Apeks

Apeks XTX40 (DIN)

Apeks's most accessible diaphragm regulator, pairing the DS4 first stage with a diver-adjustable second stage well under XTX50 money.

Environmentally sealed, cold-water rated

Sealed first stage keeps water and ice crystals out of the internal mechanism, the standard for diving below 50°F/10°C.

Apeks XTX40 (DIN)
4.1Comparison Score
$599
Buy on Scuba.com
Released2005
First stagediaphragm
BalancedYes
Environmentally sealedYes
Cold-water ratedYes
ConnectionDIN
Max pressure300 bar
HP / LP ports2 / 4
Adjustable 2nd stageYes
Weight1100g
Nitrox-ready (EAN40)Yes
Octo includedNo

"HP / LP ports" is the number of high-pressure and low-pressure ports on the first stage, which caps how many accessories (transmitter, SPG, inflator, second second-stage) you can run at once.

Pros
  • Environmentally sealed DS4 first stage brings cold-water capability down to Apeks's entry price tier
  • Diver-adjustable opening effort control knob, not a given at this price point
  • Noticeably cheaper than the XTX50 while sharing the same balanced, sealed diaphragm philosophy
Cons
  • Lacks higher-end touches like the Diver Changeable Exhaust system found on the XTX100/XTX200
  • No octopus included in the base listing
  • Max working pressure isn't clearly published, confirm the DIN insert rating with the retailer before buying
Diver community sentiment
Mostly positive

Across several Scubaboard threads and an independent dive blog review, divers consistently describe the XTX40 as a reliable, well-built regulator that breathes smoothly thanks to its balanced first and second stages, with one long-time reviewer noting it felt nearly as good as the far pricier XTX200. Cold-water performance is repeatedly praised, with the sealed first stage credited with handling sub-10°C water well. Several posters note the XTX40 shares its first stage with the XTX50 and delivers essentially the same underwater performance. The main recurring gripe is the lack of an adjustable cracking-pressure knob.

Scubaboard: XTX40 vs XTX50 comparisonScubaboard: Egress vs XTX40Mike Clark's Dive Blog: hands-on XTX40 review

Summarized from public forum discussion (Scubaboard, Reddit, and similar), not a survey we ran ourselves. See the linked threads for the original conversations.

The XTX40 is Apeks’s entry point into diaphragm regulators, pairing the DS4 first stage with a pneumatically balanced, diver-adjustable second stage at a price well under the XTX50. It’s a sensible pick for divers who want Apeks’s sealed, cold-water-capable diaphragm design without paying flagship prices.