Hi All,
Been away from diving for about 4 years after having a kid, so wanted to ask everyone's advice on whether or not I should replace my gear - I have an old Apeks ATX50/CTX50 that I bought back at the end of 2001, and have only used it for a total of about 120 dives or so over the years, mostly on dive vacations. Some years it wasn't used at all, and it's been almost 4 years since I last went diving. I found a dive shop that can still maintain it and am in the process of getting it serviced as I always have - I usually service it before a dive trip if I haven't used it yet that year.
I'm looking to get into diving again and hopefully more often since I moved to Asia, and wondering if this Apeks reg, which has been lightly used over the years, should be good enough, or if I should buy a new regulator set. I also have an Atomic SS1, which I got back when a instructor said it was a good way to streamline with less hoses but considering getting a new octo for easier sharing in case of emergency.
The cost for servicing the ATX50 is about $110 USD, and a new octo (probably XTX40) would cost about $240 USD.
A new set of XTX50 + XTX40 would cost just under $800
XTX200 + XTX40 would be just about $950
Scubapro MK25EVO 620TI + R195 would be about $1150
Technician said if I service the ATX50, could probably sell it used for about $325
Since I have to invest in a new octo anyway, would it make sense to get a new regulator set, or is the Apeks still good enough to last several more years? I read through some of the forums that suggested regulators lasting in excess of 30 years if properly maintained.
I also have an old Seaquest Balance (also from 2001), thinking of replacing with a more modern BCD, and a Oceanic Atom 1.0 which I think still functions...going to try it on a shore dive this weekend along with trying my Apple Watch Ultra as a dive computer to see how it goes. Having only done 125 dives in 20+ years, I'm obviously a recreational diver (who knows, maybe I'll dive more with the abundance of choices in Southeast Asia). Part of me thinking upgrading my gear might give me even more incentive to dive more often (or maybe that's just an excuse to upgrade).
What do you guys think of the above regulators, and if I should stick with the ATX50? Appreciate any and all comments, thanks in advance!!!
Been away from diving for about 4 years after having a kid, so wanted to ask everyone's advice on whether or not I should replace my gear - I have an old Apeks ATX50/CTX50 that I bought back at the end of 2001, and have only used it for a total of about 120 dives or so over the years, mostly on dive vacations. Some years it wasn't used at all, and it's been almost 4 years since I last went diving. I found a dive shop that can still maintain it and am in the process of getting it serviced as I always have - I usually service it before a dive trip if I haven't used it yet that year.
I'm looking to get into diving again and hopefully more often since I moved to Asia, and wondering if this Apeks reg, which has been lightly used over the years, should be good enough, or if I should buy a new regulator set. I also have an Atomic SS1, which I got back when a instructor said it was a good way to streamline with less hoses but considering getting a new octo for easier sharing in case of emergency.
The cost for servicing the ATX50 is about $110 USD, and a new octo (probably XTX40) would cost about $240 USD.
A new set of XTX50 + XTX40 would cost just under $800
XTX200 + XTX40 would be just about $950
Scubapro MK25EVO 620TI + R195 would be about $1150
Technician said if I service the ATX50, could probably sell it used for about $325
Since I have to invest in a new octo anyway, would it make sense to get a new regulator set, or is the Apeks still good enough to last several more years? I read through some of the forums that suggested regulators lasting in excess of 30 years if properly maintained.
I also have an old Seaquest Balance (also from 2001), thinking of replacing with a more modern BCD, and a Oceanic Atom 1.0 which I think still functions...going to try it on a shore dive this weekend along with trying my Apple Watch Ultra as a dive computer to see how it goes. Having only done 125 dives in 20+ years, I'm obviously a recreational diver (who knows, maybe I'll dive more with the abundance of choices in Southeast Asia). Part of me thinking upgrading my gear might give me even more incentive to dive more often (or maybe that's just an excuse to upgrade).
What do you guys think of the above regulators, and if I should stick with the ATX50? Appreciate any and all comments, thanks in advance!!!