Airtrim or Flight Control System

Which is better? Mares' Airtrim or Cressi-Sub's Flight Control System?


  • Total voters
    16
  • Poll closed .

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roakey:
These BCs have the same kind of claptrap that the HUB has on it.

Both are wonderful BCs... ...for separating the consumer from their hard earned dollar.

Please take some time and read the HUB thread about these "features": http://www.scubaboard.com/t1214.html

Roak

Ps. You need to add the option "Wouldn't use one of these if it was given to me" in your poll.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Isn't there some diver out there who favours the Flight Control System? I'm trying to get comments on both, not only on one of them.... PLEASE........

P.S. One, today I was just advised by the local sales person of Mares that I have to beware of pressing both the buttons, if not, I'll shoot up like a rocket. (Meaning to say that inflation rate is greater than deflation rate). Two, I heard that Airtrim does not work with none/low air pressures. (Somewhat an unconvincing product). On the contrary, Cressi claims that their BC deflates 3 times faster than inflating when both buttons are depressed. (This seems to be a safety feature for me). Addition to that, they work (deflates) even the LP hose is disconnected!
 
I recently bought the morphus pro, after going through a similar process to you. I have only tried it in the pool so far (of to wetter climes next week ) and it worked well. The reason that I chose it over the flight control system was due to the position of the FCS. If it wasn't for the fact that it sticks out so far, and might easily catch on things I would have got it. As it is, I am happy with the airtrim system, and it seems to work ok. There are always the manual dumps if you need to let out air when you are out of air in the tank.

Hope that helps.

Peter
 
It's har to beat a basic wing. I can't see the advantage of adding pneumatic valve, all kinds of dumps all over with pull strings to open them and all the other (as Roak would say) claptrap all over what should be a very simple device.

I've had a couple of students show up with these things and they all seemed to have trouble with them. I played with one at the surface and there seems to be a delay between puching the button and when the pneumatic valve responds. Along with that there is open and closed with nothing inbetween so you just don't seem to have the control that you do with a conventional inflator.

All I see are disadvantages and I really prefer that students don't use em. Besides when you're horizontal with your arms neatly folded out in front a conventional inflator is pretty close to where you need it. Certainly more convenient than your hip.
 
I want buy a new bc's and i thought to buy a not typical inflator.
I have choice Cressi because it have a mechanical system for to deflate air.
The deflate can be very very slow if you push the cursor for 2 or 3 centimeters (i'm italian, and i use metric system...but 2 or 3 cm it's about 1 inch)or very fast if you push to all the cursor!!!
I love it :07:
It's very comfortable ans safe.
Comfortable because you have not a inflator an the left and the bc's is more easy to use.
Is safe because you can easly disconnect the LP hose with left hand...and you can take a emergency system into right pocket with right hand.
It'sa safe because the FCS is everytime in same point: dowm on left side.
If you head is down or up or left or..i don't know :p...the FCS is is same point.

Ok, this is my experience...and excuse me for my bad english :P
Bye bye...if somebody have a question about FCS i will glad to answer he!!!!
Bye to all.
 
MikeFerrara:
It's hard to beat a basic wing. I can't see the advantage of adding pneumatic valve, all kinds of dumps all over with pull strings to open them and all the other (as Roak would say) claptrap all over what should be a very simple device.

I agree with you about the BP/W if you are diving tech, dry, deep or Cave/Cavern. But a BP/W is just overkill for typical rec diving (IMHO). Also, the plate even though flat, can be heavy in a dive bag. And, the wing can be a nasty kite in a current. I now use a Morphos which packs small, only weighs about 3 lbs, back inflate, 40 lbs lift and armchair support at the surface.

With respect to the pneumatic valve, this is Mares attempt to get rid of the John Travolta, Saturday Night Fever pose when trying to trim bouyancy (joke here). The pneumatic control is always on your hip, never moves and works very efficiently. You can even adjust bouyancy upside down. Really great if you are working with a camera.

