battery heated vest anyone?

[mattpatton]

Divergal and LeeNJ,

We actually choose to keep the 70M suit in stock at HeatedWetsuits.Com rather than the Blue Grade series you are talking about. Both suits are identical in heating area and battery power. However, the 70M suit is rated to a deeper depth rating of 210ft rather 150ft, but primarily because of the simplicity of a wired controller, like you mentioned above.

Both models have a wired controller which come out of the shoulder. However, the 70M suit does not need the magnetic wrist watch to be activated. The 70M Thermalution does away with the wrist watch. The wired shoulder switch requires only the push of a button to activate and change temperatures, rather than the timed press-and-go of the magnetic Blue Grade wrist watch. This "keep it simple" approach is the primary reason why we keep a large inventory of the 70M and market these, rather than the Blue Grade suits.

The retailer attending the LB show does not carry this model, but markets the Blue Grade suits instead. It is all personal preference as to which model you prefer or which is best for you.
Let me know if you have any other questions. Stay Warm!

I also just bought the Thermolution vest for deeper water at the LB Scuba Show (the show special was impossible to ignore) - I'm looking forward to checking it out in a couple of weeks, too - I'm also a wee bit worried - I would have preferred a hard wire temp adjustment rather than a wireless signal, but we'll see, right? I'm excited about the possibilities and will also keep you posted!
Erin

 

[Leejnd]

Matt, thanks for your post. I've been really confused about what model I bought vs. the various models I saw on the internet. I'd seen your website before, and saw the 70M shirt, but I didn't really understand the difference between that one and the one I bought. Now I get it. Just for clarity, here's the one I and divergal 80 bought: http://www.thermalution.us/shop/art...-Depth.html?shop_param=cid=3&aid=PSD10-AI.XS&

Here's the 70M: Thermalution Heated Undersuit -70M (Shortsleeve)

I discovered that there are two US vendors: Petatech in LA, and HeatedWetSuits in North Carolina. Petatech was the vendor at the Long Beach Scuba Show. Petatech carries the Blue series vest, and HeatedWetSuits carries the 70M shirt. The online prices are the same for each model ($499), but Petatech offered a $100 discount if you bought at the show. So I got mine for $399.

Based on looking at the 70M model online, it does look like that one would have been a better choice - I would prefer not having to deal with the wireless controller. On the other hand, I prefer the sleeveless vest rather than the shirt.

Matt can you answer a question for me? I spoke to someone who purchased one of the 70M shirts a year ago in Taiwan and he said that the battery connectors were three-pronged, with very skinny prongs. One of the prongs broke pretty quickly, so he had to get it replaced by the manufacturer. He advised them they should modify it to use only one, thicker, prong...and they did. My model has only one prong, and seems reasonably robust. Can you tell me how many prongs are on the 70M model that you carry?

I'm leaving tomorrow for a weekend dive trip where I'll be finally trying out my vest, out in some pretty cold water (mid-50'sF). Can't wait to see how it works! I really hope the wireless controller isn't a problem.

 

[mattpatton]

Yes, as of 2012, all of the Thermalution suits will be equipped with the new "1-Prong" connector types. It is the same as the battery connectors found on your Blue Grade Thermalution. This was a new modification that was added to all of our Thermalution products in 2012.

As you have noticed, the connectors are much stronger and easier to connect than the previous 3-prong design. It also is a lot easier to connect and disconnect on those frigid days when your frozen fingers just won't work the way you want them to.

 

[moresharksplease]

So how'd it go??? =)

 

[vancouverdiver]

Hi Divergal80,
Did you buy the yellow grade with wireless control? What's your assessment of the Thermolution?

 

[drbill]

There were a few who used them at the DUI Demo Days out at Casino Point a few weekends ago.

I dive wet... at least as long as I'm in temperate to tropical waters. I'm OK down to the upper 40s (well, not totally OK!). I believe diving should be done wet within reasonable temperature range. However, that is just my personal belief. I think such devices are not inappropriate for divers who are doing extremely cold water or deep dives, who have little "bioprene" to keep themselves naturally warm, who are in the water doing work that may require warmth for muscle activity, or for warm water wussies who inexplicably get the urge to dive below their normal temperature tolerance. Tee hee.

 

[Leejnd]

Hi guys - I realize I never came back and gave feedback on how the vest works for me. I wanted to tell you that I LOVE my vest! I had problems with the first one, and had to return it - it would shut off and not start up again. They replaced the whole thing for me, and I've been using it ever since. It's not a huge amount of warmth, and it doesn't spread out to the extremities at all (my legs can get pretty cold when the water is in the 50's), but it does give my core just enough warmth to make the dive more comfortable.

I definitely have more than my fair share of bioprene but this vest really does make a huge difference in my comfort. I really don't want to move up to a drysuit - I like the freedom and flexibility of wetsuits - but I needed something. When the temps really gets down there, I found myself not wanting to jump in the water, hanging back. Now with this vest I know that I will be more comfortable and I don't feel that reticence.

So there ya have it...I love my vest!

 

[Kevrumbo]

That's great! But I prefer & recommend the simpler core "cummerbund" style wetsuit/drysuit heater from a company here on the West Coast (Carlsbad Calif) who I can directly deal with if there are any problems. . . (I'll be getting one of these as soon as I come back in two weeks from wonderfully warm 29deg C tropical waters of Truk Lagoon!)

UTD Equipment Vision Systems

 

[Moray]

Last time I checked with you, matt,about servicing my thermalution suit(it won't recharge) ,you said I'd have to send it to Korea.is there any service in the U.S. yet?

 

[Diver0001]

The pressure inside the suit is the same as the ambient pressure outside. I have wondered if the pressure was why the electronic controller on our motorcycle vests failed.

BTW, the Santi heated vest absolutely and utterly ROCKS. It's a power hog, though; I get about 90 minutes of heating off a 9.5 aH NiMH battery. But I've found that turning it on about 30 minutes into a dive means I don't get out of the water cold AT ALL. I'm really looking forward to doing a day of boat diving, and seeing how much more comfortable I am.

Have I told you this week how jealous I am of your toys?

I don't know if I should hate you for buying one or not. Maybe if I call you a wimp it will make me feel better.

Sort of on-topic: I've used sodium acetate warming pads with a certain degree of success. I put two of them in an old shirt with breast pockets and when I'm getting cold I smack them to activate them and they warm up for about 30 min. It's a poor man's solution and I'm sure they're no where near as awesome as a heated vest but they don't break down and they cost $10.

R..