Hey SCUBA gear heads - best regulator for under $1,000 = ?

[RainPilot]

I think they are $600 for a full single tank set up, and you get a service kit, nice pelican box and I understand a few bits of swag thrown in for free)

Deep 6 Signature Single Tank Regulator Package - Regulator Packages - Regulators

565 for a standard setup.

 

[scubafanatic]

I have NEVER seen this with ALL of the Atomic regulators I have used, sold, serviced since circa 1998 and continue to us in my dive school. I use strictly sealed first stage of the atomic regulators and this never happened. In fact, in the European market and our market, EMEA region, only the sealed versions are sold here.

Just like any other brand, some technicians aren't vigilant in understanding and following the mfg's service instructions or use the proper tools properly, they mess up the service, even the least complicated parts. Any reasonably trained service technician will know how to service the Atomic very SIMPLE first stages and how to seal it properly, it doesn't require a rocket scientist to do nor is it a brain surgery. One of my Atomic regulators, sealed B2, hasn't been serviced since circa 2012 and it is working like new without any issues at all (I just haven't gotten around to sending it for service yet).

I just can't believe the BS and misinformation and total lack of honesty and understanding in many posts here. I buy and use and continue to use Atomic regulators for their most natural breathing and performance in addition to their incredible reliability and resiliency. No other regulator brand has these Atomic regulator features or comes close in reliability in our experience except SP. If were going to be stuck on an Island, I'd want an Atomic regulator with me, preferably the sealed version (I wouldn't mind a SP regulator either). I would not want any other brand.

(I am not a retailer or associated with Atomic or SP in anyway. I buy my regulators from dealers and/or individuals.)

Chill out for a minute, I own 7 Atomics (including 5 Titanium 1st-stage units) so I doubt I'm an Atomic 'hater', but honestly their rubber band system is rather prehistoric in it's design. When I took a couple of my T2's in for 'annuals' a few months ago the Atomic tech persuaded me to switch them back to 'unsealed' 1st-stages (I'm a warm water diver anyway) so we'll see how that goes.

 

[BoltSnap]

but honestly their rubber band system is rather prehistoric in it's design.

What is the more current, up to date and state of the art way to seal a piston first stage please?

 

[ams511]

What is the more current, up to date and state of the art way to seal a piston first stage please?

I don't think there is a good way to seal a piston first stage. Probably the most elegant solution is the dry bleed system from Sherwood. Scubapro stopped using silicon to seal regulators with the MK-15 or 20.

 

[reefrat]

And Sherwood hasn't used the dry bleed system for about 20 years!
I've never had any problems with the Atomic first stage seal, no silicone leaks or whatever. The reason I like the sealed system is that I live in a fairly remote location- no service centers, and I do not service my regs to any schedule, in fact probably every third or fourth year on average. The emphasis for me is on keeping them as clean as possible by rinsing/soaking pressurized after every days diving and keeping water from entering the first stages, then hanging up to dry and stored in a sealed box.
This way Atomic regs seem to hold a high state of tune for years, and so far have been trouble free.

 

[Darghu]

Anyone have some feedbacks about Halcyon regulators?

 

[buddhasummer]

Anyone have some feedbacks about Halcyon regulators?

They are the same as the MK25 and MK17, the primary second stage is a G250V with a different jam nut. The name of the other SP second stage they rebadged currently escapes me. So the answer to your question is they perform the same as the SP models because that's what they are albeit in new blue clothes.

 

[Diver0001]

And Sherwood hasn't used the dry bleed system for about 20 years!

I wasn't aware of this. The last Sherwood regulator I had was in 2002 and it had a dry bleed. I looked on their website and couldn't find anything about their current 1st stage design. What can you tell me about it?

R..

 

[Darghu]

When you said "same" is it strictly the same but overpriced?

 

[Diver0001]

They are the same as the MK25 and MK17, the primary second stage is a G250V with a different jam nut. The name of the other SP second stage they rebadged currently escapes me. So the answer to your question is they perform the same as the SP models because that's what they are albeit in new blue clothes.

So to be clear are Halcyon regulators just a re-stamped Scubapros?

R..