Review of Apeks XTX 200 Regulator
Are you a scuba diving junkie? Do you dive underwater frequently? If so, then you are pretty sure to look for the best scuba diving gear to assist you in your dive, isn’t it?
Several people engage in scuba diving for various reasons, such as sports, rescue missions, or military operations. Whatever reason you may be into the waters, perfect diving gear is essential.
One of the necessary equipment for the scuba diving gear is the regulator. Diving deep waters can be risky, and you need to equip yourself with the durable and robust gear you can rely on.
Apeks XTX 200 Regulator has emerged to be one of the incredible finds in the scuba diving gears that you can easily trust. It is trustworthy, while it also features a long list of helpful benefits while diving in deep waters. What are those special features? Let’s get to know more about the Apeks XTX 200 Regulator.
Apeks XTX 200: An Overview
The Apeks XTX 200 is the second version of the XTX Tungsten. It is one of the topmost reviewed Apeks regulators. Apeks doesn’t lag in any of its quality, style, design, and performance.
The Apeks XTX 200 displays a unique Diver Changeable Exhaust (DCE) system, allowing you to change between small and large exhaust tee. Moreover, you benefit from protection against MRSA, bacteria, fungi and prevent viruses, algae, yeast, and mold.
This regulator has a convertible configuration from right to left-handed hose. However, it is to be implemented only under the supervision of an Authorized Apeks Service Technician. Along with other regulator models by Apeks, the XTX 200 also features Form Braided flexible hoses.
The hoses are lightweight, flexible, and durable. You can use the XTX 200 in cold water below 50 degrees Fahrenheit with a fantastic performance. It also works well with EAN40.
Over-Balanced Diaphragm Design
An integral part of a regulator is its first stage. With many other Apeks regulators, the first stage of the XTX 200 also features a unique over-balanced diaphragm structure.
The design uses a swap of intensity in the hose. The intensity is faster as compared to the conventional models. The intensity increases as the diver accomplishes deeper depths. The increasing intensity compensates for a rise in the gas density you breathe in through the mask.
The gear allows more gas volume to pass via the system when required. You can control it yourself at the time of need. As a result, you get superior breathing backup irrespective of the depths you sustain.
Environmental Dry Sealing System
One of the unique features of the Apeks XTX200 is its Environmental Dry Sealing System that caters to many purposes. To begin with, it prevents the build-up of ice on the primary spring while diving through freezing water.
The first stage, which is the heart of the regulator, prevents contaminants and silt from entering the primary spring chamber. This keeps you off of the need to use silicone oil or other additives that fill up your regulator.
The first stage of a regulator is made up of marine brass. It is plated with finely finished bright chrome. It features two 7/16″ UNF high-pressure ports and four 3/8″ UNF threaded low-pressure ports.
Additionally, the first stage of the XTX200 also features a detachable ARCAP valve seat for your convenience.
The second stages of the XTX200 have a pneumatically balanced valve system. This system lets medium pressure airflow through the spring to the valve’s other side. This flow of air counters the spring’s force.
Such a system of airflow reduces your inhalation effort and eases your breaths in all conditions. Thus, it implies that the Apeks XTX200 offers a higher performance level compared to other regulators. It also provides an enhanced breathing experience in all diving conditions.
Reversible Regulator
Who doesn’t want more of what they purchase? That’s natural of us humans, isn’t it? So, the Apeks XTX200 offers you more of what you think you may be purchasing. Besides performing the job of a regulator, you can also customize it according to your ease of use.
Yes. The XTX200 version of Apeks regulators is a reversible regulator which you can configure for right-hand or left-hand use according to your preference. By default, the makers manufacture these regulators with the right-hand configuration.
You can alter the regulator’s hose from left to right or from right to left only in the presence of an Authorized Apeks Service Tec.
The benefit of this feature is that it offers you tremendous flexibility if you like things to work in one specific way. This feature sets the XTX200 aside from other regulators in the market.
You can control the venturi assist using the Apeks Reversible Venturi System (RVS). This enables you with greater precision backed by a unique Venturi Lever. The gas flows to the mouthpiece with the help of the venturi lever bent in a plus position.
The indent lets the diver breathe effortlessly. When the venturi is switched to the minus sign, the airflow moves from the second stage to the diaphragm. This also stops the second stage from free-flow while the entry or when inside waters.
