Thoughts on Atomic Gear( New diver thinking about purchase)

[williamcade29]

I am just getting into diving and wanting some advice on gear. I am looking at the Atomic M1 regulator, its expensive yes but its seems like it would last a long time and grow with me as i get better and more into diving. Also really needing a dive computer the cobalt 2 looks ... well awesome. But for a new diver is it overkill or a good investment that will last and be easy to use? Thoughts? Or personal experience with these products .. please share!!!

 

[drrich2]

Hi, William:

I dive an Atomic B2 reg. & a Cobalt 1. Drawing on a range of thread on the forum, here's my 2 cents.

1.) Some people prefer diaphragm-based reg.s for environmental sealing in cold water diving, over piston reg.s. The Atomics are piston reg.s. The recommended service interval is longer, but when dipping in the rinse tank, don't put the 2nd stage & 1st stage in at the same time in a way where water could enter the 2nd stage & head up the hose to the 1st stage and get where it shouldn't. Or so I've been given to understand is the case when the reg. is not pressurized. Not much hassle, but be aware. Some of the higher end (expensive!) Atomic reg.s have more titanium, slightly less weight, I'm told breathe about the same, and for many of us aren't worth the cost difference.

2.) I love my Cobalt 1, even though I had to get in-warranty service for a button malfunction. Long-lasting rechargeable battery that I don't have to open the case to charge. Very large capacity dive log storage. An intuitive interface that's wonderful, coming from my Oceanic VT3 wrist unit (for which I generally need to consult the manual at the start of every dive trip to set nitrox, if using it, and the manual is not a pleasure to work with, either). Nice display that's easy to see at depth; just not so much out in direct sunlight. It's not so much that it will 'do' much that other computers won't, but it's such an easy pleasure to use. Even if it seems to consistently give temp. readings that are too warm.

But some people love wrist units. I can understand that. I still wear my VT3 so I can glance at my wrist & see my gas pressure (air-integrated), and with 2 dive computers, I've got redundancy if one malfunctions. There are wrist units with beautiful color displays and I think fairly intuitive interfaces, but their battery life tends to be worse (some far worse) than the LCD units like the VT3, and recharging or replacing a battery means opening the case to get at it - so you risk doing it wrong and flooding the thing. Changing the battery in my VT3 stresses me, but I'm not 'handy.'

So, for a console, I think the Cobalt 2 is a fine choice. You do pay for 'fine.' At some point, you may want a wrist unit. People with non-air-integrated wrist units, or AI units who want a backup in case of transmitter failure or the like, often have an analog SPG, and an AI console dive computer can serve the same function.

If I wanted a console cheaper than the Cobalt 2, I'd look at the Oceanic ProPlus 3, but I'm telling you, if the cost difference isn't too painful, and you do like consoles, the Cobalt is sweet.

Richard.

 

[Akimbo]

Excellent customer service, generally exorbitant prices.

 

[tbone1004]

that, especially on that computer.... Regs are what they are, buying used Atomics makes them somewhat reasonable, that computer I could never understand. I wrote a thread in the computer forum explaining rationale for wrist computers and which ones are worth it and which ones aren't. All in my opinion, but there are justifications for everything in there

 

[williamcade29]

Thank you for your input Richard i really appreciate it. I feel like the Cobalt 2 fits what I'm looking for, i defiantly want a back up wrist watch. i was thinking about the suunto zoop. it seems like a simple system and a reasonable price. Oh and thanks for mentioning about rinsing the reg i wouldn't have thought of that, makes sense. I wonder if one that is a sealed system would do that? or if like you say only if its under pressure? hmm

 

[Dr. Lecter]

I like the M1, but I'm not sure there's a point to buying one instead of a Z3 or something like a ST1/T3 unless you plan to dive with rich O2 deco mixes in the future. I wouldn't get a Cobalt again unless I was really, really sure I loved console computers and hated wrist units. After owning two Cobalts, I'll stick to a brass & glass SPG and a Petrel.

 

[tbone1004]

suunto zoop is complete sh!t, not even worth looking at.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/co...564-need-help-choosing-new-computer-read.html
read that, it will help. The Cobalt is overrated and very expensive....

 

[Phil_C]

When I am not diving side mount or a twinset I dive an Atomic T2X as a primary regulator with an Atomic Z2 as an octopus. This is coupled with an Atomic Cobalt 1 for an integrated computer.

This was the first set up I built and is still what I use exclusively for recreational diving and travel. I find the Cobalt very easy to use, intuitive and has a lot of great features. Yes I have had to remove, clean and replace one of the button magnets, but this was after something like 200 dives in sea water. Technical support was great, they sent me a couple of replacement fronts at no charge, and clear step by step instructions on how to do the job at home without returning it so I didn't lose the use of the dive computer.

For more technical diving I use a Shearwater Petrel, because it is wrist mounted and not tied to a particular first stage, and I have multiple other regulator first and second stages (Scubapro and Apeks) for different configurations, but I still love the Atomic gear. It is slightly more expensive than some, but it is well built, breathes well and I think it will last a lifetime. I have had no problem with diving the Atomic regulators down to 2 or 3 degrees celsius in freshwater, no free flows or icing problems.

I like the fact that the Cobalt is air integrated, and as well as NDL's, depth and dive time it gives you a display of your breathing rate and gas time remaining until you reach your set reserve based on live data from your current dive. Obviously this assumes that your rate of breathing and depth remains the same or shallower, but is great when I am doing long shallow shore dives because you know dive time so far and also dive time remaining to reserve.

You won't go wrong if you buy Atomic, it will last you for years and will grow with your diving, but, there are other less expensive alternatives out there that are just as good, and would be worth you considering. - Safe diving - Phil.

 

[Doc]

Computer selection? A forgotten criteria: how's you vision? (U/W close-up)

My eyesight dictates that I want the most often referenced readout to be very large- the depth gauge.

"Readability" is important to all divers but often not considered until after purchase and use.

 

[mikeycanuk]

We did the zoop as a backup for the Cobalt. Bad idea. Sold the zoop as its not easy to switch nitrox mixes, at least the owner of the dive shop couldn't do it at our nitrox class. Got a Oceanic BUD instead. Our 3 Cobalts have not failed in the field. Not to say a few have gone back to Atomic but one Zoop died and so did a BUD, both replaced for free.

Love the Cobalts. Never understood the obsessions with wrist mount.


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