 8, 2010

mosschops

Discussion Starter · Apr 26, 2010

Hi Folks,
Currently thinking about taking the first steps in moving to twinset diving after many years diving with a single cylinder.
My current reg set up is the Apeks XTX 200, FSR type first stage with the Egress octopus on a Buddy Tekwing(New model- I know its not ideal for twinsets, but thats probably another thread),

Because it can be quiet a pricey move, I think I will have to do it in two stages.
First, I am hoping to buy the manifolded twinset and reg set up to use it on my existing Tekwing,
Second, I hope to invest in a wing/backplate/harness combination as finances allow (maybe early next year)

My Question is this......
I will have to buy another first stage for the twinset,
Does it need to be the same as my current first stage(Apeks FSR)
or
Is it ok to have different combinations of first stages on a twinset? e.g. an Apeks FSR coupled with an Apeks DS4/DST
I ask as the Apeks FSR appears to be a lot pricier than either a DS4 or a DST.
Any advice/suggestions welcome,

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

davemanroe

· #2 · Apr 26, 2010

There's no problems with having different first stages, I think most people have matching sets either because they bought them as a pair, or they like things to be all the same for neatness / standardisation of routing. However I would keep the connection type the same i.e. both DIN or both A-clamp - preferably DIN, but again, there's nothing to stop you mixing and matching. You might get funny looks from the serious techies, but there's nothing to stop you doing it.

Reactions: 1

mosschops

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 26, 2010

Thanks for advice,
Forgot to say that the FSR is the DIN type and will definitely be going for another DIN first stage

soggybottoms

· #4 · Apr 26, 2010

and bin the egress!

mosschops

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 26, 2010

soggybottoms said:
and bin the egress!

Whats wrong with the Egress???

infernalzen

· #6 · May 5, 2010

plenty of atx 200's coming up on ebay.
its still an fsr 1st stage, just with a satin finish.
got mine for £120 inc long hose

after service, its a real bargin.

Dyson Diver

· #7 · May 5, 2010

i like my egress too , every one keeps saying bin the egress ,,, still like em , i know 40m+ and they gurgle a wee bit , and they will free flow if you fill a bag and use them the wrong way up , other than that they are tough as old boots and handy .
ill duck now from the flack. mind you i like the fsrs too, and get flack for that too , so , buy another fsr , they route as nicely as anything plus you have an extra port to boot.

mosschops

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 6, 2010

Thanks for feedback folks,
Appears to be no end of options,
Will have a look about and see what kind of deals I can get on an apeks first and second stage,
Will post back if I come on any deals and get advice regarding them,

Paul_c

· #9 · May 6, 2010

i ran different first stages for 6 months on my twins. kept the old as the main one cause it was a trusty one and the new as the octo one.

tbh it doesnt make much of a difference other than to geardoes who like to nitpick

nigelH

· #10 · May 6, 2010

mosschops said:
Whats wrong with the Egress???

It doesn't look like a TX40 so it isn't a real reg.

Use what you have. Diving costs too much without junking something because it's not quite the fashion accessory somebody else thinks you should be using.

Reactions: 4

Dyson Diver

· #11 · May 6, 2010

nigelH said:
It doesn't look like a TX40 so it isn't a real reg.

Use what you have. Diving costs too much without junking something because it's not quite the fashion accessory somebody else thinks you should be using.

i would green you , but i cant find the button any more ,,, ill keep looking.

Dyson Diver

· #12 · May 6, 2010

ah , found it , job done

1693

· #13 · May 6, 2010

Dyson Diver said:
i would green you , but i cant find the button any more ,,, ill keep looking.

Dyson Diver said:
ah , found it , job done

For anyone else that is having trouble finding it, despite the constant explanations:

Click on the star!

See less See more

Reactions: 3

soggybottoms

· #14 · May 6, 2010

mosschops said:
Whats wrong with the Egress???

Our club had several of these that freeflowed at the sight of water. We sent em back to Apeks and they were no better.
We've replaced them with atx40's that are very reliable and very cheap
The Egress were so bad we didn't even sell em on eBay and still have them somewhere

It's not about fashion; it's about having kit that inspires a degree of confidence in our novices
Plumes of bubbles coming out of the Egress(i ?) aren't conducive to this

atb, Charlie

Iain3

· #15 · May 6, 2010

mosschops said:
Is it ok to have different combinations of first stages on a twinset? e.g. an Apeks FSR coupled with an Apeks DS4/DST

If you still plan to do single tank diving consider getting two DS4's eventually as using a single tank setup as one of the regs on a twinset would become a pain in the arse after a while.

Firstly there is a lot going on with BCD inflators, suit inflators, SPG, primary and octopus all coming off one reg. You want some of that split over the two regs so if one goes you lose suit inflation or BCD, not both for example. You can leave them on but lots of hoses everywhere, messy, entrapment hazards and unnecesary potential failure points. Alternately you can take unnecesary hoses off when using twins and put them back on when diving singles, but this quickly becomes tiresome.

Also if you use two DS4's you could stick your FSR regs on a stage if you ever want to venture deeper.

Reactions: 1

deviousdan

· #16 · May 6, 2010

There is no reason why you couldn't use one FSR with a DS4/DST on the other post.
The routing would be ok actually.

I have a spare DS4 (DIN) if you are interested. (Actually I have 2!)

Dan

fatboy

· #17 · May 6, 2010

make sure you paint everything black and you will be ok

RogerViking

· #18 · May 7, 2010

look if it works for you then great ...being new to twins the only thing i would say is practice shutdowns , get your weight sorted and go diving.
the rest of the tosh can wait.
but yeah you will need 2 first stages .

RogerViking

· #19 · May 7, 2010

ah nick just noticed the sig...yah auld devil

The Hurdy Gurdy Man

· #20 · May 8, 2010

Dump the manifold !
Stands back to await the storm.

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

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