I have been interested in identifying a dry glove system which allows the use of replaceable seals,
Prior to this, I had used the sitech quick glove, the sitech glove lock, and the waterproof ultima glove system.
The rotating locking mechanism on the rolock system is superior to that of the Sitech Glove Lock system in that it is smaller and provides a more reliable seal as the sealing oring is compressed opposite rather than over the mating parts. The rolock system also operates very smoothly in comparison to the glove lock squeal, which is “normal”.
Neither the sitech quick glove or the ultima system appealed to me as they are press type systems and do not lock by twist mechanisms. The Kubi and Santi systems fall into the same class.
Unfortunately, the Rolock system requires that it be installed on the wrist seal itself in comparison to the sitech which can be mounted to a cuff on the drysuit arm. This leaves the seal stretched and exposed, very vulnerable to punctures. Rolock recognizes this issue and has come up with a rubber sleeve that is intended to protect the exposed and tensioned wrist seal. I consider this issue and the way it is addressed to be unacceptable.
Since the twist mechanism works so well, I was really motivated to make it work within my parameters. At first, I sought means to attach it directly to the suit. Unfortunately, due to the design of the system, it cannot be permanently attached to the sleeve without either not having a wrist seal or not being able to exchange the wrist seal when needed.
However, on closer examination, I discovered that the non-glove ring component could be used in conjunction with the sitech soft cuff. If the top 1/4-1/2 inch of the sitech soft cuff is cut off, there is clearance to insert the component into the soft cuff and the inner groove inside the soft cuff will mate perfectly with the outer oring on the rolock component that is used to secure the glove to the component. Depending on how much you cut off, the rolock component can almost completely fit inside the sitech soft cuff. On my first attempt I cut too much off. That is illustrated below. On my second attempt, you can just see the alignment dots. Either way, the seal is not exposed to damage like it is during a normal installation. This modification both allows use of replaceable seals and use of the drysuit with or without the rolock glove component.
In order to do this, you not only have to cut off the top 1/4 to 1/2 inch of a sitech soft cuff, but you obviously have to install the soft cuff onto the end of the sleeve in place of whatever there is now. This is much easier to do if only a permanently attached seal is previously on the end of the sleeve. I have a slaggo system on there currently, and will have to remove that in order to install the modified soft cuff. On suits that already have the sitech soft cuffs installed, depending on the installation, it may or may not be possible to modify the existing cuffs in place by cutting off the top edge.
The end product has the great functioning rolock glove system and has the replaceable silicone seal completely protected by the soft cuff.
Prior to this, I had used the sitech quick glove, the sitech glove lock, and the waterproof ultima glove system.
The rotating locking mechanism on the rolock system is superior to that of the Sitech Glove Lock system in that it is smaller and provides a more reliable seal as the sealing oring is compressed opposite rather than over the mating parts. The rolock system also operates very smoothly in comparison to the glove lock squeal, which is “normal”.
Neither the sitech quick glove or the ultima system appealed to me as they are press type systems and do not lock by twist mechanisms. The Kubi and Santi systems fall into the same class.
Unfortunately, the Rolock system requires that it be installed on the wrist seal itself in comparison to the sitech which can be mounted to a cuff on the drysuit arm. This leaves the seal stretched and exposed, very vulnerable to punctures. Rolock recognizes this issue and has come up with a rubber sleeve that is intended to protect the exposed and tensioned wrist seal. I consider this issue and the way it is addressed to be unacceptable.
Since the twist mechanism works so well, I was really motivated to make it work within my parameters. At first, I sought means to attach it directly to the suit. Unfortunately, due to the design of the system, it cannot be permanently attached to the sleeve without either not having a wrist seal or not being able to exchange the wrist seal when needed.
However, on closer examination, I discovered that the non-glove ring component could be used in conjunction with the sitech soft cuff. If the top 1/4-1/2 inch of the sitech soft cuff is cut off, there is clearance to insert the component into the soft cuff and the inner groove inside the soft cuff will mate perfectly with the outer oring on the rolock component that is used to secure the glove to the component. Depending on how much you cut off, the rolock component can almost completely fit inside the sitech soft cuff. On my first attempt I cut too much off. That is illustrated below. On my second attempt, you can just see the alignment dots. Either way, the seal is not exposed to damage like it is during a normal installation. This modification both allows use of replaceable seals and use of the drysuit with or without the rolock glove component.
In order to do this, you not only have to cut off the top 1/4 to 1/2 inch of a sitech soft cuff, but you obviously have to install the soft cuff onto the end of the sleeve in place of whatever there is now. This is much easier to do if only a permanently attached seal is previously on the end of the sleeve. I have a slaggo system on there currently, and will have to remove that in order to install the modified soft cuff. On suits that already have the sitech soft cuffs installed, depending on the installation, it may or may not be possible to modify the existing cuffs in place by cutting off the top edge.
The end product has the great functioning rolock glove system and has the replaceable silicone seal completely protected by the soft cuff.
