HELP! Shoulder or front zip dry suit?

[wmspdi]

How much more is a custom TLS350? The telescoping torso of the DUI's will solve your donning and doffing problems plus the TLS is a really comfortable suit.

About $800.00! The TLS350 base price is more expensive than the DC, DUI adds $400 just for the custom cut, plus add another $100.00 for size XL and above.

The rub is I can't "save my pennies" to get a DUI, I need a dry suit now for rescue and recovery diving. Even if I could come up with the additional money, there is the matter of justifying over $2000.00 for a dry suit to the wife. That happens to be the exact price of the hardwood floor she wants for the living room! Ain't going to happen!

 

[Divindave]

Did you know that getting a custom DC drysuit only retails $100. more then their stock suits. The only real question is why not go custom with a DC suit! Does your lds charge more then that? If so find check out others.
Dave

I recently ordered a DC Flex tri-lam front zip stock dry suit. Yesterday I tried it on in the store with the help of the LDS owner. The suit fit me once I had it on, but getting into it was a chore, and I started to freakout because I had a hard time twisting and contorting my body enough to get out. I am a big guy (XXXL) with broad shoulders and not very fexible.

I selected a front zip so I could don it myself, but have found this is not possible. Since a custom suit is out of the question at this time ($$$), would a suit that zips from shoulder to shoulder across the back by easier to to get into and out of? DC make the suit in this style, and the dealer will exchange it since the seals have not been cut. I have decided that I am going to need help getting into and out of a dry suit either way I go. Since this will be used mostly while diving with the same group of divers there will be someone nearby to do the zipper honors.

 

[CALI68]

About $800.00! The TLS350 base price is more expensive than the DC, DUI adds $400 just for the custom cut, plus add another $100.00 for size XL and above.

The rub is I can't "save my pennies" to get a DUI, I need a dry suit now for rescue and recovery diving. Even if I could come up with the additional money, there is the matter of justifying over $2000.00 for a dry suit to the wife. That happens to be the exact price of the hardwood floor she wants for the living room! Ain't going to happen!

Wow, I didn't know the difference was that much. So, the DC suits are $1,300 for a custom?

 

[aquaoren]

Diving Concepts offers now the Z-suits, which have the telescoping torso ala DUI.

 

[wmspdi]

Those were the prices I was quoted by the LDS. Since I had already paid $500.00 for the suit I am locked in to dealing with him (he has a "no cash refund, store credit only" sign posted in his store per state law).

We are getting away from the issue... at this point the question is not DUI or DC, but rather back or front zip, and neoprene or shell suit. DUI is NOT an option at this point as the LDS quoted a price of $2000.00 plus for a DUI custom suit and $1300 for the custom DC tri-lam ($1100 for a custom neo). DUI and DC are the only brands he carrries so I am locked in a DC suit now. What other dealers may charge for a suit is a moot point now.

 

[wmspdi]

Wow, I didn't know the difference was that much. So, the DC suits are $1,300 for a custom?

They are closer to $1700 but he is cutting me a price break on the DC.

 

[wmspdi]

Diving Concepts offers now the Z-suits, which have the telescoping torso ala DUI.

I heard about it, but since DC hasn't updated their web site since 2000 it's not listed. I don't know about the pricing. DC is sending the LDS a new cataolge and info packge so we'll check it out when the packet arrives. That could be the suit the LDS quoted the custom price for.

 

[jagfish]

I'd go with Trilam and stay away from neoprene of the non-compressed variety.

Buoyancy is much more stable across depth with trilam...Trilam is also so light and dries out really fast. Nice for transport.

JAG

 

[616fun]

Those were the prices I was quoted by the LDS. Since I had already paid $500.00 for the suit I am locked in to dealing with him (he has a "no cash refund, store credit only" sign posted in his store per state law).

We are getting away from the issue... at this point the question is not DUI or DC, but rather back or front zip, and neoprene or shell suit. DUI is NOT an option at this point as the LDS quoted a price of $2000.00 plus for a DUI custom suit and $1300 for the custom DC tri-lam ($1100 for a custom neo). DUI and DC are the only brands he carrries so I am locked in a DC suit now. What other dealers may charge for a suit is a moot point now.

I'm a big guy too. I'm 6'3", 255 lbs. I wear a 52 XL sport Coat. I feel you on the shoulders. I got a XXXL Bare CD4 Pro with the shoulder zip. I like it alot. I don't have to be a yoga instructor to get in it. Yeah - you gotta have someone zip it - but so what. After that it's all good. You will notice a bit on tightness in the shoulder as you raise your hands above you head. It's the stiffness on the zipper. Don't know if that will ease with time, but it doesn't restrict mobility so much that it's a problem.

I've also heard (don't know if it's true) that shoulder zippers take less abuse and last longer. Makes sense, since the way you have to pull and stretch to get into a front zip would require some pulling on the zipper. By far the zipper is the most expensive thing on the suit - don't want to cause it any more grief than I have too.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I used diagonal front entry zipper type tri-lam suits for years and found that with broad shoulders that a larger than optimum fit is needed to get in and out of them comfortably. A telescoping torso pretty much eliminates having to flex your neck to get out of one, but I never liked the extra suit you have to manage or another crotch strap.

The back zip cross shoulder zipper design is much shorter and takes less abuse than a diagonal front zipper due to the flexing that has to occur when you bend forward and due to the abrasion of 1 or 2 straps that cross it (even if it is covered). They are also easier to get into as you just pul them up like a pair of waders, insert your arms and then pull the seal up over your neck. Some divers do it in reverse order putting the arms in after donning the neck seal and it works equally well.

After a zipper failure in my tri-lam, I switched to a borrowed back entry neoprene suit and found that the fit was exceptional in comparison to a front entry suit as they can fit much closer without causing problems getting in or out of them. I also liked the comparable warmth with much lighter undergarments as well as the stretch inherent in the material. Both greatly increased my freedom of movement in the suit. The biggest plus is that the closer overall fit that a neoprene suit allows makes them nearly as low drag as a wet suit. Goes without saying I bought my own neoprene suit the follwing week.

Neoprene suits are not highly regarded by many divers. Personally, I was always vehemently opposed to them having been liberally indoctrinated with DUI style advertising promoting the ills of neoprene suits. That very strong predjudice persisted right up until I actually dove one. I suspect most f the neoprene suit detractors have never dove one, or have never dove a "modern" neoprene suit and are basing their dislike on an older ill fitting and poorly valved unisuit type design.

It is often cited that neoprene suits require more weight. In my experience that is true in that I had to use 2 lbs more weight with a neoprene suit than with a tri-lam. So it's true, but it is not a big deal. Bulk is also a concern for traveling, but when you factor in the bulkier underwear needed for a tri-lam it is pretty much a wash. Neoprene suits are also often cited as having a reltively short life but my spouse has put about 300 dives on hers and it was a used suit when she bought it. With reasonable care, you can get a very long useful life out of them. Even if they do not last as long theoretically as a tri-lam, they still last a long time and they cost 1/3 rd to 1/2 as much as a tri-lam so you can buy 2 or 3 of them for the same $ you'd spend on a tri-lam.

So if the dealer offers a neoprene suit in an approproate size it is at least worth a try. If nothing else you cpould go the custom cut neoprene route for what you already in credit plus still have a lot left over.