Talked today with my local dive/training center (Norway). Although they can service and repair any brand they all dive in ROFOS. Santi is way overpriced (they also sell Santi and other brands). Unlike the main same same brands, which buy the material from different OEM suppliers (lot's from China), ROFOS produces their own materials (all made in Italy) and also use Kevlar/advanced materials and they do tailor made too. I will order a ROFOS and see how it goes.
SEAL Drysuit brand, info
- Thread starter gdxopc
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Jason Brunson
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Jason Brunson
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Philipp Oppermann
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So it looks like people here have quite some experience with SF Tech? I got some questions (I pretty much have made up my mind about the brand, still going back and forth on the model and options):
1. I plan to use the suit primarily in cold water. So I’m considering the version with the attached hood. But would this version no longer have a neck seal? Or is it effectively double-sealed with an neck seal and a “seal” on the face? I would have to pick a thickness, which doesn’t allow for much flexibility. Unless you tell me the optional hoods fit so well, and seal off so well, that I don’t need it attached…?
2. On that note: Would you guys recommend a neoprene neck seal? I’ve only ever used silicone so far. Does neoprene really seal off properly?
3. Regarding the attached hood version: does anyone know if the suit is still comfortable to wear topside if the hood is sewed on and simply resting at the back of the neck before the dive?
4. I also plan to do some cave diving from time to time, and am uncertain which option would keep me warmest while also offering the best flexibility and overall functionality for these applications. Should I go for the neoprene or TNT version? I am planning Greenland, some Ice dives in Switzerland, and I do live in south of Germany, where I am sure I’ll do some dives in the lakes. I have to add: I am for sure getting a Santi BZ420 with heating options (unless you tell me the SF Tech Options are far superior).
5. And on that note: I went to the store in Switzerland and got measured for my sizes. But they used their own undergarments as their reference. Does anyone know if I can even fit thicker undergarments or how much margin they usually calculate? I might have to tell them about that anyway. But maybe someone has some experience with that here?
6. Has anyone tried the pockets that are sewed further to the back for sidemount diving? I can’t find any images of reviews. Is that smart? Is that convenient?
Looking forward to your feedback guys! Thanks in advance!
1. I plan to use the suit primarily in cold water. So I’m considering the version with the attached hood. But would this version no longer have a neck seal? Or is it effectively double-sealed with an neck seal and a “seal” on the face? I would have to pick a thickness, which doesn’t allow for much flexibility. Unless you tell me the optional hoods fit so well, and seal off so well, that I don’t need it attached…?
2. On that note: Would you guys recommend a neoprene neck seal? I’ve only ever used silicone so far. Does neoprene really seal off properly?
3. Regarding the attached hood version: does anyone know if the suit is still comfortable to wear topside if the hood is sewed on and simply resting at the back of the neck before the dive?
4. I also plan to do some cave diving from time to time, and am uncertain which option would keep me warmest while also offering the best flexibility and overall functionality for these applications. Should I go for the neoprene or TNT version? I am planning Greenland, some Ice dives in Switzerland, and I do live in south of Germany, where I am sure I’ll do some dives in the lakes. I have to add: I am for sure getting a Santi BZ420 with heating options (unless you tell me the SF Tech Options are far superior).
5. And on that note: I went to the store in Switzerland and got measured for my sizes. But they used their own undergarments as their reference. Does anyone know if I can even fit thicker undergarments or how much margin they usually calculate? I might have to tell them about that anyway. But maybe someone has some experience with that here?
6. Has anyone tried the pockets that are sewed further to the back for sidemount diving? I can’t find any images of reviews. Is that smart? Is that convenient?
Looking forward to your feedback guys! Thanks in advance!
Hi!
I’ll try to help you a little bit
1. I’m using separate hood. SFTech uses my favorite K01. I have 3/5/7mm. I used 7 last time for my 90 minutes 70m dive in 4 degrees. It was fine. My Drysuit has silicone neck seal and it was still ok. I wouldn’t take attached hood - but that’s me
2. The neoprene seals properly. And it’s warm. The only reason I’m not using it is that I cannot change it by myself.
3. Ask SFTech directly. Franz is super helpful.
4. Get the TNT Pro version. It’s warm enough and super comfy. I’m using SFTech heating pads with their vest and thickest MolaMola under suit. And I’m pairing it with Ammonite Thermal battery. Works flawlessly.
5. If you used their Polartec undergarments then they are pretty thick. You don’t anything thicker.
6. I prefer not to use pockets when SM. I use back pouch.
And on top that - yes, it’s the best drysuit I’ve ever used
Cheers
Philipp Oppermann
Registered
Thank you so much, I appreciate the time you took to respond! Thant helps a lot. I have seen a Santi 11mm hood, which I will buy additionally.Hi!
I’ll try to help you a little bit
1. I’m using separate hood. SFTech uses my favorite K01. I have 3/5/7mm. I used 7 last time for my 90 minutes 70m dive in 4 degrees. It was fine. My Drysuit has silicone neck seal and it was still ok. I wouldn’t take attached hood - but that’s me
2. The neoprene seals properly. And it’s warm. The only reason I’m not using it is that I cannot change it by myself.
3. Ask SFTech directly. Franz is super helpful.
4. Get the TNT Pro version. It’s warm enough and super comfy. I’m using SFTech heating pads with their vest and thickest MolaMola under suit. And I’m pairing it with Ammonite Thermal battery. Works flawlessly.
5. If you used their Polartec undergarments then they are pretty thick. You don’t anything thicker.
6. I prefer not to use pockets when SM. I use back pouch.
And on top that - yes, it’s the best drysuit I’ve ever used
Cheers
Will be diving the polar region, so I wanted to make sure I don’t make any mistakes here
I am already in touch with Franz, thanks, really helpful guy. Just wanted to get additional feedback.. brilliant, thanks again!
Thank you so much, I appreciate the time you took to respond! Thant helps a lot. I have seen a Santi 11mm hood, which I will buy additionally.
Will be diving the polar region, so I wanted to make sure I don’t make any mistakes here
I am already in touch with Franz, thanks, really helpful guy. Just wanted to get additional feedback.. brilliant, thanks again!
No prob
Happy to help And it’s quite easy because it’s simply the best drysuit I’ve ever had like I stated before. As for the hood - I’m pretty comfy with 7mm in 3-4 degrees. In polar regions you won’t get much lower temp. So I think you should be fine. 7mm is quite thick already. Haven’t used 11mm but I find 7mm being an thin edge between comfy and not.
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