Anyone use Atomic's new snorkel?

[johnnyscience]

Taking a look at various snorkels and I see the one by Atomic seems to be really nice and has a couple of new features that make a lot of sense.

I also really like Atomic gear as they all seem to be high quality and have a great look to everything with high quality materials.

Anyone have any experience with this one?

They seem to offer two models a contoured regular model and a flex tube model that hangs down out of the way when you're not using it. It seems the flex tube makes more sense perhaps. Any experience with this style snorkel?

 

[Akimbo]

Are you talking about the SV1, SV2, or a newer one that is not on their Web site yet?

I have a friend who does maybe 70/30 freediving/Scuba and sold his SV2 and bought a Riffe Stable. I believe he felt the inhalation and exhalation resistance was too high and didn't do all that good a job at clearing water. Do you wear your snorkel on your mask or pull it out of a pocket? Scuba, freediving, or both? Mostly flat conditions or sort of sloppy? All that may affect the relevance of feedback.

 

[johnnyscience]

Are you talking about the SV1, SV2, or a newer one that is not on their Web site yet?

I have a friend who does maybe 70/30 freediving/Scuba and sold his SV2 and bought a Riffe Stable. I believe he felt the inhalation and exhalation resistance was too high and didn't do all that good a job at clearing water. Do you wear your snorkel on your mask or pull it out of a pocket? Scuba, freediving, or both? Mostly flat conditions or sort of sloppy? All that may affect the relevance of feedback.

No new model, sorry I was referring to the SV2 model.

I only plan on doing warm water reef diving, so only what comes into normal play when doing that kind of scuba. I would wear the snorkel on the mask.

 

[Akimbo]

Are there particular characteristics of snorkels you do and don't like? A large bore may not be as important to you as an active freediver. It is sort of a compromise between size/hydrodynamic drag, simplicity/reliability, dealing with splashing water in sloppy seas, breathing resistance, and ergonomic preferences.

Most serious freedivers go for a simple J snorkel unless maybe the surface is really agitated. Many Scuba divers prefer a flex tube at the mouthpiece.

 

[Scott L]

Taking a look at various snorkels and I see the one by Atomic seems to be really nice and has a couple of new features that make a lot of sense.

I also really like Atomic gear as they all seem to be high quality and have a great look to everything with high quality materials.

Anyone have any experience with this one?

They seem to offer two models a contoured regular model and a flex tube model that hangs down out of the way when you're not using it. It seems the flex tube makes more sense perhaps. Any experience with this style snorkel?

Ring Thal. He has a very good recommendation and photo of proper placement...

 

[johnnyscience]

Are there particular characteristics of snorkels you do and don't like? A large bore may not be as important to you as an active freediver. It is sort of a compromise between size/hydrodynamic drag, simplicity/reliability, dealing with splashing water in sloppy seas, breathing resistance, and ergonomic preferences.

Most serious freedivers go for a simple J snorkel unless maybe the surface is really agitated. Many Scuba divers prefer a flex tube at the mouthpiece.

Not enough experience to answer you exactly.

I will saythat free diving isn't something I'll pursue, but I'm sure I may use it occansionally to surface snorkel the shallower reefs. But mostly just as a backup for scuba.

Got it, flex tube for scuba.

 

[Thalassamania]

Scott:

I would never use any of the Atomic Snorkels, they have corrugated lower tubes which prevent them from staying in proper position, they have exhaust valves that are not needed, are another thing to break and prevent their being used for mouth-to-snorkel, they and they are bizarrely expensive. I use a simple, wide bore, J-type snorkel without any valves or top protectors. I mount the keeper as close to the top of the snorkel as possible and position it as close to the center of the back of my head as I am able to. This makes it really easy to use, makes it fall out of the way when not in use, and minimizes the chance of tangling a long hose when deploying it.

I've used a long hose on my primary for a lot longer than HOG RIG has existed and I've never had a problem deploying my long hose. Try it out:

 

[diveprof]

Hard to beat the basic Scubapro Shotgun snorkle.

 

[Akimbo]

Not enough experience to answer you exactly.

I will saythat free diving isn't something I'll pursue, but I'm sure I may use it occansionally to surface snorkel the shallower reefs. But mostly just as a backup for scuba.

Got it, flex tube for scuba.

In that case, buy something inexpensive that strikes you as decently made and meets your perceived ergonomic preferences. I concur with other posts, simple is usually better. Don't get too swayed by splash guards, purge valves, and especially dry snorkels. Consider looking at what dive shops and resorts rent. They aren't stupid, they are not about to invest in something that will fall apart, cost more than it is worth, or most divers will find objectionable.

Until you develop your own preferences, I always suggest that people spend on the low end so they will not feel foolish when they find they don't like their $65 snorkel or $1200 regulator. Somewhere less than $12 is a reasonable starting budget. Human nature is such that your preferences will often develop around what you get used to. We are just talking about a plastic tube after all.

BTW, just because flex tubes appear to be more popular with Scuba divers in my limited unscientific exposure does not make it a must-have feature. There is nothing wrong with a J-tube as long as it does not annoy you when it is not in your mouth.

Will you be taking a Scuba class (profile says not certified)? If so, they will usually let you try different styles of gear.

Also I would suggest putting some effort into freediving. It will make you a more confident and often capable Scuba diver and is a lot of fun once you get over the hump.

 

[Downing]

Although I rarely use it anymore, I have the Atomic SV1. No splash guard, no flex. Just a simple J-tube design. I've had no problems clearing it nor any issues with it staying in position.

I'm a fan of Atomic's snorkel clip design. The SV1 is certainly the easiest snorkel to clip on and off that I've used.

But given that the bulk of my dives are boat dives in relatively warm, calm waters, I've found snorkels to be an unnecessary appendage that I can just as easily do without. I still take it with me on my dive vacations but it usually stays behind in my gear bag.