Tusa Liberator VS Cressi Aquapro 5R BC - Im Stuck!

[sobe]

Newbie here and can get these for the same price.
Im only leaning towards the cressi due to color - which makes 0 sense - but shows you how comparable in my mind they are. (checked review after review)

Cressi Aquapro 5R Scuba BC IC721100 with reviews at scuba.com
Tusa Liberator Sigma BCD, Black (BCJ-3200)
:confused
:Any thoughts? thanks!

To be paired with a used setup I hope to buy tomorrow:
REG : Zeagle Envoy Deluxe Regulator
Octopus: Cressi XS 2
Aeris Atmos II Console with Compass, Knife and Quick Disconnect

(Ill take thoughts on that too ^)

 

[seahorsey]

I'm THAT close to ordering the Tusa. But I was right at the same point where you are -and I'm well seasoned, so it has nothing to do with you being a newbie - it IS a tricky choice!

The 4 steel D-rings on the Cressi make me drool. That would be NICE to have! But 420 dernier nylon is just half as strong as the 840 of the Tusa. And I know from my Oceanic Isla that nylon can and does ravel at the edges fairly quickly. So I think that's why I will go Tusa.

One other consideration, if you're an 'everything but the kitchen sink' diver like me, you'll have lots of stuff to put into pockets. And I like the bag-like, fully external pockets of the Tusa -they look like they can hold lots. And it's easier to access a curved pocket, where you can come in from the front, than pretzelising your arm, with elbow way back, to reach in from the top.

Of course I'm just guessing, and would be DYING to know if anyone has any experience with either of them

 

[Aqua-Andy]

OH can I be the first one to say it?

Purchase neither and get you'r self a BP/W

Sorry I had to say it, I just have never been in time to say it first.

 

[FireInMyBones]

My first BC was a Tusa Liberator Sigma. It was too bulky. I have no experience with the Cressi BCs. What I will say is that the Tusa did seem well built.

Having said all of that, I much prefer my Back Plate and Wing. I know that among the "recreational" crowd that recommendation may be hit or miss, but I would be lying if I did not mention my true preference.

 

[sobe]

Yes, I can't believe it but you guys and the rest of this forum have brainwashed me. I'm a bp/w zombie now.
Trying to piece together one cheaply. Btw, my dm and xterra forum all said the same as you guys..

Edited on computer - my smartphone switched some words

 

[rivers]

I used to have the cressi 5r (and I was attempting to sell it a few months back. no luck, donated it to a dive op in Grand Turk). It's a decent bc, never had any issues with it. I went the bp/w route however, and i highly recommend trying out a bp/w.

 

[rivers]

and i was in miami at the time selling it for dirt cheap... sorry, just looked at your profile

 

[seahorsey]

I HAD a bp/wing and didn't like it. For private diving, nice. But for Divemastering or instructing, bit of a battle: a) you need to pack a lot of things, spares, slates etc, and my harness didn't have any pockets. So I worked with add-on pockets and had things attached to the BC, but I looked like a Christmas tree. It was all safely stowed, but sure not streamlined! And B)You're always dicking around on the surface, giving reminders and debriefings and reassuring and helping and talking and getting the students organized, and let's not even get into the rescue course...And for that whole time, I'd be fighting the wing to stay upright. As a private diver, if I spent any time on the surface, I'd lean back and be fine. But as an instructor, I want to be as vertical as I can be, popping out of the water like a cork, and effortlessly. So for me personally, I had to give up on the cool factor of the BP\wing and go poodle jacket. Works better for me.

Made my decision, btw, spent an extra $ 50 and got the Tusa Platina Evolution BCJ 5500, []at JoeDiverAmerica.com, from the blowout bin. SIX steel D-rings, ohhh, I'm climaxing as we speak! What nipple rings do for other gals, steel D-rings do for us dive chicks...