Diving Concepts vs. DUI

[Boogie711]

OK - let me jump in here.

First off - it's a "Z-Tech," not a Z-flex. I know - I have one hanging here beside me.

Secondly, it's almost identical construction wise to an Ultra-Flex Pro. The Ultra-Flex uses 1000 weight cordura, the Z-Tech uses 750. That's about it.

Both are comparable to a DUI 450, but not a 350. They're tri-lam, but rugged.

 

[doctormike]

OK - let me jump in here.

First off - it's a "Z-Tech," not a Z-flex. I know - I have one hanging here beside me.

Secondly, it's almost identical construction wise to an Ultra-Flex Pro. The Ultra-Flex uses 1000 weight cordura, the Z-Tech uses 750. That's about it.

Both are comparable to a DUI 450, but not a 350. They're tri-lam, but rugged.

Well, there definitely is (or was) a Diving Concepts suit called Z-flex- here is the review from Scuba Diving magazine:

http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/exposure_protection/high-end_dry/3/

Oddly enough, the DC web site doesn't mention Z-flex OR Z-tech! Will have to call them later today to clarify.

This is the Ultraflex page from the DC web site:
http://www.divingconcepts.com/ultraflex.htm

Doesn't seem to mention cordura, and the fabric samples that I saw didn't look like that either...

Maybe the Z-tech was a variation on the Ultra-flex pro that they don't make any more... google for z-tech (in various combinations) only turns up one site from a dive shop with no photo:

http://www.northerntechdiver.com/st...id=9+&Sort=name&searchtype=Category&offset=10

Still, seems like a good company from what I have heard... will post whatever I find after I call...

You guys are great... thanks so much for all the advice!

Mike

 

[diver_paula]

BTW - People will have different preferences, but I will never go with another cuff dump. I thought I would really like it and ordered it with my Diving Concepts suit after years using an adjustable shoulder dump. I've been contemplating retorfitting my current suit with a a shoulder dump.

I find the cuff dump more trouble to use. If I'm swimming along, simply raising my arm doesn't work. I need to get more vertical than that. & when I'm ascending from a wreck using a mooring line, air escapes each time I raise my arm whether I want it to or not.

Something you may want to get more input on / think about.
Paula

 

[doctormike]

BTW - People will have different preferences, but I will never go with another cuff dump. I thought I would really like it and ordered it with my Diving Concepts suit after years using an adjustable shoulder dump. I've been contemplating retorfitting my current suit with a a shoulder dump.

I find the cuff dump more trouble to use. If I'm swimming along, simply raising my arm doesn't work. I need to get more vertical than that. & when I'm ascending from a wreck using a mooring line, air escapes each time I raise my arm whether I want it to or not.

Something you may want to get more input on / think about.
Paula

Wow, I have never even heard of or seen a cuff dump... Do you mean close to the wrist? I assumed that even though you had a choice about placement, most people put the dump on the left arm just behind the upper part of the bicep. Have never had a problem with that configuration...

 

[diver_paula]

Wow, I have never even heard of or seen a cuff dump... Do you mean close to the wrist? I assumed that even though you had a choice about placement, most people put the dump on the left arm just behind the upper part of the bicep. Have never had a problem with that configuration...

Yes, close to the wrist. It's always open / no way to adjust the flow. To see one, go to the Diving Concepts website and then to 'drysuit options'.

I thought it would work better for me given my arms aren't very long. I had trouble reaching the shoulder dump out of the water to check it's position, etc. I could reach the shoulder dump once I was in the water and my gear fell into place but not always being able to reach it was an uncomfortable feeling.

 

[doctormike]

Yes, close to the wrist. It's always open / no way to adjust the flow. To see one, go to the Diving Concepts website and then to 'drysuit options'.

I thought it would work better for me given my arms aren't very long. I had trouble reaching the shoulder dump out of the water to check it's position, etc. I could reach the shoulder dump once I was in the water and my gear fell into place but not always being able to reach it was an uncomfortable feeling.

Hmmm.. I usually don't touch it... it's just set to autodump, and I adjust my trim by occasionally rolling to the right and letting it bleed a bit...

 

[ppo2_diver]

I have both shoulder and cuff dumps on my DC suit. I think the cuff dump can come in handy. There are positions (that are comfortable) that will stop the air from escaping from the cuff dump. I find it easier to control my ascents by using the cuff dump. But at depth, when I'm horizontal, I don't use it. I use the shoulder dump.

 

[diver_paula]

Hmmm.. I usually don't touch it... it's just set to autodump, and I adjust my trim by occasionally rolling to the right and letting it bleed a bit...

I'd shut it down some when at depth on a wreck and diving a mostly square profile.

 

[Boogie711]

Well, there definitely is (or was) a Diving Concepts suit called Z-flex- here is the review from Scuba Diving magazine...

...Maybe the Z-tech was a variation on the Ultra-flex pro that they don't make any more...

Cool - I stand corrected. In any event - my Z-Tech is brand new. I believe it's a new product for Diving Concepts and you're correct, it's almost identical to an Ultraflex Pro, but it doesn't come custom and it has a telescoping torso. Obviously, DC hasn't updated their website yet. And yes - I did buy mine from NTD in Kingston.

 

[doctormike]

I'd shut it down some when at depth on a wreck and diving a mostly square profile.

Yep.. I guess I would do that if it was bleeding too much.... but even on a wreck I have been ok with autodump so far...