Suggestions on Atomic B2 or Scuba Pro Mk25/S600 or other regulators

[Sunshine Diver]

Hi ladies & gents in the diving community,

Am a vacation diver and looking for my very first regulator.

Currently, I'm introduced in the Atomic B2 and SP Mk25/ S600.

Please share what reg will be more advantages in terms of serviceability as I already read up B2 & SP in terms of performance is almost the same.

Also, what setup will be ideal.

Lastly, I'm more of a vacation diver who dive 2 to 4 trips per year. Will it be advisable for me to even get a reg or perhaps go for rental. More likely, I will be diving for many more yrs to go but at most 4 trips per annual.

Kindly share with me more

 

[eelnoraa]

I have both of these. They really perform the same, which is really good. Mk25 is slightly larger than Atomic 1st stage. I ham not a big fan of S600 myself. I will choose G250V/G260/A700 if you are going for Scubapro route.

Now for vacation diver, I think Scubapro is a better choice because world wide support will be better. You can find parts and service center anywhere in the world. I kind don't think Atomic is in the same order yet.

 

[Sunshine Diver]

Agreed on scubapro is more worldwid recognised, however, in terms of servicing interval, Atomic is 2 yes and given my average dive trips of 2 to 4. Will it be more cost effective in the long run ??

 

[Tug]

I can't attest to Scubapro vs Atomic but for me, the IF you follow the recommended service intervals (if that's needed is a whole other thread) then the two year interval would be better for you and should be more cost effective.

 

[eelnoraa]

Manufacture recommendation aside, there is no reason Atomic can go for 2 years and SP can't under the same usage. In fact, for 2-4 times a year, you can go much longer without rebuilding the reg if you maintain it properly. By that I mean properly clean and dry after each use. If you intend to strictly follow manufacture requirements, then yes, Atomic will cost less over the long run.

 

[BoltSnap]

I have both, Atomic and the SP, including other models from each company. They are very close but the Atomic Second stage has the AFC feature that makes the venturi control automatic based on depth (it goes to full venturi when you go 60 feet and deeper). In terms of performance, it is splitting hairs between the two. In terms of reliability, the Atomic has unique features that should make it more reliable and will take many years between servicing (I service them every 3 - 5 years) and not have any issues. The B2 ss has titanium parts which are considered more reliable. I also have a sealed first stage B2 which can take even longer servicing cycle. In normal circumstances I'd have my regulators serviced every two years but I am in a part of the world where I don't have my service tools and there are no service centers here and I have to send my regulators to Europe or the US for service which is extremely expensive.

I have the following regulators from Atomic for my own use and for dive school use and they are the BEST in terms of reliability:

1. Tx
2. ST1
3. B2
4. M1
5 Z2
All sealed

I have the following SP regulators for my own use and for dive school use:

1. MK25/s600

2. Mk17/s600

3. MK17/395

4. MK2/R295

No issues with any of the above.



In short, my recommendation to you here is that I'll nudge you towards the Atomic B2 sealed but you won't go wrong with the SP MK25/s600.

 

[Sunshine Diver]

Hi everyone, thank you for your feedback.

Don't mind please share with me more in regards to the service interval.

Isn't it a must to service the regulator once every 2 years but manufacturer recommendation ?

Apologies as I'm not clear on the part where by you can exceed the recommended service interval.

Also, I read up the website that Atomic got limited warranty. Can I check on what is meant by 'limited', like what is cover or cost involved? Does it mean that exceeding a certain time frame and there won't be warranty coverage for Atomic B2 ? Personally I don't service my regulator ando definitely send for servicing.

I'm very green in areas about regulator

Lastly, in terms of raising the B2, I read that due to the seat saving orifice, user have to be more careful when raising and not advisable to soak the B2 as water might enter from 2nd stage to the 1st stage.

 

[Oldbear]

All make very good points...

I too dive with both. Diving each reg about 4 or 5 times per week. The differences are too subtle to notice in my opinion.

But if you are just a vacation diver with a few dives each year I would go with the Atomic Z3. The Atomic Z3 and the B2 are virtually the same regulator just a little less expensive materials (titanium vs.zirconium over brass in their 2nd stages) in its manufacturing. The Z3 (and B2s) also have the comport swivel that many divers like. Atomics were originally designed to have a 5-year service interval but retailers pressured the manufacturer to go with a 2 year - 200 dive service interval because all of the other manufactures have a 2 year - 200 dive interval...they were afraid that owners of the other brands would wait for the longer interval before bringing in their regulators. In the past few years Atomic moved up the dive interval from 200 to 300 dives.

If you are in the U.S. servicing your regulator is not an issue. But if you are not here is a link to were it can be done...

http://www.atomicaquatics.com/dealers_intl.html

The OP lists their location as SP...is that Singapore?

 

[Sunshine Diver]

Hi hi

All make very good points...

I too dive with both. Diving each reg about 4 or 5 times per week. The differences are too subtle to notice in my opinion.

But if you are just a vacation diver with a few dives each year I would go with the Atomic Z3. The Atomic Z3 and the B2 are virtually the same regulator just a little less expensive materials (titanium vs.zirconium over brass in their 2nd stages) in its manufacturing. The Z3 (and B2s) also have the comport swivel that many divers like. Atomics were originally designed to have a 5-year service interval but retailers pressured the manufacturer to go with a 2 year - 200 dive service interval because all of the other manufactures have a 2 year - 200 dive interval...they were afraid that owners of the other brands would wait for the longer interval before bringing in their regulators. In the past few years Atomic moved up the dive interval from 200 to 300 dives.

If you are in the U.S. servicing your regulator is not an issue. But if you are not here is a link to were it can be done...

http://www.atomicaquatics.com/dealers_intl.html

The OP lists their location as SP...is that Singapore?

Hi hi, I'm from Singapore and all my dives will be tropical dives.

 

[Oldbear]

Sunshine...strictly from a service standpoint you might think about the ScubaPro unless you have an Atomic Authorized Service Center.