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For scuba divers, one of the most important products that make up the gear you use is the regulator. There are many regulators on the market and navigating such a crowded marketplace can be a bit unnerving for many, especially considering how important the regulator is; it is literally your lifeline when diving. In this article, we will review one of the most unique regulator sets on the market: The Apeks Flight. This regulator is the lightest regulator available and is loaded with many great features. We will take a closer look at its design and specifications and compare it to some of its competitors to see how it stacks up.
What Is the Apeks Flight Regulator?
The Apeks Flight regulator is one of the lightest regulators on the market manufactured by Apeks. The Apeks Flight’s first stage is a balanced diaphragm design, which offers superior breathing response for natural breathing even when the tank pressure drops. The first stage is constructed from composite materials which reduce the overall weight of the regulator without sacrificing durability or performance.
4 medium pressure ports and 2 high-pressure ports are included on the Apeks Flight regulator to give the diver multiple hose routing options. This regulator set comes with a braided nylon hose which is more flexible than standard rubber hoses.
The Flight’ second stage is a pneumatically balanced design, which is ideal for warm water dives. The second stage also features a user adjustable venturi adjustment control that allows the diver to set the regulator to pre-dive mode, thereby eliminating free flows that can happen during descent. The second stage is also constructed of composite materials which make it extremely lightweight. The Apeks Flight second stage is designed to divert bubbles away from the diver’s face and comes with a comfortable mouthpiece that won’t irritate your gums or cause jaw fatigue.
The Apex Flight is Nitrox compatible up to 40% and only weighs in at an incredibly light 16.2 ounces. This regulator is engineered to be extremely lightweight and ideal for dives in water temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. For divers who routinely dive in extremely cold water temperatures, the Apeks Flight is not the best option due to the potential of the internal components of the regulator freezing in extremely cold temperatures.
Product Specs
The first stage of the Apeks Flight is a balanced diaphragm design, which offers excellent breathing characteristics, and features 2 high-pressure ports and 4 medium pressure ports. The first stage is constructed from composite materials that are very lightweight and durable. Apeks includes a high quality braided nylon hose instead of a standard rubber hose.
The second stage is a pneumatically balanced design with a large purge and user operated venture adjustment control. The Apeks Flight second stage also features excellent bubble diversion and a comfortable mouthpiece. The entire regulator set weighs in at 16.2 ounces and is neutrally buoyant for improved lightweight characteristics. The Apeks Flight is Nitrox compatible up to 40% of O2 and meets all industry standards for dives in waters above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pricing
The Apeks flight is priced at approximately $650, making it a good value for this product. Innovative design has allowed this regulator to offer excellent performance and reliability at only 16.2 ounces. Also, the balanced diaphragm design first stage is typical of more expensive regulators and offers outstanding breathing responsiveness. Overall, the quality of this regulator is commensurate with its price tag.
How It Compares
We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.
[amazon box=”B00GQIF280,B010IFK48E,B00UYAYJLM,B00EATH6AE” template=”table”]
Apeks Flight Regulator
[amazon box=”B00GQIF280″]
Price
5/5 Stars
The Apeks Flight is priced at approximately $650, making it a bargain for someone who is searching for the lightest weight regulator available that still offers great performance.
Ease of Use
5/5 Stars
The Apeks Flight is very easy to use due to its lightweight design and balanced diaphragm first stage which offers excellent breathing characteristics at a variety of depths and regardless of tank pressure.
Specifications
4/5 Stars
Apeks has designed this regulator to be the lightest available and as a result, had to limit the amount of metal used in the design, which is much better suited for cold water divers. Otherwise, this regulator is loaded with outstanding features for the price.
Performance
5/5 Stars
This regulator set offers an outstanding performance due to a balanced diaphragm first stage and pneumatically balanced second stage. This configuration offers superior breathing characteristics making breathing natural and effortless.
Key Features
5/5 Stars
The Apeks Flight has several outstanding key features including excellent bubble diversion, four medium pressure ports for multiple hose routing options, and Nitrox compatibility up to the recreational limit.
Pros
- Extremely light weight
- Neutrally buoyant
- Tough purge and excellent bubble diversion
Cons
- Internal components may freeze in cold water
- Manual venturi adjustment is necessary
Aqua Lung Mikron Regulator
[amazon box=”B010IFK48E”]
The Aqua Lung Mikron regulator is a well-designed regulator at an extremely good value. The Aqua Lung Mikron features a balanced diaphragm design first stage with 2 high-pressure ports and 4 low-pressure ports. The first stage is constructed from chrome plated brass for durability and reliability. The first stage of the Mikron is environmentally sealed to reduce contaminants and improve durability. The Aqua Lung Mikron comes with a braided nylon hose which is resistant to kinks and more flexible than a standard rubber hose.
The Second stage of the Aqua Lung Mikron has a pneumatically balanced demand valve design which offers outstanding breathing characteristics. The second stage features a manual venturi adjustment control that reduces free flows during descent and ascent. The second stage of this regulator also features a breathing sensitivity control that allows the user to adjust the inhalation resistance to their desired setting for natural breathing. The Aqua Lung Mikron is very lightweight at only 31 ounces and is Nitrox compatible up to 40% of O2.
Price
5/5 Stars
The Aqua Lung Mikron is a very reasonably priced regulator at approximately $350. This is a great value for this regulator set which has similar specifications of much more expensive sets.
