Different geneations of Apeks regs

peter_deveugle · October 18th, 2007, 06:21 PM

I might be computer challenged, but after my best googling efforts, fondling several (but not all) models, reading through the Apeks website and searching several boards, I cannot come up with any significant difference between the different ranges (TX, ATX or XTX) of Apeks 2nd stages available (apart from cosmetic, i.e. oval face plate and such). So, my question now is: does this designation just relate to different generations, wihtout any significant change in inner mechanism and functionality or am I missing something (most likely) ?

Just for clarity, what I am talking about is the difference between a TX50, ATX50 and XTX50 (or TX40, ATX40, XTX40, ...). As I happened to stumble upon a shop that overstocked on ATX50s+DSTs I now have several of them and I am trying to determine if I want to keep these or sell and switch to the XTX50s that I had my mind set on to begin with. Any clarification greatly appreciated.

On a similar note, it is my understanding that many people consider a DST on a twinset unnecessary overkill, but since it is at the moment (significantly) cheaper for me than using DS4s, I was wondering if there are any disadvantages to them. I understand that a DST adds a possible failure point as compared to a DS4, but as we are talking about brandnew here, I don't expect this to be a problem any time soon and am willing to take my chances with them until I have built enough experience that it might make a difference. Also, as a newbie, I still quite like the idea of being able to switch out the same set between a single and twin setup. If there are any issues with routing on twins that I missed, however,...

Thanks for any replies,
Peter

scorpora · October 18th, 2007, 08:20 PM

Take an ATX-40, upgraded it with the metal knobs solds by Graham, and then tell us if you find any diference with the news XTX-100 or XTX-200. Maybe you could prefer the first and cheapest one

David Martin · October 18th, 2007, 08:42 PM

The ATX and XTX are noticeably smaller than the TX. I would expect that this means that there are differences in many of the working parts.

David

lizardland · October 18th, 2007, 08:59 PM

I'm still using a T40, never mind TX, ATX or XTX40. Got to be around 15yrs old. I don't think any of the succeeding generations have been as well made, it is definitely a lot more robust. Very similar superficially but just different enough to be better.

MarkT · October 18th, 2007, 09:05 PM

XTX can be altered to have the hose on left or right

If I recall correctly the XTX also has options on the exhaust, either wide like the TX or narrow like the ATX.

But aside from that there are no significant differences that I am aware of other than physical size with the TX being larger than the ATX and XTX.

Very few working parts in the second stage and they have not changed much over the years judging from the ones I've had in pieces. Not dismantled an XTX yet though.

Ahmed Adly, Marlin Inn DC · October 18th, 2007, 10:59 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by peter_deveugle)

On a similar note, it is my understanding that many people consider a DST on a twinset unnecessary overkill, but since it is at the moment (significantly) cheaper for me than using DS4s, I was wondering if there are any disadvantages to them. I understand that a DST adds a possible failure point as compared to a DS4, but as we are talking about brandnew here, I don't expect this to be a problem any time soon and am willing to take my chances with them until I have built enough experience that it might make a difference. Also, as a newbie, I still quite like the idea of being able to switch out the same set between a single and twin setup. If there are any issues with routing on twins that I missed, however,...

I think the DS4+ATX50 is an EXELLENT reg. for your twins. Their size and durability make them great. The DST is better suited on stages because of easier hose routing.
This is, of course, personal preference and opinions could vary.

DryDuck · October 18th, 2007, 11:30 PM

To the best of my knowledge the differences between the apeks 2. stages, going all the way back to the T20, are only cosmetic. Here is a picture of the valve spindle from a T20 and a XTX40, as can be seen there are no functionally differences.

Infact my personal favorite is the old TX40. I have been using them for more than 7 years, with no malfunctions or any other problems. Infact they have yet to see a service kit.

Dryduck

Ahmed Adly, Marlin Inn DC · October 19th, 2007, 07:34 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by DryDuck)

Infact my personal favorite is the old TX40. I have been using them for more than 7 years, with no malfunctions or any other problems. Infact they have yet to see a service kit.

Dryduck

Is there an "ATX50"? or just the TX50?

I was real happy with Legends lasting 4 years without service, but now I am not so smug, as they start playing around and creeping just before I get off the rib

If you ever come down to the Red Sea, I will service them for you FOR FREE.

vid · October 19th, 2007, 08:06 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Ahmed Adly, Marlin Inn DC)

Is there an "ATX50"? or just the TX50?

yes, - either T, TX, ATX or the latest XTX

vid

iainmsmith · October 19th, 2007, 11:08 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by David Martin)

The ATX and XTX are noticeably smaller than the TX. I would expect that this means that there are differences in many of the working parts.

