Atomic Z2 1st stage swivel v. non-swivel

[JFine]

I am in the process of buying my first reg -- I dive in varying conditions (caribbean, florida, and pacific northwest). I am pretty much settled on an atomic z2 sealed reg -- good breather, comfortable, good price, good maintenance interval, etc.

What I am not clear on -- is whether to get the one with the first stage swivel. It adds $120 to the price.

Does it make an appreciable difference in performance/comfort.

What is the experience of folks here?

Thanks,

J

 

[paulwlee]

No difference in performance.

It MAY make a very small difference in comfort, depending on how your hoses are set up, but I doubt you will notice it, even if (a big if) there really is a difference. Just try using different ports for the LP hoses to find the best configuration for you.

 

[Carribeandiver]

I would not want it. The least possible number of failure points are my ideal.

 

[paulwlee]

The least possible number of failure points are my ideal.

This seems to be a trendy thing to say these days, but given the very low probability of a catastrophic first stage swivel failure, it's a non-issue.

MAYBE if you are going to use it for 10 hours doing a 10000ft cave penetration with 5 hours of decompression you might care a little, but then again cave divers doing crazy dives routinely use Scubapro or Atomic regulators with first stage swivels.

 

[Scared Silly]

We skipped the $$ on the enviro seal and got the swivel. It might not make too much of a difference for singles but nice for configuring doubles.

 

[MarkN7]

I have an Atomic B2 with the 1st and 2nd stage swivels that I like very much. Something to consider is that the price of a Z2 w/ swivel may get close to that of a B2. (That is what made me decide on the B2.)

Is it something that I could do without easily? Sure. I just got the B2 last month and prior to that I was borrowing every reg I could get my hands on to see what they were like. None of the loaners had swivels and I never had any problems, but that B2 sure is nice!

 

[wcl]

Hi,

We have the Z1 with environmental seals, DIN, and later added the swivels (and SeaCure mouthpieces).

The swivel is *particulary* nice in cold water diving, when the hoses get a bit stiffer ... the swivel allows for placement at a comfortable angle to minimize bite fatigue.

We've loved the regs in all conditions ... served well, no problems, good breathing.

Cheers,
Walter

 

[ZzzKing]

I have an Atomic B2 with the 1st and 2nd stage swivels that I like very much. Something to consider is that the price of a Z2 w/ swivel may get close to that of a B2. (That is what made me decide on the B2.)

Is it something that I could do without easily? Sure. I just got the B2 last month and prior to that I was borrowing every reg I could get my hands on to see what they were like. None of the loaners had swivels and I never had any problems, but that B2 sure is nice!

I think the OP is talking about a 1st stage swivel, not a 2nd stage swivel. Mine has a first stage swivel but I'm not sure it makes a significant difference in hose routing or comfort. You could probably save the $$$.

A swivel at the second stage would probably have a bigger effect on jaw fatigue and things like that. If you are using a configuration with a longer hose on your primary, you probably wouldn't need that either.

 

[sus9nr]

I have an old Atomic with the swivel and I love the ability to swivel. If you've never had it you probably wouldn't miss it but I just rented a regulator that didn't swivel and found that I was constantly tugging on the second stage.

 

[paulwlee]

but I just rented a regulator that didn't swivel and found that I was constantly tugging on the second stage.

Which may be due to the hose length, the stiffness of the hose, the way the hose sticks out from the first stage, the design of the second stage, etc. which are all different for different regulators so the difference may or may not have been due to the swivel.

With my B1 on my single tank rig the swivel doesn't seem to move much at all because the BC (and sometimes drysuit) hose pretty much fixes the position of the swivel.