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Apeks Tek3 First Stage Regulator Review

Apeks Tek3 First Stage

Apeks make some great equipment. They have a great line of buoyancy compensators, gauges and dive computers; but the thing they do best are regulators.

Apeks regulators have a reputation for reliable performance in the harshest conditions possible. In fact, when John Bennett made his record breaking dive to 1,000 feet (305m), he did it with an Apeks regulator.

The Apeks Tec3 is a first stage designed for technical diving.

Here’s some more information on the Apeks Tec3.

Apeks Tek3 Overview

The Apeks Tec3 is designed for use on a twin tank set. The unique design tucks your hoses neatly behind you so they don’t get tangled up with the hoses of your adjacent regulator set.

Obviously this is a serious 1st stage regulator for divers who plan on going outside the usual sport diving parameters.

Apeks Tek3 Features

Since the Apeks Tec3 is a technical regulator, it makes sense that it would come standard with a DIN valve. DINs basically look like giant screws that screw into your tank valve.

If you’ve ever bumped a traditional yoke valve, you know why the DIN set up is superior.

Yoke valves have a troublesome o-ring to deal with and if the regulator set gets bumped off the o-ring, the free-flow can be pretty horrific.

DINs don’t have that problem. A few bumps won’t cause the first stage to separate from the tank.

The Apeks Tek3 also features a metal wheel which is way better than the cheaper plastic alternative.

Since the Apeks Tec3 is designed for use on a twin tank system, there’s no need to have a ton of ports on each regulator. The Apeks Tec3 first stage has 3 medium pressure ports and one high pressure port. That’s enough for your second stage, octopus, BC inflator hose and pressure gauge or dive computer.

Cold water diving won’t be a problem since the Apeks Tec3 is dry sealed.

In addition, the Apeks Tec3 is balanced so you can breathe easy regardless of your tank pressure. The folks at Apeks thought of everything on this one.

Apeks Tek3 Who Should Buy It?

The fact that the Apeks Tec3 is often sold in pairs should tell you something.

This first stage was intended to be used exclusively on twin tank systems. Sports divers could use the Apeks Tec3 on a single cylinder if they wanted, but it would be overkill.

The divers that benefit most from the features the Apeks Tek3 offer are extended range divers. Whether it’s wreck diving, deep diving or cave diving; the Apeks Tec3 is a great choice any time you need more air than usual.

Unlike other technical regulators, the Apeks Tec3 doesn’t really have the versatility to be both a recreational regulator and a technical regulator.

Sure you can use it for sport diving, that is, if you can find a dive shop that rents tanks with a DIN valve. Most dive boats and shops use the typical K-valve that’s meant to be used with a yoke regulator.

But that won’t be a problem if you’re using your own tank.

Read other Apeks Regulator Reviews

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