Tusa RS680

PRICE RANGE
$350-$500

SPECS
» Ports 1HP, 4LP
» 1st Stage Balanced Diaphragm
» 2nd Stage Unbalanced
» MSRP $489
www.tusa.com

PERFORMANCE
» Simulator 2-4 (Fair to Very Good)
» Real World 4 (Very Good)

FEATURES
This ultracompact reg was a hit with testers: The balanced-diaphragm first stage is incredibly small and light, and the newly designed S-80 second stage offers an elliptical low-profile design and a Universal Swivel Joint for comfort. The second stage also incorporates the Sequential Exhaust Assist, a dual-exhaust system to decrease exhalation resistance. In lab tests, the RS680 performed well in the tests more closely resembling a recreational-dive profile, but the first stage labored in more-demanding profiles. The small venturi lever was a bit difficult to operate underwater, and the LP-port arrangement doesn’t permit the use of computer transmitters without an adapter (available as an option from Tusa). Overall, though, divers rated the Tusa very good in all areas in our in-water tests.

BOTTOM LINE
The Tusa RS680 performed well in real-world diving conditions, and testers loved its comfortable design.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY