Atomics Regs for Cold water

[R2K2]

I know most people will state a diaphragm regulator (i.e .MK 17/G250v) would be the ideal cold water reg.

What I was wondering how cold and deep have people taken their Atomics with an environmental kit? Is this a good reg for the Great lakes? I have found many threads mentioning the the SP MK25 is prone to free flowing at cold temps. Pardon my ignorance, but aren't the Atomic regs based on the SP design?

Also I am wondering has Atomic ever submitted their regs for Navy, NOAA testing?

 

[tfsails]

Atomics are based on the SP Mk 20-25 design, as far as I can see. I've rebuilt both types and there's not a lot of difference between them except for sizes. You don't think they'd make interchangeable parts, do you????? But I digress...

An Atomic first stage with the environmental kit should let no water inside the ambient chamber. Ergo, the first stage should not freeze. Key word here = "should not". I think there's more chance of water getting past that rubber ring than there is getting past the seal on a diaphragm first stage.

Both are good regs. Were I to dive in cold water, though, I'd insist on a sealed diaphragm reg. NO water gets in there, and it is nowhere near as messy as a sealed Atomic to rebuild. Nothing like an ounce or two of used Christolube to clean out of the piston spring!!

 

[Web Monkey]

I know most people will state a diaphragm regulator (i.e .MK 17/G250v) would be the ideal cold water reg.

What I was wondering how cold and deep have people taken their Atomics with an environmental kit? Is this a good reg for the Great lakes? I have found many threads mentioning the the SP MK25 is prone to free flowing at cold temps. Pardon my ignorance, but aren't the Atomic regs based on the SP design?

Also I am wondering has Atomic ever submitted their regs for Navy, NOAA testing?

The M1 is completely sealed (the inside is packed in crystolube). It's been flawless in 34 degree water, and in fact, I own two of them.

I've never had a freeflow with it, and wouldn't hesitate to buy another if I never needed it.

A side-benefit is that it has a 2 year service interval.

Terry

 

[fnfalman]

The M1 is completely sealed (the inside is packed in crystolube). It's been flawless in 34 degree water, and in fact, I own two of them.

I've never had a freeflow with it, and wouldn't hesitate to buy another if I never needed it.

A side-benefit is that it has a 2 year service interval.

Terry

Good to know. Thanks for the feedback. I've used my non-sealed B2 down to 50-F and 130-ft before without problem. But that's a long way from 34-F. :shocked2:

 

[R2K2]

I called Atomic Today to try and get and answer from them. They were quite friendly but they never would really commit to a temperature rating for a sealed first stage. The gentleman at atomic said that it depended on a lot of factors (surface prep, surface temp, etc..). The one thing he did say is that you would have a problem with the second stage free flowing before a the a sealed first stage would.

He kept emphasizing that they met the EN 250 standards. I tried looking up the standard but no luck.

They are great regs but maybe just meant for 50 degree water and up.

 

[Web Monkey]

He kept emphasizing that they met the EN 250 standards. I tried looking up the standard but no luck.

I found it here: Extended Search

but it will apparently cost about $140 (GPB -> USD) to find out what it says.

Terry

 

[flying diver]

R2D2,

There was an article I found in my research about buying my own scuba equipment Called “Muscle Regs” from the 11/05 issue of scuba diving where they tested 24 regs with their usual ANSTI test procedures; the EN250 test which they say was (62.5 RMV @ 165 feet) simulating the heavy work breathing rate of a commercial diver on an active project, also saying a rec diver in great shape could maintain this for a couple of minutes max. They then added the US Navy regulator test of (62.5 RMV @ 198 feet). They then pushed them as far as they would go and considered the regulator as a muscle reg if it could get to at least (75 RMV @ 198 ft), assuming their usual Work of breathing numbers. Well beyond what most could even do probably.

16 regulators surpassed the 75 RMV @ 198 ft, and a couple reached over 90 RMV. Of the 16 regulators, 6 were Atomic Regulators. I find that telling. To be fair, some regs that were nowhere near as expensive as the Atomics also did well on these tests.

Granted, not helpful regarding cold water diving (other than depth) but some insight into the EN250 standard.

I hope you find this helpful. You can probably find the article if you search online for it. I would post a link but want to adhere to any copyright issues in my first post.

Good Diving

Mike

 

[jhupka]

46 degrees for mine that I got this year has been the coldest it has been so far, no issues

 

[300bar]

-1 C on my Ti1,no problems.

 

[scubafanatic]

I know most people will state a diaphragm regulator (i.e .MK 17/G250v) would be the ideal cold water reg.

What I was wondering how cold and deep have people taken their Atomics with an environmental kit? Is this a good reg for the Great lakes? I have found many threads mentioning the the SP MK25 is prone to free flowing at cold temps. Pardon my ignorance, but aren't the Atomic regs based on the SP design?

Also I am wondering has Atomic ever submitted their regs for Navy, NOAA testing?

...ummm, the Scubapro MK 25 is NOT environmentally sealed.....so there is a slight difference between them and a 'sealed' Atomic.