Talon
Contributor
I had the opportunity to dive the Atomic B2 this last weekend down in the Key's (Thanks GARY!!!!). Now from what I have been told, I would NOT notice a "breathing" difference between the two (M1 and B2). And I just loved the B2. I put that thing through just about every test and position I could think of and it handled it beautifully! I could hang in any position; whether that is on my back or upside down, and not tell any difference. Even in a ripping current I had no sign of free flow or difference in effort of breathing. And I still say my favorite thing may have been the dang mouthpiece 
Man, it was comfortable. And I liked the swivel on the first stage and hose. I didn’t feel any resistance when I turned my head left/right or up/down.
My only negative with the reg was my SAC rate. It shot up!!! My SAC rate normally hangs around .35 to .4 and it shot up to over .5 with this reg. I will say that I had been doing some deep diving in heavy currents most of the weekend. I’m sure part of it can be attributed to being a little tired. But it still meant I sucked down almost an extra 500 PSI on my last dive. No way do I want to spend this kind of money on a reg and take a huge hit on my sac rate. So my first question is this: Is that normal to experience a short term increase in air consumption when you switch over to a high performance regulator??? This is a make or break deal for me.
Also, if I do go with an Atomic regulator should I just go ahead and get the M1? With price being equal, can I get some suggestions on which direction to go? As for what type of diving I do – mostly within recreational limits. Although I do several times a year go beyond recreational limits. But nothing to extreme at this point. Deepest I’ve been is about 150. Although, I’ve got a dive to 170 scheduled for next year. That will be my max until I get my Tri Mix cert. With that said, yes I do plan on moving towards Tri-mix and extended range. But I am still sometime away from that (I’m having too much fun where I am at now). All of my diving is in warm water. Mid 60’s is about as cold as I could see myself in. Ice diving and diving the wrecks in Michigan just don’t interest me :babycrawl Although I do LOVE diving wrecks and do penetrate. Cave’s – VERY LIMITED. I’ll peak my head in and swim a little bit – but going 2000 feet in just doesn’t do anything for me personally. I never see any sharks or Jew fish in there :fish: hehehehe
Here are some of my initial thoughts and questions between the two:
a) Any difference in the exhaust tree? If so, what? I didn’t have any problems with bubbles on the B2.
b) Environmental seal. I understand only the M1 has it. But isn’t that only for ice diving??? Would it be of any benefit to me?
c) Does the M1 have the swivel hose? Not a major selling point, but I did like it.
d) O2 readiness. Sounds like the M1 can handle up to 80% out of the box. This may be the reason for me to upgrade. Although, I could see where the M1 would be on my travel gas and I would have a separate regulator on my deco bottle. Although, I guess you could put a M1 on both. Just need a lot of money :11:
e) Both second stages are made from Titanium, but the first stages use different metals. Why should I care?
f) Service. I understand both use a 2 year cycle for service? But is there any additional cost on the M1 because of the environmental seal?
What is everyone else’s option and experiences????
And last but not least – good place to purchase??? This is a lot of money and as such, I’m looking to get the best deal I can on this purchase. I’m not interested in going the LP route. But I don’t have a problem with buying over the Internet as long as I get a full manufacture warranty.
Michael
Man, it was comfortable. And I liked the swivel on the first stage and hose. I didn’t feel any resistance when I turned my head left/right or up/down.My only negative with the reg was my SAC rate. It shot up!!! My SAC rate normally hangs around .35 to .4 and it shot up to over .5 with this reg. I will say that I had been doing some deep diving in heavy currents most of the weekend. I’m sure part of it can be attributed to being a little tired. But it still meant I sucked down almost an extra 500 PSI on my last dive. No way do I want to spend this kind of money on a reg and take a huge hit on my sac rate. So my first question is this: Is that normal to experience a short term increase in air consumption when you switch over to a high performance regulator??? This is a make or break deal for me.
Also, if I do go with an Atomic regulator should I just go ahead and get the M1? With price being equal, can I get some suggestions on which direction to go? As for what type of diving I do – mostly within recreational limits. Although I do several times a year go beyond recreational limits. But nothing to extreme at this point. Deepest I’ve been is about 150. Although, I’ve got a dive to 170 scheduled for next year. That will be my max until I get my Tri Mix cert. With that said, yes I do plan on moving towards Tri-mix and extended range. But I am still sometime away from that (I’m having too much fun where I am at now). All of my diving is in warm water. Mid 60’s is about as cold as I could see myself in. Ice diving and diving the wrecks in Michigan just don’t interest me :babycrawl Although I do LOVE diving wrecks and do penetrate. Cave’s – VERY LIMITED. I’ll peak my head in and swim a little bit – but going 2000 feet in just doesn’t do anything for me personally. I never see any sharks or Jew fish in there :fish: hehehehe
Here are some of my initial thoughts and questions between the two:
a) Any difference in the exhaust tree? If so, what? I didn’t have any problems with bubbles on the B2.
b) Environmental seal. I understand only the M1 has it. But isn’t that only for ice diving??? Would it be of any benefit to me?
c) Does the M1 have the swivel hose? Not a major selling point, but I did like it.
d) O2 readiness. Sounds like the M1 can handle up to 80% out of the box. This may be the reason for me to upgrade. Although, I could see where the M1 would be on my travel gas and I would have a separate regulator on my deco bottle. Although, I guess you could put a M1 on both. Just need a lot of money :11:
e) Both second stages are made from Titanium, but the first stages use different metals. Why should I care?
f) Service. I understand both use a 2 year cycle for service? But is there any additional cost on the M1 because of the environmental seal?
What is everyone else’s option and experiences????
And last but not least – good place to purchase??? This is a lot of money and as such, I’m looking to get the best deal I can on this purchase. I’m not interested in going the LP route. But I don’t have a problem with buying over the Internet as long as I get a full manufacture warranty.
Michael