It is, therefore, understood that the lever, when set at the plus positions, lets the diver breathe effortlessly.
Diver Changeable Exhaust System
The Diver Changeable Exhaust System (DCE) is the reason behind the lightweight and compact exhaust features of the XTX200 regulator. It enables the regulator to work with a larger exhaust.
With a larger exhaust, you can now easily click photos underwater without the interference of bubbles while also virtually eliminating exhaled air bubbles amidst capturing photos.
It is excellent that the divers have the provision of configuring the regulator exhaust diffusers according to their preference. The diffusers are easy and quick to change by gliding and fixing them into place.
You, as a diver, can set the preference of the exhaust diffusers as per specific dive conditions or other requirements.
As for the mouthpiece, the regulator uses the standardized Comfo-Bite mouthpiece, eliminating jaw fatigue. The regular weighs a good 44.87 Oz and comes along with a user’s guide.
What’s in the Box
Equipped with all the facilities and features, the package of the regulator comes in one piece. Therefore, the box has the following in store for you when it arrives at your doorstep:
- A fully equipped APEKS XTX200 Regulator
- A User Manual to guide you through the process of setting up the regulator with your entire gear
Specifications of the Apeks XTX200
The Apeks XTX200 Regulator displays the following specs:
- Connections: Yoke and DIN
- First-Stage Type: Over-balanced diaphragm design along with an environmentally dry sealing system
- Exterior: One piece forged body
- HP Ports: 2 HP ports (7/16″ UNF)
- MP Ports: 4 MP ports with a 5th option (3/8″ UNF)
- Environmental Dry Seal Kit: Standard Operation
- First Stage Exterior: Highly chrome-plated marine brass
Features and Highlights
The Apeks XTX200 displays many features that make it stand out from other regulators in the market or even other Apeks regulators.
To start with, the regulator features a unique Diver Changeable Exhaust System (DCE), allowing the diver to change between large and small exhaust tees. This provides the diver with a wide variety of choices.
A wider exhaust offers minimal bubble interference, while a narrow one enables a smaller compact regulator. The regulator comes along with both sets of exhaust tees.
The optional 5th port features an integrated bonus heat exchanger, available only in a few Apeks regulators. The XTX200 is one among them.
Moreover, the regulator is convertible and can be changed from right-handed to left-handed hose configuration and vice versa. The conversion process is pretty simple but is only to be performed by an Authorised Apeks Service Tec.
Additionally, the regulator is available in both Yoke and DIN configurations to suit your requirements. The braided Flexi-hoses are standard for all regulator models. These are lightweight hoses, more flexible, and durable.
It is not just limited to these! The regulator compatible with cold water usage, below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. XTX200 is also compatible with EAN40 out of the box.
The First Stage, or rather the heart of the regulator, is FSR style which is chrome-plated and is a compact one-piece body. It features four medium-pressure ports, two high-pressure ports, a removable ARCAP valve seat, all in an over-balanced diaphragm design.
It also features an environment dry seal system that prevents contaminants from entering the main spring chamber.
The Second Stage displays a pneumatically balanced design that enables effortless breathing of the diver using the regulator. The easy-to-operate purge buttons control the flow of air through the passage.
The venturi lever with a rubber grip manifests a smooth operation and features extra protection against MRSA and other contaminants.
Pros
- Controllable inhalation resistance
- Adaptable to cold and warm temperatures
- Feature adjustable settings
- Comfo-Bite mouthpiece prevents jaw fatigue
Cons
- No swivel system
- Needs steady control due to increasing free flow
Final Verdict
The Apeks XTX200 Regulator has emerged to be the best seller of the Apeks regulators in the recent decade. Apeks has been acing the game of effortless breathing while in deep water, accurately engineering the gas flow and balancing out the properties of the regulator.
The second stage backs up the first and features a Comfo-Bite mouthpiece and a choice between exhaust tees. The wider tee prevents bubble interference to the best possible state, while the narrower is lighter and compact.
Overall, the regulator offers an efficient and effective work of the purge with commendable user adjustments.
If you want to try one out yourself while you dive into deep water, check out the Apeks XTX200 Regulator today. It is a smooth and dry breather that best backs your comfort in all diving conditions.
Looking for some other options? Check out our Regulator picks here.
