Twelve months later than
originally planned, I’ve finally got around to writing my review of the Apeks Manifold
and Bands. And I have to admit, Apeks have delivered yet another top notch product.
In January 2016, about five
minutes after the picture on the right was taken I managed to slip over. Now I know why they call it a slipway! Although I didn’t notice it at the time, one
of my cylinders had moved on impact and bent the manifold (left).
All my equipment is purchased
as I’m not sponsored so I had a dilemma, replace the center section or try the new
Apeks valves. I chose the latter but got
blanking plugs for my old valves and recouped some of the cash as they were
ideal for sidemounters. The new bands
weren’t required but I’m a tart so why not?!? Again the old ones were sold to recoup some of the costs.
My initial thoughts were that they
were very smooth to use, much more than my previous valves, and I thought that they were
smooth. So much so, one of my safety
divers on a recent TDI AN/DP course commented:
“we all need to go out and buy an
apeks manifold after watching Tim turn his valves with one finger. Git”
The valves are extremely well
made, and like their regulator dust caps, have spare o-rings inside the
knobs. The bands are equally as well
made and provide excellent stability to your cylinders.
I’m currently looking at getting
another twinset for teaching and I’m dubious about going back to any other valves.
The boring
bit!
All opinions expressed in my articles are my
own and may differ to other instructor’s and agency guidelines; by no means are
they wrong and I would not wish to disrepute any of them. This article is for information only and
should not replace proper training.
Safe diving!
Timothy
Gort
BSAC,
PADI & SDI/TDI diver training
l
Mob: 07968148261 l Email: tim@rectotec.co.uk l
