Aeris Atmos XT BC question

[Harro10]

I am considering buying a Aeris Atmos XT bc. If you are familiar with this bc will you give me your opinion whether this is a good "all round" bc for single tank diving or is it a little too bulky to travel easily? I live in the Northeast and do some local diving but dive mainly in North Carolina, Florida and the Caribbean.

 

[colonelchuck]

I am considering buying a Aeris Atmos XT bc. If you are familiar with this bc will you give me your opinion whether this is a good "all round" bc for single tank diving or is it a little too bulky to travel easily? I live in the Northeast and do some local diving but dive mainly in North Carolina, Florida and the Caribbean.

I have had mine for almost a year and have carried it off to Hawaii, Channel Islands, Mexico and around the Pacific Northwest. It is an excellent all around BC. I added another pocket on the waist band to match the one that comes on the original. That provides a place for my safety/rescue items and for a folding snorkel. There are plenty of D rings for lights and other stuff. The unique design means that you are pretty relaxed on the surface rather than being pitched forward as occurs with many pure backpack BCs

It is large to transport, but I have an Eddie Bauer rolling duffel which carries all my stuff and stays nicely under 50 lbs while flying.

 

[Harro10]

Chuck, thanks for the reply. It is always useful to be able to get some feedback from someone who has actually used the equipment.

 

[gussys]

Im a Newb so take it with a grain of salt but My instructor is putting me in the atmos package that is going around and I love the BC. I only have been in the pool 2 times now but compared to the others i had on I know what i will be getting from santa

I have had mine for almost a year and have carried it off to Hawaii, Channel Islands, Mexico and around the Pacific Northwest. It is an excellent all around BC. I added another pocket on the waist band to match the one that comes on the original. That provides a place for my safety/rescue items and for a folding snorkel. There are plenty of D rings for lights and other stuff. The unique design means that you are pretty relaxed on the surface rather than being pitched forward as occurs with many pure backpack BCs

It is large to transport, but I have an Eddie Bauer rolling duffel which carries all my stuff and stays nicely under 50 lbs while flying.

 

[mweitz]

I had one. It was a pretty good BC for rec stuff. A bit bulky, but you can put your fins and wetsuit inside it when you travel. They have some new ones on Ebay for 300.00.

The LP hose on it is different than ANY other LP hose on the planet (if you have the Airlink, I don't know about otherwise). It took me a week to SO it from my LDS and they didn't have them in my last vacation destination. If you get one, get an extra LP hose just for kicks and bring it along with you just in case.

Mark

 

[DiveTyme]

I have one. Like it for drysuit diving but also own a lightweight bc for traveling. It is a bulky BC. I am pleased with the Aeris, but I will get something else next time (probably Zeagle Escape) that is not so bulky.
Tim

 

[SubMariner]

I've had my Atmos for about 4 years. I like the fact that it is a hybrid BC: mostly back inflate with some side. It also has excellent lift.

My only problem was where the velcro was for the hose: I found it too low to be able to fully vent the BC. However, given that there are multiple other ways to purge the air out of the BC, it is more of an inconvenience than anything.

BTW, I'm not sure if the newer versions still have this problem; as I said, mine is about 4 years old.

Meanwhile, I have had no packing/travel problems with the BC: it fits just as easily in my roller bag as it does in my little mesh boat bag, regardless of which exposure protection I am taking (wetsuit, drysuit, etc.).

Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

Take care,

 

[BuoyantC]

I too have had an XT for several years, and like to dive it. I did have a problem with cracking on the plasctic tank saddle. I was not impressed with the way the single cam band only threaded through the outer piece. Aeris replaced the broken part and told me the newer version was improved.

Since then I made several modifications to mine. First I removed the plastic tank saddle and replaced it with a S.S. single tank adapter and two cam bands. I just drilled 1 hole in the adapter and bolted it through in the same holes. Second I took off the whole cumberbun (2 pcs.) and threaded a 2" belt around through the backplate and use a weight belt buckle to tighten it. This made it a lot easier to adjust on my drysuit.

 

[jrs_diesel]

I bought one and am very impressed with it compared to *cough* rental gear *cough* :14: . Its very comfy going back and forth to the water (shore diving), integrated wieghts are nice. Plenty of D rings and clips to attach stuff. I enjoy mine.

edit: I noticed some of you that have one don't like the position of the strap that holds the hose to the harness. I have a newer one (small) and when I am wearing it the hose strap is on top of my shoulder. Venting it through the hose is not a problem so I don't have to use the purge valves that much.

 

[Mr. Brown/Scuba]

Yes this is some what of a bulky BCD.
But I switched from a Zeagle Ranger to the XT about a year ago and have been very satisfiyed.
I like the 70-30 bladder, the trim wt. pockets and the R-shoulder dump val.
As with any BCD it's all about the fit on YOUR body so like we always say:

"Try them all on"!!!