New Dry Suit by next M & G

[Notso_Ken]

Ok friends, Im now really serious about a new dry suit before our next M & G. What better place to get some quality info than GLWC divers. I'm also inquiring on "Exposure Suits" to get input there, but I would rather hear from you guys and gals because we dive in the same conditions, and I respect your knowledge and experience. I've looked at the Custom DUI CF200 and am really impressed, but ye gads, $2700 price is scary, but not necessarily out of the question. Can I get a comparable suit less costly? The Pinnacle EVO 2 also looks good to me---what do you think? Because of my age, this will probably be my last dry suit purchase. I want to hear from you, especially Ber, Tim B. MittenDiver, Divin'Hoosier, Bladephotog, IndyScott, Jchoby, Wb416, Randy43068, Dean810, Betail, gtxl1200, and anybody else who wants to chime in. Seriously, your consensus will probably determine my purchase. Thanks in advance for the coming input.

Denny

Denny,

I was in this position this time last year (except it was for my first dry suit). I went to Scubafest (thanks to a VERY timely phone call from the LDS here), and I looked at DUI and tried em on, priced out a full setup (including undies), and I looked at Whites. I ended up buying a complete Whites Polar Flex setup for less than just the DUI suit would have been. I'm very pleased with it so far.


Ken

 

[bladephotog]

Andy ... what were you doing that you think was putting undo pressure on the zipper. I'd like to make sure and avoid that!

Getting fat.

 

[bladephotog]

That's a key decision you'll have to make Denny. Being an experienced drysuit diver already, you may already know what you want. This is really a very personal decision. I have the neosocks and wear Trek boots and I actually like that combination a great deal. I know others who, like Andy, wish they had the attached boots or do have them and really like them. Give it some thought though because it's quite expensive to change after the fact.

I ordered the Trek boots but they didn't fit in my Jets. So I wear Converse Chuck Taylors and they work well. But it'd be easier to just slide my feet in and not have to tie any laces.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Getting fat.

Gotcha! I'm working hard to prevent that, but it gets harder with each year past 40.

 

[Jchoby]

I too looked at (tried on) a DUI and got itchy wallet syndrome...came close to buying one. However, I also started looking real hard at the evolution 2 as well. I think that may be my next suit. However, I am going to wait until my Bare dies another death. Its a nexgen and it had 4 years and 150 dives before the seals needed replaced...well worth the money of the suit. But it is not suited for dives like the Daryaw in current. A few zebra's made a couple of pin-holes in the leg. I would think something like the Bare tri-lam or the Evo 2 would be a perfect choice if the DUI sticker shock is too painful. I'd rather put the extra money on a trip myself.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I too looked at (tried on) a DUI and got itchy wallet syndrome...came close to buying one. However, I also started looking real hard at the evolution 2 as well. I think that may be my next suit. However, I am going to wait until my Bare dies another death. Its a nexgen and it had 4 years and 150 dives before the seals needed replaced...well worth the money of the suit. But it is not suited for dives like the Daryaw in current. A few zebra's made a couple of pin-holes in the leg. I would think something like the Bare tri-lam or the Evo 2 would be a perfect choice if the DUI sticker shock is too painful. I'd rather put the extra money on a trip myself.

Buoyancy control and trim would fix that.

(John ... kidding of course!!!!!)

 

[Barracuda2]

Chime!!! Chime!!!

You need to decide what kind you want to go with the trilam or "bag" type or the neoprene type. I think 90% of drysuit divers use the Bag type just because they can change their under garments to the conditions.

Great piece of info here---I also like to change undies according to the conditions (I hope you know what I mean by that)

 

[Jchoby]

Buoyancy control and trim would fix that.

(John ... kidding of course!!!!!)

har har, I guess I deserve that... It was an interesting dive....grab the chain, pull yourself along the hull, let go and let the current zip you back to the anchor line...you dare not miss it!!! The lesson there, if you are going to do some wrecking....have a tough suit. All it took was a few bumps on that bi-lam. Same thing happened to a few folks I know when they took the nex-gen to the Galapagos. Current and barnacles lead to several folks springing leaks. I recall seeing a Canadian at Gilboa with an EVO suit..it looked pretty tough.

 

[crpntr133]

I would have to chime in with another vote for Bare. I looked long and hard at DUI and Bare when I bought. My wallet spoke real loud to me before I bought. It was going to take around $3,000 for a DUI suit for me since I am far from the "off the shelf" sizes. However, my Bare fits me rather nice and it was "off the shelf". I did like Jim did and used the chart.

I used Divetank and was very pleased with their service. I ended up paying just under $1,400 for the Tech HD Trilam with suspenders, pocket, attached boots, and two pairs of undies for layering.

For those that say DUI will last twice as long as a Bare..do the math and I can buy another Bare and be around the price that I would have paid for the DUI. I would also have a new suit and not a ratty one half way through.


Now if I may hijack this thread for a moment..If anyone is in need of a set of Si Tech Rings and gloves PM me. They came with the suit and I have never used them.

 

[JEScholz]

Denny, I second what gtlx1200 pointed out. I am diving an old Viking Sport. The advantage is it is pretty rugged, and seal replacement is no big deal. Changing the weight of the undies is nice but the rear zipper is a pain. For ice rescue, we use front zipper neoprene exposure suits. I don't think I would want a neoprene dry suit, but I have not tried it so I can't say for sure. Good luck and don't second guess yourself AFTER you make your choice!