MarkT(Offline)

Planning and budgeting at the moment and reached the stage where I need to research my dry-suit options (membrane, front-entry).

I'd appreciate any other suggestions on dry-suits sources I should consider, so far the list is :

DUI
Protec
Seaskin


Any strong opinions on those listed, or specific models that are preferred or to be avoided would also be welcome.

Thanks.

Mal Bridgeman(Offline)

Ok so I am a bit biassed having just started diving the best drysuit I have had .... but my list would be:

1) DUI
2) DUI
3) DUI

EDIT Oh yes....TLS350...


Mal

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neilh(Offline)

Seconded - especially if you can pick up a bargin and not pay full price

graham_hk(Offline)

Another vote for DUI. I tried to save money on cheaper suits (I have dived 5 drysuits intotal) and the DUI although more costly is a much much better suit and saves you money in the long run

Graham

Davidm(Offline)

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman)
Ok so I am a bit biassed having just started diving the best drysuit I have had .... but my list would be:

1) DUI
2) DUI
3) DUI

EDIT Oh yes....TLS350...

Just my 2 cents, there are alot of folks here in California who have purchased TLS350's,with not so happy results. Seam leaks seem to be an issue with this suit, I know 2 GUE instructors who have had them and it is not their favorite suit. I personally have a CLX450, and have been very happy with this suit, after a few modifications. It deifnatly pays to seek out users of the suit and make sure its what you want. But overall, DUI is a great suit.

GLOC(Offline)

I am slightly biased, as are my team, who all have Protecs. There are a couple of reviews of Protecs on here and as far as I know there haven't been any issues.

For the price of a second hand DUI you can get a MTM Protec, depends if you want the suit to fit very well, or close enough.

It is worth seeing the suits in person, so to speak, to see what they are like. If you can ait until the November DIRx Gig at Stoney, you will be able to see allsorts

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Chris B(Offline)

Actually I haven't really been that impressed by DUI (I own a TLS and Protec) the main thing they do well is the pattern/cut however I have had a lot of leak problems around the seams (particularly the crotch) I sent it back to the UK dealer once for repairs, they changed the zip (which I didn't ask for) plugged some holes and it came back with the same leaks.

I have a couple of acquaintances who have had leak problems in brand new suits that had to go back for exchange of bottom half..etc and the 'custom fit, well, wasn't.

I have yet to come across a suit that has it all, so it is a case of take your pick from those that are on the same track, Protec built my latest and it is a true 'cave cut' but it has boots I would rather not have on it. I think the main thing was it is 'as good' as my DUI but was half the price. I would gladly have paid the full Monty for a TLS if it was going to be perfect but that doesn't seem to be the case

Good luck with that one

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Roel(Offline)

In my opinion the TLS is great for 'movebility' but so far I've seen a few issues:

- if you buy an non-standard size / custom fit it might show up in all different size, so please take a standard fit and clearify the DIFFERENCES you want
- leak in the crotch (like more suits) so make sure the legs are long enough! and the max mob version now has a neoprene patch to protect the crotch, looks like a good solution
- if you get a small leak, nit might be a REAL pain in the ass to find that, but I'm not sure if that's any better with any other (trilaminate) suit.

But if you get a dry suit that fits well, it is just great to dive!

Brian Allen(Offline)

I would strongly recommend the Polar Bears explorer. http://www.polarbears.co.uk A couple of people on here got one when they were still sorting out the cut and weren't too happy but it is now pretty much spot on. It's an ever evolving suit and they're just putting the finishing touches on their neoprene sock design at the moment. (YAY, i'm about to get rid of my gimp boots - don't ask)

Best bit about it is that in the classic horizontal trim position I don't even have to roll, or lift my shoulder to get air out of the suit. They've moved the auto dump so high up the shoulder and back even more that it vents everything all by itself without any sacrifice to position in the water. You don't realise how useful this is until you try it, it almost feels like cheating.

B

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Andy C(Offline)

The only other issue I'd raise with Protec are the pockets, as they're not bellowed on the bottom & I've seen the SMB slowly forcing its way out through the velcro !!

The other option I've just started researching is SANTI, don't know much about them yet but if they live up to the under-suits reputation , they should be good.

I'd have to agree with Chris, DUI are lovely looking suits & very popolar, but I just can't bring myself to pay that much considering the number of issues that people seem to be having with fit & leaks.

IMHO, the choices come down to Protec or Polar Bears, with SANTI worth investigating as a new entry into the field

Andy

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