OctoHelm
Registered
Hello ScubaBoard!
I hope this finds you all safe and healthy at home during this crisis.
I am looking into my first Regulator System, as I plan on doing a fair amount of dives this summer, and am hoping to take the TDI Intro to Tec course soon as well as the PADI Rescue Diver course. I already have a mask, fins, snorkel, and exposure protection. I am also probably going to order the Zoop Novo as my first comp. I was looking into Apeks regs as I have heard good things about them. I am leaning towards the XTX 200 over the XTX Tungsten. I do not see an increase in 200 or more dollars for a relatively inexpensive metal finish. I do understand the positives from having PVD Finish on the first and second stages, however 200 dollars is too steep in my mind. PVD finishes are comparable to anodization, and my robotics team was able to get about 60 parts at 20 pounds anodized in two colors for 200 dollars. I think that I will stay with the XTX 200. Other than the surface treatment on the XTX Tungsten, from what I have researched, they are identical. I was also considering Atomic Aquatics, but a lack of a Quality Management System or pictures of their manufacturing facility alongside Atomic being owned by a conglomerate have dissuaded me from looking into their products. That combined with their hose issue, also conveys a lack of a well developed and implemented QMS. I have watched videos on how Apeks manufactures their regulators, and they seem to create a great product. With service, does anyone have any experience with Apeks? Considering Apeks is in Blackburn in the United Kingdom, how would service work? Does Apeks have facilities in the United States? I'm also considering ScubaPro, but they seem like pretty standard regulators, and there is nothing bad about that. I have heard that parts are easy to source for ScubaPro regs. ScubaPro seems to put out a good product, and if any of you wonderful people think that I should consider them, please let me know. If anyone else thinks there is something that I should know, please let me know.
Thank you so much, and please stay safe and healthy! Take good care!
Respectfully,
Charlie
I hope this finds you all safe and healthy at home during this crisis.
I am looking into my first Regulator System, as I plan on doing a fair amount of dives this summer, and am hoping to take the TDI Intro to Tec course soon as well as the PADI Rescue Diver course. I already have a mask, fins, snorkel, and exposure protection. I am also probably going to order the Zoop Novo as my first comp. I was looking into Apeks regs as I have heard good things about them. I am leaning towards the XTX 200 over the XTX Tungsten. I do not see an increase in 200 or more dollars for a relatively inexpensive metal finish. I do understand the positives from having PVD Finish on the first and second stages, however 200 dollars is too steep in my mind. PVD finishes are comparable to anodization, and my robotics team was able to get about 60 parts at 20 pounds anodized in two colors for 200 dollars. I think that I will stay with the XTX 200. Other than the surface treatment on the XTX Tungsten, from what I have researched, they are identical. I was also considering Atomic Aquatics, but a lack of a Quality Management System or pictures of their manufacturing facility alongside Atomic being owned by a conglomerate have dissuaded me from looking into their products. That combined with their hose issue, also conveys a lack of a well developed and implemented QMS. I have watched videos on how Apeks manufactures their regulators, and they seem to create a great product. With service, does anyone have any experience with Apeks? Considering Apeks is in Blackburn in the United Kingdom, how would service work? Does Apeks have facilities in the United States? I'm also considering ScubaPro, but they seem like pretty standard regulators, and there is nothing bad about that. I have heard that parts are easy to source for ScubaPro regs. ScubaPro seems to put out a good product, and if any of you wonderful people think that I should consider them, please let me know. If anyone else thinks there is something that I should know, please let me know.
Thank you so much, and please stay safe and healthy! Take good care!
Respectfully,
Charlie