First regulator - leaning towards Scubapro or Atomic

[purbeast]

I'm newly certified as of this past March and have done 2 dives since then after my OW/AOW dives. It was on a vacation to the Keys and I did 2 1 tank dives one morning.

I've decided I want to get my own gear at this point. I'm also primarily going to be just doing vacation diving down in warm waters. I live in MD and there is a chance that I would do some quarry diving around here locally, kind of just to practice and get in the water, but I won't be doing it until the water warms up a bit to something I can dive in with my 3mm wetsuit, if that is really even possible. I honestly haven't looked into it yet.

I'm planning on doing like 10-20 dives a year, just depending on the schedule that year, and as mentioned, will be down in warm water for the most part in salt water.

I've done tons of research and I'm kind of leaning towards either SP or Atomic for the regulators.

Specifically, I'm looking at either SP MK17 or MK25 with an S560, S600, or G260.

For Atomic, I'm looking pretty much at the Z2.

The 2 recent regs I used for my OW/AOW and then fund dives after were rentals. I don't remember what I had on my fun dive down in the keys, but after looking at the pictures I have from my certification dives, I am almost certain that I was using a lower end Aqualung Calypso regulator based off of the looks, so I'm curious as to how it compares.

I found a local shop that is going to let me test out all of the SP regulators this upcoming weekend. I also found a different shop that has the Atomic Z2 to test out, although they seem to charge their normal rental/pool/air fees to try out regs that you may purchase, which would end up costing like $50 just to test it out, so I'm not sure if I will do that or not.

One of my concerns about the Atomic Z2 is what I've heard about maintaining/cleaning them. It sounds like the true way to clean them after dives in salt water is to have it hooked up to a tank while you soak them. Based on my diving experience so far, that seems like it would be kind of hard to do logistically while on a boat coming back from a dive site, or after you get to the shore. Then I wouldn't be able to clean them off when back at the hotel. An option is to get a tank to have at home for cleaning purposes only, but that would add to the cost as well as just be more of a hassle than not having to do that.

The Atomic stuff is definitely cheaper than the SP stuff though as well, so there is that too. But the way I see it is that this is my lifeline though, so paying for quality parts is not too much of an issue if it's a few hundred extra.

The LDS that sells the SP stuff is closer for sure, so servicing it there would be a bit easier.

I've also been wondering about purchasing some used SP stuff on these forums because I could save a few hundred bucks. But, then I'd also feel a bit weird if I go try out these SP regulators, like them and then purchase them used for $300 cheaper on here, and then take them to that shop to service them down the road. it's kind of an ethical issue but I'm not sure how these kinds of scenarios are handled in the SCUBA world.

So I'm basically just looking for some input from experienced people as to what they think would be the best route for me to go in this scenario. It would also be cool to hear from people who are less experienced and have gone through this process to and hear how it went for them. I am definitely very curious to hear from Atomic owners as to how the whole cleaning process is, and if it is a hassle since it's kind of special in the way they have to be maintained.

 

[saxman242]

You can address the rinsing of the atomics by first submerging the 1st stage with the 2nds elevated then submerging the 2nds with the 1st elevated. You just don't want to throw the whole thing in a bucket of water without it being pressurized. It's not a big deal to do.

I have an atomic set up for my main regulator and a deep six for my pony tank. The time difference in cleaning is negligible between the two.

 

[Coconut Monkey]

I just go straight to Apek - cannot go wrong with an apek reg haha, Tek route.

Atomic seem to be superior than scubapro as Atomic provide an easier breathing than a Scubapro reg but that come with a price - the price itself.

 

[noj3333]

I've done tons of research and I'm kind of leaning towards either SP or Atomic for the regulators.

Specifically, I'm looking at either SP MK17 or MK25 with an S560, S600, or G260.

For Atomic, I'm looking pretty much at the Z2..

I love my SP Regs. I own both MK25's and MK 17's, as well as A700's, G260's, and R195's. They're great regulators that would serve any recreational, or tech diver well, IMO.

