Question about hoods....what would "you" do?

[Renthorin]

I recently "ebay bought" a Viking drysuit and the attached latex hood has torn. Suit's neck seal is intact.

My choices are:

1) replace with another black latex hood.
2) upgrade to the Magnum hood.
3) don't bother with a hood and use a 5mm neoprene hood.

Some history:

I have never dove with this ds yet, I have always used my ScubaPro semi-dry system so I am used to wet head/neck.

Anyone ever have a latex hood and upgrade to a Magnum? What are your thoughts?
Anyone ever have a latex hood and when it tore not replaced and gone with non-attached neoprene hood? Thoughts?

I welcome all suggestions and comments.

Will

ps - I am deep in conversation with Bob (viking guru) but looking for multiple "what did/would you do" responses as I can't decide for myself

 

[dannobee]

Trim that hood off and get a custom 12mm hood from Otter Bay Wetsuits.

Otterbaysuits.com Homepage

Cricket can fax you instructions on how to measure your head, then you fax them back and in a week you have a custom made hood that's the warmest you can buy.

 

[Renthorin]

If I go the route of trimming off the latex hood I have a nice comfy neoprene hood that has worked well on my past cold dives.

Do a lot of people go that route? DS and then separate neoprene hood?

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I have always gone the separate neoprene hood route. It gives you another level of temperature control and a good quality neoprene hood has always been warm enough even in 35 degree water.

Unless you are diving in a contaminated water environment, an environment that a vulcanized rubber DS like a Viking excels at, a latex hood is probably less than optimum.