I have both. I notice not difference in WOB. I like the Atomics better for routing hoses. I also like the smaller and lighter second stage on the Atomics. Both are top shelf regs. You won't go wrong with either. If I had to choose, I would buy the B-2 and a Z-2 octopus. More versatility down the road than an integrated thing-a-ma-bob.
Apeks XTX200 vs Atomic B2
- Thread starter DuncanLee
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Gotta agree with you here.
beanojones
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I did not say I was speaking for you. You two already said your piece. I was speaking for me. I have had all kind of chromed brass gear crap out on me. And inflator regs tend to get crapped out more than other gear because most people rinse out the insides of the mechanism.
You don't use alternate inflator regs. So of course, how (or why) would you have any idea about the corrosion problems specific to alternate inflator regs? I use them. I would rather have then made of titanium to keep the crapping out to a minimum, if I could. And so, I gave, to somone who was considering an alternate inflator reg, my recommendations about buying an alternate inflator reg.
I imagine the guy who posted the thread is smart enough to figure out that some people like alternate inflator regs, and some don't. Why, he could even tell that by the fact that you (and others) posted saying you did not like them, and I (and others) posted saying we did.
What does it matter to you what something is made of, when it is something you would not be buying in the first place? (More importantly, why do you even have an opinion about what something is made of, when that is something you would not be buying in the first place?) I did not tell him to get a T1. I told him to get an SS1 in titanium if he could. Because if I was buying at an SS1, I would absolutely insist on the titanium. Because I have been diving alternate inflator regs forever, and the only drawback is the crapping out of the bits from getting the internals wet.
You don't use alternate inflator regs. So of course, how (or why) would you have any idea about the corrosion problems specific to alternate inflator regs? I use them. I would rather have then made of titanium to keep the crapping out to a minimum, if I could. And so, I gave, to somone who was considering an alternate inflator reg, my recommendations about buying an alternate inflator reg.
I imagine the guy who posted the thread is smart enough to figure out that some people like alternate inflator regs, and some don't. Why, he could even tell that by the fact that you (and others) posted saying you did not like them, and I (and others) posted saying we did.
What does it matter to you what something is made of, when it is something you would not be buying in the first place? (More importantly, why do you even have an opinion about what something is made of, when that is something you would not be buying in the first place?) I did not tell him to get a T1. I told him to get an SS1 in titanium if he could. Because if I was buying at an SS1, I would absolutely insist on the titanium. Because I have been diving alternate inflator regs forever, and the only drawback is the crapping out of the bits from getting the internals wet.
DIVESeekers Jason
Registered
Hi Duncan,
Both of the regulators you are looking at are very nice and you will be happy with either one that you go with.
Below are a few things to consider:
The Atomic B2 is a Piston First Stage and the Apex is a Diaphragm 1st stg
I see that you live in Singapore. Water temperature is generally nice I presume, that being said an environmentally sealed 1stg isn't necessary although if you are doing a lot of salt water diving it will help prevent corrosion on internal parts. The Atomic Regs have a 2 year service interval on them, this does help save you some $$$
I saw on a previous post of yours that you were considering a Dive Rite or a Halcyon BC. Depending on the type of diving do you plan on getting into will determine which style Back up regulator you will want to go with.
What kind of diving do you see yourself doing in the future (short term and long term)?
Cheers
Both of the regulators you are looking at are very nice and you will be happy with either one that you go with.
Below are a few things to consider:
The Atomic B2 is a Piston First Stage and the Apex is a Diaphragm 1st stg
I see that you live in Singapore. Water temperature is generally nice I presume, that being said an environmentally sealed 1stg isn't necessary although if you are doing a lot of salt water diving it will help prevent corrosion on internal parts. The Atomic Regs have a 2 year service interval on them, this does help save you some $$$
I saw on a previous post of yours that you were considering a Dive Rite or a Halcyon BC. Depending on the type of diving do you plan on getting into will determine which style Back up regulator you will want to go with.