The 2 recent regs I used for my OW/AOW and then fund dives after were rentals. I don't remember what I had on my fun dive down in the keys, but after looking at the pictures I have from my certification dives, I am almost certain that I was using a lower end Aqualung Calypso regulator based off of the looks, so I'm curious as to how it compares.

Most rental regs are lower quality/ cheaper in my experience. After all the shop has to buy quite a few of them, so the cost adds up, plus they'll be abused by renters, and lastly they're rarely taken to deep depths where their performance shortcomings may become apparent. With that, you or I, or the majority of divers would likely NOT be able to tell the difference between well tuned regulators at 60', regardless if they're a $300 set, or a $1,000 set.

The Atomic stuff is definitely cheaper than the SP stuff though as well, so there is that too. But the way I see it is that this is my lifeline though, so paying for quality parts is not too much of an issue if it's a few hundred extra.

I'd feel just as safe diving a $300 Oceanic or Cressi regulator as I would diving my $1,000 SP set (under normal, rec conditions).

One of my concerns about the Atomic Z2 is what I've heard about maintaining/cleaning them. It sounds like the true way to clean t
I've also been wondering about purchasing some used SP stuff on these forums because I could save a few hundred bucks. But, then I'd also feel a bit weird if I go try out these SP regulators, like them and then purchase them used for $300 cheaper on here, and then take them to that shop to service them down the road. it's kind of an ethical issue but I'm not sure how these kinds of scenarios are handled in the SCUBA world.

So I'm basically just looking for some input from experienced people as to what they think would be the best route for me to go in this scenario. It would also be cool to hear from people who are less experienced and have gone through this process to and hear how it went for them. I am definitely very curious to hear from Atomic owners as to how the whole cleaning process is, and if it is a hassle since it's kind of special in the way they have to be maintained.

I'll add my last comments here... I see no point in testing new regulators out. You'd be a freak if you could tell the difference in performance at 15' or 20' (assuming they're tuned properly). I guess it's a good way for a shop to sell you their product, point out how it's so superior then the competition, etc...

With buying used regulators the real savings comes when buying higher end ones. I've purchased all my regulators used, and I aim to pay 30% to 50% of the lowest on-line price I can find. When buying used you have to factor in a service (IMO), which can run $40-$60 per stage, so figure $150 total. Once serviced a regulator set is as good as new, again, my opinion. You could probably find a SP A700, MK25, R195 for around $500 used. That regulator set new would cost about $1,200... with the service you're in roughly $650... The other great thing about buying used (high end regs) is that if you ever change your mind, and sell them, you lose very little money... matter of fact, you can actually make a little $$ to if you really get a good deal...

Anyways, enjoy the process!

 

[Addicted2H2O]

First and foremost, what has led you to narrow down your choices to SP and Atomic? Not that either are bad at all, but for the money you'll spend on them there is gear that is equally as good if not better on the market. I've made probably 15-20 dives on an Atomic Z2 as that's what my wife uses as her octo. I used it as a primary initially during my divemaster course, at least until I got my current 2nd stage, which is a Hog Classic 2.0. My first stage is a Hog D3, which I absolutely love and will end up owning a second one soon. My experience with SP is pretty much limited to what I used during my initial OW and AOW courses before I bought my own kit.

The one complaint I have about the Z2 has to do with the 2nd stage. While DMing classes and acting as the out of air diver any time a student would have their hand over the purge button on the 2nd stage I noticed it became extremely difficult to breathe. Not a huge deal since that's not really a normal situation; just something I didn't really care for.

My recommendation is to not limit yourself to those two manufacturers unless of course that's the only brands your LDS can service. Otherwise, check out the Hog D3 and see what you think. My favorite thing about the D3 first stage is that it's a swivel turret so you can turn your head without hoses getting pulled away from you. Not a big deal to some but definitely makes things easier to me. Just my opinion of course. Aside form that feature, it's environmentally sealed so it's great for cold water dives, user serviceable (if you take the course), service kits are pretty readily available and it's just an overall good reg. Yes, obviously my opinion is a bit biased, but honestly I've been really happy with it so far and have no reason to make a change. YMMV

 

[purbeast]

I narrowed down those 2 just based on research that I've done here as well as just reading reviews places. And as mentioned I also have shops close to me that can service both of the brands.

