In search of the driest upside-down breather...Atomics Z2x...your thoughts?

[Blue Escapes Diving]

I am in the market to replace my regulator and my computer. I have owned way too many regulators to count over the past 10 years and the one thing that I cannot find is a reg that breaths dry when I am either upside down, looking up, or belly up. Being an instructor, I always am looking up for one reason or another and I always seem to get water in my mouth. I have learned to expect it so it doesn't visibly affect me (my students can't tell how uncomfortable I am now), but it used to be really bad. Anyway, does anyone have any advice on an extremely dry reg? I am looking at the Atomics Z2x and I really like it! But I really would like to know how it breaths upside-down. On the website and on ScubaLab, it says breaths easy "in all positions" but I really don't want a generalization. I need a "it breathes awesome upside-down!!" spelled out for me...hahaha. So anyone have experience with the Z2x that can comment or can offer a drier reg?
Thanks!

 

[Diver0001]

You might try one with the exhaust vent on the side like a Poseidon. IN theory it shouldn't matter if they're right way up or upside down....

Then again that might just mean that they're equally wet in all positions. But it's worth a try.

What ones have you already tried?

R..

 

[vladimir]

.....

 

[Blue Escapes Diving]

You might try one with the exhaust vent on the side like a Poseidon. IN theory it shouldn't matter if they're right way up or upside down....

Then again that might just mean that they're equally wet in all positions. But it's worth a try.

What ones have you already tried?

R..

Funny you should mention Poseidon. I used to own a Poseiden JetStream. A fantastic reg but after one service(to the tune of about $180...one reason I got rid of it), it NEVER breathed dry again. Seriously. Every breath was wet. I took it back to the people that serviced it and it ends up they send it out to RegTech, who was no help whatsoever when I called to ask them what was up. I would definitely go back to the Poseidon if it didn't cost so much to service.

And in answer to your other question: I have owned/used the Odin (above), Aeris AT400, Sherwood Brut, Dive Rite RG1200, Performance (back in the day when Performance Divers was around), Sherwood Maximus, OMS Workhorse Stage Reg, Poseidon XStream, and my current reg, the Sherwood SR1. Of the regs I have used, the driest has been the OMS Workhorse, believe or not. I just wish that it had a Pre-Dive/Dive switch and flow adjustment.

 

[Web Monkey]

I am in the market to replace my regulator and my computer. I have owned way too many regulators to count over the past 10 years and the one thing that I cannot find is a reg that breaths dry when I am either upside down, looking up, or belly up. Being an instructor, I always am looking up for one reason or another and I always seem to get water in my mouth. I have learned to expect it so it doesn't visibly affect me (my students can't tell how uncomfortable I am now), but it used to be really bad. Anyway, does anyone have any advice on an extremely dry reg? I am looking at the Atomics Z2x and I really like it! But I really would like to know how it breaths upside-down.

I have a M25/G250V, a Z1 and a few M1's and they're all pretty dry in any position. I spend quite a bit of time in the pool in odd positions and haven't gotten a mouth full of water yet.

However AFAIK, no single hose regulator in the world can be completely dry in all positions all the time. Some are just better than others at hiding the water that sneaks in while the exhaust valve is open.

Terry

 

[CardShark]

Presently using mostly Apeks, which are also reasonably dry upside down, but my personal experience has been that Poseidons have been the driest.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

The driest breathing, and best upside-down breathing regulator will be a double hose regulator. Ol' Mossback has developed a new version of the US Divers DA Aquamaster/Royal Aquamaster that you can still get. Get the DA Aquamaster, and the MB Mk 3 upgrade to it, and you'll be pleasantly surprised. All single hose regulators, while continuing to function, will breath somewhat hard upside down due to the water column difference between the lungs and the regulator demand stage. Double hose regulators, in the upside down orientation, will breath very easily on inhalation, and somewhat harder on exhalation. But they will breath dry. Here's a thread on this board which discusses the MB MK 3 modification.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/306272-upgrade-modern-doublehose-regulator-3.html

SeaRat

 

[fnfalman]

I have the Atomic B2 and it breaths pretty well and dry at any and all positions. Naturally, when you swim face up, it doesn't breath as well as other positions but it still deliver better air than most other regulators I've tried.

Whenever I find some cool stuff to see, I'd stand on my head and wave my buddies in so that they don't have to peer over my shoulder. I never noticed any difference from the regular face down swimming position. Sometimes I'd surface from the safety stop with my legs up first (probably not a very sensible diving maneuver) just for messing around and the reg never fail to deliver dry, easy air.

 

[Blue Escapes Diving]

Thanks for the info everyone. I'll check out the double hose but I do open water checkouts with a 7' hose (which is perfect in the very likely event the student decides to not check his gauge on a dive). Since there's no way a double hose and a 7' hose can mate, I may be good with the Atomics. Thanks all!

 

[Thalassamania]

Find yourself a used OCEANIC OMEGA II.