Drysuit Shopping...DUI TLS se?

[cstreu1026]

I have decided to tell everyone I know that I want a drysuit for christmas and my birthday (about a month apart). So I have start to shop for them. I would really love to get a DUI but I am not too sure that I will be able to swing anything more than their entry level TLS se suit. I would much rather have the TLS350 but almost $700 more which is quite a chunck of change that I don't think my wife will let me make up. My question is that are there better suits than the TLS se for that kind of money? I know the Bare Nex Gen can be had for about $475 which is much much cheaper but I am not sure it would be the best choice.

 

[scubasean]

I'm not sure as to the answer to your question, but I sure do like my TLS350....Dived it for the first time last weekend and love it!

 

[seakdivers]

I don't know about the TLS se either, but I have to second the vote for the TLS350 - I absolutely love mine!! I have the rock boots too, which are awesome.

From what I've seen, DUI makes pretty nice products, so I am sure that the TLS se would be a nice suit as well - just make sure you have good undergarments since the material is fairly thin.

 

[Hallmac]

The DUI TLS is a very good suit will last a long time.
The Bare suit is usable but not not the same quality by far. It has been used by many a diver so the experiences with it will come out eventually.

I would share this with you about dry suits. Fit is extremely important. Your diving comfort and ability is enhanced with a suit that fits you without large areas of shifting air. Loose or baggy suits allow air to shift all over the place causing you trouble with buoyancy and trim. A suit that fits correctly is very easy to dive, requires less weight, and less air waisted removing squeeze.

This is one of those items that should not be skimped on. You would come out money ahead in the long run by researching the maker of the suit, Type of material the suit is made of and it's pro's and cons, cost for custom fit and options wanted. Then save up and order it.

Hallmac

 

[loosebits]

The TLSSE is going to be a great suit as long as it fits you well. The DUI shoulder entry suits are a little harder to get into (no telescoping torso), but I can't get the zipper on the DUI self entry suits started anyway (old style, zip starts on the top right and goes down).

One thing I actually perfer about the shoulder entry suits is that when you are on your surface int and you have the top of the suit off and just wearing suspenders, the arms don't drag on the ground. I've found with the DUI front entry suits, the telescoping torso makes the top of the suit so long that I have to take care when walking around.

The only reason I would go with a TLS350 over a TLSSE considering the cost difference is if the 350 is going to be custom fit (DUI won't do a custom TLSSE) otherwise the advatages of front entry over shoudler entry just don't seem to justify the added cost.

 

[cstreu1026]

All of the local sho[ps drysuits were out yesterday when I stopped by for some info but I am going to stop by next week and try one on for size. I hope that the TLS se fits becuase the stock sizes are the same for that and the 350. But the custom TLS350 is about $1000 more. If I end up going that route I will probably go for one of their TLS250 signature series suits.

The owner did tell me that he would give me a great deal on the underwear if I bought a suit so that will have to weigh in to my decision.

 

[loosebits]

DUI undergarments are incredibly over priced. Search the board for SoftWear.

 

[Zaphod]

I've been diving the TLS-350SE since shortly after it came out, at which time they were running some specials on it to get people to buy them. I got the suit, the undergarmets, and the rock boots for something around $850. I don't know what the prices are now, but the underwear was just an additional $50 at the time and the rock boots were included. At this price, the U/W is a steal and works well if you also have a set of thinsulate long-johns.

I absolutely love the suit. I've tried the TLS350 and several of the CF200 suits and find the lightweight of the TLS to be an incredible advantage. I also dislike the extra material found in the self-donning suits. It makes for a very well-fitting suit and is the only thing I dive now, except when I'm teaching/assisting in the pool. The SE version will also save money when the zipper needs to be replaced.

I would recommend, however, that the suspenders be added. They don't come standard on the suit, but instead have an adjustable bungie cord around the waist. The cord is not sufficient to keep the suit from sliding down your waist during long surface intervals.