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| | | APEKS PROS: Perfect marine simulator scores; well-designed user adjustments; great hose swivel connection on the second stage; cool-looking protective finish. CON: High price. FIRST STAGE: This compact, environmentally sealed, over-balanced diaphragm first stage is the flagship regulator for Apeks—and it looks really cool to boot. The hardened tungsten PVD finish is not just for show, it also protects the reg from the elements. Four low- and two high-pressure ports are angled for comfortable hose routing and there's a brass plaque affixed to the first stage for a distinct appearance. It's nitrox-ready right out of the box for mixes up to 40 percent and shares the same smooth-breathing performance as the regular XTX200. SECOND STAGE: The Tungsten finish is also found in the grill of the second-stage cover and on the adjustment knob. It has all the same adjustment features found on the other XTX second stages, plus it comes standard with a great new hose swivel connection that test divers loved. TEST DIVERS SAID: "It felt like the hose wasn't even attached," wrote one test diver commenting on the swivel connection. As with the other XTX second stages reviewed here, the large control lever and adjustment knob were also a hit. THE ANSTI REPORT: Another perfect score. The addition of the swivel made no significant difference in breathing performance. PRICE: $965. | | |
| | | AQUA LUNG Kronos PROS: Compact first stage; simplified user adjustments; unique side-venting exhaust tee; ACD dam for boats on first-stage inlet. CON: Not environmentally sealed. FIRST STAGE: The Kronos balanced-diaphragm first stage offers a full contingent of four low-pressure and two high-pressure ports, giving you more flexibility in hose routing and the option to use both a boat transmitter and pressure gauge hose. The first-stage opening features Aqua Lung's Auto-Closure Device (ACD), which closes the inlet to water intrusion whenever the reg is off a tank. Another nice touch: The boat yoke knob is covered with soft rubber for an easier grip with wet hands. SECOND STAGE: The new Side-X exhaust | | |
| | | APEKS XTX200 Status | | |
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| | | system on the Kronos pneumatically balanced second stage directs all bubbles to the diver's right for clearer viewing. An added benefit is that warm air passes over the second stage valve and hose, fighting freeze-up in cold water. The new Dual Cam control simplifies adjustment by combining the venturi and breathing resistance knobs into one easy-to-find lever. While the range of adjustment is small, it does the job of stopping freeflows at the surface and fine-tuning breathing performance underwater. The Kronos comes with both a Comfo-Bite mouthpiece and a standard spare. TEST DIVERS SAID: "The Dual Cam lever was glove-friendly and prevented surface freeflows," wrote one test diver, echoing the com- | | ments of the others. Our divers also gave the Side-X exhaust system a unanimous thumbs-up. The compact second stage was an easy breather, stayed dry in all positions and was easy to clear. THE ANSTI REPORT: Work of breathing scores fell into the Excellent category for the test that most closely represents recreational diving and the Very Good category for the more extreme tests. Close inspection of the breathing loops shows that in these high-volume breathing situations and at depths to 198 feet, the reg's inhalation effort was very stable while the exhalation effort increased only slightly as the tests got more challenging. PRICE: $569. | | |
| | | APEKS XTX50 Status and XTX200 Status | | |
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| | | PROS: Perfect simulator scores; well-designed user adjustments; built-in electronic intermediate pressure gauge; reversible hose configuration. CONS: High price; large first-stage (XTX50 Status). FIRST STAGE: These are the first regs to feature a built-in electronic intermediate pressure gauge, complete with an Marine lcd screen that indicates if the pressure is "HI," "LO" or "OK" before every dive. The electronics also track the date and hours of use to indicate when it's time for routine service. Beneath the digital brain are two different versions of an over-balanced, environmentally sealed diaphragm first stage that has plenty of brawn. Both regs offer four low-pressure ports and two high-pressure ports for convenient hose routing (low-pressure ports are on a rotating turret on the XTX50; angled on the XTX200). Both regs come factory ready for nitrox mixes up to 40 percent. The XTX50 first stage comes in a bigger, bulkier package, | | while the more streamlined XTX200 first stage is available with a DIN connection. SECOND STAGE: The pneumatically balanced second stages are identical except for a few cosmetics—the XTX200 has chrome trim, the XTX50 does not. Well-designed adjustments include a large control knob with a wide range of travel for taking breathing resistance right to the edge of cracking effort, and a ratcheting venturi lever that lets you tune out freeflows. Both second stages also feature a reversible hose configuration. TEST DIVERS SAID: The large ratcheting venturi and the adjustment knob are easy to find and use, even with gloves for boat. Many test divers also liked the Comfo-Bite mouthpiece. Clearing was easy and the purge button was effective without blasting fillings loose. Breathing was very dry in all positions, and there was no drop in performance in various positions. THE ANSTI REPORT: Both regs aced the breathing machine marine panel with a remark-_ ably stable performance regard- less of depth or demand. PRICE: $847 for the XTX50 Status; $990 for the XTX200 Status. | | |
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| | | Testers7 Choice & Best Buy | | |
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| | | Q: What is a ScubaLab Testers' Choice? A: We award the Testers' Choice logo to the gear that our team of divers vote as their favorite combination of fit, features and performance based on their extensive in-water use. Q: How do you determine Testers' Choice ratings? A: While in the past we used a complicated points-based system to determine what gear earned our coveted Testers' Choice rating, for 2007 we simplified the process. At the conclusion of our in-water testing, we divided the regs into their respective price groups and polled our test divers with one final question: "Which one would you buy?" It's fascinating to see the wheels turning as each test diver calculates all the pros and cons and comes up with their individual answers. | | Q: Does not earning a Testers' Choice mean gear is substandard? A: Not at all. As you can see from the individual reviews and the charts on p. 98, every regulator tested performed admirably on the breathing machine, and all were able to stand up to the most punishing tests. In the ergonomic evaluations, the lowest score test divers gave any reg in any category was a Good rating. The results of each review stand on their own and should be read carefully and completely. Testers' Choice is merely an additional tool to help you analyze the results and make an informed buying decision. Q: What is a ScubaLab Best Buy? A: While Testers' Choice is based on the voting of test divers, Best Buy is awarded at the discretion of the ScubaLab staff. We award this logo to the gear that we think is a particularly good combination of performance and price. | | |
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| | | APEKS XTX50 Status | | |
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