Back to: Sidemount Course | 14 h 4 min split over 90 videos
00:00 Overview Apeks WSX-25 System
00:38 Close Look At What You Get
01:01 I Explain The Testing I Did For Apeks
01:36 Air Migration Inside The Wing
01:52 My Custom LPI Bungee Attachment
02:52 My Suggestion For Loop Bungee Placement
03:59 Adding Loop Bungee To The Apeks System
04:35 Simplify The Wing Attachment Point
05:09 My Thoughts On The Harness Construction
05:43 Apeks Sliding D-Rings
06:40 Simplifying The Wing To Harness Connections
07:33 My Thoughts On The Dump Valves
08:16 Weighting Options
09:08 Comparison with xDeep TEC System
10:31 Where Most People Need Lift In Sidemount
11:31 My Summary On Apeks WSX-25 System
21 Comments on “Review of Apeks SM System – 12.5 min”
Excellent review of harness! This video explains the why and how the harness is effected when under REAL diving conditions. Not only explaining where the system is not optimal but how to correct it! I was actually looking to purchase this harness not to long ago but something just didn’t appeal to me at the time, glad I didn’t, I’m on my second harness now but not for long after watching the BCD Setup and this video. I WISH I HAD THIS INFORMATION 4 YEARS AGO! Thanks again Steve!
Now I’m even more happy that I didn’t bought this system.
And I wish there would be more reviews like this one. Because most reviews only focus on the feature-list and what it looks like on land, but very few add some underwater footage to see how the piece of equipment performs.
I really thank you for doing such a great job.
I’ve got this system and after steve’s advice and “upgrades” it works great a lot better then my old hollis system…
Steve have u tried the wsx 45 with redundant option?
Hi Steven, good to hear that. I have not yet tried the larger apeks wing with redundant option but I can imagine the wing would perform very similar to the smaller one.
Okay, I am currently thinking about opgrade my wing because I am starting to on tec deco diving, I do most of my diving I drysuit so don’t think I need a redundant wing only one with some more lift, I like the options on the new wsx 45 so I think I’ll give it a try. Thanks again for all your awesome work and videos 👍👍👍
Hi Steve, Did they fix the issues for the final product? Or I should turn to other system.
Hi Csaba, as far as I am aware it is the same system. They have brought out a bigger wing I believe but all features are the same. Regards, Steve
Any plans for doing a review of dive rites’ Nomad LS system?
Hi Matthew, there have been a few people interested in this. I will see what I can do, the nomad is very similar to what I cover in the multiuse systems video – https://www.sidemounting.com/lesson/review-of-multi-use-sm-systems-9-5-min/. Make sure you watch that video and the others I have made already and then you can pretty much know what alterations you will need to make and what will work well for that system or most on the market currently. Regards, Steve
Would love to hear thoughts on Novad LS and trim options for HP100 steel tanks with rails on butt plate after mods you mention about loop bungie? Thoughts on the wing with top dump and side dump?
You answered my question another video I just watched about HP100 and Florida
Steve the Nomad LS is a dedicated SM system similar to the in shape to the tecline avenger or large Hollis sms 50.
Btw. Apeks have modified the Apeks wsx25 (don’t know about the 45 but probably too) for CE compliance so it has an “near” the top on inside left a dump/inflator position added. So it’s now possible to have the inflator here and have three dumps on the bottom.
Hi Mark, I just googled the Apeks system http://apeksdiving.com/uk/products/bcds/product/wsx-25-sidemount-harness.html why would anyone want 3 dumps at the base of a unit, too many failure points added in my opinion. I have seen the Nomad LS and others you mention they are all fairly similar and can be configured to work that is for sure but I still think the XDeep or Razor system is money better spent. Let us know if you think different and why? Cheers, Steve
Any chance of you doing a comprehensive review, critique & adjustments for the Hollis SMS100 ?
Hi James, I put this video together not sure if you have viewed it yet? It covers all multi-use systems and shows the Hollis SMS 100. https://www.sidemounting.com/lesson/review-of-multi-use-sm-systems-9-5-min/ Regards, Steve
Hi Steve,
May I ask, what do you mean in 4:45 that having 2 knots is useful when diving with a stage and when not using a stage?
Does it mean that you use the longer length when diving with a stage as you most likely will inflate the wing more at the start of the dive?
Thanks
Hi Eric, yes that is what I was referring too. The slightly longer length can help if you need to put more gas in your wing, also I sometimes add an extra layer under my wetsuit for longer duration dives and having some adjustment in the wing bungee strap helps for sure. Cheers, Steve
Awesome review
Thanks for the great info
Please advise what do you think/ prefer in Hollis
I do have the option either sms100 or katana ?
These are the only allowed Bcd for us to use in sidemount at our center
Can’t wait for your feedback / advice
Thank you for feedback, the SMS 100 is covered in this video as it falls under a “multi-use sidemount system” https://www.sidemounting.com/lesson/review-of-multi-use-sm-systems-9-5-min/. Regarding the Katana system this is something I have not personally dived or setup for my students yet, I have seen it in a dive store in Florida when it first came out. The main problems I see with it are that the back length does not seem to be adjustable which means the waist band will be kept fairly high which effects the ability to trim and control your sidemount cylinders. The dump valve being at the top of the wing behind your neck also is not an ideal location for a trimmed sidemount swimming underwater, to further comment on how it performs and dives though I would actually have to set it up and test it underwater, this I will do if I get my hands on one, I think they also have 2 versions of the Katana now. If you have more exact questions on the system, please feel free to ask? Regards, Steve
Hey Steve, I have the wsx-45 and haven’t been satisfied with it. I’m looking into either the stealth classic or tec. Do you think a viable option would be to get the classic or tec bladder and put that on my wsx harness or just cut my losses and get the full xdeep system?
Thanks
Hi Richard, I would say eBay it as you should get good money for the Apeks WSX-45 system and then buy the complete xDeep TEC system. I would not bother with the classic, the xDeep harness and TEC wing fit together well and you will be happy with it once they are setup correctly. Also if something else comes out at a later date it will be easier to sell the complete xDeep system as a package than it will trying to sell an Apeks and xDeep hybrid system. Cheers, Steve