Well, you will certainly get a lot of personal opinions, based on personal preferences, and you how much opinions are worth.
But, that is exactly what my comments will be – personal opinions, based on my experience, which may (or may not) be relevant to your preferences. The context of my responses - a relatively new tec diver (PADI), diving in cold inland quarries in winter and warmer coastal (NC) waters in summer (i.e. no Great lakes experience). Trimix is my next tec step, anticipated to be later this year. There are a lot of tec divers with more experience lurking out here so you should be able to get a variety of opinions based on their experiences as well.
Gamehunter:
I am considering going towards trimix classes and using doubles. I am looking at a set of Apeks regs, which are best for doubles? XTX-200,100,50's,other? or a combo of the regs, if combo,why?
I dive ATX-200s, and have nothing but high praise for them. I wanted top end regs, that would function well in cold water, and which would breathe ‘easy’ at depth. It is hard to imagine that you would go wrong with the XTX-200s. I use AT-20s on my deco bottles, and am pleased with them, although I have had occasional free-flows in very cold water with one of them. I would go with two identical regs for the backgas, as I have never understood the logic of combining different regs. Maybe someone else can offer a different opinion.
Gamehunter:
I will be doubling a set of PST HP 100's & OMS LP 120's
So, you will have some weight on your back (I dive double PST HP120s), and that may be a help on weight.
Gamehunter:
Apeks Wtx BC or web harness, why?, backplate? cell.
No personal experience with the WTX but it looks like a good BC – reminds me a bit of the DR Transpac, but others who dive it will give you a more informed assessment. I would suggest you consider a simple BP, though, based again on individual preference. I don’t find the need for a lot of padding, particularly in my DS, and the extra padding, albeit minimal, adds buoyancy, and that means more lead. Some suggest an AL BP when you go double steel tanks, although more a consideration when diving wet. But, I suggest a simple SS BP. The best approach is a single piece web harness (I do that when diving doubles wet). But, for diving dry with my doubles, I use an OMS web harness with quick releases on the shoulder straps – it is just less of a battle to get out of it at the end of a dive (or into it, for that matter).
Gamehunter:
What size cell for Great Lakes cold water, drysuit,etc 30,40,60,80 lbs lift?
I suspect you will not need a cell greater than 60#. I found that a Rec wing, at 51# was just a little small for me in fresh water, with double steel 120s, and an AL:80 and an AL40 as my deco bottles. Part of that may be the fact that the Rec is a little narrow for doubles, despite marketing claims, and does not function optimally in that configuration. I also found that a 77# (dual bladder) Super Wing is overkill. Currently I have a
H Explorer at 55# and love it. You’ll probably get some positive comments on the
H Evolve (60#), and on Oxycheq and DSS wings as well.
Gamehunter:
Oooh, that’s an easy one. Of course you will ’need’ more than one!
You cannot be a tec diver without a house full of gear! Seriously, you could conceivably dive with one and only one wing – a 50 - 60# wing should be versatile for doubles and singles. I keep several wings but that is ‘want’ more than ‘need’. It will depend on the diversity of your diving going forward.
Gamehunter:
Should I purchase the surelock weight pockets?
IMHO, I suggest you try to get to the point where you need NO additional weight. With a SS BP, and minimalist harness, and negative fins (e.g. SP Jets, whatever) and double HP steels, you might be able to. Of course, the GL are cold and you may end up with a lot of undergarment (I assume you are going trilam / shell, not crushed neoprene), and no added weight may not be an option. Othe GL divers can comment on that.
Gamehunter:
New computer, D9 or Vytec?other? I where 2 computers now with a SPG
If you are looking at trimix, why not go with a He-capable computer? I dive a Vytec and a Nitek He, and that works for me. I prefer the readability of the Vytec – big digits on the display – over the Nitek. No experience with the D9 – some on SB love it, others say it is overpriced. I’ll let them sort that out. While the Vytec is AI with an optional transmitter, I don’t use that feature with my doubles – I leave the transmitter on my singles reg, so an AI computer is not necessary or even very useful.
