Tecline vs Atomic vs other Regulator Brands

[DiveLikeAMuppet]

Why so?

Because I just do the whole unit yearly, so I might as well do the first stages. I don’t want to risk any issues with pure O2 and my solenoid doesn’t like debris. It’s probably unnecessary.

 

[kdlv]

Question .Which TECHLINE model is compared to the Apeks XTX50 /

on the 1st stages
Tecline R5 looks like Apeks XTX200
R4 Tec - DS4
R2 Tec - DST
V1 is probably a variation of R5

2nd stages, probably Tec1 is closer to XTX50. Exhaust side looks similar. Tec2 has a smaller exhaust.

 

[happy-diver]

From my humble experience, the 1yr service is general guidance similar to the car industry oil change interval.

Yeah, mate, but relatively you don't use your regs much compared to how much more you use your car
Today I removed ten, fill and drain plugs from my engine, front differential, gearbox, transaxle, rear diff
as it's required to keep the car running, where dive reg intervals are recommendations to make money

also to avoid the joy of litigation that has befallen us, thanks US

So I will never understand nor can I agree with your comparison

 

[merc97]

Thank you idle . Techline’s military sidemount reg set caught my eye . It’s all black .

 

[kdlv]

Yeah, mate, but relatively you don't use your regs much compared to how much more you use your car
Today I removed ten, fill and drain plugs from my engine, front differential, gearbox, transaxle, rear diff
as it's required to keep the car running, where dive reg intervals are recommendations to make money

also to avoid the joy of litigation that has befallen us, thanks US

So I will never understand nor can I agree with your comparison

Oh, I think we are share the exact same opinion, but I wasn't able to describe it clearly. Apologies, English is not my primary language.
With a car you need to change the oil every year or 15000km (some have longer intervals).
Doesn't matter if you made 500km ot 15000km this year, the annual interval has to be followed, right? Otherwise -> sorry, no warranty.

Same here.
1yr, 100 dives, whichever comes first.

And yes, I agree that oil qualities deteriorate with time, but if you keep the same oil in the engine, nothing will happen after 2 years.
Same here. If it works well, it works well.

Are the reg intervals defined as is to make money -> sure.
Are the annual service intervals with cars that at bare minimum have oil and filter replacement made to make money -> also yes.

Are there better analogies? Sure... feel free to think of one, but we share the same opinion.

 

[autrichon gris]

Question .Which TECHLINE model is compared to the Apeks XTX50 /

I have both (Tecline R2 and Apeks DST + XTX 50 ) for sidemount. In terms of in mouth comfort i find the Apeks slightly above, but they are close. It's probably in the construction of first stage, the Tecline seems eventually built with less quality and maybe cheaper alloys as i have for example a bump (how is that possible ?) in the metallic part in the center of the DIN O ring, as the alloy here seems very fragile.

 

[thaddaeusdietechnik]

Atomic!

I think the Atomics are some great Regs. Maybe you can share why you would go with the Atomic's?

I have to ask, what Scubapro and Mares regulators do you already own that you think are not up to the task?

I do have a Scubapro MK20 with G190 i think it is and a Mares Dual 15x (if I am correct). I just do not want to swap all the hoses around for recreational and technical diving.
Besides that I would probably have some more trust in special tec regualtor.

Germany should have strong right to repair laws - so if someone sells you Tecline regs, you should be able to get a service kit too. That’s why you can buy official Apeks service kits in Germany (and you cannot in the UK, booooo Apeks).

Scubapro or Apeks seem to be most popular. You can get Apeks for a good price new for example at SF-1 Scuba Freaks and they will put a kit together for you (SPG, hose lengths etc) for free. I use DS4 for pretty much everything because it’s bullet proof (DST for twinset) and cheapest good reg.

Tecline should be fine but I can’t remember if they have been making regs long enough - XDeep had a recall when they entered the reg market, so you should ask around to see if anyone has any trouble. Other Tecline kit is really good - if I was starting again I would definitely think about standardising to Tecline.

Service intervals are more a wishful thinking of dive shops. The only regs that get a yearly service are my CCR first stages. Stage regs see service when they look too crusty and OC regs - very 2-3 years ish? If it breathes dry and there is no IP creep, it’s good to go. If there are bubbles - replace an o-ring, that’s typical swivel around SPG. If a hose is grubby - replace a hose.

Scubaboard has a US bias - getting anything from the US is a pain, I would buy what people dive locally.

Really? I did check out the shops which sell the Tecline regs, but did not find any Service kits in their shop. Could you maybe explain to me why it should be possible to get the kits due to repair laws? I am curious about in and would then even send a request to some shops. Or do they just need to offer service for the Reg in their shop?

 

[thaddaeusdietechnik]

Apeks service kits are also easily available with cheaper clone kits too.

I heard from an owner of a diveshop here local that apeks service kits are getting out of stock because of the whole financial situation they are in right now.

In some thread I already picked up, this should not be much of a concern due to military contracts but after hearing it of a dive shop owner it seems a little off putting.

Anyone got some more insights about it?

 

[Geo7]

I think the Atomics are some great Regs. Maybe you can share why you would go with the Atomic's?

+1 to what @Scared Silly said.

And I'd say one has to dive them to see if they breathe better (it's subective), but all regs breathe more than ok nowadays.

Personally, I have to say if you pick up a dozen old, used regs of different brands and service them, I bet you'll be impressed at how used Atomic regs look inside, and about how close they get to like-new once serviced. The parts and workmanship have high quality, yet it's something that can be overlooked in the dive shop next to other regs. And servicing a titanium Atomic is a zen-like joy.

That said, I love those threads that defend the good old Scubapro MK2 & R-series. Most of us don't need more than that...

 

[Hungcyon]

I think the Atomics are some great Regs. Maybe you can share why you would go with the Atomic's?

I initially started with Atomics and got swayed to try Scubapros. One day I borrowed a friends Atomic reg for a stage bottle at gas switch noticed that I was being essentially waterboarded.. with GAS.. I hadn't realized how out of tune my Scubapro regs were until I tried the Atomics. I then went back to my original Atomic set to compare as my initial set had around 150 dives on it, same as my scubapros. Back to back on the same dive(one on either side of a set of doubles), night and day difference.. The Atomics breathed much smoother and had less resistance on exhalation. Needless to say I swapped back over. Not to say that Scubapros are bad, they are just less good than Atomics IN MY OPINION.

I also dive on average 200+ dives a year so the extended suggested service interval is very much appreciated.