Bare Drysuits from Divetank - Any Comments?

[iscuba]

Three months late on a post to this thread, but I've been gone for a while. I've purchased a drysuit and a bc from divetank and have reccomended her to a few of my friends also. All items were brand new and exactly what I ordered. The first suit that I purchased did not fit right and was exchanged without a problem. Divetank has consistantly had the best prices I could find on Bare, Seaquest and Apex product.

 

[Sea View]

Read your thread on your new XCD2, have you had a chance to dive it yet? I was considering the same (Also from Divetank) for the front zip self donning feature.

However I cannot decide if I should go with XCD2-2mm or CD-4 w/4mm and just deal with another back zip suit. I'm a little concerned about having to use the xtra undergarments becasue the 2mm add very little thermal barrier (low 40s here).

Also concerned about front zip - my LDS tryed to talk me out of it -they said they are problematic and costly (by 2x) to repair (incedently - they also didn't have any front zips which may have had something to do with it and I felt like I was being sold ). Richard (Divetank) tells me a different story, he said he has both and they are fine if you take care of them and charges $250-275 to repair if out of warranty or Customer induced failure.

Would you still recommend Divetank after your experience with your new suit?

I have a Bare XCD2 Tech on the way, Richard is extemely helpful, when it comes to sizing. You won't be disappointed if you choose scubatank.

Mike

 

[alpenadiver]

Sea View, you will not be disappointed with the XCD2 tech I've got four dives on mine so far in water a forty degrees, and using the 100 gram thinsulate suit and I was quite warm. As for the front zip I see nothing wrong with it having the front zip is very handy

My latest dive was last weekend in a local sinkhole, the only thermal's I used was a light two piece fleece long john I got with the suit, I was at 70' for about 40 mins in 45 / 50 degree water, and again I was very warm. I also only use six pounds of lead with this suit, my buddy has the cd-4 and if I remember he uses between 8 and 10 pounds. So I can say that the XCD2 is a very nice suit .

Good luck with your choice.

Mike

 

[Sea View]

Mlakin, Thank you for the detailed reply, that info was very helpful! I was thinking I'd freeze in 100wt in an XCD2 at 43 degrees, I have a 150ish-200wt suit & probably use very thin polypro shirt / Pant under that for sweat mgmt. Sounds like that will be the ticket in the low 40's - might be too hot in a CD-4 with all that.

What do you use for gloves? did you get the dry gloves installed? go w/wet?
By the way - wondering if the ATR (auto torso retract) aspect of the XCD2 is a problem with a weight belt, any experience there?
I would think that putting the belt across the ATR would interfere with the movement,
and putting it on below the ATR - it may end up around my ankles.

I'm looking at getting into the integrated weight BC (Black Diamond or Knighthawk -probably not a BP/wing setup -don't know yet) but it's going to be a chunk of change 2x95's, New BC, New Drysuit, New hood / gloves etc. upwards of $2K. to get setup correctly (currently have a trilam shell, SP stab jackets and al80's ...need I say more - time for an upgrade!)

Thanks! JC

Sea View, you will not be disappointed with the XCD2 tech I've got four dives on mine so far in water a forty degrees, and using the 100 gram thinsulate suit and I was quite warm. As for the front zip I see nothing wrong with it having the front zip is very handy

My latest dive was last weekend in a local sinkhole, the only thermal's I used was a light two piece fleece long john I got with the suit, I was at 70' for about 40 mins in 45 / 50 degree water, and again I was very warm. I also only use six pounds of lead with this suit, my buddy has the cd-4 and if I remember he uses between 8 and 10 pounds. So I can say that the XCD2 is a very nice suit .

Good luck with your choice.

Mike

 

[alpenadiver]

JC

The gloves that i'm currently using are the Bare 5mm gaunlet gloves, and my fingers do get chilled after a long dive, haven't decided to go with the dry gloves.

