Whites Fusion Bullet vs. Hollis BioDry FX 100

[The Mighty Thor]

I have used the Fusion with a sternum strap and although you can use it with the drysuit, I did find on more than one occasion that I was pushing on the fastex connector on the sternum strap, thinking I was pressing the inflator button. The sternum strap rest right over or slightly above the inflator button.

 

[ESQ]

I dive a Fusion Bullet and have also tried the Sport skin. The Bullet is a little more flexibility restrictive than the Sport, but offers optional pockets and better abrasion protection for beached whaling it onto barnacled rocks. That said, the flexibility is still outstanding for a drysuit.

Don't know about the sternum issue as I dive a backplate.

 

[Dixter]

First time I got to dive my Bullet with my plate this weekend... When I use the Zeagle Ranger with the bullet I don't use the sternum strap as it sits just over the inflator button... the newer Zealgle Rangers have the sternum strap a little higher and my plate is also higher and works fine with the Bullet. I think I liked the way the harness/plate worked with the bullet better than the Ranger... now that I have pockets on the Bullet I don't seem to need them on the BC too...

Two things I noticed this weekend... with the bullet, when pulling my feet out of the boots, grab the material just behind the heal and about three inches up, then pull the foot out... or the inner suit comes out with your foot..

Also noticed that this weekend was super humid and so I put some sweat in the suit...
I just now turned the suit inside out and wiped it all down, I'll leave it inside out over night as the back pad is soaked and needs to dry. Kinda suprised me that I put that much moisture in it.

 

[DarrenMalone253]

Bolt, I'm similar size, what size is your suit and size of undergarment (brand?) thanks!

 

[TSandM]

I don't know anything about the Hollis, but I have almost four years on a Fusion. I would NOT recommend the Bullet skin, but I cope with the Tech skin just fine.

Pros: Light, dries fairly quickly (hours in Sport skin, overnight in warm weather for Tech, slow for Bullet). Flexibility (superb in Sport, acceptable in Tech, restricted in Bullet). The dry core is extremely difficult to damage, meaning fewer leaks. It's easy to repair, meaning that leaks, if you get them, won't keep you out of the water much. Seal replacement is reportedly easy using the dry adhesive system; using the SiTech quick seal system, it is trivial -- but if you are small across the shoulders, the neck ring may impede your mobility in reaching your dry suit dump or your tank valves.

I bought one of the first Fusions sold in our area. I now own two. That says something, I think.

 

[Ouvea]

I don't know anything about the Hollis, but I have almost four years on a Fusion. I would NOT recommend the Bullet skin, but I cope with the Tech skin just fine.

Pros: Light, dries fairly quickly (hours in Sport skin, overnight in warm weather for Tech, slow for Bullet). Flexibility (superb in Sport, acceptable in Tech, restricted in Bullet). The dry core is extremely difficult to damage, meaning fewer leaks. It's easy to repair, meaning that leaks, if you get them, won't keep you out of the water much. Seal replacement is reportedly easy using the dry adhesive system; using the SiTech quick seal system, it is trivial -- but if you are small across the shoulders, the neck ring may impede your mobility in reaching your dry suit dump or your tank valves.

I bought one of the first Fusions sold in our area. I now own two. That says something, I think.

I've had my Fusion Sport for about a year now and have been extremely happy with it. It's extremely light in weight and is super flexible. In fact, it's lighter than my 7.0mm full suit. I'm as streamlined in my Fusion as I am in my 7.0mm full suit. Donning the suit the first time can pose a challenge but once you know how to properly don the suit, it's quite easy. I can don mine as quickly as someone getting into a front slanted zipper dry suit. Although I have both, the Sport and Tech skins, I prefer the Sport Skin. It dries very quickly and I have better mobility. As TSandM has noted, the Si Tech replaceable neck system does make it more difficult to reach your exhaust valve.

I do notice that the interior gets a bit more damp than the Pinnacle Evolution that I previously owned. I thought it was a leak but, don't get grossed out, I did taste it and it wasn't sea water, nor was it the "other fluid." I use a Dive Rite Transplate harness which has a sternum strap. Fortunately, mine sits just above the dry suit inflator valve. Even if it rested directly on top, it would be a minor nuisance. Switching skins is a royal pain. The valves are installed ultra tight with RTV to prevent any leakage. Didn't really appreciate that as I had to my oil filter wrench to remove the valves.