Tusa imprex and aeris atmos

[berry78]

I am interested in buying another BC, the two that seem to peak my curiosity the most are the Tusa Imprex pro and the Aeris Atmos Xt. Does any one have feedback on these, pros and cons. I am also curious about the back plate on the atmos. Currently I dive an aqua lung patriot or a aqua tec jacket bc. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
JB

 

[pw1981]

I recently upgraded to an Aeris Atmos XT and find it very comfortable and controllable. I would consider it a solid BC investment.

I was informed by the dive shop that early models had issues with the backplate cracking but it did not affect the holding of the tank... new models are said to have corrected this. (New models have the red trim with black "web" on the weight pockets.)

The only con I have found is that the tank strap is difficult to replace, but this really isn't a big deal since thats not a really commonly replaced part.

I looked at teh TUSA also, and like the pockets on it a little better but liked the overall feel and adjustability of the Aeris a little better.

 

[scubatoys]

The other difference you'll find in the water, is the Aeris is not completely back inflation - it's about a 70/30 mix which some people find more comfortable for surface support - but both are great BC's and the customer service I get from those 2 companies is the best in the industry.

 

[berry78]

Thank you,

Some thing to think about. As you know this can be a time consuming purchase. Much obliged...

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I started out in a TUSA Imprex Pro. Nice BCD for the price. I liked the way the tank harness "wrapped" around the cylinder. The only caveat is that you really did have to fiddle with the adjustment straps to make the cylinder harness fit properly. If it was misadjusted there was some slop in the harness and the tank would wiggle around on your back (noticeably). Properly adjusted, the support was excellent.

For the typical recreational diver, ample pockets, a nice weight release system, and a reasonably comfortable fit.

After a couple hundred dives, I managed to break the "backplate" (the plastic triangular piece that supports the top of the cylinder). I sent it back to TUSA and they said it couldn't be repaired ... so they sent me a new BCD. Can't beat that for customer support.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[SubMariner]

I am interested in buying another BC, the two that seem to peak my curiosity the most are the Tusa Imprex pro and the Aeris Atmos Xt.

Pros:
- good lift (almost 50 pounds)
- interesting design: hybrid of back & side inflation.
- lots of ways to customize the fit.
- several dump valves for ease of purging.
- comfort. VERY comfortable BC in any orientation. When fully inflated on the surface it holds you securly, but not too tightly so you can't breathe.

Cons:
- although it does have a bit of wrap around like a jacket BC, it is predominantly a back inflation unit. Therefore it can tend to push you forward while inflated on the surface unless you compensate for it by leaning back a bit.
- the velcro holding the hose is too low. It's a long hose & to dump it you really need to be able to get it up high. But you can't do that with where they have the velcro holder sitting. So I wind up dumping air either by pulling on the hose or using the dump valve on the right shoulder.
- pockets not big enough or enough of them. Since I dive with a steel HP tank if I was to use the intergrated weight pockets the whole assembled unit would be far to heavy to get up & on. So I went back to my wt belt. However, that still leaves the problem of there not being enough pockets & they are not large enough to put much in. I can barely get my backup UK SL4 light in one pocket!

Hope this helped,