What kind of diving do you see yourself doing in the future (short term and long term)?
Cheers
Hi Jason,
THank you for your advice. Just to find out more from you, for the both regulator, which is smaller and lighter?
Yes, I am looking for BCD as well. Since from the very frist dive, I fall in love with diving, so I believe I will keep diving. So should be long-term diving. And I am quite interested in Tech-Diving. But not at the moment yet, because I need more experience for the course.
Jason, if you know more about the 2 BCD i had ask, can you or anyone point out their comments or what do you think about the 2 BCD?: Dive Rite or a Halcyon BC. Like the harness and wing they use.
Thank you Jason. And everyone had posted on my question.
It let me have a better idea of regulator!
fnfalman
Contributor
I have the Dive Rite Transpac and I love it. While I'm still far from tech diving, it's not within the realms of impossibility. It's probably one of those things that I'll progress into within another year's worth of diving. I like the Transpac because it has the benefit of a hard plate but it's also very versatile. If and when I were to decide to go with a rebreather, I can use it with the Dive Rite rebreather. If and when I were to want to go cave diving that requires sidemounting of the tanks, the Transpac can do that too.
And yes, the Atomic B2's first stage is piston and I prefer that over the diaphram for just in case if I were to have a case of stupidity and get water into the 1st stage, it can be disassembled and cleaned out a lot easier than a diaphram 1st stage. But frankly that possibility is so remote that it shouldn't even be plausible. However, I like the Atomic the way I like the Dive Rite rig - tough enough for anything.
The B2's second stage is titanium so it's very light.
As far as whether or not one should use a separate octo or an inline octo, that's a personal call. I like the inline octo. I've used it to surface and do a safety stop without a problem in order to simulate my primary second stage going down on me. I have yet to use it in conjunction with buddy rescue, but I'll try it next time. Sure it's not as convenient as a separate octo, but it's workable. It's the price you pay for having one less hose.
And yes, the Atomic B2's first stage is piston and I prefer that over the diaphram for just in case if I were to have a case of stupidity and get water into the 1st stage, it can be disassembled and cleaned out a lot easier than a diaphram 1st stage. But frankly that possibility is so remote that it shouldn't even be plausible. However, I like the Atomic the way I like the Dive Rite rig - tough enough for anything.
The B2's second stage is titanium so it's very light.
As far as whether or not one should use a separate octo or an inline octo, that's a personal call. I like the inline octo. I've used it to surface and do a safety stop without a problem in order to simulate my primary second stage going down on me. I have yet to use it in conjunction with buddy rescue, but I'll try it next time. Sure it's not as convenient as a separate octo, but it's workable. It's the price you pay for having one less hose.
DIVESeekers Jason
Registered
Hi DuncanLee,
I don't have the exact weights of the regulators, but if I had to bet, I would say the Atomic B2 is a bit lighter but we are talking ounces not pounds. From a physical size the B2 is slightly smaller.
All Atomic 2nd stages have AFC built right into them; this eliminates the need for a mechanical lever/switch that you would find on the APEX and other brands. The AFC (Automatic flow control) is exclusive patented Atomic Aquatics feature automatically adjusts airflow at depth to maintain stable, comfortable breathing.
If you were considering going the technical route later on down the road, you might want to consider spending a little bit more and going with the Atomic M1. Atomic has never had any known issues with the built in swivels but if you go the tech route, chances are you are going to go with a longer primary regulator hose (7 Feet) and you can't use a standard hose on the B2 you have to buy the Atomic 7 foot hose which is a lot more expensive. With the Atomic M1, you can use a standard hose or a Mi-Flex hose.
Both the Halcyon Eclipse System and the Dive Rite Transpac and Dive Rite Transplate are very nice. They are different animals and that is something that comes down to a personal choice of what you like in terms of features. I have first hand experience on using all three systems. When I got into harness style systems, I thought I liked the chest straps and quick releases, when I moved to a Halcyon BPW I couldn't believe how uncluttered I felt and with the harness adjusted properly, I could get in and out of it as easily as with the other systems.
