Oceanic Delta4 or Atomic Z2

[eelnoraa]

I am debating between these two. I can get both serivce at my LDS. If I go with Delta4, I will most likely have Alpha8 as octo. If I were to go with Z2, I may have to get Z2 Octo. So the up front cost of Z2 set is almost $300 more than Delta4 set. I know Atomic need bi-annual serivce while Oceanic need annual serivce, so it seems that I extra up front cost will break even after a few years.

Cost aside, I seem to see much more complain about Delta4 issue, such as wet breathing, noisy 1st stage ... But I have seen nothing but praise about Atomics. I wonder if anyone here own both. Please comment! Thank you!

BTW, my homd dive site is Monterey, so cold water, in 50sF. It is probably the coldest place I will dive.

 

[300bar]

My wife has the Delta4/FDX10,I dive the Atomic Ti1.
Both are awsome regs,never heard my wife about wet breathing.
If I had to pick a new reg now,my choice would be the Oceanic Eos.FDX10

 

[stargost]

I have the Delta4/FDX10, it works very well. No wet breathing. it may make some little noise (2nd stage, not first) when breathing on air, which can be adjusted tuning air flow. UW no problem nor noise. No difference at depth (80ft) compared to surface (but for sure Atomic will be the same there).

For an upgrade (or for other family members), I'm considering the M1 rather than the Z2, as indeed Atomic are being praised. But there is a >200$ delta. So for the price, the oceanic get the DVT and the 'environmentally sealed' feature, and very comfortable breathing.
The second stage is also pretty small and light, which is really good (for example, compared to AL legend/Titan), but Atomic seem small as well.

When I asked about AL legend LX vs Atomic M1, someone mentioned that Atomic may not be easily serviced outside US. Seems the only drawback assuming it is one...
Oceanic can now be serviced pretty much everywhere, and they have made their entry in Europe.

 

[eelnoraa]

If I had to pick a new reg now,my choice would be the Oceanic Eos.FDX10

Whyis EOS so much better than Delta4?? I think they use the same 1st stage. Is the EOS 2nd stage making so much differences? I have always thought 1st stage is the one that is making the differences.

Oceanic can now be serviced pretty much everywhere, and they have made their entry in Europe.

this is one of the major reason I came down to Oceanic and Atomic. For Oceanic, not only my LSD sold them, they head quarter is 20 minutes away from where I live.

My impression (from this forum) is that Atomic is a better reg, more robust, easier breathing in more difficult environment, but also cost significantly more. I just wonder if I can tell the differences under water.

 

[300bar]

Why is EOS so much better than Delta4?? I think they use the same 1st stage. Is the EOS 2nd stage making so much differences? I have always thought 1st stage is the one that is making the differences.




this is one of the major reason I came down to Oceanic and Atomic. For Oceanic, not only my LSD sold them, they head quarter is 20 minutes away from where I live.

My impression (from this forum) is that Atomic is a better reg, more robust, easier breathing in more difficult environment, but also cost significantly more. I just wonder if I can tell the differences under water.

The Eos breaths better than my Atomic Ti1 but also LOOKS better.
And yes it even breaths better than the Delta4,not much but you can tell.

 

[pro99line]

Never tried the Atomics, but both my girlfriend and I have the Oceanic Delta4/FDX10, and have never had any issues with them. No noise or wet breathing. When upside down there is a little resistance. Oceanic's customer service is great. Had to use them for my ProPlus 2 that got flooded and they replaced it with no hassle.

 

[rcs9250]

Should your decision process lead you to Atomic for whatever reason, the rebuild kits are on the pricey side. They of course have the biannual service interval, but, the Oceanics service might be like Aqua Lung and Apeks. They require annual service but the odd years are inspection only which should only be labor and the even years are complete rebuild. Aqua Lung and Apeks and Scuba Pro offer free parts at rebuild time if you maintain your yearly service interval.
I don't have any Oceanics but have had Atomics and used them in 36 degree water without the environmental kits. Very nice regs.
Randy

 

[dk2943]

I use the Z2. Very happy with it. A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to try the Delta 4s. Two dives. One about 70 feet the other about 25. After these dives, I was so glad to go back to my Atomic

 

[Hatul]

I don't have the Atomic, but from my reading I see two disadvantages of the Atomic: 1. the second stage seat saver requires special procedure during rinsing to prevent water from entering. Also you can't turn the tank valve off when the reg is underwater, say if you want to use the reg on a stage bottle.

2. the environmental seal of the 1st stage uses grease, which may make servicing more difficult

Correct me if I'm wrong on this.

Adam

 

[eliminator]

Z2 advantages over Delta4/FDX10

-better materials

-actually has metal parts inside (unlike oceanic plastic air tube, etc)

-less corosion

-upgradeable to M1s or future Z series regs

-service schedule in 2 years/300 dives, but can safely go over 6 months+

-oceanic will have to get serviced every 12 months (+/- 1 month) to maintain free parts for life or you get kicked out of the program)

-so, 3 stages at $25 per stage with free parts is $75 a year labour, you will have to pay for the atomic parts, but cost difference arent that dramatic between the two over the long run

-atomic now uses Trio-lube which apparently doesnt "cake" as bad to the inside of the first stage

-you dont have to seal the first stage of you arent going cold/silty

-atomic regs will hold their value bettter than oceanic

-hose routing for doubles is alot better if you go that route

-price between the 2 shouldnt be that bad, actually, I think the atomic reg lists lower than the Oceanics (web sites have to display MSRP for atomic regs), it's not hard to find Z2s in the $350 range