SP Mk 17/G260 VS Atomic Z2's

[brsnow]

The Z2 breath great, best deal in scuba.

 

[BoltSnap]

I would pick the Z7

You mean the "Z2."

 

[Mobulai]

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?

Hmm.. maybe like 70ish (that’s an estimate for the mk25 (not evo) ambient chamber/cap), w/o labor — But that’s also not available (I found the halcyon one which would work)
Edit: 50-70ish also for a SP piston

I’d say varies, but by the time it needs replacement, is ot available

2 trains pf thought come to mind:

Something that @Nemrod mentioned in another thread: „I’ll let the people who inherent my regs worry about the scratches in the ambient chamber „

And @rsingler dissatisfaction with unsealed pistons, and how his sealed mk10 lasted almost 10 years with stable IP without rebuilding (except for the din retainer)

I sympathize with both ideas

 

[Rilelen]

I own both of these exact reg sets. I *personally* prefer diving the Atomic Z2s - they breathe nicer and I hate fiddling with the ScubaPro predive/dive switch. The Z2s are my primary recreational regs, and what I dive on all my single tank open water dives.

I have relegated my Mk17 Evo/G260 regs to stage regs (for cave).

As to piston replacement….I just had both pistons on my Atomic M11 doubles regs replaced. I believe the piston was about $50; I do have all my Atomic regs sealed, and haven’t found it to be a hassle or much of an expense - about $20-30 more than the ScubaPro regs. As for service interval, I think I’ve had the Z2s serviced three times in ten years, but I’m *very* hard on my regs. You could probably get away with much longer with some TLC.

 

[Geo7]

You mean the "Z2."

Thanks, I corrected that typo. Wouldn't want to start a rumor ("Have you heard of the new AA titanium Z7 diaphragm 1st stage"?)