The Halcyon Eclipse System is a Back Plate and Wing Setup (BPW) with a Convertible Single Tank Adapter (STA) that has the ability to put 6 extra pounds in it. This system does not have any quick releases (QR) on it except for the Stainless Steel waist buckle. This System does come with a MC storage pack that will store a SMB, this system also comes with a 2 inch crotch strap with a sewn loop that is slightly larger than other brands (easier to get the SS waist buckle through. As far as the Eclipse style wing, this is a 360 degree wing with replaceable inner bladder, 12 corrugated hose and 90degree elbow, 1 rear dump located on the same side as the corrugated hose.
You can choose from a 30 lb lift version or a 40 lb lift version. The 30 lb is smaller (less drag and better control of venting) Why would someone want the 40? If you are ever going to float your gear in the water without you in it, depending on your equipment configuration the 30lb wing will not keep it afloat!
Take a look at some additional photos of the Halcyon eclipse System
The Dive Rite Transpac has a soft pack and Dive Rite Transplate has a 6lb SS BP
Both Dive Rite systems are modular in design (diver customize to fit and replaceable parts), have a chest strap, QR shoulder straps that can be moved forward or backward for comfort and fit, multiple d-rings that can be removed if you don't need them all.
Dive Rite makes the Venture Wing for Single Tank diving. The Venture Wing is a 360 wing and has 45lbs of lift. Most people sell this with a 16 Corrugated hose with a RE (Rapid Exhaust) Shoulder dump or you can order it with a 90 degree elbow and 12 Corrugated hose instead (my preference).
The Dive Rite Systems do not come with a STA they just weave the Cam Straps through the vertical slots in the harnesses (you can get a STA as an extra).
Ok so here is my take on it, every diver needs to wear a certain amount of weight to get down (ok, almost every single tank diver). Having 6 lb displaced throughout your torso will help you achieve horizontal trim a lot easier than wearing it around your waist. So that narrows it down to the Halcyon and the Dive Rite Trans Plate. From there you're on your own, I shared my experience with you earlier so it's up to you!
Cheers
I don't have the exact weights of the regulators, but if I had to bet, I would say the Atomic B2 is a bit lighter but we are talking ounces not pounds. From a physical size the B2 is slightly smaller.
All Atomic 2nd stages have AFC built right into them; this eliminates the need for a mechanical lever/switch that you would find on the APEX and other brands. The AFC (Automatic flow control) is exclusive patented Atomic Aquatics feature automatically adjusts airflow at depth to maintain stable, comfortable breathing.
If you were considering going the technical route later on down the road, you might want to consider spending a little bit more and going with the Atomic M1. Atomic has never had any known issues with the built in swivels but if you go the tech route, chances are you are going to go with a longer primary regulator hose (7 Feet) and you can't use a standard hose on the B2 you have to buy the Atomic 7 foot hose which is a lot more expensive. With the Atomic M1, you can use a standard hose or a Mi-Flex hose.
Both the Halcyon Eclipse System and the Dive Rite Transpac and Dive Rite Transplate are very nice. They are different animals and that is something that comes down to a personal choice of what you like in terms of features. I have first hand experience on using all three systems. When I got into harness style systems, I thought I liked the chest straps and quick releases, when I moved to a Halcyon BPW I couldn't believe how uncluttered I felt and with the harness adjusted properly, I could get in and out of it as easily as with the other systems.
The Halcyon Eclipse System is a Back Plate and Wing Setup (BPW) with a Convertible Single Tank Adapter (STA) that has the ability to put 6 extra pounds in it. This system does not have any quick releases (QR) on it except for the Stainless Steel waist buckle. This System does come with a MC storage pack that will store a SMB, this system also comes with a 2 inch crotch strap with a sewn loop that is slightly larger than other brands (easier to get the SS waist buckle through. As far as the Eclipse style wing, this is a 360 degree wing with replaceable inner bladder, 12 corrugated hose and 90degree elbow, 1 rear dump located on the same side as the corrugated hose.
