Chiangmeister
New
Apologies if this has been asked to death, but I have been looking through the web for a week, but am still quite confused.
I am considering buying either an Atomics T3 or an Apeks xtx 200 or xtx 50.
Here are the factors/non-factors in my consideration:
Thanks in advance.
I am considering buying either an Atomics T3 or an Apeks xtx 200 or xtx 50.
Here are the factors/non-factors in my consideration:
- Price is not a huge concern.
- I might want to cold dive in the future, but for now I will be mainly diving warm water.
- If time permits, I would want to get into tech dive in the future, either end of next year or start of the following the earliest.
- I might want to dabble in side mount before I get into tech dive.
- I am a total noob when it comes to things like hose routing or designs etc. and reading through the discussions I have come across, these aspects usually fly right over my head.
- One of the reasons I am keen on the T3 besides I find it more appealing than either the xtx200 or the xtx50 secondary is that I was a material science major and Titanium really tickles my fancy.
- T3 is not as good for cold dives (but how significant is the difference?)
- If/when I get into twinset/sidemount I will need another Reg of the same model.
- T3 might be slightly cheaper in maintenance than either Apeks, but not significantly so.
- Functionally their performance is the same in warm water. T3 is just slightly lighter so easier to lug around.
- T3 might be more susceptible to dings and scratches.
- Are my understanding above correct?
- Taking into account my considerations, is there any reason (besides price) I should choose either Apeks over T3?
- What are the pros and cons for the piston design vs diaphragm designs (those are the main difference in the first stage right?) in practice?
Thanks in advance.