Diving Concepts UltraFlex Pro

[WarmGoingCold]

Hi all,

I certified about 2 years ago, so I am a fairly new diver. I have 28 dives in warm water. This diving only once a year thing really sucks, so I am looking into possibly getting a drysuit and diving in the Seattle area where I live.

The bad news is, I am 6'7", and that means I am going to have to spend big bucks on a custom suit. After doing a little research, and talking to some of the locals, this seems to be the suit that most people suggest:

http://www.divingconcepts.com/ultraflex.htm

I was wondering if anybody had any comments or suggestions on this particular suit, and if there are better options for a guy my size, feel free to chime in. Also, while I have had GREAT diving experiences so far, I am a little reluctant to spend so much money on a suit, especially when I have never been in one, nor have I done any cold water diving yet. I am also not dry certified, so my knowledge in this area is...well...non-existant.

 

[darylm74]

I am going through Drysuit training right now. I've had my class and pool session and am doing my checkout dives this weekend along with starting my advanced. I bought a Viking Xtreme from Bob3. He sells them at a great price. I'm 6'0 but I know the size he gave me has some room to grow at least height wise. My biggest problem was the shoulder width with most suits. They usually swallow my stomach but crunch my chest and shoulders. He might have other Viking suits if you want a more expensive type suit though I'm very happy with the suit and I believe you will find others on this board that are happy with it too, especially to start out with. My first instructor which I go back home to TN and dive with some has a Diving Concepts and he loves it and does rescue work in it constantly. If I was going to go with an upscale suit, I would look at Diving Concepts more closely but for now I believe the Viking Xtreme is an awesome suit especially for the money. Might also want to check out a DUI TLS350. They are more in the same range and are probably one of the best suits out there. I almost bought one, except my wife was squeezing the checkbook.

 

[The Fresh Prince]

Hi all,

I certified about 2 years ago, so I am a fairly new diver. I have 28 dives in warm water. This diving only once a year thing really sucks, so I am looking into possibly getting a drysuit and diving in the Seattle area where I live.

The bad news is, I am 6'7", and that means I am going to have to spend big bucks on a custom suit. After doing a little research, and talking to some of the locals, this seems to be the suit that most people suggest:

http://www.divingconcepts.com/ultraflex.htm

I was wondering if anybody had any comments or suggestions on this particular suit, and if there are better options for a guy my size, feel free to chime in. Also, while I have had GREAT diving experiences so far, I am a little reluctant to spend so much money on a suit, especially when I have never been in one, nor have I done any cold water diving yet. I am also not dry certified, so my knowledge in this area is...well...non-existant.

Quick answer. Yes, you will need a custom suit. Either contact Mark Tourtelot at Fifth D for a Diving Concept custom suit(in Seattle) or go to Extreme Exposure to see Dave Sweetin for a custom DUI TLS 350( High Springs, Florida). Anyone else is selling you a stock suit that will not fit you the way it should.

 

[WarmGoingCold]

Quick answer. Yes, you will need a custom suit. Either contact Mark Tourtelot at Fifth D for a Diving Concept custom suit(in Seattle) or go to Extreme Exposure to see Dave Sweetin for a custom DUI TLS 350( High Springs, Florida). Anyone else is selling you a stock suit that will not fit you the way it should.

Hey thanks for the help guys! Which manufacturer is better? I know the coast gaurd, the Navy, and most public safety outfits use DUI, but I am not ready to write off Diving Concepts just yet.

 

[ppo2_diver]

I like my DC suit. I fit into a stock size Neo Z. I love diving in it. DUI are great suits, but I think they are like Nike. Good shoes, but paying extra for a name. I'm 6'3 and have extra room in the torso, so I would bet that you may be able to try on a stock DC suit with the torso recoil. That way you would be able to try out the suit before you buy.

 

[trob09]

Quick answer. Yes, you will need a custom suit. Either contact Mark Tourtelot at Fifth D for a Diving Concept custom suit(in Seattle) or go to Extreme Exposure to see Dave Sweetin for a custom DUI TLS 350( High Springs, Florida). Anyone else is selling you a stock suit that will not fit you the way it should.

Um, other people also sell custom suits from both DUI and DC. Fifth D and EE do not have exclusives. They may be skilled at taking measurements and have a proven track record, but they are _FAR_from the only ones who do so.

With that said, you are a custom candidate. I like my DC trilam (not custom) very much, my DUI (custom) less so, even though the DUI fits better.

 

[large_diver]

As a fellow larger than average human, I can sympathize (6'5").

I bought a DUI TLS 350 (tri-lam suit) earlier this year. I tried on multiple models/sizes at a local trade show early this year. What I found with the DUI stock sizes is that the XL was not tall enough, and XXL, while tall enough, was made for someone much fatter than me (and I'm not skinny, at 240 lbs).

At the same show, I had Faith Ortins (SUI VP of sales) measure me. The suit came out nicely -- I'm really enjoying it so far.

Definitely shop around -- although everyone complains about how pricey the DUIs are, don't base your decision on the MSRPs you see quoted on their website. There are good deals to be found out there. PM if you'd like more details.

Good luck.

-Chris

 

[CanadianDiverGirl]

You really need to shell out the money now for a good custom suit. Don't be foolish and try to fit into a stock size of any brand, because as soon as you gain experience in the suit, you end up disappointed and shelling out the coin another (custom) suit. Do it once and do it right.

Listen to jjsteffen - you won't end up disappointed and replacing the suit in a year.

 

[The Fresh Prince]

Um, other people also sell custom suits from both DUI and DC. Fifth D and EE do not have exclusives. They may be skilled at taking measurements and have a proven track record, but they are _FAR_from the only ones who do so.

With that said, you are a custom candidate. I like my DC trilam (not custom) very much, my DUI (custom) less so, even though the DUI fits better.

Yes, other people can get him a Fifth D DC suit or DUI TLS custom made. But, I gave him the people I would trust to do the measurements right the first time.

 

[trob09]

Yes, other people can get him a Fifth D DC suit or DUI TLS custom made. But, I gave him the people I would trust to do the measurements right the first time.

I totally respect that. I have heard of (and in the case of Dave Sweetin's measurements, seen) very good suit-fittings from both of them. I do not disagree with your recommendations.

I'm just commenting on the 'anyone else is selling you a stock suit' comment. I have seen equally well-fitting, custom suits purchased elsewhwere.

Stepping off my soap-box and back into the shadows now...

T