Environmetally Sealed??????

[Scuba Duffer]

After much research, it's time to get a new reg set up. Still fairly new to diving but I don't like my current Mares set up. I have decided to get a Titanium reg for the reasons of durability and weight. I was originally leaning towards Scubapro MK25 with the S600t. My only concern with Scubapro became what I recieved to be a problem with freeze free flow. Although not common, it was a reoccurring theme. After a lot of reading, I have decided to go with Atomic. I think I have narrowed it down to the T1 or T1x.

My questions is, what is the benefit to getting an environmentally sealed reg? I do some diving in the great lakes, and although I don't ice dive, I do get into some cold water. Would the T1x be better for this than the T1?

I am mostly a recreational "vacation diver". A lot of caribbean locations and as mentioned, some diving in the great lakes during the summer months. I simply want the best reg for durability and comfort as well as one that has a strong track record. Cost is not really a factor. Any other suggestions?

One other question. In the reading I have done on Atomic, "IP creep" was mentioned. Although apparently fixed in the new models - what did "IP creep" mean??

Cheers!

 

[detroit diver]

You dive in a couple of completely different situations, but you need to prepare for the most demanding of them. That would be the cold water diving in the Great Lakes region. You are wise to look for a sealed reg.

If money is no object you should consider the Apeks line. They make a "DS" series that fits your requirements. And frankly, they are not that expensive.

They breathe great, are easy to service, and do VERY well in cold water. Just about any reg will do well in warm water as it pertains to free-flow (if it is setup correctly in the first place).

I don't know anything about the Atomics, but if there is an issue of IP creep, then I would stay away from them. IP creep mean that the regulator will not hold the IP pressure that the service tech has set for it. If the pressure is set at 150 psi (for example) and it adjusts itself-then there are other issues that may come into play including abnormal seat wear, difficulty breathing, and potential free flow.

 

[detroit diver]

I forgot to add that the benefits to getting a sealed reg are the reduced chance of freeze-up in cold water situations. Sealed regs do not allow any water to get into the first stage chamber in order to keep potential freezing to a minimum. Be aware that this does not completely eliminate the chance of freeze-up. There are other potential causes to a reg freeze. But you will eliminate the worst of them with a sealed reg.

There are various forms of sealing that I am aware of (and I'm not a reg tech).

1. Dry sealing (like the Apeks)
2. Silicone filled chamber
3. Constant air release.

There may be other types also that I am not familiar with.

 

[ERP]

A couple of points,

IP creep is where the Intermediate pressure from the first stage isn't stable, it slowly "creeps" up. The usual symptoms are having to use the adjustment knob to detune the regulator in an ever increasing fashion over time.

I own a B1/T1 and doing it again I'd just buy the Z1, they breath much the same, there is no noticable weight difference and cost considerably less.

I also have a pair of Apeks ATX50/DS4's and any difference in breathing is negligible. I have convinced myself that the Atomic breaths slightly better, but I'd be hard pushed to describe the difference.

 

[Scuba Duffer]

detroit diver once bubbled...

If money is no object you should consider the Apeks line. They make a "DS" series that fits your requirements. And frankly, they are not that expensive.

Actually, from what I can see - thier top of the line ATX200 is 1/2 the price of the Atomic T1x (from some online shopping)!

Hmmmmmm, Apeks you say..................

 

[Boogie711]

between an ATX200 or a DS4. The Apeks regs are very sweet.

Why would you want Titanium? You can't use it with Nitrox.

 

[Scuba Duffer]

I was of the thought that Ti would be a more durable reg. I don't dive Nitrox, and unless something changed in my dive habits, I'm not sure I ever will.

As for the DS4 vs ATX200 - I'm one of those people that just buys the top of the line. Just the way I am - it's what makes suckers like me happy!!

I must admit, after looking at the ATX200 and reading peoples comments, it is starting to become really appealing considering it will save me a TON of money!

 

[Boogie711]

On the one hand you want durability so you look for Titanium - but you don't do any diving that warrants the 'durability' Titanium employs. Titanium may be lightweight, maybe, but what are you doing with your first stage that needs "durability?"

Using it for a hammer underwater?

And then you reference the joy of saving money, but still want an ATX200??? If you're not diving Nitrox, you're obviously not doing anything complex or hardcore. Which is why I bet I could give you my DS4 and you couldn't tell the difference - not with the diving you want to do.

Go nuts though man - Apeks makes a great reg.

 

[Scuba Duffer]

When I say durability, I meant that in a "this will last for life" sense. Plus, having done most of my diving to date with a Mares Orbitor, the thought of a lightwieght reg (Ti) was appealing. I'm trying to find the weight of the Apeks regs as I type!!

As for the money - not really an issue, but, with all the positive comments about Apeks, I'm having a really hard time understanding the price of thier competitors. The Apeks seem to be in a much better price range.

 

[Boogie711]

But if I'm not mistaken, aren't the second stages metal? It's not the weight of the first stage that you feel. After all, it's on your tank. It's the weight of the second stage, and whether or not it contributes to jaw fatigue.

Apeks uses the same second stage for all of it's regulators - a DS4 (ATX50) is the same second stage as an ATX200. They all use the same rebuild kit.

They also use a comfo-bite mouthpiece, which significantly increases comfort level and decreases jaw fatigue. Some people like those Seacure moldable mouthpieces - I don't like them because I donate my primary in an out-of-air emergency.

Personally - here's something to consider, diving where you do - get a DS4 and put the money into a really good quality drysuit. If you're comfortably warm in the water, you might discover your dive season just extended itself by two or three months.