I have owned the Exotec since October 2023. I got one as that is what my store sells and considers top of the line, and as an instructor we have to wear what we sell!!! It feels great. I got 65 dives on it since! Now with that said last weekend I noticed, rather heard, a popping sound in the lumbar area. Got it home and got to looking. The lumbar bolt is not loose but the plastic grommet and metal washer where the bolt goes through are giving out. Also where the waist straps/buckles/ weight pocket holders connect to the lumbar plate, since I have to adjust it, the metal eyelets have been rubbing on the back plate, and has been filing the edges of the back plate. The same is happening to another one of our assistant instructors. I have emailed Apeks and sent them pictures of it, but have not heard back yet.
Apeks made a huge mistake by discontinuing the Black Ice. The Exotec is in no way a replacement or better BCD that the Black Ice. Nice but not better!