You can choose from a 30 lb lift version or a 40 lb lift version. The 30 lb is smaller (less drag and better control of venting) Why would someone want the 40? If you are ever going to float your gear in the water without you in it, depending on your equipment configuration the 30lb wing will not keep it afloat!
Take a look at some additional photos of the Halcyon eclipse System
The Dive Rite Transpac has a soft pack and Dive Rite Transplate has a 6lb SS BP
Both Dive Rite systems are modular in design (diver customize to fit and replaceable parts), have a chest strap, QR shoulder straps that can be moved forward or backward for comfort and fit, multiple d-rings that can be removed if you don't need them all.
Dive Rite makes the Venture Wing for Single Tank diving. The Venture Wing is a 360 wing and has 45lbs of lift. Most people sell this with a 16 Corrugated hose with a RE (Rapid Exhaust) Shoulder dump or you can order it with a 90 degree elbow and 12 Corrugated hose instead (my preference).
The Dive Rite Systems do not come with a STA they just weave the Cam Straps through the vertical slots in the harnesses (you can get a STA as an extra).
Ok so here is my take on it, every diver needs to wear a certain amount of weight to get down (ok, almost every single tank diver). Having 6 lb displaced throughout your torso will help you achieve horizontal trim a lot easier than wearing it around your waist. So that narrows it down to the Halcyon and the Dive Rite Trans Plate. From there you're on your own, I shared my experience with you earlier so it's up to you!
Your welcome! PLease let me know if you have any additional questions
Cheers
Hi Jason,
Really appreciate your help! You had provide me lots of information! I some how had decided to go for B2 regulator. As it is lighter and ÅÃetter choice for me.
A dive store in Singapore is offering B2 with SS1. Will like to see if you had any comments on the SS1?
Mainly I use it as an inflator as use it as my alternate air-source, passes my primary air-source to diver with air sharing. So Air-Sharing is not much a concern for me.
I am more concern is since it is both inflator and air source, will it affect my inflator when I use for breathing or affect my breathing when I use it to inflate or deflate my BCD?
I will go for Halcyon Eclipse System for my BCD. But there is something I don't understand. When you mention Ūf you are ever going to float your gear in the water without you in it, depending on your equipment configuration the 30lb wing will not keep it afloat! what do you mean by this?
I am about 1.7m weight about 78KG, do you think 30ld wing can me keep up?
Sorry Jason to question you so much. Just want to get just the right tools for the job.
Thank you once again.
And thank you to everyone that had help!
Really appreciate your help! You had provide me lots of information! I some how had decided to go for B2 regulator. As it is lighter and ÅÃetter choice for me.
A dive store in Singapore is offering B2 with SS1. Will like to see if you had any comments on the SS1?
Mainly I use it as an inflator as use it as my alternate air-source, passes my primary air-source to diver with air sharing. So Air-Sharing is not much a concern for me.
I am more concern is since it is both inflator and air source, will it affect my inflator when I use for breathing or affect my breathing when I use it to inflate or deflate my BCD?
I will go for Halcyon Eclipse System for my BCD. But there is something I don't understand. When you mention Ūf you are ever going to float your gear in the water without you in it, depending on your equipment configuration the 30lb wing will not keep it afloat! what do you mean by this?
I am about 1.7m weight about 78KG, do you think 30ld wing can me keep up?
Sorry Jason to question you so much. Just want to get just the right tools for the job.
Thank you once again.
And thank you to everyone that had help!
scubafanatic
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...what he means about 'floating your gear in the water without you in it' is there are many potential situations where your gear is in the water but you're not wearing your gear...it's floating (hopefully) beside you.
1) rough shore entry, you don't want to slip and fall with 50+ lbs of tank/weights on your back...so you float your gear out to waist deep water before gearing up.
