The New Atomic TFX
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Geo7
Contributor
STX maybe?
Umm, huh? What am I missing?
I still don't understand calling it a TFX. I think the Atomic website or brochure said that stands for Titanium Front eXhaust. But, how is it a "front" exhaust? It seems more like a bottom exhaust. And if you are in horizontal trim (i.e. normal diving position) and looking forward/down then it is definitely a bottom exhaust. How are they getting "front exhaust" out of that design?
Geo7
Contributor
I think they are defining the main diaphragm as front, and traditional regs have the exhaust opposite of it, defined to be back.
They give a high level explanation for the design on the product page:
“The genesis of the unique Atomic TFX design lies in positioning the exhaust valve in the center of the inhalation diaphragm and mounting both in the front of the regulator, which provides enhanced breathing performance and superior dryness not possible in a conventional design.”
Still just sounds like Marketing BS, to me.
I just looked at a top down view of the TFX to make sure. The diaphragm and exhaust are both directly below the actual regulator - not in front of it.
But, @Geo7's explanation makes sense. You can see the diaphragm from the front. Ditto for a conventional reg. But, on a conventional reg, the exhaust mushrooms would be on the back side of the piece below the diaphragm. On the TFX, the exhaust is on the same side as the diaphragm - I.e. the "front". (even though it's really the bottom lol!)
Too F’ing eXpensive. But that wouldn’t play well in their marketing meetings.
This image (from Atomic promo video) shows that the TFX has the exhaust valve positioned in the center of the inhalation diaphragm - both mounted in the front of the regulator. The standard Atomic on the right shows the inhalation diaphragm in the front and the exhaust valve in the rear of the regulator.
That image is exactly what I'm talking about.
In the TFX the actual regulator is that assembly in the upper left of the pic.
In the (we'll call it) T3, the actual regulator is that round-ish looking thing just above the yellow line of the exhaust valve.
The "front" of both regulators is what I would call the flat, vertical portion facing to the left side of the pic. I.e. on the T3, the front is where the purge button/face cover is. On the TFX, the front is that thick red line on the left side, next to the actual regulator assembly that is inside.
On the TFX, the yellow and green are both below (and a bit behind) the actual regulator assembly inside, and on the bottom of the 2nd stage reg as a whole unit.
Calling that slanted area where the TFX diaphragm and purge button are the "front" just doesn't make a whole lot of sense (to ME). But, I guess it's not the "back" and it is angled. So, I guess you could call it the front or the bottom.
Dadgum, I just need my reg to come so I can take it diving and stop obsessing over it!!
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