Atomic Aquatics B2, Z2 and M1
» SIMULATOR SCORES: 25 out of a possible 25.
» ERGO SCORES: 58 out of a possible 70.
This year Atomic Aquatics submitted three regs
for review: one new model and two upgrades. The Z2 is the newbie; it
was released late
last year. The B2 and M1 have been around for awhile, but Atomic has
redesigned their second-stage cases and added new Automatic Flow
Control (AFC) flow vanes to improve overall breathing performance.
All three of these models share the same basic first stage, a com- pact, balanced flow-through piston design with five low-pressure ports on a turret for easy hose routing. The second stages are pretty much the same too. They all offer AFC, which automatically adjusts airflow to maintain a stable breathing effort regardless of depth, and they feature Atomic’s Seat Saving Orifice, which helps prolong second-stage seat life.
What sets these regs apart is primarily metals, plating and user- specific features. For example, the B2 couples a first stage made of polished 316 stainless steel and brass, to an all-titanium second-stage valve body for a lightweight reg with superior corrosion resistance. The second-stage hose also comes standard with Atomic’s excellent Comfort Swivel (available as an option on the M1 and Z2).
The Z2 we tested came with the same low-pressure port turret as the B2, but it actually comes standard with a fixed seven-port first stage that is more than $100 cheaper than the test rig. (The Z2 price listed in the features chart includes the turret option.) Its brass second-stage valve body is plated with palladium/zirconium for corrosion resistance, and the lever, orifice and second-stage spring are titanium.
The M1 is designed with technical divers in mind. Its first stage is made of brass and Monel, a high-grade alloy known for its strength, corrosion resistance and oxygen compatibility. The first stage comes standard with an environmental kit for cold-water diving (optional on other Atomic regs). Its second-stage valve body is made with palladium/ zirconium plated brass with titanium components, and it’s fitted with a thermal heat sink. The reg comes from the factory nitrox-ready to 50 percent, and oxygen mixes up to 80 percent can be used when special guidelines are followed. The reg has a slightly wider exhaust tee than other Atomic regs and its purge cover has flow slots cut into the sides to reduce free-flows when swimming into currents.
True to Atomic’s claims, the redesigned B2 and M1 did deliver improved work of breathing on the simulator, although this improvement simply puts a shine on what was already stellar breathing performance. The Z2 effortlessly kept pace with its higher-priced brethren.
When the regs were taken out for some real-world diving they proved to be sweet breathers in all positions. Test divers considered the B2, Z2 and M1 to be the driest breathing regs in this year’s go-round. The regs come with a two-year/300-dive service interval, and the limited lifetime warranty is not contingent upon annual servicing.
SCUBA DIVING MAGAZINE JUNE 2006