O' Neill Drysuit Experience Anybody?

[fastro]

I am looking at buying an O'Neill drysuit. I have had great experiences with an O'Neill 3mm and 7mm. I was curious if anybody had experience with their drysuits. Thanks!

 

[*Floater*]

So far I like my O'Neill Specialist 3mm compressed neoprene drysuit very much. The only other drysuit I've used is my Bare Nex-Gen Pro bilam suit, which works fine too, but the O'Neill is warmer, more flexible and I need less air in it because it fits snugger and requires thinner undergarments.

The neoprene neck seal is warmer and more comfortable than latex but takes a little longer to put on because you have to turn the smooth side back in, which will be difficult to do if I ever start to use dry gloves that go on first.

I'm still making up my mind about the forearm dump. I think the shoulder dump is easier and more automatic because it takes less movement to elevate your left shoulder than to raise the whole arm. On the other hand the forearm dump works fine too and I feel that I have more control with it because I can see exactly how much bubbles come out. Some people say these dumps suck because you end up unintentionally dumping your suit on valve drills and such, but that's not an issue for me because I just turn the valve all the way down during the main portion of the dive until we start the ascent or unless I need to dump some gas for some other reason. Another thing to note is that I don't have space for my wrist slate on this drysuit because of the forearm dump.

I have neoprene booties on both drysuits which go well with snug fitting Chuck Taylors that I lace up real tight so there's no room for excess gas in the feet (no floaty feet). And the latex wrist seals on both suits have been fine, though I haven't tried neoprene seals (I assume they would be warmer and tougher).

I have managed to backzip myself closed and back open again, but it was a lot of work and I only did it once because I was afraid of damaging the zipper. Better let your buddy or someone on the boat do it. If you plan to solo dive then I'd get a front zip suit instead.

Now I'm at almost exactly at the upper end of the height, weight, etc measurements for this suit (stock size L), so it's a snug fit but in a good way and loose enough that I can still fit a thin polartex base layer and xerotherm arctics under it (both body hugging undergarments for me). Maybe if I were an inch shorter it would be perfect because right now there's some tension when I lift my arms up (more than with a tight 7mm wetsuit) - for example turning the neck seal in takes extra effort because the suits pulling my arms down while I do it, but I don't mind too much - at least it stretches unlike shell suits and in the end my reach is just as good as in my 7mm wetsuit except that it takes a little more force and effort. i.e. no problems reaching the valves unlike in the Bare (though I'm told it was lack of technique in the Bare) and on the surface I had no problems raising my arms in it.

 

[Whatsamobo]

Floater,

I am curious what you paid for your specialist. I just got one and I do like the suit. I am just checking to see if I really got the screaming deal that the dive shop owner is telling me he gave me.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I have owned a couple of O'neil 5/7mm dry suits. They are great in very cold water.

The uncompressed neoprene allows you to go with a much snugger fit than a trilam dry suit and with the snugger fit is dives a lot like a wet suit.

Squeeze is much reduced compared to a trilam suit so you can dive it with less air and as the neoprene provides a large degree of the insulation, you do not need as much air in the suit to loft the insulation.

If a neoprene suit leaks, it becomes a very efficient semi-dry instead of a very wet and cold dry suit.

They last about 1/3 to 1/2 as long as a trilam, but on the other hand they only cost 1/4 to 1/3 as much as a trilam.

The major downside is that they are inherently warm, and while they feel much warmer in very cold water, you will roast in anything warmer than about 60-65 degrees, while with a trilam you can dive in warmer water by wearing just a very thin layer to absorb perspiration.

 

[Mark Michaud SELAUSAR]

I have two 7mm neoprene and love them both.

 

[*Floater*]

Floater,

I am curious what you paid for your specialist. I just got one and I do like the suit. I am just checking to see if I really got the screaming deal that the dive shop owner is telling me he gave me.

I think these suits have been discontinued, but they used to retail for around $1300: O'Neill Products

However, I bought mine off ebay in used/new condition (it was listed as used, but came with tags still attached and looked unused). The deal was kind of sketchy though in the sense that the seller had no history, no paypal setup, didn't answer questions very well or quickly, shipping was listed as $50 flat (turns some people off), not the best ad, and so forth. It's was the type of auction people tell you to avoid, but I decided to bid anyway to see if I'd would get lucky (I was mentally prepared to lose the money). But boy lucky I got; won the suit for $190 shipped! I guess others decided it was too sketchy to bid on, and I sniped the only other person who did bid.

So that was my deal, but I could very well have ended up $190 short with no suit, so it's not really comparable to any LDS or other reputable seller price.

 

[*Floater*]

By the way, just to update my assessment of the Specialist, I still love the suit, but I did have to replace the wrist seals recently because the original glue job on them started to fail. Details here (may require registration).

I also switched the original large exhaust valve to a small Si-Tech cuff dump; both were Si-Tech, so I just screwed the old one off, and the new one on. Before:

After:

And I got the neck seal tightened at a local dive shop, which cost about ~$25 and has increased my preference for neoprene neck seals. (I think I could tighten it myself the next time).

As for other drysuits, I have now also used the Whites Fusion for several dives, and that's an excellent suit. But the way the Fusion works is unique so it's hard to beat imo. (Lighter, faster to dry, more flexible, larger range of great fit,... FWIW, The Specialist is still warmer, but I guess neoprene suits always are warmer than shell suits, all else equal).

 

[rescue15]

I had an O'Neil neoprene dry suit for many years and it was nothing but a semi dry suit. I recently got fed up with the leaks and tried to make some modifications. I replaced the neoprene seals with latex and it was better but still dumped several ounces of water out at the end of every dive. It was however warm - even when wet. It was a 6.5 mm neo. I just got a Bare Nex-Gen Pro and dove it for the first time yesterday. It was SO much nicer.

Bottom line - I vote no for the O'Neil Dry suit experience.

Steve

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I never had any leak issues with either of mine, but I do fine with neoprene seals, some people don't.

 

[akscubaduck1]

Bought a specialist (last year) it didn't work for me, the ankles were cut to tight for my undergarments.
I've owned an O'neill 7mm for 3 years, been a great suit nothing bad to say about it. (owned a TLS350 before that)
I finally had to it back for new seals all the way around and a leak test.
I wore them out.
I have a feeling it's going to be a backup suit now, just received my new Viking Pro Tech front entry.
It's nice to be able to zip myself up.
A big plus, very little evaporative heat loss. Much warmer on the beach in February. Living in Alaska that's a big deal.
Today's dive conditions Water temp 52 degrees, Vis 20', 4' breakers.
Dive Safe, Dive Often, Dive Prince William Sound, AK.

Terry