What is the best reg for stage?

galobeast · August 16th, 2006, 10:50 AM

Hi all,

I need your advice. I am going to buy a first stage to take back to Brazil and I don't know weather to buy the DST or DS4.

The DS4 has a swiveling turret, which is why I am considering it. But at the same time I don't like the idea of buying a reg with an extra HP port that can only match a custom apeks hose.

Things back home are much more expensive, especially when they are imported. So I need to make this right: what would you advise?

Thanks!

Mike · August 16th, 2006, 11:01 AM

Hi,

I prefer the DST. The hose routing is much better. The actual DST has only UNF3/8"-ports and if you buy the older one, it will be no problem to buy a 1/2" plug to close the port

**Howard Payne** · August 16th, 2006, 11:02 AM

I have both. Subjectively I hate all the hoses swivelling around behind the back of my head as they do with a DST on a single tank setup. DST's make nice stage regs, the swivel helps route the hose nicely both when stowed and when you're breathing. They are pretty weighty tho' which takes some balancing because they make the cylinder very nose heavy. Assuming you're going to use it for a single tank setup - DS4 everytime IMHO. The different size port is just wierd - don't know why they've continued with this - the adaptor you have to use on the hose is awful. An extra swivel (which presumably must include an O ring) behind your head where you can't see it seems like an un-necessary failure point to me as well - so another reason for not choosing DST for backgas.

HTH

lizardland · August 16th, 2006, 12:04 PM

The swivel will only fail due to poor maintenance. Provided the o-ring is kept clean and lubricated and you don't let crud deposit on the mating faces then you shouldn't get a problem. Even a leak isn't that bad from it if it does happen (I've had one go).

iainmsmith · August 16th, 2006, 12:39 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by galobeast)

I need your advice. I am going to buy a first stage to take back to Brazil and I don't know weather to buy the DST or DS4.

The DS4 has a swiveling turret, which is why I am considering it. But at the same time I don't like the idea of buying a reg with an extra HP port that can only match a custom apeks hose.

Things back home are much more expensive, especially when they are imported. So I need to make this right: what would you advise?

I started off with DS-Ts, ignoring advice from some very experienced divers (GI3, AK, DIR-UK, etc) that the turret wasn't necessary. I found that the swivel kept swivelling during deco, so the hose had a tendancy to slip forward over my head and was a general PITA. After several dives with one and two deco stages, I got fed up and tried DS4s. These just...work. I would not go back to DS-Ts out of choice, though I would use them if I had to.

Iain

MonkSeal · August 16th, 2006, 02:09 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by galobeast)

Hi all,

I need your advice. I am going to buy a first stage to take back to Brazil and I don't know weather to buy the DST or DS4.

The DS4 has a swiveling turret, which is why I am considering it. But at the same time I don't like the idea of buying a reg with an extra HP port that can only match a custom apeks hose.

Things back home are much more expensive, especially when they are imported. So I need to make this right: what would you advise?

Thanks!

Just two corrections before my answer:
1. DST has swiveling turrer, not DS4
2. DST has custom LP port, not HP port - it has 4 LP ports (1 1/2" and 3 3/8") and 2 HP ports (7/16")

I use both DS4 and DST for back gas (DS4 for doubles, DST for singles) as well as both DST and DS4 for deco tanks. The reason for that is simple: I have them. DST makes deco tank little more top heavy. Generaly speaking no problem with any.

galobeast · August 16th, 2006, 04:02 PM

Almost forgot to say: it is a reg to use with my stage. So I'm starting to think the DST might be a better option... the swivel makes a difference...

graham_hk · August 17th, 2006, 12:42 AM

DS4 - the swivel is unnecessary. It costs more and adds bulk.

Graham

Digger · August 17th, 2006, 02:14 AM

Is it for a stage or a deco bottle?

for what it's worth, I've had leaks from DSTs before, they're not major, but they're a pain. It's another O-ring which could go, and of the 2 failures I've had on an Apeks (if you can call it a failure) both were just knackered O-rings. My fault for not checking them, but then I was using a spare reg.

Get the DS4s, they're neater, lighter for travel (the weight of a few 1st stages can add up, honestly!) and generally don't have much to go wrong.

You might need a slightly longer hose with these than the DST to get it comfortable, but then that's probably not a major issue if you're buying regs anyway.

Digs.

davy · August 17th, 2006, 10:34 AM

Another vote for the DS4.
I have only one DST and only use it when I really have too (not enough DS4 for the dive )

ith the correct hose length the swivel is unnecessary.

BTW. my DST also leaked from the swivel, just a small annoying stream of bubbles.
I now have it gorilla tight so the swivel almost doesn't move anymore and now it's fine.

August 16th, 2006, 10:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
galobeast(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 40	What is the best reg for stage? Hi all, I need your advice. I am going to buy a first stage to take back to Brazil and I don't know weather to buy the DST or DS4. The DS4 has a swiveling turret, which is why I am considering it. But at the same time I don't like the idea of buying a reg with an extra HP port that can only match a custom apeks hose. Things back home are much more expensive, especially when they are imported. So I need to make this right: what would you advise? Thanks!

