XCEL Infinity 43-Let's Talk about water movement!

[cmm1970]

Hello all,

I am looking for opinions on wrist, ankle, and neck seals on wetsuits. I need a suit that doesn't move as much water as my Henderson suit. I do a LOT of macro photography on trips and spend a lot of time hoovering and waiting to take a picture. My blood pressure drops as this is very relaxing, and I get cold. Yes, cold even in 80 degree water. Anyways, I am having trouble finding good info on the effectiveness of the different seals on the different suits. Please share your experiences with water movement in suits you have used. I am considering the XCEL suit by reputation and would like some user reviews before I order one. Alternative suggestions would be appreciated. I would like to remain with a full suit to keep travel weight down since my kit is already fairly substantial due to taking a DSLR on my trips.

Thanks for all the help,
Mike

 

[gtcpl2]

I have the excel infinitey 765 and love it! I dive in northern mi where the water temps at depth get to the 40's. I have been in 55f wearing just the jump suit and was very comfortable. It seals well around neck arms and legs. I have the shorty to go over it but haven't needed as of yet. Im sure that will change in Oct though.

 

[Mark Vlahos]

I have an Xcel 8,7,6 Tri-density, this is the suit with the built in hood and the zipper across the chest. I think that the newer versions of this suit are thicker. I have had my suit in water in the high 40's and it has been fine. The suit seals very well and at times I have gotten a squeeze aroung my waist for the first ten minutes or so of a dive. I think this is more a feature of the overall fit of the suit rather than just the wrist and ankle seals. The suit fits me about as tight as I would ever want a wetsuit to fit. I can move around but the suit is tough to get on. The built in hood and neck dam also make a big difference in water migration.

My suit is most likely not the same model as the suit you would be considering for 80 degree water, so all I can suggest is getting a suit that fits well and is snug around your entire body, large loose areas invite water migration.

In general I am very happy with mine and feel that it is worth every penny I paid for it and if I needed a replacement I would probably just get another Xcel suit just like it.

Mark Vlahos

 

[ScubaSarus]

My buddy dove throug a rough winter here in RI with the hooded Xcel that one high quality suit.

 

[JS1scuba]

Hello all,

I am looking for opinions on wrist, ankle, and neck seals on wetsuits. I need a suit that doesn't move as much water as my Henderson suit. I do a LOT of macro photography on trips and spend a lot of time hoovering and waiting to take a picture. My blood pressure drops as this is very relaxing, and I get cold. Yes, cold even in 80 degree water. Anyways, I am having trouble finding good info on the effectiveness of the different seals on the different suits. Please share your experiences with water movement in suits you have used. I am considering the XCEL suit by reputation and would like some user reviews before I order one. Alternative suggestions would be appreciated. I would like to remain with a full suit to keep travel weight down since my kit is already fairly substantial due to taking a DSLR on my trips.

Thanks for all the help,
Mike

We sell and use Xcel suits almost exclusively.

I personally use the 5/4/3 tridensity and the Polar Tridensity 976 These suits fit better than most anything out there. My Semidry has over 150 dives on it in the past 18 mos and the 5/4/3 has over 200. I get cold easily even in 85 degree water and find these to be outstanding ways to stay warm throughout the day when not diving dry .

The Infinity System is also our #1 seller and our clients love the layering process as well. (I prefer one suit over many layers -- personal thing)

Go get one

regards,

 

[cmm1970]

OK, so based on the good comments on the Xcel suits, I took and afternoon and traveled from Austin to San Antonio to a dive shop that actually had a good inventory on Xcel suits. I tried on the Infinity suit and was impressed with the construction, heft/weight of the neoprene, and fit of the suit. I am a standard men's medium and the suit fit very well. Now, I haven't been diving in it yet, but I just wanted to relay my excitement for what I perceive to be excellent quality from this company. I have owned Henderson, Oneil, and Scubapro suits, and the Xcel suits seem to be a better build as compared to the others I have owned. Everything from a great neck seal to the zippers at the ankles that allow for a step-in fit. I am definitely impressed and so far feel that the extra dollars were worth it!