Heated suit options besides Santi BZ400?

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Washing it very occasionally in a gentle low temperature wash without spinning the life out of it helps.
You don't wash thinsulate suits unless you wanna kill them. I'm pretty sure you've already asked this before in another thread and I told you why.
The thinsulate stuff is a bunch of loose fibers that clump up when they get wet. Thinsulate is great when it's new and hasn't been wet.

Push the dive shop for a discount.
Why would I want the santi crap if there is better and cheaper stuff available? They are great at marketing their drysuits... that's about it.
 
I think purchasing a heated BZ400 is a silly idea. Worthless after a couple washes and wildly expensive given other options on the market.

See pdf here, admittedly I haven’t updated it in two years and my opinions of Santi quality have fallen off a cliff.
Post 3 in thread 'Bottoms of feet cold (drysuit, 39F / 3.9C water)'

In terms of heated socks and gloves, running wires through the undergarments is a little obnoxious when gearing up, but Gerbing (as above), and SmartTex (out of Poland, run by a guy named Jerzy) offer options. Another one that’s recently popped up on my radar is this: Redundant electrically heated 400g/m² undergarment which offers either single or redundant heat (requires two E/O into your suit) for HALF the cost of the Santi. Still thinsulate, but can buy almost two made to measure vs one Santi (using €, even sillier in $). 400€ vs 750€ ish.

With the diversity in your diving climates, I’d stick with layerable separates, a la:
Capilene Air baselayer
FE Xerotherm
FE Halo AR or Weezle Extreme or Rofos 400
Lola or Gerbing or LM etc heated vest
NEO 8mm hood, NEO 10mm hood

Would leave you “exposed” to intermediate length dives in the 22C range in which an FE Arctic or similar would probably add value.

The heated gloves and socks take the edge off, but I don’t decide to put them on for dives less than 120min in water below 8°C and I view it as a symptom of a cold core.

A last option would be a constant output heat battery like an UWLD or (courtesy of a friend) having a 4-cell pack made such that as the battery draws down, you can move the heat from 40% to higher and maintain constant heat output using a Pitkin controller.

GL
Many thanks Grant! A lot to think about there - some great information! I'm chatting to Hauberk right now on Messenger about making a lighterweight version of their 400g/m2 heated undersuit. They also have heated socks which is awesome for me!
 
I'm chatting to Hauberk right now on Messenger about making a lighterweight version of their 400g/m2 heated undersuit.
You should asked them why they don't make thin heated suits.
BTW: I'd wait untill you have deco training before buying. There is an actual reason people don't use thin heated undergarment ... a safety reason.
 
You don't wash thinsulate suits unless you wanna kill them. I'm pretty sure you've already asked this before in another thread and I told you why.
You don't wash undersuits unnecessarily. A piss-soaked or flooded with seawater undersuit should be washed gently. The garments are designed for that.


Why would I want the santi crap if there is better and cheaper stuff available? They are great at marketing their drysuits... that's about it.
In your ever so humble opinion. Other people have other equally valid opinions.

I have had excellent and responsive customer service from Santi. Their products which I have bought are of very high quality and haven't failed. Many others say this too.
 
I think purchasing a heated BZ400 is a silly idea. Worthless after a couple washes and wildly expensive given other options on the market.

See pdf here, admittedly I haven’t updated it in two years and my opinions of Santi quality have fallen off a cliff.
Post 3 in thread 'Bottoms of feet cold (drysuit, 39F / 3.9C water)'

In terms of heated socks and gloves, running wires through the undergarments is a little obnoxious when gearing up, but Gerbing (as above), and SmartTex (out of Poland, run by a guy named Jerzy) offer options. Another one that’s recently popped up on my radar is this: Redundant electrically heated 400g/m² undergarment which offers either single or redundant heat (requires two E/O into your suit) for HALF the cost of the Santi. Still thinsulate, but can buy almost two made to measure vs one Santi (using €, even sillier in $). 400€ vs 750€ ish.

With the diversity in your diving climates, I’d stick with layerable separates, a la:
Capilene Air baselayer
FE Xerotherm
FE Halo AR or Weezle Extreme or Rofos 400
Lola or Gerbing or LM etc heated vest
NEO 8mm hood, NEO 10mm hood

Would leave you “exposed” to intermediate length dives in the 22C range in which an FE Arctic or similar would probably add value.

The heated gloves and socks take the edge off, but I don’t decide to put them on for dives less than 120min in water below 8°C and I view it as a symptom of a cold core.

A last option would be a constant output heat battery like an UWLD or (courtesy of a friend) having a 4-cell pack made such that as the battery draws down, you can move the heat from 40% to higher and maintain constant heat output using a Pitkin controller.

GL
amazing pdf in there

maybe it can be updated and added to the resources section of sb?

it will answer countless future threads on lion batteries, heat options etc
 
The garments are designed for that.
🤣🤣 sure.

How long have you had that under suit? Not long, right?

Other people have other equally valid opinions.
Sure, if people think waiting for 3 month to get a suit fixed under warranty is great service, they can have that opinion. If you wanna pay double or more for a santi bz400 vs a rofos bz400 or something else 400 because it's santi, even though it's the exact same thinsulate filling, go right ahead.
 
🤣🤣 sure.

How long have you had that under suit? Not long, right?


Sure, if people think waiting for 3 month to get a suit fixed under warranty is great service, they can have that opinion. If you wanna pay double or more for a santi bz400 vs a rofos bz400 or something else 400 because it's santi, even though it's the exact same thinsulate filling, go right ahead.
I really don't want to argue this point.

Many -- lots of -- people I know are very happy with their Santi equipment. I'm happy with my Santi equipment and quality. I've had the heated vests for years and many hundreds of dives and they've been great (two different sizes).
 
@grantctobin and anyone else knowledgeable in this area - Santi are using Climashield CONTUR in their Flex 2.0 heated and Flex 190 undersuits - does this material have the same problems when washed that thinsulate does?
 
@grantctobin and anyone else knowledgeable in this area - Santi are using Climashield CONTUR in their Flex 2.0 heated and Flex 190 undersuits - does this material have the same problems when washed that thinsulate does?
I’m afraid I don’t know. I’m kind of in @berndo ’s boat and don’t see value in a heated lightweight suit. I do suffer from Reynaud’s, so I understand your plight (or at least I think I do? It is ever hard to compare across individuals)
 
I may be in the minority here but the new Santi Flex 2.0 undersuit with the UWLD heat controller is about as good as it gets...so happy and warm.
 

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