Tortuga68's model & series guide to Apeks regs

[RichWilx]

IFSR, FST - Both sealed, both have 4 LP ports, no turrets. Higher end regs/better performance deep. FST has replaceable ARCAP valve seat

I'd hazard a guess that the R in FSR and the T in FST signify Rec and Tech respectively. Just a very pedantic guess

 

[Tortuga68]

That's possible but, in my experience anyway, it's more common to see a pair of FSRs on a set of doubles than FSTs. Either way they're both more than capable tech regs performance-wise, since their internals are very similar

 

[Reg Braithwaite]

The Apeks site clearly describes all that is needed.

With respect, it does not and I suggest it cannot. I am a programmer and author of several books about programming. Technical writing is hard, in part because what is well-written for one audience becomes confusing or pedantic for another. I readily accept that the Apeks site is useful for some or even most people who visit it, but there will always be some segment of the "market" that it does not suit quite so well.

Having an alternate overview can be helpful, much as an executive summary of an essay helps people read the essay more effectively.

If anybody reading this thread would like advice regarding Apeks equipment I am happy to respond to PMs.

That is stellar, and people like you make ScubaBoard the awesome community that it is.

 

[Nomihodai]

I'll be buying Apeks as my first regulator and this summary definitely helped me wrap my head around all the different models and decide on the XTX50. Thanks to the OP!

Can anyone point to an online U.S. retailer that is also an authorized dealer of Apeks/Aqualung besides scuba.com?

 

[buddhasummer]

Try contacting these guys, I'm sure they can point you in the right direction:

Apeks International Distributors

---------- Post added March 16th, 2014 at 12:07 AM ----------

Or here:

Worldwide Dealers

 

[Nomihodai]

The pricing from the international distributors I checked out is… beyond my budget, to put it mildly.

So I'll be sticking with online U.S. retailers or eBay and having the gear reshipped to me overseas. Prime Scuba seems to be another authorized dealer for Apeks.

 

[buddhasummer]

The pricing from the international distributors I checked out is… beyond my budget, to put it mildly.

So I'll be sticking with online U.S. retailers or eBay and having the gear reshipped to me overseas. Prime Scuba seems to be another authorized dealer for Apeks.

Where are you based? Japan?

 

[Tortuga68]

I've used these guys for shipping Apeks gear to China before, they're pretty good at keeping the price reasonable: Scuba Equipment | Seatasea Watersports Center | The Midwest's Source for Scuba, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Canoeing, Swimming and Triathlon

---------- Post added March 16th, 2014 at 06:40 PM ----------

FST has replaceable ARCAP valve seat

As someone correctly pointed out, I made a typo in the OP - it is the FSR that has the replaceable seat, not the FST

 

[Nomihodai]

Where are you based? Japan?

I'm in Seoul but I've also scoped out prices in Japan and Thailand since I have trips to both upcoming. The Apeks selection at mic21.com is limited and prices are up in the nose-bleeds. Kakaku.com isn't much better. There's a promo in Thailand that is actually not bad: XTX50 regulator and octopus with pressure gauge for 29,250 baht or about 900USD. Not getting there til summer, though.

 

[buddhasummer]

I'm in Seoul but I've also scoped out prices in Japan and Thailand since I have trips to both upcoming. The Apeks selection at mic21.com is limited and prices are up in the nose-bleeds. Kakaku.com isn't much better. There's a promo in Thailand that is actually not bad: XTX50 regulator and octopus with pressure gauge for 29,250 baht or about 900USD. Not getting there til summer, though.

Hell no, there is no way I'd buy Apeks here in Japan, the dealers obviously smoked some crack before deciding on pricing. I have a contact in Phuket who is an Apeks dealer and they sometimes cut a good deal. If you want to try them PM me. Scubastore.com out of Spain have some of the best prices I've seen for Apeks but of course you'd need them shipped to an EU address as they no longer ship outside of continent. Good luck.