I use a BP/W and have two pouches on my waist for weight, but the ATR is actually a little below my waist, I can't really comment on how good it works because I've never used a non-ATR dry suit, but I don't think it would be in the way of a weight belt.

I picked up the double 95's, BP/W, dry suit, and reg's and it ran into the 2K ballpark, the wife wasn't to happy, so I told her there are worse things to be addicted to but anyway I should be good until next year when I spring for the Deep Air and Advanced Nitrox classes.

My dry suit came with the following
XCD2 suit, Bare 5mm gaunlet gloves, Bare dry hood, T-100 fleece suit, Two piece light weight fleece underwear, a utility pocket, and carrying bag for suit. This is why I chose divetank for the suit, There's nothing wrong with upgrading a little at a time either.

Mike

 

[Sea View]

Thanks Mike, unfortunately I made the mistake of going to the LDS and trying on a new BC - I now have the dive gear bug again - Hate that!

If I can pull it off, I'm going to replace most of the old with new.
I really don't even want to bother trying to trim the faceplant out of a new Integrated BC and rear float w/AL80's - my Preference would be to just jump in and get the steel 95's and trim that setup w/the XCD2. Hopefully at that point I won't even have to bother with a weight belt.
I'm reading great things about XCD2 - sounds like it is a really nice suit, I think I'll look into getting the Cuffs installed at the factory & go w/Dry glove setup from the start.
By the way,I tried the "worse things" line - she just rolled her eyes ...didn't work so good for me! ...Goodluck w/Deep & Nitrox
JC

JC

The gloves that i'm currently using are the Bare 5mm gaunlet gloves, and my fingers do get chilled after a long dive, haven't decided to go with the dry gloves.

I use a BP/W and have two pouches on my waist for weight, but the ATR is actually a little below my waist, I can't really comment on how good it works because I've never used a non-ATR dry suit, but I don't think it would be in the way of a weight belt.

I picked up the double 95's, BP/W, dry suit, and reg's and it ran into the 2K ballpark, the wife wasn't to happy, so I told her there are worse things to be addicted to but anyway I should be good until next year when I spring for the Deep Air and Advanced Nitrox classes.

My dry suit came with the following
XCD2 suit, Bare 5mm gaunlet gloves, Bare dry hood, T-100 fleece suit, Two piece light weight fleece underwear, a utility pocket, and carrying bag for suit. This is why I chose divetank for the suit, There's nothing wrong with upgrading a little at a time either.

Mike

 

[alpenadiver]

JC

If your looking for a BC have you checked out Dive-Rites transpac, especially if you are going to dive singles for a while, the trans pac can do both singles, and doubles a very versatile rig. Here's a link www.diveriteexpress.com/bcs/transpac.shtml

I also upgrade alittle at a time, It's just the big dollar items that she frowns upon, (wait a minute every thing related to diving is expensive what was I thinking )

Well good luck with what ever dry suit you select, and happy diving.

Mike

 

[RiverRat]

Well I got my first dive in my 2005 Bare HD Tech Trilam. Fits like a glove! Tough suit. Richard is very knowledgable, got the suit to fit me dead on. Just need to build me a little longer weight belt because of the extra material around the torso. And my large Trek boots are a tight squeeze in my new XL Jets. May have to work on that. In any event I got a sweet deal from Divetank!

 

[Sea View]

Mike, I was not aware of that site or the transpack, some cool stuff - I was looking for the Shears they have listed.
Thanks!
JC

JC

If your looking for a BC have you checked out Dive-Rites transpac, especially if you are going to dive singles for a while, the trans pac can do both singles, and doubles a very versatile rig. Here's a link www.diveriteexpress.com/bcs/transpac.shtml

I also upgrade alittle at a time, It's just the big dollar items that she frowns upon, (wait a minute every thing related to diving is expensive what was I thinking )

Well good luck with what ever dry suit you select, and happy diving.

Mike