SP Mk 17/G260 VS Atomic Z2's

[98TJ10]

Money aside, which reg sets below would you chose for overall quality, reliability and long term value? Both options would be din and diving would stretch from warm water travel to cold water New England diving. Is the G260 justified over the C370 for build quality (less plastic etc). Realistically speaking, how long can you stretch the service interval on a sealed Atomic? Thank you in advance.

SP MK17 EVO G260 with a C370 octo (sorry, no matching G260 octo..) or:
Atomic Z2 (sealed) with a matching Z2 octo

 

[Mobulai]

let’s start with the g260/c370:
Both have fair amount of plastic — Scubapro uses fiberglass reinforced plastic that generally is tough

The g260 is a „full size“ vs the c370, it continues of the legacy of well, 109/BA/250…
These all have the „standard“ lever design (similar to the atomic one as well)

The c370 took the „all new“ lever introduced in the c350 (very low friction and continuous contact with diaphragm) and made a balanced design put of it

The g260 has on top, feature wise:
- seat saver purge button
- micro adjustment mechanism (inside the adjustment knob)
These translates to basically „maxing“ out performance for a singular service (so can theoretically extend the service intervals)

The atomic 2nd has a pneumatic seat saver feature, no button pushing needed

Out of the 3 regs in question (1st/2nds) I only used mk17 and g260
I also have recently acquired a T2 (besides material diff amd swivel, same reg) but I haven’t dived that yet

The mk17 is a sealed diaphragm, lots of cold water divers trust it
The atomic is a piston (can be sealed or not)

The implication of these differences is a wide range of things, and maybe without usecases I have nothing useful to comment
(My primary reg is the mk19, with is like a 17 but with a swivel)

 

[BoltSnap]

Atomic Z2 (sealed) with a matching Z2 octo

I have both, Atomic sealed is my preference by a very wide margin. I go 4 - 6 years, or more, between servicing Atomic regulators without any issues. SP 2-4. The Atomic second stage is superior to g260 when both tuned to lowest cracking pressure per mfg specifications. The AFC feature on the Atomic second stage is just awesome.

This is like comparing Mercedes to a Rolls Royce, Atomic being the Rolls Royce. Both are excellent and you can't go wrong with either but Atomic as an edge here.

Note: I have owned and used SP and Atomic regulators since mid to late 90's. I own most current models from both. I'm a very active diver (except this miserable year, I've only done maybe 50 dives this year).

 

[Mobulai]

I've only done maybe 50 dives this year).

Knock on wood — I barely got to 39

 

[lexvil]

Flip a coin, heads is a winner but so is tails.

I would choose the SP route for myself.

 

[Simpel]

I have both regulators
for a while I changed the regulators during the dives.
now the z2 has become my primary regulator and the g260 is my backup
but the difference is only minimal and more personal preference

 

[brsnow]

I like z2 like adding wide exhaust

 

[rhwestfall]

Both are an excellent choice. Which one is the best deal? Consider the cost of service in your equation.... Rumor or reality, I've heard sealing an Atomic has a significant cost.

I'm a diaphragm and SP fan....

 

[Simpel]

the revision costs are really quite big in difference
I recently had everything serviced ( in germany )
atomic z2 = 152,44€
mk 17 / g260 = 58.79€

 

[Mobulai]

mk 17 / g260 = 58.79€

Was that for both or per stage (including service kits?)?
If both, can you link me with that service shop — might be cheaper than DIY

I suspect also that the diff in the atomic price includes also the sealing w christolube then (big chunk)