Investing in gear and trim

[RainPilot]

Two years later, below my main conclusions of the gear I bought following the recommendations on this thread:

- Mask: Cressi Nano (already had), ended up being relegated to back-up mask, replaced by Halcyon H-view
- Exposure suit: chose Aqualung Sola FX (approved)
- BCD: ended up buying Apeks Black Ice (against recommendations), just sold it and bought a Tecline BPW (30 lbs) with a steel backplate
- Regulator: bought a XTX 200 + XTX 40 octupus + FSR first stage set (as I got them new with a significant discount - 400 euros total price), ended changing hoses to a primary donate config and added a fifth port to FSR for better routing (approved)
- Gloves - bought the Fourth element 5mm gloves (too thick, have not used a lot lately), replaced with very thin TUSA gloves
- Boots - Aqualung super zip ergo (approved)
- Fins - Deep 6 Eddy fins (as recommended in this thread, approved)

Thanks for the feedback, it’s not often that those asking for advice in this way remember to close the loop with honest feedback.

 

[grf88]

When I bought my drysuit I thought I will still use my 7mm wetsuit. I didn't, if it is not warm enough for my 3mm then I will dive dry. If you get a trilaminate you can adjust the underwear to the water temp.

 

[David Novo]

When I bought my drysuit I thought I will still use my 7mm wetsuit. I didn't, if it is not warm enough for my 3mm then I will dive dry. If you get a trilaminate you can adjust the underwear to the water temp.

A Seaskin drysuit is in the cards for sure. I don't know if for Summer here though (30C+ top side, 18C- sea temperature) and definitely not a 3mm.

 

[grf88]

A Seaskin drysuit is in the cards for sure. I don't know if for Summer here though (30C+ top side, 18C- sea temperature) and definitely not a 3mm.

We can get 30C air temp and 5C water temp so I either jump in as soon as my suit is on but before I gear up or use a bucket to pour water over my head but that would probably not work for shore diving.

 

[David Novo]

We can get 30C air temp and 5C water temp so I either jump in as soon as my suit is on but before I gear up or use a bucket to pour water over my head but that would probably not work for shore diving.

Shore diving is not really popular around here... Still having to wear the undergarments on a 30 min boat ride can be significantly unpleasant.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[grf88]

Shore diving is not really popular around here... Still having to wear the undergarments on a 30 min boat ride can be significantly unpleasant.

Thanks for the tips.

If you have to fully suit up for the ride out it wouldn't work, I can leave the top of my underwear off and the top of the drysuit down until we reach the site.

 

[formernuke]

When I bought my drysuit I thought I will still use my 7mm wetsuit. I didn't, if it is not warm enough for my 3mm then I will dive dry. If you get a trilaminate you can adjust the underwear to the water temp.

Same here