Atomic SS1

[Downing]

I think that you've confused the SS1 with something else. You don't put a swivel on the SS1.

This is confusing because you don't put a second stage swivel on a Z2x either. The "x" designation means it comes with a swivel.

Maybe the Atomic guys were talking about putting a swivel on the Z2x's first stage? That's an option for about another $100. I know because I just bought a Z2x as a present for my wife's birthday a couple of months ago and had it outfitted with the first stage swivel for her as well.

For what it's worth, I use a ti SS1 on my T2x--Kevin and Tony got nothin' on me --and I like the setup just fine. As with all things Atomic, the SS1's definitely a quality piece of gear although as the OP noted it's not to everyone's preference.

The Z2x is a damn fine reg, and I like to use it occasionally just for kicks when my wife's not looking.

MiFlex is a great upgrade for down the road once your wallet recovers and you feel like tinkering with your gear. In the meantime your brand new hoses will work just fine.

 

[The Mighty Thor]

The SS1 will work with a dive alert, as long as you get the right one. I believe there are three different versions.

 

[Scott L]

Believe it or not, some of us actually dive for fun and not to manage equipment & gas underwater.

Oh, I believe it. Not sure why you would advertise the fact though...

 

[Splitlip]

Scott ~ Valhalla!

Clark~ Superman!

Who knew?

 

[Scott L]

Scott ~ Valhalla!

Clark~ Superman!

Who knew?

Yeah, I figured if I transitioned from an anonymous username I would be nicer but that only lasted one day...

 

[fnfalman]

Oh, I believe it. Not sure why you would advertise the fact though...

Advertise the fact that we dive for fun instead of dressing up in commando black pretending to be badasses?

 

[Scott L]

Advertise the fact that we dive for fun instead of dressing up in commando black pretending to be badasses?

I am just a Florida Cracker spearo who likes minimalist well thought-out gear configurations...

 

[nwflyboy]

Thanks for all the input (on topic and otherwise).

I've decided to forego the Miflex hoses for a while. I figure I'm paying for brand new hoses, and I expect they will be just fine (albeit conventional, and not as good as the Miflex). I'm still going with the Atomic Z2x reg, the SS1 (non-titanium), and will be adding the (properly sized) DiveAlert Plus on the (non Miflex) inflator.

Since I don't have Kevin or Tony's budget (or Downey's, either I suppose) I'm investing in quality nuclear regs, and more modest brands for some other stuff (BCs and computers). I figure that if there's one part of the gear to splurge on a bit, it's probably best to do that with the regs, in hopes of years of trouble-free service. I figure my mid-range BC probably will be fine (this gear is for travel), and my low-end basic computer will be good enough for a few years (I can wait a few years until I'm ready to spend for the upgrades to air-integration, nitrox - and Miflex hoses).

I'll be ordering things in the next couple of days. Thanks again.

 

[fnfalman]

I am just a Florida Cracker spearo who likes minimalist well thought-out gear configurations...

That's very cute. I prefer to dive with SS1 and split fins so that I can kick up silts to blind people who dive with minimalist well thought out gear configurations.

 

[ronbeau]

I'm putting together a gear package for me and my wife. We're planning on Atomic regs - I figure you can't go wrong with these (and after all, if they're good enough for Kevin Costner and Anthony Robbins, that ought to be all I need to know, right? :sarcasm.

It'll be the Z2X for primaries (Kevin and Anthony no doubt can afford the titanium bling, I'll have to manage with zirconium).

For the alternate, I'm leaning heavily to wards the Atomic SS1 (the non-titanium flavor).

Note: Yes, I know, some folks don't like the integrated octo/power inflater. Thanks for your advice, but I do want to go this route.

My questions are on the Atomic SS1. It does seem a bit large (even when compared to some of the competing units, eg ScubaPro's air2, etc.). I think I'll be OK with that though, as long as it's a quality unit - and from what I can find, it appears that most folks who don't have an axe to grind seem to like this gear - I often hear statements suggesting it rivals the performance of many primary regs. True?

I was at a dive event recently and the Atomic guys said that you could get an optional swivel installed on it, which made breathing off it easier (less twisting, less awkward). Any thoughts on that?

Also, according to the Atomic brochure, it can be fitted to just about any BCD (I'm planning to have it attached to a Cressi Travelight). They also say that it detaches quickly/easily for packing, which sounds convenient.

Anybody have any experience with this one?

Thanks.

The Atomic SS1 is an excellent piece of equipment.
I own 3 of them (mine, wife, daughter).
I have had absolutely no problems with any of the three I own.
The SS1 I use has about 100 dives on it.

I would not bother with a swivel for the SS1.
I also would not bother with the Titanium version of the SS1.

In addition to the other benefits already mentioned, the SS1 makes it simply properly rinse the inside of the BC bladder.
You simply unscrew the SS1, fill with water through the corrugated hose, swish the water around and dump the water out.