Tell me about your drysuit...

[Aquatrax]

Pinnacle Evolution 2 with attached socks, not boots, (did not want to buy more fins), went up 2 shoes sizes on the Chuck Taylors and they fit nicely in my Quattros. I only have a handful of dives on it so far but what i have experienced, i like. I test drove a couple of other suits and by comparison, the Pinnacle seems indestructible and for the price, I am very pleased.

Maintenance is no big deal, talc for the seals and wax for the zipper.

Mine is not as form fitting as the Whites Fusion so the air bubble is a little more dynamic to manage but no biggie

I agree with k valve on the pee valve, i had one installed in mine, but have not used, 6 dives, all about an hour each, no overwhelming need to raise the lake level as with my wet suits, i don't know why.

Good luck

 

[carrielsal]

I bought a White's Fusion with the LE skin and Fusion boots last month. I only have about 7 dives on it. It's my first DS, so I don't have anything to compare it with. The first mistake I made was not ordering it with a pee-valve (there is a she-p for women). I'm good with just one dive without a valve, but that's about it. There's something about getting in the water..... I now have a pee-valve on order.
I bought the MK2 undies. I have been slightly cold in 64 degree water, but I get cold even in the warm summer water unless I wear a hood.
What I like about the suit is that I have no restriction in my range of motion, and the arms do not pull when I reach back to my valves. The trilaminate is roomy inside and the neoprene skin holds everything together. I have finally gotten the hang of opening and closing the zippers by myself. On the downside it takes a long time to dry. If I hang it in the garage without a fan it takes about 2 days. I thought the Fusion boots would be smaller than the EVO3, but they do not fit in my XL jets.

Carrie

 

[Mack Diver]

I've got the BARE Trilam HD Tech Dry and I love it. As a trilam suit, it is very rugged and dry super fast.

The OMS pee valve I installed lets me stay down as long as I want. It is automatic, so I don't have to worry about opening and closing the valve. A belows pocket holds extra gear.

The front zip makes it a breeze to get on and off. I went with dry socks and I wear the BARE trek boots. If you have a small enough foot, you can wear Converse All Stars over the socks. I think the combination of dry socks and seperate boots helps to eliminate the issue of getting inverted that some people experience.

The BARE dry suit has a couple of nice features and add ons. It comes with loops for suspenders, so you can make your own suspenders easily and affordably. They also have a glove docking system for removeable dry gloves. Now that the lake is chilling a bit more, I'll add the rings for the gloves back on to my suit.

The BARE Next Gen suit is a very affordable option. The main downside to that suit is the back zip.

Bill, Let me know if you need more info about BARE, Whites, or Pinnacle. I'd be happy to help. Also, I can get you competitive pricing.

 

[bogrady]

I have both the Bare Trilam HD like Mack and the Bare XCD2 like Tex. Here's how I see it -

Bare vs. DUI? - DUI is a great suit but its like buying a Harley - you pay extra for the "lifestyle" - the DUI Dog thing ... the DIR/cave guys ... I'm convinced there's even a secret handshake (do I sound bitter?). Bare is the Honda Goldwing to the DUI Harley - you get a better bike for a lot less money, but you do give up the lifestyle elements.

Neo vs. Trilam? Neo is much more comfortable and warmer in both the water and on the surface, but it is much heavier and takes forever to dry. This season I'm going to travel with my Trilam and dive local with my Neo. I don't think one has a clear advantage over the other. Its situational and you'll be equally happy/unhappy at different times with either one. I do think the Trilam gives you a marginally better fit for Texas - the neo can be a bit too warm on the surface during the fall and spring diving.

Pee valve? - second only to compressed air as the greatest improvement to diving. It does have its quirks - the shaving, the glue - all I can say is Man Up dude - shave and rip it off fast - like a band aid.

Front Entry? - pay the money - its way easier.

Rock Boot vs. Integrated boot (A Bare option, not sure if DUI has it) - I have them both and I'm switching back to the integrated boot. Its one less thing to carry around.

 

[Divingguy]

Pinnacle Evo 2, with the molded moon boots. I have been using it for three years now, as a working drysuit. I try to take very good care of my seals and zippers. Rock solid. I love it.

 

[texdiveguy]

I do wish my BARE was a front entry.....takes a second person to don/zip the suit,,,
I can unzip the suit myself with little problem, and do this most of my dives.
Go front zip if your suit allows a choice!

 

[IslandFrog]

Hey Bill,

I think we have some Hefty bags and some old cordura back pack material lying around, add some duck tape and hot glue, we should be able to make you one a lot cheaper!

Seriously though, give me a call when Tam lets you, er I mean, when you are ready to go window shopping!

 

[Ryanh1985]

Putting the catheters on takes a little practice to master, but it's really not that big of a deal.

I think its the taking them off part that is a big deal.

6 pack and a hot shower makes it much better.

 

[Zinc]

Lots of good choices out there... Here's a similar thread from my buying experience awhile back: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/texas-swamp-divers/211373-gettin-dry-suit-texas.html

Result: USIA Aqua Pro Plus - Very happy w/ suit, really durable tri-lam, front zip, latex seals & socks (use Chuck Taylors for boots), plus a pee valve that I rarely use, but still glad I've got the option for extended deco dives.

Custom cut w/ all the options picked by me for $1,700.

I will add this con: I've got to replace my neck seal soon and wish I had zip seals. I'm going to replace my seals w/ zip seals... still working on who to send it too However, I'm still glad that fixing this inconvienence will not cost the $1,500 difference in the DUI suit I priced w/ similar options :cool2:

 

[chrispete]

I've got a DUI TLS350 that's going to have it's 9th birthday this year. Finally had to change the neck seal just this past spring, still has the original wrist seals. It's back entry, I get claustrophobic just watching people trying to chicken wing themselves out of front zips plus I can zip myself into a back entry without assistance and they are less prone to zipper failure. It's been a great suit and I suspect I'll be diving it at least another 10 years or until it's got more Aquaseal and PB300 than trilam.