How much weight for 1836 and Fusion?

[tridacna]

I just received my new Fusion this week. It is awesome. Fit is fantastic. I took it out yesterday for a tryout dive in the quarry. I'm wearing the Pro undergarment (1836) with a Steel 120.

What amazed me was how much weight I needed to sink. I'm 5'9" and 180 lbs. I had to add about 30+ lbs of lead before I could get down. Is this normal? My old suit was a Mobby's Trilam with a pretty thick undergarment. Nowhere near 30 to get negative. Did I have trapped air in the suit? Any help?

 

[kyleharmon]

Just curious as to which fusion skin you are using? I also had a question about the limited-edition skin needing more weight to sink since it was made of neoprene instead of lycra. Hope someone chimes in that can compare.

 

[tridacna]

Just curious as to which fusion skin you are using? I also had a question about the limited-edition skin needing more weight to sink since it was made of neoprene instead of lycra. Hope someone chimes in that can compare.

Lycra.

 

[BabyDuck]

since you have drysuit experience, this isn't likely your issue, but just as a data point i needed 14 more lbs when i started with my drysuit and don't need any extra now. i just got used to it.

 

[tridacna]

OK. Figured it out yesterday. Trapped air in the BP. Duh. Now down to 20lbs after much playing around and getting used to the thing.

Initial feeling: Easy to don; MUCH easier with a buddy despite the Fusion Houdini video on Youtube. My buddy has a new Fusion and the two of us took less than three mins to don together. Comfortable and quite flexible. I needed an extra layer to augment the 1836 in bottom temp of 45F. Even easier to doff. I like a lot. Now where's my Tech Skin?

Question for Whites: Does the neoprene Tech Skin add positive bouyancy? Is so, how much?

 

[DiveJedi]

It might add bit a buoyancy, but not much...maybe a pound ...

Cheers,
Tyler