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***jasondbaker*** · 03-19-2002, 08:54 PM,

I just ordered the atx50+atx40 combo this week! I'm upgrading from a dacor pacer+viper. Think I'll notice a difference? Smile

Anyone want some dacor regs cheap? These babies are probably going on ebay next week. I'm also ready to pull the trigger on a mares isotherm semi-dry. I tried one on today. Nice. I'm trying to summon the will to stop buying new gear. Please help me.

LKunze · 03-20-2002, 03:40 AM,

Jason, you'll like the Apeks. I use the TX-50 myself and really like it. Buying gear is fun. ;D

Chris · 03-20-2002, 03:43 AM,

Unfortunately, you're asking the wrong people to help with the will-power thing! I've got the same problem, just ordered a new knife and will be getting a new light this weekend probably. I've got the Isotherm, can't wait to try it out...

LKunze · 03-22-2002, 10:28 AM,

Chris, which light are you looking at getting? I need to get one too.

Chris · 03-22-2002, 10:34 AM,

UK400 I think it's called... only 'bad' thing is that it's green! Good reviews on it though and the price I can't pass up. Holds 4-C cell batteries. Not totally sure I'm going to buy it since I already have an Ikelite PCa which is probably a good enough light unless I start doing night dives. Are you going to go on Saturday?

LKunze · 03-22-2002, 11:06 AM,

Unfortunately I won't be able to make it Saturday. Where can I get the best deal on one of them lights? Do you know of any links for info on it?

Chris · 03-22-2002, 11:13 AM,

From Rodale's http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/dcell/ Underwater Kinetics - UK 400 Hit - Smooth, even pattern, small size. Miss - "Hot spot" not as hot. Dimensions - 3.9" D x 5.6" L x 7.5" H. Bulb - Xenon, 5.8 watts. Burn time - 7-10 hours. Price - $60 without batteries. Contact - Underwater Kinetics, (619) 744-7560. Max. intensity* * * * * Rating* * * * * Maximum intensity indicates the brightness of the center of the illuminated area. Physically smallest of the four, the UK400 sacrifices some maximum intensity to gain a smooth, even bright spot with gradually feathered edges, making it the best floodlight of the four. That smoothness is achieved by using a more aggressively dimpled reflector than on the RCD light, which slightly diffuses and "averages" the light. As a result, what you see on the reef is actually there, not painted on it by irregular illumination. The on/off switch has an exceptionally handy safety. The light head is a conventional screw on/off type.

Derrick · 03-26-2002, 12:11 PM,

Quote: I just ordered the atx50+atx40 combo this week! Â I'm upgrading from a dacor pacer+viper. Â Think I'll notice a difference? Â Anyone want some dacor regs cheap? These babies are probably going on ebay next week. I'm also ready to pull the trigger on a mares isotherm semi-dry. Â I tried one on today. Â Nice. Â I'm trying to summon the will to stop buying new gear. Â Please help me.

I just tried out my new Apeks ATX200 in Cozumel. It was pretty nice. I think you'll love the ATX50. An instructor I met from Illinois was staying at the same hotel we stayed at in Cozumel. He was using a Dacor regulator that had been serviced within the last nine months when a spring broke in the first stage while video taping at 70 feet. His air stopped completely. He wasn't near his buddy, but close enough to someone else. He swam up to her and signaled out of air. She was diving with an Air II regulator on her LP inflator hose. She looked around for her octopus not realizing it was attached to her inflator hose. It took a while but the instructor figured it out. He had to grab the Air II which is much shorter than a primary or octopus hose. It was a pain in the butt to use but worked for them. It was very difficult ascending because he had to deflate his BC and default her's since he was breathing it. I don't know if it was a fluke with his reg, but I have heard nothing but good things about Apeks reliability. Where are you ordering the Apeks from? TJ? Derrick

LKunze · 03-26-2002, 12:29 PM,

Quote: I just tried out my new Apeks ATX200 in Cozumel. It was pretty nice. I think you'll love the ATX50. An instructor I met from Illinois was staying at the same hotel we stayed at in Cozumel. He was using a Dacor regulator that had been serviced within the last nine months when a spring broke in the first stage while video taping at 70 feet. His air stopped completely. He wasn't near his buddy, but close enough to someone else. He swam up to her and signaled out of air. She was diving with an Air II regulator on her LP inflator hose. She looked around for her octopus not realizing it was attached to her inflator hose. It took a while but the instructor figured it out. He had to grab the Air II which is much shorter than a primary or octopus hose. It was a pain in the butt to use but worked for them. It was very difficult ascending because he had to deflate his BC and default her's since he was breathing it. I don't know if it was a fluke with his reg, but I have heard nothing but good things about Apeks reliability. Derrick

Derrick, great story and it demonstrates one of the real and often overlooked disadvantages to the integrated octo solution. I have a Zeagle Octo+ inflator/octo combo for my octo and I plan to swap it out at some point for another Apeks second stage. Even though this story demonstrates improper air sharing since the student with the integrated inflator/octo should have donated her primary, the integrated octo is still a hassle when done correctly because of the added difficulty in operating the inflator when you have the octo in your mouth. When I start to do deeper dives I don't want to have that added risk involved. I think I may go with a long hose on the primary and a bungeed safe second around my neck.

***jasondbaker*** · 03-26-2002, 01:18 PM,

Derrick, that is a great story. Thanks for sharing. I've never heard of a first stage breaking like that. Sounds like another affirmation of the buddy system. I guess he could have made an emergency ascent if necessary. I bought the apeks from Dive Inn. Some people might flame me for not buying from a local LDS. But I saved $350 and I won't have a problem getting service locally. I'll be testing out the new regs in Cozumel in 11 days. Smile