Atomic Octopus any thoughts?

[GUILUK]

I’m hoping that some of my US fellow divers can help. After the reg having some fantastic reviews in the UK, I’ve recently splashed out on an Atomic T2x, with which I’m very pleased. Prior to this I always dove with SP Mk17 or Mk25 with an s600. I never had any problems with either of these very nice regs, I just needed a lighter reg for travel and wanted one reg that would do the job of the other two, i.e. suitable for both warm and cold water use.

I’m just a bit confused with what octopus is sold with the T2x in states. Yes, I appreciate that any balanced second stage reg should work fine, but which one do the LDS push. ( I’m currently using an old SP s550) I can’t seem to get a decent answer from UK dive shops, nor the importers, Typhoon, who are clueless and who simply read information off the Atomic website.

The octopus I’ve been offered are the, T2, T2x or a B2. with or without swivel hose.

The T2 has Ti2 on the front yellow cover and is the one on the Atomic website. Is this fine for non- dedicated Nitox use, or is this only an issue with regulator 1st stages. And can a miflex be fitted with the addition of a jam nut?

The T2x octopus I’m told is identical to the T2x second stage, same purge cover and graphics, etc, but with a yellow swivel hose and it’s more expensive than the T2. I can't find this on the Atomics website.

I also can’t find any information on weight for any of them, though I think they’ll all be the about the same.

Are they all just the same but with different graphics? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

And before I’m told I have more money than sense. I’ve just sold my old regs and saved up cash for a year from my second, part-time hobbie job as a DM, diving in cold zero –vis lakes! - a labour of love whilst dreaming of a new T2x. (and keeping a good eye on the students of course)

 

[diversteve]

I put a Z1 octo on my T2. Now it's the Z2 - it's also $60 less than the Ti2.

Atomic Aquatics Z2 Second Stage Only

I don't teach so for me personally had I seen this one first I'd have bought it instead: http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/CategoryID_960/Context_954/Sort_Stock/DescSort_0/ZGLENO.html?Hit=1

Or the cheapest octo that had a pre-dive switch/knob. All I care about is that it doesn't freeflow. Since I've never had to use it.

 

[fnfalman]

The yellow face is to indicate its use as an octo, and not an indicator of gas mixes. And yes, you can switch back and forth between air and Nitrox (up to 40%). However, since that the octo (yellow face and all) is exactly the same as the main 2nd stage, I really don't see the point of having a yellow face unless just for the fun of it. I do have a yellow face M1 for octo because I like my gears to be colorful. A regular grey face M1 would have served just as well.

Anyway, you can put any octo onto your 1st stage to include non-Atomic octos. What do YOU want to have for octo? Do you just want something cheap (non-Atomi), cheaper (Atomic Z2, B2, M1) or do you want a fancy octo (T2X) that matches your 2nd stage?

I personally wouldn't recommend the swivel but prefer to use Miflex hoses. I started out with the swivel but now I'm a Miflex addict.

And yes, you'd need a jam nut if you were to have a swivel 2nd stage and want to switch to Miflex. Regular 2nd stage won't need the jam nut.

 

[diversteve]

There's this:

The bright, high visibility yellow accents allow for easy identification in an OOA situation.

 

[fnfalman]

There's this:

Or the OOA diver going to yank your reg right out of your mouth.:shocked2:

 

[Wayne at DiveSeekers]

I dive (New Jersey) Atomic regs myself and swear by them!

If concerned about the Cold then I would go with the M1 Octo:
M1 OCTOPUS, YELLOW 36", 02-0105-3P, Buy Atomic Aquatics at DIVESEEKERS.com 888-SCUBA-47

 

[Downing]

Hey, congrats on the T2x. I've been diving with mine for a couple of years now (originally a T2 that I "upgraded" to a T2x about a year ago) and absolutely love it.

I use a Ti SS1, so I can't help with your octo question and in any case it looks to have been answered above.

But I did want to add that Atomic is always happy to answer any questions you may have either over the phone or by email.

If you call, ask for Darcy but if she's not in they'll find someone else to answer your questions. 714-375-1433

Or you can email her at darcy@atomicaquatics.com.

While you're at it, ask her what's taking so long for my Cobalt computer.

 

[vinegarbiscuit]

The Ti2 Octo is the same second stage used in the T1 and B2 first and second stage combinations. Atomic abides by the maxim that "the quality of your safe second should be equal to your primary", a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with. You can use nitrox with both...I can't imagine Atomic would ever think of creating an octo that has to be deployed in an emergency situation that can't accomodate the donor's EAN backgas. I love my Atomic - I've dived in in warm water to nasty-ass cold water, and used it as my right-post regulator when cave diving, and it's never let me down.

 

[GUILUK]

Thanks guys for your thoughts.

I fully understand that the yellow purge cover is for easy OOA identification and not an indicator of gas mixes, I was just describing the reg in question. Sorry I mustn't have been clear. The reason for the question is that I would like to get a nice new Octo just to balance things up a bit, a fresh start and all and have the full new reg set. I've also just replaced gauge, BCD and Drysuit hose with miflexes. Yes, I could put a bog standard one with the set as I have at the moment but I was hoping just to upgade a little. I've just spent a fortune on the 1st and 2nd stage so I may as well go the whole nine yards!

I may have been lucky but I've never had a panicked diver grab the reg from my mouth, yet! Though I have had a few, with eyes popping from their head, scanning my chest for the bright yellow octo. This is why I'm surprised that Atomic don't have a yellow cover on the T2x octo and have just gone with the grey one.

I thought about the ss1 option but this is not good for me with trainee divers, where I need to show an example of how to use standard kit.

Thanks for the Darcy connection I've dropped her a line and will let you know the results. Any more info more than welcome and thanks so far for the points raised.

 

[fnfalman]

If you don't like the grey cover on the T2X octo then just the T2 octo. If you're going to retrofit the octo with Miflex hose then why bother paying extra for the comfort swivel which costs considerably more AND then you'd need to get a jam nut for when switching over to Miflex?