Atomic Aquatics T2
SIMULATOR SCORE: 25 out of a possible
25.
ERGO SCORES: 68 out of a possible 70.
If you’re a believer in the adage, “You get what you pay for,” then you’re going to love the T2 from Atomic Aquatics.
This sleek-looking super breather is the Ferrari of regulators, with a price to match— $1,399. But just look at what you get for your money. Both first and second stages are built with solid billet titanium components, creating a corrosion-free breathing system that weighs less than two pounds. The first stage has a low-pressure port turret for easy hose routing. The second stage features an all-titanium version of Atomic’s Comfort Swivel, which we consider the ultimate in second-stage swivel designs. The reg also uses Atomic’s patented Automatic Flow Control, a depth-activated venturi control that automatically balances breathing performance and stability as depths increase.
In breathing simulator tests, the T2 smoked every RMV/depth category, delivering a perfect score without breaking a sweat. So we turned up the heat. But when we punched in extremely stressful breathing rates and excessive depths, the reg smoked those too. It didn’t seem to matter what RMV or depth we threw at it, the T2 continued to breathe like a dream. (Editor’s Note: Look for a full review of high-performance regs in the November 2005 issue of Scuba Diving.) When we took the T2 into the ocean it repeated this superhero performance, scoring Excellent for ease of breathing regardless of position. In fact, the reg earned Excellent scores in all ergo categories except bubble interference, where it earned a Very Good. This represents the highest total ergo score of any regulator tested in the past four years. The T2 comes with a factory-sealed first stage for cold-water performance, and a dual silicone mouthpiece with firm bite-down lugs to prevent over-clenching. It also includes a padded regulator bag with zippered pouches and a shoulder strap, plus a limited lifetime warranty that’s not contingent on annual service—not to mention the prestige of owning an elite piece of gear.
SCUBA DIVING MAGAZINE JUNE 2005