Aeris X1 Compass ReviewAeris X1 CompassTen years ago, no one had ever heard of a little start-up dive equipment manufacturer called Aeris. Today, Aeris is becoming known for making high quality dive equipment for the average sport diver. The primary goal of Aeris is to offer dive equipment that has more features and better technology than their competitors and work hard to achieve their goals even with the most mundane of accessories. A case in point is the Aeris X1 Compass. Here’s some information about it: Aeris X1 Compass – OverviewYou may be tempted to think that one compass is just as good as another and go with the cheapest one, but you’ll be sorely disappointed.The companies that offer compasses at $10 and $15 have “compasses” that are about as advanced as a magnetized needle on top of a leaf in a puddle of water. It’ll point kind of north and sort of work when you change direction, but it’s not accurate enough to be of any use. Aeris, on the other hand, doesn’t treat the compass as a throw away accessory. This is a company that understands that underwater navigation is a critical skill that can make your dives more enjoyable and a heck of a lot safer (meaning you don’t have to pop to the surface for a boat check). Aeris X1 Compass – Features
You might wonder what features a compass could possibly have other than “It points north,” but the folks at Aeris have found a way to take an ordinary compass and make it better.First of all, the compass has a large ratcheting bezel to make it easy to take bearings. It takes more than a small bump to move the bezel, so you don’t have to worry about it drifting like you would with some other compasses. Aeris also made the compass easy to use regardless of whether you’re looking at it from above or from the side. Use it whichever way is easiest for you. The compass also offers direct and reciprocal index points to make it even easier to plot your return course. Another thing I like about the X1 is that it’s modular and can fit in a number of different boots. You can wear it on your wrist, put it in a boot on your gauge or just clip it to your hose or buoyancy compensator. Of course, all these features don’t come cheap. The Aeris Compass X1 costs around $65, but it’s well worth it. Aeris X1 Compass - Who Should Buy It?Anyone who does beach dives or anchor dives should have a compass.Unfortunately, most divers don’t and prefer to do boat or shore checks. This method can be potentially dangerous since it means divers have to surface and descend frequently. In all honesty, it probably won’t make much difference if it’s the first dive of a vacation and it’s in only 20 feet of water, but it certainly matters when it’s your 3rd dive of the day after 5 straight days of marathon diving. Don’t dismiss compasses as useless accessories. It’s important to know how to navigate your dives and a good compass is essential to navigating them accurately. Read other Aeris Scuba Equipment Reviews
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