The New Atomic TFX

[Geo7]

Wow, only saw this now, and I am very exited about this reg. I switched to titanium Atomics that I love, but have to admit I'd never been able to afford them at retail. So I can understand people's frustration that we now live in a world where the top of the line reg is out of reach for most of us. But I can't afford a top of the line car or camera either.

A TFX 2nd stage is in my future however. I feel like we have been waiting for an upgrade to the D400 for a long time, and got the X650 and D420 instead. Center-balanced design with co-axial exhaust, adjustable venturi, nice exhaust-T, seat saver, and titanium. A dream come true.

Adjustable venturi on an Atomic is something I have been dreaming of, as I can set it low without penalty. But oh, the price...

 

[Joneill]

Well that was short-lived now they’re at $2600.

Will be interesting to see if they actually honor the order as it went through and hit my card at $2249.

 

[stuartv]

I have long admired that AA just makes one reg - the best - with different models only differentiated by different materials, for different purposes. Okay, and some small differences like a fixed turret in the Z2 versus swivel in the more expensive models, or a small heat sink and bigger exhaust tee on the M1.

The TFX 2nd sounds like it is poised to prove itself geniunely better than their current 2nd stages.
Hopefully, that means AA will stick to their "we only sell the best" philosophy and phase out all their other 2nd stages, replacing them with corresponding materials versions of the TFX.

I'd be totally down to buy a TFX manufactured using Z2-style materials and at the Z2-general price point.

What I do find aggravating is the AA omniswivel hose thing. I've yet to buy a 2nd stage that came with a hose in the length I want. On my single tank reg set, I use a 24" (or 22"? I can't remember!) hose and then a 40" hose for the reg I would donate to another diver. I HATE having some super long hose bowing way out to the side and then running to the reg in my mouth. And I also hate spending an exorbitant amount of money for a hose on a 2nd stage just so I can junk it and replace it with a hose of a better length. And that is exactly how I would feel buying an AA reg with a swivel hose.

 

[-JD-]

Everyone! Call Scubapro and tell them to process Marin Diving Center's order for Rob, right away!

I mean, it is funny either way, but it seems like this is a mixed metaphor manufacturer

 

[stuartv]

I'd be totally down to buy a TFX manufactured using Z2-style materials and at the Z2-general price point.

That said, I do occasionally go on trips that are strictly recreational, single tank, OC diving.

For those, I have to confess a bit of lust for the full Ti version of the TFX paired with a Ti safe second, all mated to my Freedom Contour back plate and VDH 18# Argonaut wing.

I think, for single tank OC diving, that sounds like pretty much the McLaren scuba rig....

Add mask, Teric, and Eddy fins and a scuba rig can't get much lighter or more streamlined.

Hmmm....

I am not particularly happy with my current single tank reg set. If reviews from Rob and others bear out the apparent superiority of the TFX, maybe I should just buy my very last single tank reg set and cry once... I have a friend that did that when he bought his T3 reg set (with Ti SS) and it DOES seem pretty nice when he's flying to lose those 2 or 3 pounds of reg weight...

 

[BoltSnap]

What I do find aggravating is the AA omniswivel hose thing. I've yet to buy a 2nd stage that came with a hose in the length I want. On my single tank reg set, I use a 24" (or 22"? I can't remember!) hose and then a 40" hose for the reg I would donate to another diver. I HATE having some super long hose bowing way out to the side and then running to the reg in my mouth. And I also hate spending an exorbitant amount of money for a hose on a 2nd stage just so I can junk it and replace it with a hose of a better length. And that is exactly how I would feel buying an AA reg with a swivel hose.

No wonder that you look like my twin brother (from different mother) but this is exactly my pain and aggravation with Atomic, the permanently attached swivel. What a waste when getting a different hose and having to throw away the AA hose with that swivel.

 

[stuartv]

No wonder that you look like my twin brother (from different mother) but this is exactly my pain and aggravation with Atomic, the permanently attached swivel. What a waste when getting a different hose and having to trow away the AA hose with that swivel.

They sell separately different length hoses with their swivel. They should at least offer different SKUs of the TFX that come with different length hoses, so you can get what you want right out of the box.

 

[BoltSnap]

maybe I should just buy my very last single tank reg set and cry once

Yes, it will also be my last reg. (until the next one from AA or SP)

 

[BoltSnap]

A friend of mine sent me this few minutes ago. He is torturing me, borderline scuba porn:

 

[stuartv]

Yes, it will also be my last reg. (until the next one from AA or SP)

"breathes noticeably better" and "lighter because it's all Ti" are 2 reasons that combined might be enough to get me off that much money.

I don't foresee AA or SP ever coming out with something that breathes better than a TFX AND is also significantly lighter. So, no, if I buy one I legit expect it would be the last single tank rig I ever buy (unless I buy a second one for a significant other who does not currently exist).