DIR reg recommendation, please .. Scubapro/ Apeks?

[ProMed]

I have lots of pics of hose routing with the DS4s if you would like to see them.

I would be interested in seeing those, please post them!

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Hello,...I now live in Asia and dive predominantly in warm water, ...So, ...looking for a brand which is easy to service anywhere in the world.

What Vie said.

Dunno where in Asia you live,...and Asia is kinda large..., but when I lived there twenty years ago the only regulator that you could get parts for ANYWHERE from the Philippines to Fiji to Indonesia to Guam to where-ever, was ScubaPro.

If you wanna do your regs yourself, go with the Apeks because its easier to purchase spare parts and tools. If you wanna tech to do your regs, I recommend SP hands down.

(BTW, I dive SP Mk-20s, but my buddies all dive Apeks - but we're located stateside...) FWIW...

 

[Hoosier]

Vie lives in Asia and give all answers you need.

 

[OE2X]

I own both ATX200's and a bunch of Scubapro MK25's/S600's

I use both brands.

I prefer the Scubapro's because they are a dry breathing reg in any position. My ATX200's give me wet mouth when I'm inverted or supine.

I would say that the ATX's breath just a touch easier, but, because I get water in mouth from them, I use the S600's almost exclusively.

It seems all my friends that have Apeks have a similar problem but have gotten used to it.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

I would be interested in seeing those, please post them!

Singles... http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?p=1242604#post1242604 and http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?p=214557#post214557 or
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?p=188627#post188627

Here are some pics of DS4s on twin Al80s

 

[seaexplorer8888]

.. but I always appreciate input from many sources before taking such a decision!!

 

[ProMed]

Singles... http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?p=1242604#post1242604 and http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?p=214557#post214557 or
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?p=188627#post188627

Thank You.

 

[Sloop John B]

Have two ATX100s that I love. While they probably don't perform better or worse than high-end SP models, the hose routing is great.

 

[Gareth Ingham]

DIR is stated as a system that can be used in virtually any diving environment.

With this is mind a regulator that fits this description would also be appropriate. While not necessarily something to worry about in Asia, colder environments have unique requirements. I have heard of Scubapro's free flowing from people that know better than me in temps below 6 deg celcius. I am specificially referencing the MK20/25's of this world, not the diaphram designs.

Apeks on the other hand can truly be used everywhere, from temps below freezing to tropical waters.

Having said that, JJ uses Scubapro as does Casey Mk. George, Reinhard and Michael on the other hand like Apeks. What this say's is that either design/brand is more than appropriate for the majority of people considering the lead explorers in the DIR frame work use both brands. If your plans ever take you to colder waters i would personally recommend the Apeks, if you will only be diving in warmer environments, get whichever is cheaper and gives a better hose routing.

I personally have used Scubapro's for the last 6 years, they have been great barring two 1st stage failures at random times, including after a service.

It is for this reason, along with the "all environments" concept that induced me to recently purchase 5 Apeks regulators. I will continue to use my Scubapro's for singles but the Apeks will be destined for my technical diving.

I personally also like the fact that Apeks can be assembled/disassembled with an Allen key while the Scubapro's require some specialist tools. Both brands use standard parts kits, so no issues there.

Recommendations: Apeks: TX 100/DS4 for twins, TX50 DS4 for Deco

Scubapro: MK25/G250/S600 all round.

Good Luck and safe diving,

Gareth

 

[Randy43068]

Great pictures Stephen. Thank you!!

Randy