News
Introducing the ACU system from Aquatica
Aquatica has assembled and redesigned its whole range of close up accessories under the ACU system banner, which stands for Aquatica Close-Up System.
The ACU system consolidates all the components of Aquatica’s macro and close-up accessories (new and existing ones) into a comprehensive underwater close-up system. In doing so, Aquatica’s engineering department reviewed the system so that every component would work flawlessly with each other. Aquatica took the double element close up lenses it already had, now known as the ACU5 and ACU10, and matched every component of the system to the optical characteristics of the macro lens of your choice.
This consolidation makes it simple for you to navigate through the system and pick the right setup for your macrophotography requirements.
With top quality close up lenses as the cornerstone of the ACU system, a new Mini Macro Port with a much smaller frontal signature was created – on its front is a bayonet ready to accept the ACU Flip Holder in both single and double versions. To optimize the ACU system to its full potential, the port extension ring selection was revised with a new series being introduced. New gears for manually focusing the popular macro lenses have also joined the ranks of the Aquatica system.
The ACU system essential components
The ACU5 and ACU10 lenses
The cornerstone of the ACU system is its water contact close up lenses, the ACU5 and ACU10, these are doublet type close up diopters made of BK7 fully coated mineral glass. They offer unsurpassed corner to corner image quality when mounted on Aquatica’s dedicated ACU system. Optical elements are sealed in a lens body which like all ACU System components is machined from top grade aluminum alloys and anodized to military specification.
The ACU Flip Holder
Available as a single or double hinged holder, it is optimized to work with the ACU5 and ACU10 close up lenses, bringing the rear element of the ACU lenses right to the front window lens of the macro port, an essential detail for making the most of underwater water contact lenses. Its 67mm threads means that it is flexible in its selection of close up lens available. The ACU Flip holder locks firmly on the front of the ACU Mini Macro Port with absolutely no potential of rotating out of alignment by itself.
The ACU Mini Macro Port
This port is a key element of the new system. Its small frontal signature makes lighting your macro subject easy in close quarters. This port has a bayonet on its front which is ready for receiving and safely locking in place the ACU Flip Holder at a moment’s notice. Additionally, the rear features a locking tab compatible with the newly introduced lockable 4000 series extension rings. The 77mm diameter of its front is designed so that the ACU Flip Holder lenses are able to sit right up against the port window lens to extract the maximum performance from the ACU5 and ACU10 close up lenses.
The ACU 77mm to 67mm step down ring
This step down ring is available for converting the ACU Mini Macro Port to accept the ACU5 and ACU10 lenses directly on the port, it also makes the ACU Mini Macro Port compatible with most close up lenses equipped with 67mm thread.
The ACU lens caddy
This convenient lens caddy mounts on our Aquatica grips and will accept the ACU lenses as well as most close up lenses of 67mm threaded mounts.
Manual Focusing gears
A definitive advantage when working at large magnification is the capability of manually focusing the lens. New focusing gears have been introduced for the popular macro lenses currently used in underwater photography, which connect directly to the housing focusing knob located on the left side of Aquatica housings.
Compatibility
Typical of Aquatica commitment to its already established users, compatibility with previous components is a constant priority for the company. Previous macro ports can access the ACU5 and ACU10 lenses with Aquatica’s ACU 19351 lens holder, and owner of 1000 series extensions can convert these extension rings with a locking collar to secure them to the ACU Mini Macro Port.
Professional photographers and well-established magazine editors from around the world stake their reputation on the quality of the images they make with the Aquatica system and its ACU close up lenses:
“The Aquatica ACU5 and ACU10 are essential bits of kit in my macro arsenal. I use them with my Canon 5Dsr and the results are not only spectacular but eye searingly sharp… if I do my part. For the serious macro shooter, the ACU5 and ACU10 close-up lenses are a worthy addition to one’s repertoire.” – Stewart Sy, Photographer
“The new Aquatica Mini Macro Port coupled with the ACU5 and ACU10 diopter kit really has taken my macro photography to the next level. The ACU System gives me three magnification options at the flip of a hinge, effectively 3 lenses in one, so now I’m ready for anything on any given dive. One moment I can shoot a fish portrait, next I’m shooting a Pygmy seahorse the size of a grain of rice! I love options when shooting!” – Matty Smith, Photographer
“There is a whole tiny world to discover and the only way to see this world if through professional Macro glass. Aquatica’s ACU5 and ACU10 macro set up has opened up this world in a sharp and bright new way.” – Mauricio Handler, Photographer
To know more about the ACU System visit www.aquatica.ca or email info@aquatica.ca.