August 16th, 2006, 11:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mike(Offline) wreck addicted Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rostock, Germany Posts: 161	Hi, I prefer the DST. The hose routing is much better. The actual DST has only UNF3/8"-ports and if you buy the older one, it will be no problem to buy a 1/2" plug to close the port __________________ *Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Mike* www.dive-guide.de Halcyon, DUI, Santi, Apeks ... On Stock: Apeks TX50 with DST (4 3/8" LP-Ports!), Apeks TX50 2nd stage only

August 16th, 2006, 11:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
Howard Payne (Online) Strokey Dokily Doo Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London Posts: 1,201	I have both. Subjectively I hate all the hoses swivelling around behind the back of my head as they do with a DST on a single tank setup. DST's make nice stage regs, the swivel helps route the hose nicely both when stowed and when you're breathing. They are pretty weighty tho' which takes some balancing because they make the cylinder very nose heavy. Assuming you're going to use it for a single tank setup - DS4 everytime IMHO. The different size port is just wierd - don't know why they've continued with this - the adaptor you have to use on the hose is awful. An extra swivel (which presumably must include an O ring) behind your head where you can't see it seems like an un-necessary failure point to me as well - so another reason for not choosing DST for backgas. HTH __________________ The Foxturd Chimp

August 16th, 2006, 12:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
lizardland(Offline) LCS Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Evidently Chickentown Posts: 591	The swivel will only fail due to poor maintenance. Provided the o-ring is kept clean and lubricated and you don't let crud deposit on the mating faces then you shouldn't get a problem. Even a leak isn't that bad from it if it does happen (I've had one go). __________________ Can you imagine drifting along in the sea with your mouth open and a load of f***ing plankton going in? You'd like it, would you? www.westons-cider.co.uk The Lot isn't the only place to dive: http://www.lulu.com/content/613554

August 16th, 2006, 12:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
iainmsmith (Online) Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glasgow Posts: 151	Quote: (Originally Posted by galobeast) I need your advice. I am going to buy a first stage to take back to Brazil and I don't know weather to buy the DST or DS4. The DS4 has a swiveling turret, which is why I am considering it. But at the same time I don't like the idea of buying a reg with an extra HP port that can only match a custom apeks hose. Things back home are much more expensive, especially when they are imported. So I need to make this right: what would you advise? I started off with DS-Ts, ignoring advice from some very experienced divers (GI3, AK, DIR-UK, etc) that the turret wasn't necessary. I found that the swivel kept swivelling during deco, so the hose had a tendancy to slip forward over my head and was a general PITA. After several dives with one and two deco stages, I got fed up and tried DS4s. These just...work. I would not go back to DS-Ts out of choice, though I would use them if I had to. Iain

August 16th, 2006, 02:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
MonkSeal (Online) Old Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 473	Quote: (Originally Posted by galobeast) Hi all, I need your advice. I am going to buy a first stage to take back to Brazil and I don't know weather to buy the DST or DS4. The DS4 has a swiveling turret, which is why I am considering it. But at the same time I don't like the idea of buying a reg with an extra HP port that can only match a custom apeks hose. Things back home are much more expensive, especially when they are imported. So I need to make this right: what would you advise? Thanks! Just two corrections before my answer: 1. DST has swiveling turrer, not DS4 2. DST has custom LP port, not HP port - it has 4 LP ports (1 1/2" and 3 3/8") and 2 HP ports (7/16") I use both DS4 and DST for back gas (DS4 for doubles, DST for singles) as well as both DST and DS4 for deco tanks. The reason for that is simple: I have them. DST makes deco tank little more top heavy. Generaly speaking no problem with any.

August 16th, 2006, 04:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
galobeast(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 40	Almost forgot to say: it is a reg to use with my stage. So I'm starting to think the DST might be a better option... the swivel makes a difference...

August 17th, 2006, 12:42 AM	#8 (permalink)
graham_hk(Offline) Pinoy ako pinoy Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: here, there and everywhere Posts: 779	DS4 - the swivel is unnecessary. It costs more and adds bulk. Graham

August 17th, 2006, 02:14 AM	#9 (permalink)
Digger(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Midlands Posts: 122	Is it for a stage or a deco bottle? for what it's worth, I've had leaks from DSTs before, they're not major, but they're a pain. It's another O-ring which could go, and of the 2 failures I've had on an Apeks (if you can call it a failure) both were just knackered O-rings. My fault for not checking them, but then I was using a spare reg. Get the DS4s, they're neater, lighter for travel (the weight of a few 1st stages can add up, honestly!) and generally don't have much to go wrong. You might need a slightly longer hose with these than the DST to get it comfortable, but then that's probably not a major issue if you're buying regs anyway. Digs.

August 17th, 2006, 10:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
davy(Offline) DIveR Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 274	Another vote for the DS4. I have only one DST and only use it when I really have too (not enough DS4 for the dive ) ith the correct hose length the swivel is unnecessary. BTW. my DST also leaked from the swivel, just a small annoying stream of bubbles. I now have it gorilla tight so the swivel almost doesn't move anymore and now it's fine.