The Morphos, Pegasus and the like are nothing like the HUB. There are no internal hose or cludges in the Morphos. Just the same hose that you attach to your corragated pipe and the Airtrim control. Everything else is just like a standard BC.

The only negatives that know of is that the pneumatic control will not work if you are at 100 lbs of air or less. But then again, you will not either for much longer ;)

All I can say is that I am having a ball with my Morphos. Like any tool or skill you have to work with it to get good at it. Dive with whatever you like as long as it is safe. For rec diving, this is a nice rig (JM2C).

Dive Smart; Dive Safe
Enjoy the ride
:cool1:
 
SubCori:
I want buy a new bc's and i thought to buy a not typical inflator. I have choice Cressi because it have a mechanical system for to deflate air. The deflate can be very very slow if you push the cursor for 2 or 3 centimeters (i'm italian, and i use metric system...but 2 or 3 cm it's about 1 inch)or very fast if you push to all the cursor!!!
I love it! It's very comfortable and safe.
MaresMan1:
The only negatives that know of is that the pneumatic control will not work if you are at 100 lbs of air or less.

Dear SubCori and MaresMan1,
Thanks for your positive and/or negative comments on both of the products!

MaresMan1,
Don't you feel a little bit unsafe when your Airtrim doesn't work at low tank pressures? I have tried the Cressi's Flight Control System. It still can deflate although with the LP hose is disconnected, because it is mechanically (cable) operated.

SubCori,
Though, the Cressi's control "joystick" is sticking out and might tend to get things stuck to it. That is the first drawback. Secondly, after some chats with instructors in my country (Malaysia), they said that the cable "might or might not" (they are not sure themselves) corrode if exposed to salt water for a long term. Anyway, it seems that Cressi realized this problem and said that they countered this problem by making the cable sealed from water. It looks like Cressi seems to be of a safer product.

Dear SubCori and MaresMan1,
I hope I don't hurt anyones' fellings based on my opinions above. Thank you all ! Hope to hear your replies soon !

Regards,
Calvin from Malaysia.
 
Hello friend :)

Ok, I understund your thought :)....
I have not problem with FCS control because it stick out about 5 inchs.
During diving my right hand is around the FCS, it's nice to trim and relax my hand, you should be try it undersea! :)
There isn't a problem for me, but i don't know for your diving...

Second: i will be sincere, i have not thought at corrosion of cable when i have bought my J119 :P

But now, i hope with the Cressi have thought a good cable for the salt water...

I think which everything have positive & negative things....nothing it's perfect :)

Bye bye!
 
Calvinator:
Dear SubCori and MaresMan1,
Thanks for your positive and/or negative comments on both of the products!

MaresMan1,
Don't you feel a little bit unsafe when your Airtrim doesn't work at low tank pressures? I have tried the Cressi's Flight Control System. It still can deflate although with the LP hose is disconnected, because it is mechanically (cable) operated.

Dear SubCori and MaresMan1,
I hope I don't hurt anyones' fellings based on my opinions above. Thank you all ! Hope to hear your replies soon !

Regards,
Calvin from Malaysia.

Calvin,

First, there are no hurt feelings. We all have a right to our own opinions. I have always said dive what you like as long as it is safe. I have played with both of these BCs and I chose the Morphos because it packs well, works well, is light weight and easy to care for. Both of these BCs are very good and safe. Each has their pluses and negatives, as all pieces of equipment have. Another reason to practice skills.

With respect to your question of feeling unsafe at low tank pressure. With the exception of doing this low pressure test for myself in a pool, I have NEVER, been that low on gas. Nor will I ever be if I can help it. There are 3 manual dumps on the BC to release air and the manual tube to input air (and there is always my buddy). Skills that I also practice.

My point is pick the tools that you feel most comfortable with for the type of diving you are doing and learn how to use them properly (with proper training). Then ENJOY yourself. This is supposed to be a fun sport. Good luck with whatever you decide to use.

Dive Smart; Dive Safe
Enjoy the ride
:cool1:
 

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