2) maybe you have back trouble, you're on a boat, you jump in first (no gear on) have the boat crew lower down your gear to you in the water...then you gear up.
3) you're exiting the water, you can't climb out all geared-up, you take off your gear in the water, let the boat crew hoist your gear aboard, then you board the boat separately from your gear.
...remember, your wetsuit bouyancy and your body's natural inherent bouyancy are helping 'support' your gear to float in the water, in addition to the bouyancy provided by your 'wing'.....a wing that's too small (insufficient lift) can't, by itself, support your tank/gear on the surface, if you remove the extra support provided by your wetsuit/body...your gear will sink to the bottom of the lake/ocean/whatever.
Karl
scubafanatic
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...as a side note...among my 'fleet' of regs....I own an Atomic M1, as well as a pair of Apeks XTX 200's.....they're both fine regs, and either would make a great choice...however, if push came to shove, and I HAD to pick a favorite between the two, I'd choose the Apeks XTX 200.
The Apeks more modern environmental dry seal for the 1st stage is a more elegant solution than the 'old-fashioned/messy' christolube-filled Atomic 1st-stage....also, christolube adds significantly to annual servicing expenses....and most dive shops aren't super crazy about dealing with the typical christolube messiness during annuals.
It's significantly easier to adjust the IP of the 1st-stage on the Apeks...the Atomic requires more disassembly and the 'primitive' method of adding/subtracting spacing 'shims' to adjust IP.
The Atomic 2nd-stage has a special 'seat-saving' feature, which effectively does what it's designed to do....however, unlike most regs, you CANNOT toss this reg into a rinse/soak tank without the reg being pressurized....if you do, water will back-flow up the 2nd stage LP hose and into the 1st-stage....NOT GOOD !
...also, I find that the Apeks breathes better.....the Atomic is 'excellent'...the Apeks is 'MORE excellent' !
I've brought my 2nd XTX 200 as a back-up/loaner reg on trips.....loaned it out to divers with gear 'issues' ...they come back from dives absolutely blown away with it's performance....one lady, who's Scubapro reg malfunctioned on a trip last summer, borrowed my XTX 200 'loaner' and admitted to me that she just hung out under the boat to breathe down her tank (while sending her male buddy on up as he ran out of air way earlier than she did) because the XTX 200 felt SOOO GOOD !!!
Karl
P.S. ....I still think very highly of the Atomic M1...it's still an excellent, proven design, I just think the XTX 200 is a bit better.
The Apeks more modern environmental dry seal for the 1st stage is a more elegant solution than the 'old-fashioned/messy' christolube-filled Atomic 1st-stage....also, christolube adds significantly to annual servicing expenses....and most dive shops aren't super crazy about dealing with the typical christolube messiness during annuals.
It's significantly easier to adjust the IP of the 1st-stage on the Apeks...the Atomic requires more disassembly and the 'primitive' method of adding/subtracting spacing 'shims' to adjust IP.
The Atomic 2nd-stage has a special 'seat-saving' feature, which effectively does what it's designed to do....however, unlike most regs, you CANNOT toss this reg into a rinse/soak tank without the reg being pressurized....if you do, water will back-flow up the 2nd stage LP hose and into the 1st-stage....NOT GOOD !
...also, I find that the Apeks breathes better.....the Atomic is 'excellent'...the Apeks is 'MORE excellent' !
I've brought my 2nd XTX 200 as a back-up/loaner reg on trips.....loaned it out to divers with gear 'issues' ...they come back from dives absolutely blown away with it's performance....one lady, who's Scubapro reg malfunctioned on a trip last summer, borrowed my XTX 200 'loaner' and admitted to me that she just hung out under the boat to breathe down her tank (while sending her male buddy on up as he ran out of air way earlier than she did) because the XTX 200 felt SOOO GOOD !!! Karl
P.S. ....I still think very highly of the Atomic M1...it's still an excellent, proven design, I just think the XTX 200 is a bit better.
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