Mr. Dooley
Contributor
Full disclosure I already posted here asking for an octopus recommendation - thanks to those who shared their insights. But as I'll likely be pivoting toward getting a new rig entirely, I wanted to post again under a heading that more accurately reflects what I'm looking for now.
Currently I'm rocking an XL4+, with an octo / inflator combo (which I'll be ditching in favor of routing the primary hose under my right arm, and having a back up second stage on a necklace). As a diver determined to advance my capabilities, I figure I may as well consider getting a solid, versatile regulator that's well-suited for not only the diving I do now, but the more demanding dives I'm likely to do in the future (caverns, caves, wrecks, currents, etc.). My current diving conditions are cold water (typically around 38 - 50 in the Pacific Northwest), and I want to continue doing deep (100' +) dives as well.
Since I'm currently on Apeks I sort of started my search with tunnel vision for that manufacturer, and ended up considering getting an MTX-RC - first stage, second stage, and back up second stage. Obviously an expensive proposition. Upon reflection, while I need a reliable cold-water rig, it's unlikely I'll be doing any actual ice diving anytime soon, and view that more as a bucket list item than a style of diving I hope to do regularly. So it sort of makes me think of the MTX-RC as overkill in that department. I was told that another benefit of the MTX-RC vs. my current XL4 is performance at greater depths - while the XL4 certainly works under normal conditions, in a high-stress situation down deep it'd be possible for a diver to basically demand more air than the regulator could deliver, leaving one feel oxygen-starved and exacerbating things (if I'm wrong here feel free to correct me). My understanding is because basically it's a small second stage, the XL4 is more limited in this capacity. No such issue with the MTX-RC, I'm told. Since deep dives are a real part of what I'm eager to continue doing, I figure it makes sense to get a rig that's optimally designed for great breathability at (nearly) any depth.
But I don't want to arbitrarily feel stuck with Apeks since again, I'm going to be replacing my whole rig anyway. Some other contenders after further research would be the new Aqualung Leg3nd series, the Apeks XTX series, and various offerings from Atomic.
Ultimately I'm looking for a rig that I can use in cold water, that will "out-breathe" my current XL4 at greater depths (100'+), and is built to last so I can enjoy it for years to come.
Thanks in advance for the SB community for any input here - as a new diver with a perfectionist mentality, I find myself really obsessing over this decision so your input is appreciated!
Currently I'm rocking an XL4+, with an octo / inflator combo (which I'll be ditching in favor of routing the primary hose under my right arm, and having a back up second stage on a necklace). As a diver determined to advance my capabilities, I figure I may as well consider getting a solid, versatile regulator that's well-suited for not only the diving I do now, but the more demanding dives I'm likely to do in the future (caverns, caves, wrecks, currents, etc.). My current diving conditions are cold water (typically around 38 - 50 in the Pacific Northwest), and I want to continue doing deep (100' +) dives as well.
Since I'm currently on Apeks I sort of started my search with tunnel vision for that manufacturer, and ended up considering getting an MTX-RC - first stage, second stage, and back up second stage. Obviously an expensive proposition. Upon reflection, while I need a reliable cold-water rig, it's unlikely I'll be doing any actual ice diving anytime soon, and view that more as a bucket list item than a style of diving I hope to do regularly. So it sort of makes me think of the MTX-RC as overkill in that department. I was told that another benefit of the MTX-RC vs. my current XL4 is performance at greater depths - while the XL4 certainly works under normal conditions, in a high-stress situation down deep it'd be possible for a diver to basically demand more air than the regulator could deliver, leaving one feel oxygen-starved and exacerbating things (if I'm wrong here feel free to correct me). My understanding is because basically it's a small second stage, the XL4 is more limited in this capacity. No such issue with the MTX-RC, I'm told. Since deep dives are a real part of what I'm eager to continue doing, I figure it makes sense to get a rig that's optimally designed for great breathability at (nearly) any depth.
But I don't want to arbitrarily feel stuck with Apeks since again, I'm going to be replacing my whole rig anyway. Some other contenders after further research would be the new Aqualung Leg3nd series, the Apeks XTX series, and various offerings from Atomic.
Ultimately I'm looking for a rig that I can use in cold water, that will "out-breathe" my current XL4 at greater depths (100'+), and is built to last so I can enjoy it for years to come.
Thanks in advance for the SB community for any input here - as a new diver with a perfectionist mentality, I find myself really obsessing over this decision so your input is appreciated!