Atomic T2X vs Scubapro MK25T

[Reggieb]

Herman has a good point. Spending $1500 to save a few ounces in your luggage is a little questionable. (But, to each his own..) If you're looking to save weight, look for lighter luggage; you save pounds of weight for much less money.

There's another issue, if you're diving nitrox these are probably the worst regs to buy. Although it's highly unlikely that you'd ever have an actual issue, the facts that the Ti is not O2 friendly and both manufacturers have at one point placed restrictions on nitrox use for the Ti regs is enough to scare some dive ops. I could easily see a dive boat refusing to give you a nitrox tank thinking that your reg is going to blow up the boat.

Another questionable issue is that neither of these regs are ideal for cold water. You could get a MK17/G250V (or try the new A700 if you want some bling) and you'll have a reg that designed specifically to deal with frigid water and several hundred bucks in your pocket.

I don't need something for "frigid" water, jusst cold. I will rent for frigid, or go with a more tech oriented second regulator if I start doing a ton of cold water diving, I referenced this more because I could take it on the occasional dive in the Great Lakes when I visit home (in the summer). I have yet to dive Nitrox, but I would like to learn. Of course, from everything I have read, this concern is hypothetical, and hasn't ever actually happened (I could be wrong)

I like those who spend $1000+ on a Ti reg to save weight and then put it in 10lbs roll-aboard .

Though ScubaPro can be found worldwide and Atomic is more NA based I would not let the service issue be a deciding factor. As was said both first stages are work horses.

When we decided to replace regs 4 years ago one of the factors that lead us to atomics was the second stage size and design. The scubapro second stages IMHO are bulky. The other factor that I have come to appreciate is the interchangeability of the regs. All the regs have the same basic design with just a few differences. For instance, the only difference in the first stages are the materials. As for the second stages the main body is the same.

So what does that mean? Parts for one fit another. Have an old B1? for about $100 or so it can be updated to be a B2. Want a different exhaust like what is on the M1 buy it and throw in a Z2.

If I was teaching and in salt water a lot might hedge towards the SS version but otherwise the Z2, B2 or M1 work fine for most. And FWIW I have had my Z2s past rec limits on tec dives and in 45F water and performed just like the do in 80F water.

My bag is a 12 year old Sea Quest (I think, the name is no longer legible) duffel that doesn't weigh anything. This is not JUST for weight savings, I have sort of dreamed of getting a T2 for a while now. And I love state of the art anything, really.

 

[fnfalman]

The T2X is 40% Nitrox compatible.

I don't think that Atomic would put out a regulator that would combust and kill the users...

As far as spending $1500 to shave a few ounces, why not? If you can afford it, does it matter? It's like people shouldn't buy the Bugatti Veyron just so that they can gain a few miles top speed on the Corvette ZR-1 because the cost differential is too much. Too much for whom? Not for those that can afford it.

So, to the OP, if you want titanium regs and willing to pay the price? Go for it.

I dive with a Rolex Sea Dweller while a $20 Timex from Wal-Mart would have sufficed.

 

[SkimFisher]

I was waiting for the O2/Ti "yer gunna die" post....

We just had this convo two weeks ago didn't we?

 

[maged_mmh]

both can handle EAN up to 40%.

As for cold water there is also MK11 that comes in Ti version (diaphragm; not sure though about sealing)

 

[halocline]

It's not a matter of the Ti regs actually being dangerous with nitrox. It's a matter of the insanity that rules on some boats and shops when it comes to O2 use and compressed gas in general. All it takes is some fill operator or boat captain who thinks he once heard that Ti is not nitrox compatible and there goes your nitrox fill.

I had a fill operator on a boat refuse to fill my HP100 to 3442 because he thought that the 3000 on a sticker on the valve meant that the valve (a thermo convertible valve) could not handle pressures above 3000 PSI. Nothing that I could say would convince him otherwise. This sort of thing happens more often than you think.

Chances are you'd never have any issue getting nitrox with your Ti reg, but if I spent over $1000 on a regulator and was on a boat and was refused nitrox, I'd be pretty pissed off. There's simply no arguing with the owners of the compressor, that's the problem.

 

[halocline]

I was waiting for the O2/Ti "yer gunna die" post....

You're still waiting for it, I said nothing like that at all.

 

[SkimFisher]

:consolation:

 

[diversteve]

I looked at both a couple years ago. And bought a T2. What sold me was the 2nd stage swivel. It makes a huge difference in the feel of the reg in your mouth - there's no pulling. A couple of times when I've been busy filming, I've caught myself almost dropping the reg out of my mouth. 2 year service interval is nice also. Last time I had the T2 serviced, the tech said the only reason he changed the parts was because it was apart. One other thing I liked about the T2 was the seat-saver orifice - that seemed to make sense to me. Not sure if ScubaPro does something similar. Downside is you have to be more careful when rinsing a T2.

I carry-on my regs. And from here most places I go are long connecting flights or red-eyes. So the infinitesimally small difference in weight is appreciated. Not to mention the reduction in jaw fatigue - although either is probably good for that.

 

[fnfalman]

It's not a matter of the Ti regs actually being dangerous with nitrox. It's a matter of the insanity that rules on some boats and shops when it comes to O2 use and compressed gas in general. All it takes is some fill operator or boat captain who thinks he once heard that Ti is not nitrox compatible and there goes your nitrox fill.

I had a fill operator on a boat refuse to fill my HP100 to 3442 because he thought that the 3000 on a sticker on the valve meant that the valve (a thermo convertible valve) could not handle pressures above 3000 PSI. Nothing that I could say would convince him otherwise. This sort of thing happens more often than you think.

Chances are you'd never have any issue getting nitrox with your Ti reg, but if I spent over $1000 on a regulator and was on a boat and was refused nitrox, I'd be pretty pissed off. There's simply no arguing with the owners of the compressor, that's the problem.

A quick phone call or email to the charter in advance should resolve this issue real quick. If the charter won't fill titanium regulator then the vacationer can either get a different regulator or find a different charter.

 

[Reggieb]

A quick phone call or email to the charter in advance should resolve this issue real quick. If the charter won't fill titanium regulator then the vacationer can either get a different regulator or find a different charter.

That is an excellent point.