Shearwater Research Inc. has announced its expansion into the development and manufacturing of specialized dive equipment. The company unveiled the Shearwater Jetpack for Avelo diving last weekend at an industry event in Long Beach, California.
This follows the announcement of a strategic R&D partnership between Shearwater and Avelo Labs in late 2024, uniting Shearwater’s technical expertise and product excellence with Avelo’s groundbreaking innovation. The Avelo System challenges decades of convention in scuba equipment design by replacing heavy, complex setups with a streamlined, intuitive system built around two key innovations: the Hydrotank and the Jetpack.
The result is a much lighter dive system that supports optimal buoyancy control while enhancing precision and underwater agility. With over 11,000 dives logged on the Avelo System to date, the performance improvements are clear—it doesn’t just simplify buoyancy, it transforms the entire diving experience.
The new Shearwater Jetpack is purpose-built to maximize comfort and unlock the full potential of the Avelo System. It features onboard gas pressure monitoring and seamless integration with Shearwater dive computers using the Avelo Mode, enabling precision gas tracking, buoyancy prediction, and real-time performance analytics.
“Shearwater was founded with an intense focus to deliver powerful, simple, and reliable solutions for technical divers,” said Jason Leggatt, CEO of Shearwater Research. “Our goal is to truly grow the technical diving community long-term, and to do that the industry needs to deliver better dive experiences so divers are more likely to commit to their diving journey. Shearwater made its first move into recreational diving with the Peregrine and Tern lines, but there has been no transformational innovation in the category—until now. Our collaboration with Avelo is not a departure from our roots; it’s additive. We’re lending Shearwater’s technical capability and commitment to product excellence to help build a simply better dive experience—built better from the very beginning.”
The Shearwater Jetpack for Avelo diving offers dive shops and instructors a compelling new way to engage divers, delivering a differentiated, data-rich experience that encourages progression and retention.
“As someone who grew up on the instructional side of diving, I saw firsthand the frustrations many divers face,” said Aviad Cahana, CEO of Avelo Labs. “I’ve always had an innate mindset of challenging the status quo. I kept asking: Why is scuba gear so heavy? Why can’t we make the experience better? Those questions drove the invention of the Avelo System. Our partnership with Shearwater is the next step in realizing that vision.”
Together, Shearwater and Avelo aim to grow the diving community by improving first-time experiences, increasing accessibility, and advancing diver performance through cutting-edge technology.
Concept demonstrator units of the Shearwater Jetpack will make its global debut at the Long Beach Scuba Show, May 31–June 1, 2025. The final configuration and full feature set will be announced with commercial plans at DEMA 2025 in Orlando, Florida.
Find out more about Shearwater products at shearwater.com.
The DYNAMICNORD RB-10 rock boot has been specially developed for professional use. It is made of highly resistant materials and features innovative technologies. As a result, the boot sets new standards for demanding professionals who expect the highest quality and performance.
The rock boot boasts an innovative drainage system that ensures unrivalled comfort. After just ten steps ashore, the rock boot is completely free of water. The diving boot has an extra wide opening, which allows you to put it on and take it off effortlessly.
The highly resistant materials of the RB-10 rock boot offer a perfect combination of robustness and flexibility. The high-tech upper material does not absorb water and therefore dries extremely quickly.
The rock boot’s unique lacing system, including the lacing elements, ensures that you won’t experience any uncomfortable pressure points on your foot when wearing your fins. The laces themselves are made of a heavy-duty technical mesh that ensures that they won’t come undone even when wet. The shoelaces can be completely stowed away in the rock boot’s well thought-out shoelace pocket for maximum safety.
Thanks to the special lacing, you can also achieve optimum volume adjustment within the boot, which makes it ideal for various drysuits or neoprene socks.
Particularly noteworthy is the sole system with the Vibram sole, which is highly puncture-resistant. The honeycomb design imitates the natural movement of barefoot running and offers an unrivalled running sensation. The rock boot’s wide, deep zigzag tread guarantees optimum grip, while the rubber toe cap effectively protects the material from abrasion. In combination with the boot’s structural insole, this ensures that you won’t feel any unevenness even on rocky terrain.
The diving boot’s ergonomic insole offers additional comfort thanks to its innovative cushioning.
The RB-10 rock boot was developed for a temperature range of -5°C to +30°C and offers outstanding performance in both cold and warm climates.
Tested by specialists, made by experts.
Designed and engineered in Germany. Made in Europe.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
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