Atomic Aquatics T1/Ti2 Regulator

By Pierce Hoover

While some sources rate regulators based on air flow, this is only one measure of quality. A number of regulators now on the market are capable of delivering far more air volume than a diver needs, even when diving deep, working hard and buddy breathing, and there are very few "dangerously substandard" models left, even in the $200 price range.

Ease of breathing is another criteria that can be measured by robotic simulators, and this can also provide an idea of a regulator's overall quality. What these scores won't tell you, however, is how sensitive or temperamental a given regulator is.

In the real world, I've always looked for extra-durable regs that required minimal upkeep, maintained stable performance without the need for constant adjustment, delivered plenty of air and felt comfortable during an actual dive.

It was with this mindset that I approached the Atomic Aquatics T1/Ti2 Titanium regulator system. It's hard not to be impressed by a titanium product. This material is lightweight, strong as the finest steel and immune to saltwater corrosion. It's also considerably more expensive and harder to work with.

After several hours on the bench and a phone call to the principals at Atomic Aquatics, I learned that there's a lot more to this regulator than just exotic materials. The founders of Atomic Aquatics set out to create the finest regulator in the world, regardless of cost.

The first stage uses a flow-through piston to maintain constant air delivery at low tank pressures. Rather than an O-ring, which can extrude and increase friction, Atomic Aquatics fits its piston with a low-friction Teflon material that is nitrox-compatible and somewhat self-lubricating. While this design is unique in the scuba industry, it is used in other fields on mechanisms with up to 10,000 psi working pressures.

Atomic Aquatics' Ti2 second stage also breaks new ground. It is air-balanced to provide steady performance despite pressure fluctuations from the first stage, and it uses low friction-bearing surfaces and titanium parts to provide low-effort mechanical actions that result in smooth, consistent inhalations.

The Ti2 second stage uses two new technologies that are worthy of an explanation. Atomic Aquatics' Automatic Flow Control system couples a depth-sensing diaphragm to a moving airfoil to provide unchanging breathing characteristics, regardless of changes in depth. It is the industry's first and only automatic depth-compensating venturi system.

The Seat Saver orifice is an Atomic Aquatics innovation that should eliminate the frustration of a "leaking" second stage. On conventional regulators, the second-stage orifice is sealed by a stopper-like seat. Constant contact with the orifice will score the softer seat material, eventually causing leaks.

By contrast, the seat on the Ti2 only contacts the orifice when the regulator is pressurized. This results in a dramatic increase in the service life of the seat and allows the user to enjoy "like new" performance for hundreds of dives.

Rather than ramble on about the many other technical details of the regulator, I'll make the following statement: I'm not a mechanical engineer, but I have spent enough years reading about, studying and repairing regulators to appreciate superior engineering when I see it.

Is the Atomic Aquatics Titanium T1/Ti2 the best dive regulator in the world? Let's tally the score: It's extremely lightweight, corrosion-resistant, durable, designed to handle pressures to 4,350 psi (with DIN connection), has the potential for extremely high flow rates, performs consistently regardless of tank pressure, breathes easily and consistently in all conditions, automatically adjusts with depth to maintain constant breathing performance, can be de-tuned for entry and exit, provides low-effort exhalation, and is easy on the mouth.

Based on these criteria and more, the T1/Ti2 probably is the best regulator in the world.

Of course, with a retail price just over $1,400, it damn well should be.

If you want the same performance but can't justify the cost, check out Atomic Aquatics' B1, which benefits from the same technologies and uses the same internal titanium parts but replaces the aircraft-grade titanium first-stage body with a chrome-brass body that sells for around $600; the second stage is still all-titanium.

© 2001 World Publications, Inc.