Dry Suit Choice

[Bob3]

Thought you might've had a vulcanized suit there for a minute, like the ProAm 1050.
There was a side-by comparison between your VSN & a 50/50 at Divernet in the UK:
http://www.divernet.com/gear/dtstxtra399.htm
I suspect the DUI may be higher priced here in the US because of the "structured price schedule" (aka price fixing) that takes place here in the US.
Offhand the Gates appears to be more suit for less $$.
The CF200 crushed neoprene suits actually hold up well in a commercial diving environment, something not seen in sport suits.

 

[WYDT]

Team members (wkpp) aren't required to use TLS350 but it is preferred. Some team members I know dive the CLX450 and all that I know of dive DUI suits, not sure if it's required or not though.

I have a TLS350 and it's a great suit but will develop small pinhole leaks that have to be fixed from time to time but I guess any trilam suit can do this as well. Also if you get a DUI specify a SI Tech dump valve. The ones that come on the suits now are crapola. They will do the si tech dump at no additional charge, so I hear.

Hope this helps!

 

[longraven]

WYDT

It does, Thanks

Do you recommend wrist or shoulder dump valve?

Ann

 

[WYDT]

longraven once bubbled...
WYDT

It does, Thanks

Do you recommend wrist or shoulder dump valve?

Ann

Team members have the dump on the right shoulder for ease of dumping while scootering. If you have no intention of becoming a team member or scooter diving in deep caves or elsewhere then the stock left shoulder position is fine. Mine is in the stock left position and I've had no problems at all...

 

[Mo2vation]

Hey Annie - cool thread.

With you being in Low Cal, I would think going with DUI is a no brainer. I'm in So Cal (Marina Del Rey) and after trying on about a zillion suits, and diving about 4 or 5, DUI's geographic proximity was a huge vote in their favor.

My wife is an OTR medium. My body type is pretty funky so no way for OTR - I had to go custom. Jaye went with the 350 - I went with the 50/50.

After diving 7mm for years, the tri-lams felt too confining with no stretch. The stretch in the bottom section of the 50/50 (its the CF200 material) plus its durability (I roll around in the surf and the rocks chasing lobsters for a third of the year) made it feel so much less confining when doing the knee bends and stretches as I checked for sizing. It just felt better.

The top of the 50/50 is a tough Polyester - so it also has some stretch to it (unlike the 450 Cordura)...overall, its tough, comfy and because of the stretch, I could have it cut a little closer. For what I do, it was the best choice.

If I had to do it again, I would have gotten the wrist dump... makes it easier to dump at will, you know...? No rolling over, no getting semi-vertical, etc.

You should go by DUI - they're great about visitors. Call them and see when their next Demo Days is and go and dive through the line, then pick the best one.

K

 

[large_diver]

Ann,

I would agree with the comments posted by O-Ring about waiting. When I took DIRF last summer, the instructors spent a fair amount of time discussing exposure protection (most of this was focused on drysuits), including discussion of undergarments, drysuit fit, key features to look for in a drysuit, etc., etc. They spent time looking at each of the drysuits worn by students in the class, and provided specific commentary on what was good and not so good about each model.

I think DUI (TLS 350 and 450) was probably the brand worn by more people in the class than any other single brand, including many of the instructors/interns.

That being said, Andrew Georgitsis (our lead instructor) did fault the DUI suits for at least a couple of things, mainly the routing of the zippers on the self-donning models as well as the the way in which some of the seams are sewn. In general, these seemed to be relatively minor issues -- DUI obviously makes great dry suits -- but it is something to keep in mind.

On one hand, it is nice to have all the gear you will be using on an ongoing basis for the class, so that you can put your rig through the active critiqueing that goes on during DIRF. At the same time, I would hate to drop big $$$ on a piece of gear that: (1) May be "dissed" during the class; or (2) you don't have time to practice and get comfortable with prior to the class.

My $0.02 -- good luck.

-Chris

 

[JeffAustin]

I have a DC ultraflex (5th D 1000). My suit has stretch under the arms due to the fabric bias. What it doesn't have is seams under the armpits, which really do limit the fabric stretching (and reaching valves!). The trilaminate material dries quickly(an hour or two), and isn't heavy when it is wet. The trilaminate material is pretty heavy duty, I have camera bags made out of the same material, and they are bombproof. I guess if you are wedging yourself into small openings on a wreck, you could tear most any fabric, though. Should that be your main concern? I don't know. My suit functions well, has bellows pockets on the thighs that accomodate dryglove rings, is self donning(ft. zip) and fits good. It is more comfortable than my old 7 mil neoprene wet or drysuits. With the DC TPS undergarment, I use a 12 lb. weight belt with a BP/W and 95 steel tank. Good luck with your search.

 

[DIR Tec Diver]

I have a DUI TLS350 Signature Series, and I love it. I have never had a better suit, and I have had a lot!

I live in Finland, so all my diving is with a dry suit, and I have gone through a Polar 905 (Dive Rite), Ursuit and Viking, and none compare to the DUI. Yes I am a tec diver, and my original decision was based a lot on my friend George Irvine's recommendations, but after buying the suit, I can see why this is the #1 suit of choice by the worlds best tec divers.

Not to mention the suit used by Navy SEALs, Marine Force Recon, CG Rescue Swimmers etc. That should also be a good indicator

 

[O-ring]

DIR Tec Diver once bubbled...
I have a DUI TLS350 Signature Series, and I love it. I have never had a better suit, and I have had a lot!

I live in Finland, so all my diving is with a dry suit, and I have gone through a Polar 905 (Dive Rite), Ursuit and Viking, and none compare to the DUI. Yes I am a tec diver, and my original decision was based a lot on my friend George Irvine's recommendations, but after buying the suit, I can see why this is the #1 suit of choice by the worlds best tec divers.

Not to mention the suit used by Navy SEALs, Marine Force Recon, CG Rescue Swimmers etc. That should also be a good indicator

 

[Pez de Diablo]

I see SSI Diver O2 happening all over again....