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skybird

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I KNOW this is the place to post for opinions because everyone here has at least one and no one is shy about sharing :D

In my whole two and a half months diving, I have dived in the warm shallow end of the quarry with just bathing suit and gear. When I started going below the thermocline AND when the weather, and the water cooled down, I mostly wore the new tilos 1mm. It is wonderful, light and warm as a 3 ml. I plan to buy one ( maybe as early as this weekend since i found it on sale), I am comfortable in it down to about 54/56 degrees F if I am not down for extended time. There will come a dive though that I want to do more extended time at that temp. I really don't want a 7mm and I am considering getting a shortie to go over the tilos? Any opinions on this? and If it do, what would a want , a 3, or a 5
 
If it's early November and you're already seeing 54/56 you belong in a 7mm IMO. At the very least a 5mm full suit and chicken vest, forget the 3mm. I know everyone has their own thermal limits but I'm affraid you're in denial.

You asked for my opinion, you got it.

Pete
 
Personally I'd do a 7MM. Theres a good chance you may sometime dive in a colder climate so having one could come in handy. I'd do a net search and find a local dive club and hook up with them. They could advise you on what is the norm in your local. You will also meet more people to dive with and have more oppurtunities to dive.

Dive safe

Jim
 
Check out the 5/7 semi-dry from Sea Elite. I bought mine at Diver's Supply in Charlotte and love it. It's relatively inexpensive, looks good, and is very warm. Those lighter suits are going to get pretty chilly on a long dive or if you get stuck on the surface with the wind blowing. Better to be safe.

Just a suggestion.
-Grier
 
Have to agree with Grier !!!

These things come in under $200. A heck of a good value!

I bought one and love it. I'll dive water down to the mid 50's in it and stay quite comfortable - and I'm cold natured.

the K
 
A 1mm can't be as warm as a 3mm unless the 3mm fits so badly the water is just flushing through it.

I'm firmly in the "as little wetsuit as possible" camp, and even I think you're kidding yourself. Being cold can be dangerous, not just uncomfortable.
 
damselfish, you need to try this new tilos it is made with a different process and it actually IS as warm as a 3mm. Not just my word but the word of several VERY experienced divers.
 
My current plans are
Tilos Titanium (3mm) - own
Shortie (5mm) - own
Drysuit - don't own

That way I can wear
Just shortie - warm water
3mm - good to around 68 for me
3mm + 5mm shortie - not sure my limits on this yet
Any colder and its time for the drysuit.
 
I've got a Tilos 7/6/5 superstretch- nice and toasty in 60 degree water, for colder I wear a 3mm vest or shortie under. Why limit your dive times, or be cold? Just thinking about 55 degrees in a 3mm...Brrrrrrrrrr......
 
How long are your dives? You can't be lasting that long in a 1mm (even if it's rated as a 3mm) in water that cold. I dove 57 deg in a 3mm over a 1mm skin ONCE! only because I got misinformation about temps until I was on the dive boat. The next day I had a rented 7/5.

I don't know of any shorties thicker than 3mm. You can certainly find jackets or vests thicker than that. If you're looking for versatility, get the 3mm shorty to wear over the Tilos, but don't write off a 5 or 7mm full suit yet.
 
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