Apeks XTX200 vs Atomic B2

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You REALLY cannot go wrong with either one- So go with the best price and best service if bought from your LDS. Let the products compete and sell themselves.

Stay away from the cutsey inflator regulated octos unless you really know your buddies and will never dive with strangers..... too many cases of panic with equipment not familar to the distressed party. Majority will ALWAYS revert to the lowest level of training and experience.

Oh and if you are serious, do not be skimpy with the length of hose 5-7 feet is best.
 
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?

You can use the inline octo to both breath AND inflate/deflate at the same time. I've already tried it out.

Never dive in your gears and not try out all the functions that they purported to be able to do.
 
Hi Duncan,

Hi Jason,

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?

You are going to run into an issue using the SS1 with the Halcyon Eclipse System. Halcyon Wings have a 12" Corrugated Hose with a standard Inflator on it. The length of the corrugated hose keeps the inflator close to your upper left chest so when you are horizontal in the water, it won't hang down to far and get hung up on the enviornment or any of your personal gear. When you go to install the SS1 to the corrugated hose, it will work as a bc inflator and deflater but if you ever had to use it to breathe off of......you are going to be in a world of hurt/discomfort because you might not be able to get it into your mouth and if you do get it into you mouth, your head will be turned so far to the left you won't be able to see right. This physical stress can atart to contribute to Psycological stress and potential panic.

So what are your options?

Option 1: If you are sold on getting the SS1, I suppose you can put a longer corrugated hose on your Eclipse Wing (16" or longer), this will enable you to get into your mouth and turn your head. However, most of the time when we are diving we do not encounter these out of air situations. Having the longer corrugated hose in addition the the SSI (heavier than a std inflator), this will hang down much further when you are in a trim position causing a potential entanglement hazard and additional drag.

Option 2: I am a fan of streamlining and not much of a fan of SS1 style inflator regulators. I would suggest sticking with the stock Halcyon Eclipse System and for your back up regulator, I would get the Z2 on a 22" or 24" standard regulator hose or Mi-Flex hose with a necklace, this will keep your back up close to you mouth if you need it and corrugated hose will remain steamlined in a location where you can find it all of the time!

Both options mean that in an Out Of Air (OOA) situation, you will be donating your primary regulator to the OOA diver (this is where it's nice to have a longer primary regulator hose.

P.S. I got you PM...Thank you! I sent you a "ticket" from DIVESeekers Customer Service.
 
I don't like the LP swivel that atomic has on many of its first stages; I'm not sure if this is optional, but I don't see it solving any problems that I had when I used a non-swivel first stage. I also don't find the comfort swivel on the second stage solves any problems for me and I don't think it will do anything for you if you use a long hose. I dive an ST1 and previously used a Z2. That being said, the atomics are pretty solid regulators and I really like how they breathe.

I also have a Halcyon eclipse (that I bought from Jason, incidentally). I'm pretty happy with it.
 
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!

As you said, depending on equipment configuration

My 30# Eclispse floats - I have the lighter alloy BP (for travel) rather than the SS, with 2 x 1# weights in pockets on the upper camband, and another 2 x 1# weights in the Halcyon ditchable pockets on the waist strap (when diving warm water with a 3mm shorty wetsuit)
 

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