Review Seaskin Nova drysuit

[stuartv]

So you're saying you'll come over to the dark side Just so you know, the Sitech PU rings themselves are flexible, but none of the systems that clip in (Waterproof Ultimas, Sitech Anteras, Rolock 90's) themselves are flexible (maybe you know that). My Ultimas are a little bit bulky. I don't really have any issue with them but sometimes I do look at them as think in a perfect world I'd prefer if they were smaller.

As far as I know only DUI zip seals and Santi whatever there new stuff is are flexible rings. The DUI zip seals look like a pain in the ass (to me), the Santi looks pretty cool but I believe the suit side ring is proprietary (at least I think).




I don't think you're cheap, just thrifty. Why pay 3x the cost of a suit that I'm eventually going to have to repair just like any other suit? No matter which suit any of us gets it WILL leak... I'm comfortable being "cheap" and fixing something that didn't break the bank in the 1st place.

If you're cheap I'm downright poor


Edit: Also, I always thought that socks would be the way to go, but now having ~ 90 dives in my used drysuit with boots attached, I think I'd prefer boots.

Thank you for posting that. I had forgotten about that Santi system. I really like that. Flexible rings seems cool. If I were getting a Santi suit, I would probably go with that.

However, Kubi does still have one big advantage (in MY mind) over all the others: Not only can you get rings that are the right size for YOU (I have L/XL hands and use 80mm rings), the width of them is narrower than any of the others. I.e. less of the length of your forearm is used up by the complete glove/ring assembly. I'm not sure how much true practical benefit that is in that, but I like it and I can't remember now exactly, but I have some vague memory of being with someone that had the Ultima setup and the width of it on their arm was annoying for some reason.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Thank you for posting that. I had forgotten about that Santi system. I really like that. Flexible rings seems cool. If I were getting a Santi suit, I would probably go with that.

However, Kubi does still have one big advantage (in MY mind) over all the others: Not only can you get rings that are the right size for YOU (I have L/XL hands and use 80mm rings), the width of them is narrower than any of the others. I.e. less of the length of your forearm is used up by the complete glove/ring assembly. I'm not sure how much true practical benefit that is in that, but I like it and I can't remember now exactly, but I have some vague memory of being with someone that had the Ultima setup and the width of it on their arm was annoying for some reason.

I would suspect (hope) in the next year or so that si-tech will come out with a flexible system... or maybe someone will? Maybe that's wishful thinking? Idk... when I look at my Ultimas they look bulky, but when I dive them they don't seem too bulky (unless I'm reaching in a wreck or under something... that damn lobster is just out of reach... then I'm cursing them up a storm).

The flexible rings seem very cool. I'd like to see them in person. The system is for sale online, but not the suit side ring (at least not that I've found). Santi is probably to rich for my blood though...

And as I type all this I think, my gloves work, they weren't that expensive (everything including glue and actual gloves was $200 when I installed them), they keep my hands warm and dry... so I really shouldn't have any complaints. I don't, but it would be nice to have more flexibility.

 

[admikar]

It's here!!!

 

[BlueTrin]

It's here!!!

Pictures !

 

[admikar]

Pictures !

Remember, you asked for this........

 

[drk5036]

Remember, you asked for this........

how does it feel to you?

 

[admikar]

This is with no undersuit, so it is baggy, but so far I am very pleased. One area where I feel they did not so good job is right boot where it joins the suit. I think it leaked at test, so they patched it up with something, but it wasn't a tiddy job.
And I don't know if it's just me, or exhaust valve is low on arm?

 

[drk5036]

This is with no undersuit, so it is baggy, but so far I am very pleased. One area where I feel they did not so good job is right boot where it joins the suit. I think it leaked at test, so they patched it up with something, but it wasn't a tiddy job.
And I don't know if it's just me, or exhaust valve is low on arm?

It does look low to me too. Did you do the "DIR location" selection? I don't think it would cause a problem being there, I would have just expected it to be the next fabric panel up nearer to the shoulder.

 

[admikar]

It does look low to me too. Did you do the "DIR location" selection? I don't think it would cause a problem being there, I would have just expected it to be the next fabric panel up nearer to the shoulder.

Yes I did. I just went to Seaskin website: "then a valve position a little further down the arm (11cm) and further round to the outside of the arm (6cm) is preferred."
This actually might be better position to dump that last bubble of air by raising arm with bent elbow.

 

[admikar]

This is my first plastic zip. Suit came with block of wax, which is strange since it's not metal zip.
So, I understand I need to lubricate only the docking area of the zip and just keep rest of the zip clean of any debris or sand.
Question is, what do you use for lubricating the zip?