I am totally confused with the Atomic warranty. It states that it is not dependent upon annual services, but then goes on to say that it must be services every 300 dives or two years. What on earth does that mean? Must one have it serviced every two years or not???
They suggest that the regulators be serviced every 300-dives or two years. The warranty has little to do with this service, and it all depends on what warranty issue we're talking about. If you clean your reg after every use and let it dry properly yet somehow the reg developed a rust spot, regardless of you had or had not serviced the reg (servicing the reg has nothing to do wih corrosion resistance), Atomic is going to fix your corrosion problem.
Now, there are parts that get worn or deteriorated from use (O-rings and seals, probably springs too). Those are probably not going to be covered under warranty unless they fail too soon after purchase. The automobile manufacturers don't warranty engine oil or tires either.
As far as whether or not one MUST have the regulator serviced every 300-dives or 2-years, that's entirely dependent upon one's self. Since that you're the owner, you can do whatever you want with your properties. Atomic suggests to have their regs serviced at certain usage intervals in order for the products to perform at their peak performance. Same analogy as a car. You don't have to change the engine oil e very 3000-miles or 7500-miles (or whatever the factory recommendations are). You don't have to change transmission fluid or power steering fluid. You don't have to clean & condition the leather interior either. But it behooves you to do so in order for the vehicle to function in accordance to manufacturer's engineering standards.
There are people who have used their regulators for five years without servicing them and only service them when the breathing effort becomes heavy, or the regulator makes strange noises.
So, in the end of the day, it's your gears and you can do whatever you want to it. Only YOU can make that decision.
