jarek6 (Online)

Hi
I next few days I'd like to order new DUI TLS350 (Signature Series) dry suit. And I have few questions:

1) Should I take Latex or Neoprene neck seal ?
2) Which kind of wirst seals I should take - classic or heavy-duty ?
3) Is standard Apeks inlet valve is ok ?
4) Which zipper should I take classic or QuickZip ?
5) What other options I should take ? I also want Turbo-Soles, High-Profile Apeks exhaust valve and CF200 knee pads.

Thanks,

maccajim(Offline)

hiya,
i got a sig tls 350 last year, i would get latex seals neck and wrist they are fragile but don't leak u just have to be very careful with them no jewellery nails etc.
Turbo soles for boots and old style front zip, the exhasut valve now is a low profile "SITECH" wich works very well and much lower than the old style apek u are thinking of, easier to get under harness.
i got a p valve as well new halycon no problems yet, pockets, warm neck collar etc. also get some tough duck overlay on wear and tear places.

I would ask for more movement in the arms or just fudge my own mearsurements a little for more movement.
Make sure u specify the largest undergarment u will wear eg. 400 as they will bulk it out even if %80 of your dives are in a 200g
good luck it is like getting a new car so many options so many opinions

Fiona(Offline)

The colour is the difficult bit

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TobyFish(Offline)

Recent experience suggests you should go for seatec style inlet (still made by APEKS) rather than the APEKS "proprietary". Because

1. The supposed advantage of APEKS proprietary is that it's easier to connect - but it isn't. When you connect the proprietary one you get air coming out as you connect and a back-pressure that you have to overcome. The seatec one just connects with no air loss and no back-pressure. It is a one-handed job whereas the proprietary fitting normally requires one hand on the valve and one on the hose

2. Second claimed advantage is that the larger flange on the proprietary hose is easier to get hold of with gloves. I have not found this an issue with seatec even in kevlar-tipped 5mm neoprene, but if you're worried, get a DSS hose-hat

3. SMB/bag inflation using proprietary fitting invariably causes free-flow of DS hose, seatec does not do this, and seems to give a more controllable inflation rate (IMO)

4. seatec fitting give interchangeability of DS/BC hose. If that has any bearing on you (it doesn't on me, as if I used my BC hose as a DS hose it wouldn't reach around my man-boob)

HTH

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NIMROD CHEN(Offline)

if you are getting turbo soles - get them 1or 2 suzes smaller than your usual size

Nimrod

Jon987(Offline)

Have a CLX450 with QuckZip and a new TLS350SE cave cut. Right choice with TLS350SE - lighter, quicker to dry and increased flexibility over the CLX450. Don't get me wrong, CLx450 is a great suit, but always regretted not going down the TLS350SE route in the first place.. Ask for Cave Cut and you'll have to sign a DUI disclaimer regarding potential limitations fit, but don't let that put you off - if correctly measured (and ask them to measure you twice as a double check) you should have no problems.

1) Should I take Latex or Neoprene neck seal ?
Latex.
2) Which kind of wirst seals I should take - classic or heavy-duty ?
Go for Classic.
3) Is standard Apeks inlet valve is ok ?
SiTech valves - lower profile than apeks and easier for donning and doffing your gear. Also, the SiTech suit inflate value doesn't rotate like the irritating Apeks valve. BUT make sure you state what position you want the dry suit inflate to be position in - ie the inflate valve pointing vertically down at the t 6 O'clock position or whereever.
4) Which zipper should I take classic or QuickZip ?
Classic Zip. Plent of posts on the advantages of Classic versus QuickZip
5) What other options I should take ? I also want Turbo-Soles, High-Profile Apeks exhaust valve and CF200 knee pads.
Go for Turbo Soles and make sure whoever is measuring you, pencils an outline of your foot for accuracy. You want the foot sock to be as small as comfortably possible. As for High-Profile Apeks exhaust valve, go for SiTech for both exhaust and suit inflate. Wouldn't bother with CF200 knee pads, makes hunting down potential leaks a royal PITA. Anyway, your bouyancy and trim should be superb and no need to kneel on anything !

Remember to ask for CAVE CUT, unless you want a baggy suit . Balanced p valve also a must and DUI can fit this for you.

Good luck and go for it - they are great suits when you get the measurements right.

jarek6 (Online)

Is anybody here using Turbo Soles XL ? What is your feet size and Sole length (from end of the feet up to the longest finger) ? (btw my feet size EU/44)

Unfortunately I cannot measure Turbo Soles XL due to our local DUI reseller doesn't have Soles at stock.

Thanks,

tobi (Online)

Jarek,


Iirc, my Turbo Soles are XL (they are the biggest size DUI offers, I am told, and that only since about a year). Normally, my shoe size varies between 45 and 47, in sneakers it goes up to 13,5, whatever that means...

My feat measure, from heel to toe, 29,5cm. At the time of trying different sizes of Turbo Soles (and i tested with thick socks, and the grey dui 300gr. booties, which is what I wear now, too) we all agreed that the next smaller size (L, then, iirc) was too tight - today I would maybe reconsider. The length now is as it should be, but the cut of the "shoe" is somewhat "bulky" and wide - my feet simply cannot fill all that space, and it is, all in all, not a very snug fit.

So if you have, like me, rather slim feet, you might reconsider the size L - after all, we spend more time in the water, where airy feet would not be wanted, instead of hiking the woods, no?

Just my 2c, HTH, greets, tobi...

Rich.i(Offline)

See below specs for SS TLS350, these specs are very popular here in Oz with the DIR/ GUE divers (see DUI measuring chart). As already mentioned by others make sure you mention size of undergarment i.e. 200 or 400.

• Old style design. Colour on torso extends down to wrist
• Standard telescoping torso
• Crotch strap
• Old style diagonal zip (no quick zip) with outer zip guard
• Zip seals neck and wrist
• Turbo Soles – Under cut by 5mm
• Old style Apeks exhaust valve
• Apeks LP swivel inlet valve
• Warm neck collar
• Buttocks overlay
• Crotch reinforcement
• Knee pads (small CF200)
• Internal suspenders
• Drysuit bag
• (Pockets/ Pea Valve – Halcyon. Installed once you receive drysuit)

It’s unfortunate that you have to consider fudging the measurements; I have a custom made/ signature series TLS 350 and it doesn’t fit me. Very tight around the arms (girth) and I feel restricted around my shoulder area when moving my arms. I sent it back and they made the necessary changes to the arms, as it was a tapering problem of the arms to the zip seals when they made the suit.

They sent the suit back to me last week and I went for a dive on the weekend to test the suit, unfortunately it has only improved by 5% - 10%.

Looks like I need to send the suit back again!!!

In hindsight I think I would have fudged the shoulder and arm measurements (why?)

I'll let everyone know how I go with getting this resolved. (And yes the measurements are correct, they have been triple checked and confirmed etc.. this isn’t my first custom made suit or undergarment etc…)

Cheers,

Rich

Michael-Fisch(Offline)

Didn't know that DUI offered any fitting on their TLS350SE.

The TLS350SE is their entry level suit with Shoulder Entry, non-telescopic torso, warm collar, apeks valves, and no options. Retail price is around $1000.

I assume you mean the TLS350 Signature Edition, which is a jazzed up TLS350 that is made to measure (or is a stock suit that fits close enough to your measurements to work). It costs a hell of a lot more than the old plane Jane TLS350SE.

Michael