The Rolex of dive regulators
Have you ever flown in a fighter jet, or maybe attended a dinner party where they have more forks than you know what to do with? Perhaps your daily commute involves a Formula 1 car? You won’t need to do any of those things after diving with the Atomic Aquatics TFX regulator. As high-performance as a jet and an Indy car combined, and as fancy as a multi-course dinner, this regulator is an underwater Rolex.
Hyperbole aside, the TFX is a high-performance, high-quality regulator. This was my first foray into the world of Atomic Aquatics. I dived this regulator to the limits of recreational diving.
I could feel no change in the breathing effort, from shallow to deep, and the lightweight nature of the second stage made it feel comfortable — almost like I wasn’t holding a regulator with my mouth at all. The lightweight swivel made it feel like there was no hose, as nothing was pulling. Compared to the lightest travel regulators on the market, the difference was negligible.
The first stage is lightweight as well, but that wasn’t even the best part. The swivel turret makes hose routing a breeze, and can fit a variety of setups. The fifth low-pressure port adds to the choice selection in hose routing and makes the regulator appealing for divers of all levels. These two features combined make the TFX a great choice for those who wear doubles, however the straightforward design makes the TFX appealing to every diver from novice to expert.
The price and high-performance might make some wary, but let me be the first to tell you that this could be the last regulator you ever have to buy. I tell all my students that, in scuba diving, it’s always better to “buy once, cry once,” and there’s no better example than the TFX. Fork over a little bit more than you intended, but never buy another regulator for the rest of your diving career.
Spec Breakdowns & Features
Being a balanced flow-through, piston-driven regulator, the TFX will breath effortlessly regardless of depth or working effort. Titanium parts throughout ensure no corrosion and delay the service period.
Having a pneumatically balanced second stage made with titanium means no freezing and exactly the amount of air you need with each breath. The light weight and pocket swivel mean longer, more comfortable dives.
Two high-pressure and five low-pressure ports make the TFX ideal for everyone from technical divers to novices. The swivel turret on the first stage means hose routing is a breeze.
Weighing in at only 2.4 pounds, the TFX first and second stage is one of the lightest packages on the market. Atomic Aquatics has made a regulator based on the high performance T3 at the weight of a traditional travel regulator.
Accessories
The TFX comes with almost everything you need. Atomic Aquatics makes a variety of octopuses and safe second stages. If you like the titanium in the TFX, we suggest the B2 or the Ti2. Other models include the M1 and the Z2. All are high quality. If you prefer your redundant air to be attached to your inflator hose, Atomic Aquatics manufactures the SS1, or the Streamlined Safe Second, which comes in a variety of colors.
This is a tough call. On one hand, the TFX is a very high-quality regulator. On the other hand, we’re just not sure that it is worth twice as much as other regulators that are made to perform at the same level. In the end, the TFX is built with a LOT of titanium, has the lightweight swivel, a fifth low-pressure port, and a turret, so even though it is a high-cost regulator, we could argue that it is worth it. You will save money due to the materials when it comes to service costs. Atomic Aquatics recommends servicing every three years or 300 dive hours, whichever comes first, which is the widest window on the market.
On the other end of the price spectrum, we recommend the Cressi XS Compact. While not near the performance level of the TFX, the XS Compact offers new divers on a budget a wallet-friendly option.
Do we recommend the Atomic Aquatics TFX?
We do recommend the TFX if you have the money. Your eyes may just pop out like a cartoon when you see the price, but this regulator is one of the best on the market, both in terms of performance and durability, making it worth it. People who own Atomic Aquatics gear love it, and everyone who tries it — including me — thinks theirs are some of the nicest and best-breathing regulators on the market. The TFX is lightweight, meaning you can take it anywhere, and it’s high-performance enough that you could use it as part of your technical setup.
Specs & Features
| Valve | DIN or yoke |
|---|---|
| First stage | Balanced flow-through piston |
| Second stage | Pneumatically balanced poppet |
| Ports | Two high-pressure; five low-pressure |
| Max working pressure | 300 bar/4350 psi (DIN); 232 bar/3364 psi (yoke) |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs./1.1 kg (entire system) |
Take a moment to look at this.