Ease of Use
5/5 Stars
This regulator is very easy to use with its balanced diaphragm first stage and demand valve second stage which offers outstanding breathing responsiveness with easy-to-use adjustment controls.
Specifications
4/5 Stars
The Aqua Lung Mikron is loaded with features that one would expect on a more expensive regulator set. The environmentally sealed first stage is an example of the quality engineering you get when you purchase the Mikron.
Performance
5/5 Stars
This regulator offers an outstanding performance regardless of depth or tank pressure. The breathing adjustment control is easy to use and allows the diver to fine tune the breathing response of this regulator for optimum function.
Key Features
5/5 Stars
This regulator set is loaded with lots of great features including a balanced diaphragm and environmentally sealed first stage, a pneumatically balanced demand valve second stage, and a braided nylon hose.
Pros
- Balanced diaphragm first stage
- Outstanding breathing performance
- Environmentally sealed first stage
Cons
- Manual venturi adjustment needed
- The second stage is made of polymer
Zeagle F8 Regulator
[amazon box=”B00UYAYJLM”]
The Zeagle F8 Regulator is the flagship regulator set manufactured by Zeagle in the USA. The first stage of the F8 has a balanced diaphragm design which is constructed of chrome plated brass for durability. The first stage is environmentally sealed which keeps contaminants away from internal components, improves performance, and decreases the amount of maintenance required. The first stage features 2 high-pressure ports and 5 low-pressure ports of multiple hose routing options.
The F8 second stage is a pneumatically balanced demand valve design which offers outstanding responsiveness even with low tank pressure. The second stage also features a venturi adjustment knob and breathing sensitivity adjustment control, which allows the diver to adjust the breathing resistance to the desired amount. The second stage of this regulator is constructed from thermoplastic for a lightweight and compact design. This regulator set is Nitrox compatible up to 40% of O2 and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Price
4/5 Stars
The Zeagle F8 is priced at approximately $600, which is a very reasonable price for such a high-quality regulator.
Ease of Use
5/5 Stars
The F8 is very easy to use with its pneumatically balanced demand valve second stage that offers consistent breathing performance even when tank pressure drops. Many users report that the F8 is a very easy breathing regulator set.
Specifications
4/5 Stars
The F8 is loaded with great features that ensure outstanding performance in a compact and lightweight design.
Performance
5/5 Stars
The Zeagle F8 offers outstanding performance with its balanced diaphragm design first stage and its pneumatically balanced demand valve second stage. This regulator set offers outstanding breathing characteristics and industry best reliability.
Key Features
5/5 Stars
The Zeagle F8 is loaded with several features that are more common on its more expensive competitors. The first stage is environmentally sealed and features 5 low-pressure ports, so you will have several hose routing options.
Pros
- Balanced diaphragm first stage
- Pneumatically balanced demand valve second stage
- 5 low-pressure ports
Cons
- The second stage is made of plastic
- Manual venturi adjustment is necessary
Atomics Aquatics T3
[amazon box=”B00EATH6AE”]
The Atomic Aquatics T3 is one of the highest quality regulators available on the market. The T3 is constructed from titanium, which offers superior thermal properties and is lightweight while being very sturdy. The first stage of the T3 is a balanced flow-through piston design that utilizes Atomic Aquatics “Jet Seat” technology which ensures superior performance and reliability. The first stage is environmentally sealed and engineered to withstand extremely cold water temperatures. The T3 first stage features 2 high-pressure ports and 5 low-pressure ports on a swivel turret for ease of use.
The Atomic Aquatics T3 second stage is a balanced linear flow design that ensures effortless breathing at a variety of depths, tank pressures, and water temperatures. The second stage is constructed from titanium, and it does not need a manual venturi adjustment due to Atomic Aquatics automatic alow control technology. No need to worry about free flows during descent with this regulator. Atomic Aquatics offers a limited lifetime warranty with this regulator.
Price
3/5 Stars
The Atomic Aquatics T3 is priced at approximately $1,750, making it quite an investment for a scuba regulator. However, for someone who wants the best available product regardless of the price, the T3 is the best choice.
Ease of Use
5/5 Stars
This regulator is very easy to use and offers exceptional breathing characteristics even in extremely cold waters.
Specifications
5/5 Stars
The T3 is loaded with industry-leading features and is truly the “Rolls Royce” of regulators. This regulator set offers dependable performance regardless of the conditions.
Performance
5/5 Stars
This regulator offers industry-leading breathing performance regardless of water temperature. Breathing is natural and effortless at any depth or water temperature.
Key Features
5/5 Stars
All titanium construction, innovative Jet Seat first stage technology, and Automatic Flow Control technology are some features which set the T3 and its competitors apart.
Pros
- All titanium construction
- No manual venturi adjustment needed
- Easiest breathing regulator available
Cons
- Cost is the only issue with this regulator
Conclusion
Scuba divers have lots to consider when purchasing gear, and the regulator is no exception. The regulator is probably the most important piece of gear that a scuba diver may purchase. When selecting a regulator, many factors need to be considered including dive frequency, conditions, and price. The Apeks Flight regulator is an excellent regulator choice for almost any scuba diver. The Flight offers an outstanding performance, reliability, and design quality at a price that won’t break the bank. Overall, the Apeks Flight is an outstanding regulator that will be sure to meet your expectations.