Likes/Dislikes - Aqualung vs. Atomic

[Scott]

Through my diving career I have primarily used Aqua Lung because that was mostly available to me. I currently have Apeks, AL and Atomic in my house and as far a breathing goes, when they are all tuned, I can't tell a difference.

From an aesthetics, design and service tech view, Atomic.

 

[buddhasummer]

Through my diving career I have primarily used Aqua Lung because that was mostly available to me. I currently have Apeks, AL and Atomic in my house and as far a breathing goes, when they are all tuned, I can't tell a difference.

From an aesthetics, design and service tech view, Atomic.

Service tech view? How so? Cheers.

 

[BoltSnap]

Hmm. Ok, I'll bite. Should I be looking at a Mk17 or Mk25/S600 over the Legend/Legend LX?

My preference based on using Atomic and SP (I have also used AL, Mares, Cressi) since late 90's for personal and dive school use:

1. ST1
2. M1 (Probably best value since you don't get and pay for the overpriced second stage proprietary swivel)
3. B2 (sealed)
4. SP MK25/S600. (Note: there is also the new s620 you should consider and the top of the line A700).

Personally if I am going to buy new Atomic regulators for myself, they will be M1. I doubt that I'd buy new SP MK25/anything soon since I have about 10 of them now with most of them new in the box

 

[Scott]

One kit for the line of first stages, one kit for the line of seconds.
Easy to disassemble and reassemble.

 

[buddhasummer]

One kit for the line of first stages, one kit for the line of seconds.
Easy to disassemble and reassemble.

Thank you. The piston version of Apeks I guess. Out of curiosity, are any specialized tools required to service Atomic? Cheers.

 

[Scared Silly]

Out of curiosity, are any specialized tools required to service Atomic? Cheers.

Not really, spanners are needed for the first stage but not specialized ones. That said there are a few tools that are specialized that make life much easier. Two for the first stage and one for the second stage. All three can be had for just under $100. Scuba Tools - Atomic®

 

[Scott]

Like most/all manufactures Atomic has specialized tools. What I also like is they try to make tools multi-functional. Meaning instead of having three seperate tools, they combine those three into one.

 

[ams511]

One kit for the line of first stages, one kit for the line of seconds.
Easy to disassemble and reassemble.

How does this differ from Scubapro? The MK-20/25 family of first stages all use the same service kit. The Balanced Adjustable, G200B, G250, G500, S550, S555, S600, S560, S360 and others all use the same service kit. Also, I don't see this a big advantage because a serious technical diver would standardize their regulators for interchangeability. Excluding the Flight, Apeks uses only one kit for the line of each stage and so does Zeagle. I don't see Atomic being unique here, what am I missing?

 

[ams511]

Like most/all manufactures Atomic has specialized tools. What I also like is they try to make tools multi-functional. Meaning instead of having three seperate tools, they combine those three into one.

Scubapro is the same, again I do not see where Atomic is unique. Also if you are talking about Scubatools they are a third party vendor that design tools to be multi-functional.

 

[beaverdivers]

I could add other regs to my list, but I'm not sure I need to. For manufacturers, things I'm considering:

• I'd like the option to purchase new, from an LDS if they give me a good price. Otherwise I'll go with a Scubaboard supporter or used.
• I'd like the option to have it serviced locally or via mail.
• I'd like something sealed (or sealable), not due to cold but more because keeping gunk out of the workings seems like a good idea to me.
• I'd like something durable, I do mostly vacation diving and my equipment will sometimes be handled by folks on the boat.
• I've decided to buy a "premium" regulator because I can, and I enjoy owning a well engineered piece of equipment. I'm picking up diving on the older side so it will potentially be the only regulator I ever buy...

What I'd really like to do is hop into the water with a few regulators and make a more informed decision but that kind of opportunity doesn't present itself very easily.

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