which would people prefer to use?
an atx200 +fsr 1st stage
or xtx50 +dst

It all depends......what are you going to be using the reg for?

Simon.

 

ive used an xtx200 +xtx50 +couldnt notice any performance difference between them.
not used thwe smaller ports on the xtx50/200 so dont know if the atx200s smaller ports would annoy me?

 

not bothered about the lh/rh side changeability

thanks

Why not save some money and go ATX40 then?

 

on the apeks website they dont list the atx/xtx40 as being for tech diving?
thinking of future use.....

 

ATX40 / DS4 combos is probably one of the most common regs combos for tech diving. They're used on twins and stages everywhere due to the simplicity of the design, proven track record and availability of spare parts.

The only difference I'm aware of between ATX40 and ATX50 is the adjustment knob. XTX range is exactly the same but can vary LH/RH feed. AXT200/XTX200 have differring first stages but internally the're the same as the humble DS4 - the only difference is how the hose routes.

For my money Apeks got everything right with the ATX40/DS4 - all subsequent ranges aren't worth the extra money (IMHO).

 

Id have to agree that the second stages are pretty similar but the first stages are very different.

If youre making up a second reg for a twinset what will the new reg be used with?

Think about how the first stages will route all the hoses. The FSR is different to the DST. The DST can now have a 5th port added to it to give you the scubapro method of hose routing.......if you like the look of that (I do and I use it now)

Youre the only one who can decide what you want to use.

Simon.

 

Our XTX's came with interchangable 'small' and 'large' exhaust port fixings (press a button & the fitted unit splits in two) so that shouldn't really be an issue, unless of course you're buying second hand & the extra parts aren't included in the sale.

Nigel N

 

another vote for ATX40 with DS4, value for money and reliable

 

ATX40s are all you ever need unless you are going to use independents. Try DiveLife - http://www.yorkshire-divers.com/forums/regulators-cylinders/82491-ds4-atx40-120-again.html

 

i have 2 sets of atx100s wish i had got atx50s
found them not the best to route on twins

 

the only difference apart from hose routing/external appearance is that the first stage on the xtx 200 has a removable high pressure seat. none of the other apeks first stages have this feature. the main reason i can see for the removable hp seat is that in the event of IP creep being caused by a damaged seat you just fit a new one. apeks however now recommend that on the other first stages you use a "lapping stick" on the hp seat to remove any burrs or nicks. personally i dont grind the seat unless there is a problem with ip creep.

 

DS4 with XTX50

Quality for twinset or stages I have the XTX 200 as well and you cant tell the difference apart from the housing.

dont buy from divelife apparently their doing really well and don't need the business, that's what they told me when I asked for a discount shame. good job GO DIve had the items in stock and over £100 cheaper so I spent just under £500 with them instead.

atx 40 and DS4 £109
XTX 50 2nd stage only £105 had 2 of them
Uwatec 300m bottom timer £69.99

and several other bits and bobs

hope this helps

Craig

 

cheers for all the replies guys.
i'd seen the price increases with the newer models, but not been able to detect any differences in the 2nd stages, apart form the handing +port size.... +wondered about their extra value?
just downloaded the apeks brochure, that gives the work of breathing for the xtx models. the only difference seems to be in the 1st stages.

i must admit, i like the craking adjustment of the 50/100/200s.
i find i get better air consumption with easier inhalation. not been able to see a difference between the 2nd stages.

my current regs are xtx200/50 with fsr 1st stage.
i got them for the same price as atx sets were selling, at bhx dive show, just as the xtx came out :shade:
+are gobsmacked by their price now. although an online shop has an instructor deal making them look less crazy £s

with some of the 1st stages being better at routing than others, could this be overcome with miflex hoses?
thought they were pretty much able to take any routing...

i'll probably be holding off on the purchases, till after ive done my next courses in nov.

cheers guys

 

cheers for all the replies guys.
i'd seen the price increases with the newer models, but not been able to detect any differences in the 2nd stages, apart form the handing +port size.... +wondered about their extra value?
just downloaded the apeks brochure, that gives the work of breathing for the xtx models. the only difference seems to be in the 1st stages.

XTX first stages have done away with the silly 1/2" MP port too.

i must admit, i like the craking adjustment of the 50/100/200s.
i find i get better air consumption with easier inhalation. not been able to see a difference between the 2nd stages.

You can change the cracking adjustment on ATX/XTX40s too, you just need to use an allen key. Once it's set to suit you you don't need to change it.

my current regs are xtx200/50 with fsr 1st stage.
i got them for the same price as atx sets were selling, at bhx dive show, just as the xtx came out :shade:
+are gobsmacked by their price now. although an online shop has an instructor deal making them look less crazy £s

All you need is another FSR first stage, with your existing XTX50 second stage on it.

with some of the 1st stages being better at routing than others, could this be overcome with miflex hoses?
thought they were pretty much able to take any routing...

FSRs route quite nicely on twins if you mount them with the environmental seals facing inwards. It's how I have mine set up

 

i use DS4s on my twinset. swopped to the miflex hoses.. to be honest there are still kinks in the same places, but because miflex is more fleixble, its less of an issue than with the previous rubber hoses.

tempted to try the 5th port option on the DST that i have to see how that works.

 

ATX40 / DS4 or DST. Add the cracking knob from GrahamHK and you have an ATX50. All the reg you'll ever need.

 

I have the same device on an xtx 40 and it does seem to do the job but apeks technician dont seem happy to see them due to them not been balanced like xtx 50 ones. any thoughts

 

The internal adjuster is on the ATX and later and is only used to allow fine adjustment to the knobby bit. It presses on the sticky up bit of part no 33. The big knobby bit sets the compression on spring 32.

Yes and that is all you are doing. Replacing a solid allen key thingy with another solid one with a knob on it. Part no 38 is not meant to be "user adjustable" which is why you have to lever the plastic cover off to get at it.

Here's some more pretty pictures:

 

how much are the apeks genuine bits to make it a xtx50?
inc the little sticker or loose the model sticker?

 

Not sure about the geniune Apeks ones - but the aftermarket ones from Graham are about £8-10.

As for model sticker - my recent ATX40s just came with a badge which said "Apeks" and not the model number (i.e. 40/50).

Here's a comparison of the two knobs - the bottom one is the after market knob and IMHO is better quality the geniune Apeks one (far more solid and doesn't feel like cheap tat).

Contact Anthony at Scuba Diving Store (Scubadivingstore.co.uk) he does a good deal on the ATX40/DS4 combo.

 

do the atx + xtx have a different design exhaust seal?
when slowly breathing out the atx if fantastic, but the xtx oscillates +makes a drumming sounds as it flaps open +closed mg:
ive tried it on several xtx.
why would they design the seal to oscillate +make the stupid noise like that? to clear any debri?
or do they not expect peolpe to breath out slowly?

 

They're the same. One sounds like the rubber has gone a bit sticky though,

 

the xtx sounds like a gazoo? when slowly exhaling mg:
the whole seal seems to lift away as one +slap/buzz back as one
when i pressed any part of the seal, it then funtions like the atx. quietly :wink:

i was wondering if the atx +xtx seals were compatable +if i can have a quiet tune free dive :lol: