Switching from SiTech Antares to... what?

[Storker]

The last years I've been using the SiTech Antares dryglove ring system. "Why?", you may ask. Because when I went for the Antares ring system I knew eff-all about dryglove rings, and my suit (Waterproof D7) came with silicone seals and arm rings easily compatible with the Antares system. No modification necessary, just buy a set of Antares rings, attach to the gloves and swap the inner ring on the suit with the one in the box. No gluing, no hassle.

But right now I'm pretty fed up with the Antares system. It's always been a tad finicky with getting it to seal properly, and it's a real PITA to doff the gloves. More than once I've had to doff my suit with the gloves still attached, and detach the gloves later since the method for detaching the rings dont... work as SiTech says it should. To top it up, last weekend I broke one of the clips on the glove ring. Luckily, the boat had a roll of electrical tape available, so I could secure the glove ring to the suit ring with tape and avoid a serious leak.

So now I'm seriously thinking about switching to another ring system. However, I want as little hassle as possible, and I want to be able to continue using my silicone wrist seals (I love them. They're less durable than rubber seals, but so much more comfortable, so I'm fine with sacrificing durability for comfort). I don't expect to avoid switching the rings glued into my suit, but continuing to be able to use the same silicone seals I'm using today is high priority. right now, I'm looking hard at Waterproof's Ultima system, but any suggestions or input would be appreciated.

 

[Imla]

NB Ringsystem
Nordic Blue. Enklere ringsystem finns ikke. Myke ringer, så de dør ikke om du mister noe på dem. Hansker/mansjetter bytter du like fort som du bytter en O-ring. Easy Peasy. (Elsker mine!)

 

[Gareth J]

Storker. I've replied to your post on TDF

 

[Pkishino]

NB Ringsystem
Nordic Blue. Enklere ringsystem finns ikke. Myke ringer, så de dør ikke om du mister noe på dem. Hansker/mansjetter bytter du like fort som du bytter en O-ring. Easy Peasy. (Elsker mine!)

Totally agree, best system! its somewhat flexible and not so stiff as other plastic systems plus it doesnt feel so big as e.g kubi or waterproof

 

[Jack Hammer]

I had the Antarres and absolutely hated them. They leaked alot, were difficult to don and doff, and the oval rings which I liked at first became an irritant over time. The best (one i liked most) I used was the Si Tech set with the oversized giant twist rings, i forget The model name. The rings size were the downside but they worked awesome and were simple, easy go don and doff, and did not leak. Currently I'm using rubber pullovers, it's just a rubber glove that pulls over the hard plastic rings on my wrists. Pretty easy to don/doff, stays dry, and the gloves were around $15. What I don't like is the loss of tactile sensation I had with Smurf gloves and the pullovers are smoother so less grippy when working bolt snaps and such.

 

[207diver]

I am in the same situation, I also dive a waterproof D7 and choose the Antares system so I would not have to replace my oval rings. Although I think I've finally got the hang of them (after a few broken parts and frustrating attempts at doffing post dive). It seems waterproof has come out with an alternative, the ultimate dry glove system. It says it is compatible with the intigrated silicon seal system so I'm assuming that means the oval rings. Might be worth looking into, I wish I had..... Products - Waterproof

 

[Marie13]

I had the Antarres and absolutely hated them. They leaked alot, were difficult to don and doff, and the oval rings which I liked at first became an irritant over time. The best (one i liked most) I used was the Si Tech set with the oversized giant twist rings, i forget The model name. The rings size were the downside but they worked awesome and were simple, easy go don and doff, and did not leak. Currently I'm using rubber pullovers, it's just a rubber glove that pulls over the hard plastic rings on my wrists. Pretty easy to don/doff, stays dry, and the gloves were around $15. What I don't like is the loss of tactile sensation I had with Smurf gloves and the pullovers are smoother so less grippy when working bolt snaps and such.

The one you're thinking of is the SiTech Glove Lock QCP. Love them, as well.

Glove Lock QCP - Dry Gloves Solutions - Products - SI-TECH

 

[stuartv]

A buddy has the Ultima rings. I helped him install them in his suit. They seem really nice.

I have Kubi rings. They are even nicer, in my opinion. But, probably not worth the extra money. Especially if you have a suit that will accept the Ultima with no mods.

I don't understand the comment about Kubi feeling big. One of the things I really like about Kubi is that you can buy rings in different sizes. I have L to XL hands. I got the Kubi 80mm rings and they are perfect for me. Any smaller and I would not be able to get my hands through them.

 

[Jack Hammer]

The one you're thinking of is the SiTech Glove Lock QCP. Love them, as well.

Glove Lock QCP - Dry Gloves Solutions - Products - SI-TECH

Yes, that's the one. I think I still have them laying around somewhere as a backup.

I have Kubi rings. They are even nicer, in my opinion. But, probably not worth the extra money. Especially if you have a suit that will accept the Ultima with no mods.

I don't understand the comment about Kubi feeling big. One of the things I really like about Kubi is that you can buy rings in different sizes. I have L to XL hands. I got the Kubi 80mm rings and they are perfect for me. Any smaller and I would not be able to get my hands through them.

After using the glove lock system, everything seems small. BTW, all the folks I know using the Kubis are really happy with them except the price.

 

[Grey Goose]

I switched from the si tech Antares to the si tech Virgo. Seems to work fine (mech better than the Antares). Was easy to covert the rings myself..