Current state of the Union on heated undies?

[tbone1004]

@njdiverjoe one thing to note is that just because a cable gland is SS doesn't make it higher quality than the plastic ones, particularly as it relates to strain relief. Not saying that this isn't the case on the LM canister since I don't use them and haven't paid attention recently, but UWLD made the change to very high quality plastic strain relief glands away from SS and it was an engineering decision not a cost decision.

 

[broncobowsher]

Thoughts on pairing a BZ400 heated undies with UWLD controller with a tall battery?

Started playing with the heat. Scuba Force heated shirt. upgraded to 450g pants as the provided wasn't cutting it. I am finding that chest and back isn't enough. Want the heating elements spread out a bit more.

I was running a 4th element Halo that was generally good until the bottom times started to rack up. A bit roasty up top, and chilled at the end of the dive. I went heated to balance the pre and post thermal conditions. Right now I feel like I made a step backwards and using heat as a crutch to still not get where I was at. I also want to get back to a 1-piece. Less shifting around inside the drysuit.

 

[ericfine50]

Like I said in my post I haven't tried the vest but a lot of guys I dive have them and love them -- it's also much cheaper than the LM heated shirt.

So for full disclosure I've been diving with the guy who started bringing Trojan over from the EU for some time -- I don't receive compensation for reviews, etc.

Anyways -- the things I like about the Trojan canister:

• for the same capacity it's more compact than the LM one.
• it has a power regulator much like the LM Pitkin controller (I put LM and Trojan as tied here)
• where the entire top of the LM canister opens, the Trojan one stays sealed and only has a port opening to plug in the charger
• overall I get the impression the Trojan canister is of much higher build quality

When I bought my canister I picked it up in person and had him change the E/O cord on my LM canister, The inside of LM canister seems very "garage built" while the Trojan appears to be more professional engineered. Trojan seems to be using higher quality parts as well -- for example the LM cable gland is plastic and super cheap, while the Trojan uses a very nice stainless steel cable gland.

My overall impression is that Trojan provides a much higher quality product and at a lower price point too.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[BFRedrocks]

Thoughts on pairing a BZ400 heated undies with UWLD controller with a tall battery?

Started playing with the heat. Scuba Force heated shirt. upgraded to 450g pants as the provided wasn't cutting it. I am finding that chest and back isn't enough. Want the heating elements spread out a bit more.

I was running a 4th element Halo that was generally good until the bottom times started to rack up. A bit roasty up top, and chilled at the end of the dive. I went heated to balance the pre and post thermal conditions. Right now I feel like I made a step backwards and using heat as a crutch to still not get where I was at. I also want to get back to a 1-piece. Less shifting around inside the drysuit.

That's my setup...the BZ400 heated full suit plus heated gloves, and an UWLD tall battery with heat controller. It worked great in waters down to 32 deg F and kept me completely warm and comfortable. I think on the UWLD sub-page I gave a review with battery times...I think if I went long enough, I could get close to an hour on high heat with a single charge. I love the setup even if the BZ400 is still a bit on the bulky side (but the outer nylon material is super smooth and makes it easy to put under a drysuit.

 

[broncobowsher]

That's my setup...the BZ400 heated full suit plus heated gloves, and an UWLD tall battery with heat controller. It worked great in waters down to 32 deg F and kept me completely warm and comfortable. I think on the UWLD sub-page I gave a review with battery times...I think if I went long enough, I could get close to an hour on high heat with a single charge. I love the setup even if the BZ400 is still a bit on the bulky side (but the outer nylon material is super smooth and makes it easy to put under a drysuit.

Good to hear. Phoenix, so a local as well.
Might be worth seeing it in person. That is a lot of coin to order off internet reviews and spec sheets.

 

[BFRedrocks]

Good to hear. Phoenix, so a local as well.
Might be worth seeing it in person. That is a lot of coin to order off internet reviews and spec sheets.

Yeah, you definitely want to get the sizing right on the BZ400, especially because Santi allows small changes on up to 5 different areas of the suit. I actually bought my first heated BZ400 from a dealer in the UK (no returns allowed) and between ordering it and receiving it, a weight gain at the time resulted in it not fitting. I was luckily able to sell that one and get a new one that I sized correctly.

The UWLD battery and heat controller are simply great. Only small downside is that the battery is relatively large, but hooks up nicely to my BC.

 

[broncobowsher]

I already have the UWLD battery (and light, and heat controller).
It is the undergarment game I am playing.