Apeks has a reputation for being one of the world’s best manufacturers of dive equipment and their regulators are used by the British military and technical divers all over the world.
Even though Apeks is revered for their technical equipment, they also make a line of affordable regulators for the average sports diver. These regulators offer the reliability of Apeks’s military grade regulators without the need for a national budget to purchase them.
Here’s some information on the Apeks XTX20 regulator.
Apeks XTX20 Overview
The Apeks XTX20 is a great little regulator that’s highly reliable and very inexpensive. It’s usually available for less than $400.
A lot of divers are familiar with the Apeks XTX20 regulator since its durability makes it the perfect regulator to use as rental equipment.
The regulator is versatile too and can be modified for a right-handed or left-handed configuration.
In addition, the low cost of the Apeks XTX20 makes the second stage the perfect choice for a high-quality octopus.
Apeks XTX20 Features
The Apeks XTX20 has multiple features that make it a great, low-cost regulator. Here are some examples:
The first stage features a swivel turret to easy positioning, 4 medium pressure ports for your second stage, octopus, buoyancy compensator and optional accessory.
It also has 2 high pressure ports for redundant pressure gauges or air-integrated computer.
The first stage of the Apeks XTX20 is fully balanced which means that it breathes as easy at 500 psi (35 bar) as it does at 3000 psi (210 bar).
The second stage features interchangeable exhaust tees. Divers can use a large exhaust tee for more bubble dispersion and less interference or a small exhaust tee for a streamlined octopus. Usually only one tee is provided and the other can be purchased if needed.
The Apeks XTX20 second stage is pneumatically balanced meaning it will breathe easy regardless of the tank pressure.
It’s pretty unusual to get a balanced first and second stage for under $400, but Apeks was able to pull it off without sacrificing quality.
The Apeks XTX20 Who Should Buy It?
The Apeks XTX20 is the perfect choice for new divers who plan on diving tropical waters.
The low price makes this regulator a great choice for divers looking to get their feet wet (no pun intended). The solid design can withstand the occasional neglect and rough handling that most new divers put their equipment through as they learn to care for it properly.
Many dive shops use the Apeks XTX20 as their rental regulator because it’s a workhorse that can take a beating and still turn out a solid performance.
This regulator will perform well in standard leisure dives in water above 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) and at depths of 60-70 fsw (feet saltwater) (18-21 meters).
That’s not to say that this regulator can’t handle harsher conditions. It can.
But divers looking to dive in colder water or to depths in excess of 100 feet (30 meters) saltwater should seriously consider investing in a regulator designed for more arduous diving.
If you’re a new diver or a destination diver, the Apeks XTX20 is a great choice.