Atomic B1 question

[jefffalcone]

Does anyone know the dirrefence between a B1 and a B2?

I am considering buying a B1 that is brand new, never used but has been sitting in the box for about 5 years. What do you guys think would be a fair price for this reg? Would it need to be serviced before use?

 

[Ted S]

I wrote you a nice post but the board hiccuped. Hopefully this time it goes through.

The B2 has some upgrades over the b1 mostly in terms of it's materials (titanium) although according the press release (see bellow), it also has some other features like a comfort swivel and dual-silicone mouth piece. I'm not sure if these are on the B1 as well but in either case, the B1 certainly isn't bad by any means (in fact several reviews I've read praised it)... it's just a generation older.

- http://www.sportdiver.com/article.jsp?ID=8806

 

[jefffalcone]

Thanks Ted.

Do you have any idea what a fair price for this reg. would be? I'd probably have to give the guy pretty close to $400 and I'm on the fence as to weather or not it's worth it.

Thanks

 

[Ted S]

I believe the B2 originally listed for $699 (MSRP) so $400 for the older model, especially a 5 yearold version may not be a stealer deal, although it's certainly less than the b2. Since Atomic doesn't allow online sales of their products, it's hard to know -- hopefully someone who owns one can chime in.

 

[The Kraken]

Jeff,

I've been diving a B1/T2 since 1999 and have never had any problem of any sort with my old work horse. It breathes as good as any new reg.

I think the reg (1st & 2nd stages???) would be a good buy at $350 max.

the K

 

[Charlie99]

As I posted over on Scubaboard2, a significant difference between B1 and B2 is that the B2 has the improved jet piston. My B1 had IP creep problems 3 times, after about 75 dives/100 hours each time. Doing the ($70??) upgrade to the jet piston solved the problem.

So the real cost of the used reg must include the cost of an annual service and the upgrade to the same jet piston used on the B2.

 

[jefffalcone]

Thanks guys. I think you've talked me out of paying too much for this reg. I borrowed a friends B2 and I loved it. Since then I've been wanting to get an atomic and I've been looking for a good deal. Nearly $700 for a new one is a little too much for my budget right now. I know that the only difference a Z2 and a B2 is the amount of titanium, so I'm considering just buying a new Z2, since it will breathe the same for about half the price, but I'd rather find a good deal on a lightly used B2. Since these regs have a reputation for lasting for ever w/o problems it's worth it to find a used one.

 

[Scottri]

I've had a B1/T2 since 1998 and I've never had a problem. I've never upgraded the piston. Great reg and I still like it as much as the day I bought it. I have well over 600 dives on it and it's on it 's 4 or 5th rebuild.

 

[paulwlee]

What the current-version B2 has the B1 doesn't.
1. Jet piston
2. Slightly wider exhaust tee and different (not better) second stage face cover
3. dual silicone mouthpiece
4. higher flow second stage case (for the newest B2's; older B2's have the same case as the B1, AFAIK)
5. second stage swivel
6. not sure about this, but I think it also has a newer version AFC (the gizmo that adjusts venturi effect automatically when you submerge)

Otherwise, same material, same components, down to the part numbers.

In my personal opinion (after using a B1 for several years and currently using 7 other Atomic regulators, B1, M1, Z1) other than the Jet piston the others aren't really must-haves. And if you don't use high pressure tanks you arguably don't need the Jet piston either. If you do want any of the features, parts are interchangeable, so you can just switch them in.
I think used B1's go for around $300 on Ebay.