buddha3145
Guest
I just bought an Atomic B2 reg and I'd like to add a Z2 octo. Unfortunately, I blew my wad on the B2 and can't afford the Z2. Can anyone recommend a good octo to pair with the B2 that can be had for less than $200?
Good Octo to pair with Atomic B2
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I use same primary and backup, Apeks XTX50s, they can be had for less than 200, they, IMO, breathe great. You could look around and get a deal on a AL Legend Octo whaich is also a good reg. For what its worth if I were you I would be waiting until I could raise the extra 90 and get the Z2, having the same brand regs makes servicing easier in most cases. Cheers
LeadTurn_SD
Contributor
I think the deciding factor is where you plan to have your B2 serviced. If at a local LDS, you'll want to buy an octo that they have parts (or can get parts) to service.
Having said that, for recreational diving ANY decent octo should be fine. No need to spend $200 or anything near that amount. A "classic downstream" octo that is properly tuned will breath surprisingly well (not as well as your primary, but good enough that you'd be "ok" using it as a primary).
If I wanted to buy a balanced-adjustable backup 2nd stage right now, I'd look at the HOG reg (selling for a about $110 online, and sound like it will rival your primary in performance).
HOG Balanced Second Stage Regulator
But I'm comfortable with non-adjustable, unbalanced 2nd stages (and have taken them down well beyond "recreational" depths).
Best wishes.
Having said that, for recreational diving ANY decent octo should be fine. No need to spend $200 or anything near that amount. A "classic downstream" octo that is properly tuned will breath surprisingly well (not as well as your primary, but good enough that you'd be "ok" using it as a primary).
If I wanted to buy a balanced-adjustable backup 2nd stage right now, I'd look at the HOG reg (selling for a about $110 online, and sound like it will rival your primary in performance).
HOG Balanced Second Stage Regulator
But I'm comfortable with non-adjustable, unbalanced 2nd stages (and have taken them down well beyond "recreational" depths).
Best wishes.
OP
buddha3145
Guest
I've heard that I should have a balanced octo with the B2, otherwise I might have a free flow problem. Is this true?
I've got an Apeks ATX 40 octo I'd be willing to part with cheap. PM me if you're interested.
Scared Silly
Contributor
Ask your shop if they have a used one from their rental gear. If it is a Z1 it can probably be bought for less than $100. Then you can spend $30 or so and but a new color kit for it and have a spiffy Atomic Octo.
LeadTurn_SD
Contributor
Ask the person who told you that to explain exactly why (other than wanting to sell you an expensive octo)
Your Atomic first stage is a balanced flow through piston, designed to maintain a stable intermediate pressure (IP)... as far as I know, it is not an "over-balanced" design. Therefore, the IP should remain fairly constant & stable throughout the dive, independant of depth or tank pressure.
So, again, unless I'm missing something here, why would an unbalanced 2nd stage (properly tuned) be more likely to free flow with your Atomic 1st stage than with any other balanced first stage?
Best wishes.
Edit: Here is another good "balanced" octo to consider for about $140. Zeagle makes great regs, and what I like about their company is that they will sell parts for the regs to the general public, no "secret handshakes" required. This particular octo is identical to their top-of-the-line 2nd stage, it just does not have the adjustment knob (but it can purchased and added later if you want it).
http://www.zeagleexpress.com/gear/REGULATORS/Zeagle Octopus/Envoy Octpus.html
vinegarbiscuit
Contributor
After months of suffering with a crappy Aqualung ABS octo (I couldn't agree more, Bubbletrubble!), I got a HOG second stage to use with my Atomic B2 (HOG Explorer Second Stage Special [Reg2-HOG-Explorer] - $110.00 : Tech Diving Limited, a subsidiary of Scuba Training and Technology Inc.). At just a smidge over $100, you couldn't ask for better, and I have been VERY happy with the performance.
Bubbletrubble
Contributor
FWIW, I own a couple of Aqualung Legend regs. The Legend first stage is "overbalanced," yet for several years I had an Aqualung ABS octo attached to it. Properly tuned, the octo did not freeflow on the surface or at depth (the deepest I took the reg was about 135 fsw).So, again, unless I'm missing something here, why would an unbalanced 2nd stage (properly tuned) be more likely to free flow with your Atomic 1st stage than with any other balanced first stage?
My opinion is that you could hang any old octo off your Atomic first stage...it just has to be tuned properly. That being said, I'd recommend getting a decent second stage. I ditched the ABS octo (quite crappy) for the Legend octo and have been very happy. Furthermore, as has already mentioned, you should consider getting an Atomic 2nd stage since this will make it easier to service the entire reg setup down the road.
Any properly tuned octo, balanced or unbalanced, will work with any first stage. The only exception might be Poseidon because of their unbalanced diaphragm first stages. Lead Turn SD's blurb about the Zeagle octo is spot on. You can't do better than Zeagle if you ask me. If you're looking for the basic octo, look at an Aeris A1. Properly tuned, it'll work just fine with anybody's first stage.
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