Atomic Z2 - some questions

[scubawrx]

I'm thinking about purchasing the Atomic Z2 as my first reg and noticed there was an option to get the 1st stage sealed. The plan is to primarily dive socal waters and tropical waters here an there. Would I even need the 1st stage sealed? According to Atomic's website the sealed isn't required unless diving in less than 50° water to prevent freezing (I don't think socal waters get less than 50 even in the winter). I have no intentions of diving in anything colder than socal waters.... I'm more of a tropical guy.

Also, in general is the Z2 a good reg to get as a first reg? I like the 2 year service interval lifetime warranty as well. Big selling point.

My budget is about $400 and it's what the Z2 is around.

Thanks,

 

[scubafanatic]

I've got 2 Atomics (T2 and M1) and both are sealed......sealing is good for cold water reasons, it also keeps salt-water/silt out of the 1st-stage, which makes the reg less vulnerable to corrosion of the innards of the 1st-stage....the downside is the 'christolube' grease is a little spendy, so it will add some extra expense to replacing that grease when you get it serviced......I don't 'do' cold water either. my motivation is too keep the 1st-stage 'clean'.

 

[sander8]

I have two of these regs, dive SoCal waters regularly down to 50 degree temps, and I have never had these sealed. You really need to be in much colder water or in contaminated water to have that as an advantage. Just maintain your reg by washing after use and dive without the sealing material. If you really were going to dive in much colder water or in contamination, you would likely want a sealed diaphragm reg anyway.

Your Z2's are great regs, breath as well as T2X's and are the best buy. Just go diving.

 

[fdog]

I dive unsealed Z2's routinely in 39 - 42 degree water and have no problems. Pretty much all the sealed 1st stage will do for you is drive up the cost of overhauls.


All the best, James

 

[BTravlin]

I can't speak to the issue of whether or not to get a sealed one as I'm even more tropical than you having never dove SoCal or anything cooler than 72.

I have the unsealed Z2 as my first and only reg though. I dive all Caribbean and after four years it's still performing well.

 

[fnfalman]

Don't need any sealing for SoCal diving.

My B2 had its 2-years service a couple of months back and there were no issues with the innards getting rusted. I had it down to 49-degree (Coronado Islands & San Miguel Island) several times. It worked just fine.

 

[Scared Silly]

Ditto, no need for the sealing. The only ones that I have seal are M1s which are for deco and 100% O2. That said many, myself included like having the first stage swivel.

 

[Downing]

Ditto the above regarding sealing.

The Z2's a great choice for a first reg or a last reg. I bought a Z2x for my wife a few months ago--the "x" means it has a second stage swivel--and have used it a few times just for kicks to compare with my T2. Breathes just as easily. I paid the extra $100 for the first stage swivel but only because I knew my wife would want it since I have it on my T2.

The biggest difference between the two regs as far as I'm concerned (besides a thousand bucks) is the T2's ease of use out of the water. Nothing beats the T2 for that. But on the dive, no discernable difference.

We use MiFlex hoses on both regs, but you can always do that later.

 

[scubawrx]

Thanks for the info everyone. Z2 it is.

 

[nwflyboy]

I thank you all for the info, too - I'm getting ready to buy gear pakages for both me and my wife. I've decided on the Atomic Z2X for both of us. I figure you can't go wrong with this rig.