On the topic of servicing regs, @Sh0rtBus you mentioned you can service your own Hog D3 if you take a course to do so.

I am a tinkerer by nature and love taking stuff apart and fixing it. Just this past weekend I turned on my Playstation 3 for the first time in like 5 years, and 30 minutes later it got the dreaded YLOD and was bricked. So I went to the internet for a fix and to make a long story short, I took the whole thing completely apart, reflowed the CPU and GPU and added new thermal paste to them, then put it all back together, and now it's working as new.

That is the kind of tinkering I like to do, and I've always done stuff like that with gaming consoles and built my own joysticks as well, computers, do some minor car work myself, wiring stuff in my house, etc. I'm an engineer so it comes with my personality.

So is servicing regulators something you can do yourself for all brands if you take courses? Are these courses expensive and/or long? I wasn't really aware that was a thing, I assumed you had to send them to specialists to do it. From the research I've done, "servicing" a regulator is basically just taking it apart and replacing parts, which doesn't seem like that much work. But I guess since it's literally a life support system, mistakes in doing so simply cannot be made.

 

[noj3333]

@purbeast... if you're into self service, look at deep6 regulators.

 

[Coconut Monkey]

I support Sh0rtbus view about being optimistic - do not narrow your choice down to only 2 companies and be open minded.

I dive intensively in short time span 4 dives per day for a month almost every day continuously in a year, the quality of Apeks really suit well. Also My most of my LDS ( around 4 in my area) can service it without any problem and spare parts are widely available - a factor to consider when buying a reg. Moreover, you will need to plan for the future too, would you be diving around the world more often than just locally, if often globally then i would suggest you to buy a reg from a company that are well know around the globe so that you can get it serviced in case, if any, things go wrong and if you do not know how to handle a failed reg yet - let the pro handle it. Servicing can be learned by taking up a short course (PADI -Equipment Specialist) or by getting to know those who know how to fix them properly and they might teach you. In my opinion, if you have time, try to get a dive op internship and that would be a real way to handle scuba equipment

I would advise you to try diving equipment before you invest in any scuba equipment as much as possible. Scuba diving is an gears intensive sport and most of the gear are quite the investments so get to know whether you like them or not because they will last with you for a long time.

I start purchasing my own equipment ( mask, fin and a dive computer) after i complete AOW because i know that i really dive intensively; therefore, i will need my own equipment, especially a dive computer. I purchase my own reg after about 70 dives because i do not want to put rental reg in my mouth any more and i can now investigate and adjust my own reg to my need. In conclusion, it will take sometime for you to find out what you really need to suit your lifestyle.

All the best choosing your right reg.

 

[SandyRobinson]

I would go with the brand that your shop will service. You will not go wrong with either SP or the AA. And you probably would not go wrong with most other brands.

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

I'm probably not the guy to answer your questions as my newest regulator is 20 years old. Kinda like a new car, a brand new reg has its charms and SP or Atomic will do you just fine. I like Atomics because I always believed they breathed easier than SP but it's purely personal and I've had friends tell me just the opposite. FYI, the guy that started Atomics is the same guy that worked for SP and designed some of the classic SP regs.

Sounds like you have the skill set to work on your own regs. It's not rocket science but it is regulator science. I have several SP MK5/109's from the 70's I bought off Ebay for $20, put $30 worth of new parts in and they breathe fantastic (to me anyway). I'm self-taught as I've never taken a reg repair class but have digested Regulator Savvy and a few other tomes. I don't recommend the learn on your own route for everyone but it is a facinating hobby and I really enjoy it. I probably posted this pic before, and my work bench is not the model of organization but, I have a lot of fun rebuilding regs, new and old, and I dive them all.... My 2psi. Mark