SP Mk 17/G260 VS Atomic Z2's

[Simpel]

just the parts
+28 for each stage
and yes the sealing makes it expensive

 

[BoltSnap]

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€

This doesn't make sense. Was the service the same?

Where did you do the service for both?

 

[Simpel]

the z2 are filled with christolube and that makes it significantly more expensive compared to the Scubapro
I don't want to mention names here (but can be done via pm if desired)

 

[Mobulai]

just the parts
+28 for each stage
and yes the sealing makes it expensive

Now it makes much more sense to me

Well, a 100 eur diff on biannual service does make a big diff, unless you skip the sealing (not good for cold water here in Germany)
I’d take the mk17 right away

 

[BoltSnap]

Now it makes much more sense to me

Well, a 100 eur diff on biannual service does make a big diff, unless you skip the sealing (not good for cold water here in Germany)
I’d take the mk17 right away

This isn't accurate, as I have mentioned earlier, Atomic doesn't need servicing as others do, perhaps 1/3 the frequency. The figure mentioned for the cost of the Atomic parts and lube is still too high for what should cost. Something isn't right here.

 

[Simpel]

According to the maintenance manual, 2oz Christolube is added to the regulator
When I search for it on the internet I find prices around 90€
Then there are the service kits for the first and second stage
Sounds plausible to me

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

This isn't accurate, as I have mentioned earlier, Atomic doesn't need servicing as others do, perhaps 1/3 the frequency. The figure mentioned for the cost of the Atomic parts and lube is still too high for what should cost. Something isn't right here.

Cadbury at the Rolls Royce dealer charges a lot more for an oil change than Hans does down at the Mercedes shop.

 

[Mobulai]

This isn't accurate, as I have mentioned earlier, Atomic doesn't need servicing as others do, perhaps 1/3 the frequency. The figure mentioned for the cost of the Atomic parts and lube is still too high for what should cost. Something isn't right here.

I didn’t mean in a diy fashion, I meant when someone does the mfg. recommended 2 year interval
I’d dive the reg personally as long as IP is stable

 

[98TJ10]

I asked a shop in my area and they said $50 extra for sealing. Given the longer service interval, if my math is correct, it more than pays for the additional cost (not to mention the peace of mind).

I'm curious - if an unsealed piston (whether it be Scubapro, Atomic etc.) were to be scraped by debris, how much would the replacement chamber/part cost? if it's a $50 part...and you get 10 years out of it, would it make sense just to not seal it?

 

[Geo7]

Within 2 year servicing intervals recommended by most manufacturers, I doubt we'd see reliability differences worth considering. But I would say the seat saving orifice in the second stage helps the AA second stage maintain their tune longer than most (although Poseidon Jetstream and mondern Zeagle regs have a seat saver too, and the G260 has a manual seat saver).

I seal all of mine (silty beach dives and occasional cold water dives). Nevertheless, for people diving mostly clear warm water I recommend to leave them unsealed (but rinse that environmental chamber well). If your New England diving is using boats and the water is above 50°F in the ocean, I think unsealed is fine. I think @lexvil found that unsealed piston regs show some degradation of the sealing area in the main reg body after 10 years or so California beach diving, and yes, that's 50-100 $ to replace, so I think your math checks out.

For frequent, year-round cold water diving (way below 50°F/10°C), and hard core tech or cave diving, I'd take the G260. Diaphragm 1st stages are perfect for that. For travel and ocean I would pick the Z2 due to the ergonomics (compact and great hose routing). I feel Atomic has a slight edge in quality, but Mk17/G260 is one of the all time greats. The size, hose routing and weight of the Atomic have won me over though. Both breathe great, slightly different though. You can go with your gut feeling and have no regrets. Or see if you can find a good deal on one of them?

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