David

The only difference between ATX and TX are the 2nd stage body, diaphragm and faceplate. The internals are identical (hence the service kits are the same)

Iain

October 18th, 2007, 08:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
scorpora(Offline) New Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: spain Posts: 155	Take an ATX-40, upgraded it with the metal knobs solds by Graham, and then tell us if you find any diference with the news XTX-100 or XTX-200. Maybe you could prefer the first and cheapest one __________________ Agua eres y en agua te convertirás JSE also known as JSALVA www.salvosupply.com

October 18th, 2007, 08:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
lizardland(Offline) LCS Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Evidently Chickentown Posts: 1,301	I'm still using a T40, never mind TX, ATX or XTX40. Got to be around 15yrs old. I don't think any of the succeeding generations have been as well made, it is definitely a lot more robust. Very similar superficially but just different enough to be better. __________________ 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

October 18th, 2007, 10:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ahmed Adly, Marlin Inn DC(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: hurghada Posts: 1,151	Quote: (Originally Posted by peter_deveugle) On a similar note, it is my understanding that many people consider a DST on a twinset unnecessary overkill, but since it is at the moment (significantly) cheaper for me than using DS4s, I was wondering if there are any disadvantages to them. I understand that a DST adds a possible failure point as compared to a DS4, but as we are talking about brandnew here, I don't expect this to be a problem any time soon and am willing to take my chances with them until I have built enough experience that it might make a difference. Also, as a newbie, I still quite like the idea of being able to switch out the same set between a single and twin setup. If there are any issues with routing on twins that I missed, however,... I think the DS4+ATX50 is an EXELLENT reg. for your twins. Their size and durability make them great. The DST is better suited on stages because of easier hose routing. This is, of course, personal preference and opinions could vary. __________________ Life and Death, although stemming from one another, seem to conflict as stages of change. Ahmed Adly, www.deepvoyage.com

October 19th, 2007, 07:34 AM	#8 (permalink)
Ahmed Adly, Marlin Inn DC(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: hurghada Posts: 1,151	Quote: (Originally Posted by DryDuck) Infact my personal favorite is the old TX40. I have been using them for more than 7 years, with no malfunctions or any other problems. Infact they have yet to see a service kit. Dryduck Is there an "ATX50"? or just the TX50? I was real happy with Legends lasting 4 years without service, but now I am not so smug, as they start playing around and creeping just before I get off the rib If you ever come down to the Red Sea, I will service them for you FOR FREE. __________________ Life and Death, although stemming from one another, seem to conflict as stages of change. Ahmed Adly, www.deepvoyage.com

October 18th, 2007, 06:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
peter_deveugle(Offline) New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: London, UK Posts: 48	I might be computer challenged, but after my best googling efforts, fondling several (but not all) models, reading through the Apeks website and searching several boards, I cannot come up with any significant difference between the different ranges (TX, ATX or XTX) of Apeks 2nd stages available (apart from cosmetic, i.e. oval face plate and such). So, my question now is: does this designation just relate to different generations, wihtout any significant change in inner mechanism and functionality or am I missing something (most likely) ? Just for clarity, what I am talking about is the difference between a TX50, ATX50 and XTX50 (or TX40, ATX40, XTX40, ...). As I happened to stumble upon a shop that overstocked on ATX50s+DSTs I now have several of them and I am trying to determine if I want to keep these or sell and switch to the XTX50s that I had my mind set on to begin with. Any clarification greatly appreciated. On a similar note, it is my understanding that many people consider a DST on a twinset unnecessary overkill, but since it is at the moment (significantly) cheaper for me than using DS4s, I was wondering if there are any disadvantages to them. I understand that a DST adds a possible failure point as compared to a DS4, but as we are talking about brandnew here, I don't expect this to be a problem any time soon and am willing to take my chances with them until I have built enough experience that it might make a difference. Also, as a newbie, I still quite like the idea of being able to switch out the same set between a single and twin setup. If there are any issues with routing on twins that I missed, however,... Thanks for any replies, Peter

October 18th, 2007, 08:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
David Martin(Offline) Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: London Posts: 679	The ATX and XTX are noticeably smaller than the TX. I would expect that this means that there are differences in many of the working parts. David

October 18th, 2007, 09:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
MarkT(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Aylesbury Posts: 233	XTX can be altered to have the hose on left or right If I recall correctly the XTX also has options on the exhaust, either wide like the TX or narrow like the ATX. But aside from that there are no significant differences that I am aware of other than physical size with the TX being larger than the ATX and XTX. Very few working parts in the second stage and they have not changed much over the years judging from the ones I've had in pieces. Not dismantled an XTX yet though.

October 18th, 2007, 11:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
DryDuck(Offline) New Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denmark Posts: 8	To the best of my knowledge the differences between the apeks 2. stages, going all the way back to the T20, are only cosmetic. Here is a picture of the valve spindle from a T20 and a XTX40, as can be seen there are no functionally differences. Infact my personal favorite is the old TX40. I have been using them for more than 7 years, with no malfunctions or any other problems. Infact they have yet to see a service kit. Dryduck

October 19th, 2007, 08:06 AM	#9 (permalink)
vid(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: london/surrey border, UK Posts: 404	Quote: (Originally Posted by Ahmed Adly, Marlin Inn DC) Is there an "ATX50"? or just the TX50? yes, - either T, TX, ATX or the latest XTX vid

October 19th, 2007, 11:08 AM	#10 (permalink)
iainmsmith(Offline) Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glasgow Posts: 364	Quote: (Originally Posted by David Martin) The ATX and XTX are noticeably smaller than the TX. I would expect that this means that there are differences in many of the working parts. David The only difference between ATX and TX are the 2nd stage body, diaphragm and faceplate. The internals are identical (hence the service kits are the same) Iain