905 or TLS350.....

[Signal 20]

I'm currently in the market for a new dry suit. I have had and dove the 905 already, and let me just state that its a great suit, but I have never dove the TLS350. With that said I would like to know the benefits of the TLS over the 905, I know alot of people have it and swear by it. But whats your opinion?

[Jordan]

The TLS is not as durable as the 905 and is a bit more lightweight...Also, the TLS will not stretch like the 905 will. You would have to deal with the rok boot system (buy new fins) or go with their att'd boot (which is not as nice as the 905 boot, IMHO). The only advantage I could see is that it front zips, which may be nice for solo stuff. Oh yeah, you can look like a DIR diver with the TLS (I don't know if that's an advantage, however)

Cheers

[Line Squirrel]

The TLS is not as durable as the 905 and is a bit more lightweight...Also, the TLS will not stretch like the 905 will. You would have to deal with the rok boot system (buy new fins) or go with their att'd boot (which is not as nice as the 905 boot, IMHO). The only advantage I could see is that it front zips, which may be nice for solo stuff. Oh yeah, you can look like a DIR diver with the TLS (I don't know if that's an advantage, however)

Cheers

I have a front zip suit, replaced the zipper once already. Talking with Steve Gamble, he isn't crazy about the durability of front zippers.

My first drysuit was an OS Systems Trilam with a rear zipper, used a dog leash clipped to the zipper and the handle (of the leash) around my sideview mirror of my van to zip & unzip...where there's a will, there's a way

[DeepSea]

I have a 350...Front zipper, turbo soles (they are great)! One thing Jordan forgot to mention is that the 350 has a telescopic torso.

Look at the Pinnacles though. The DUI patent just ran out for the front entry and telescopic torso...

350 with kevlar knees pads is awesome

Dont just limit your search to the 350, try looking at the 450 as well as the 200.

[Signal 20]

I have a 350...Front zipper, turbo soles (they are great)!

Walter, why did you go with the turbo soles over the rockboots? everyone has been telling me to get the rock boots system, throw away the rock boots and just get a pair of booties to wear over the sock feet. But that seems like abunch of extra work.

[DeWayne]

The only real advantage I see in the TLS is the ability to have it custom fit, as well as the front zip for easier donning/doffing (but as others have mentioned, it really is not that bad with a rear zip.) The TLS has to be stitched together so you have the potential for future leaks waiting to open up. You can have someone (such as SG) put the neoprene boots on the TLS for you if you really do not care for the turbo soles or rock boots (or you can order the boots and install them yourself.) I got a great deal on my TLS and it was sized to fit me like a glove, else I would have stayed with the 905 (which I still have and will continue to use.)

Jordan, I have a red top on my TLS...is that enough to disqualify me from looking DIR? Maybe if I walk around with a smoke no one will make the connection :roll:

[Signal 20]

Jordan, I have a red top on my TLS...is that enough to disqualify me from looking DIR? Maybe if I walk around with a smoke no one will make the connection :roll:

actually I do believe both Irvine and JJ have red/black TLS350's :wink:

Advantages of the TLS:

1. Self-donning. I have owned one back-zip suit, and I'll never own another.

2. Lighter. I don't know if this is an actual advantage, other than being more comfortable.

3. You can turn the darned thing inside-out. I wash my drysuit inside and out after every dive trip, and you can turn it inside-out to dry the inside. With DR's boots, you can't do that, so to dry the inside of the boots, you have to either use an air-dryer or let it wait SEVERAL days. Or do what Ron does and never wash the inside.

I have one 350 with the Turbo soles (my backup that I got in excellent used condition on eBay for $500 - eat your heart out), and one with the Rock Boot system, that I instead use scuba booties. I personally like both equally well, better than a hard boot.

When I got mine, I wondered if I made a mistake by not getting knee pads. The TLS material doesn't look very durable. I figured as soon as it got scraped up I'd add knee pads. But my suit is over five yerars old, and has over 300 dives on it, and the knees still look virtually new.

Plus, it has never leaked a drop.

If you don't want that DIR look, you can always get a custom color scheme. Mine is black with gray and purple trim. That's it in my avatar.

[FW]

One thing I am surprised that Jorden left out about the 905, is the seams. The DUI suits use stiched seams with seam tape, like the old OS suits. They are forever leaking, and needing repair. The 905 has vulcanized seams.

I have had 4 brands of drysuits over the years, and the 905 has outlasted all the rest.

FWIW, I was one of the first "kids on the block" to use a drysuit in a cave :-)

Oh yea Mike, that trick to solo into a back zipper suit was from Sheck.

[Line Squirrel]

Oh yea Mike, that trick to solo into a back zipper suit was from Sheck.

Well, believe it or not, sometimes we come up with good ideas all on our own...never even heard of Sheck when I was soloing with a rear zip drysuit. Came up with that one all by my lonesome standing at the edge of a rock quarry in northern Ohio.

[BradfordNC]

You would have to deal with the rok boot system (buy new fins)

buy new fins??? why is that???

guess i have to go out and buy new fins :(

over 100 dives in my TLS and NOW i learn that i need new fins. :(
and the old ones seemed to work just fine.

well, at least no one will mistake me for DIR with my blue fins

and i do like the rock boot system. as others have pointed out, very easy to turn the suit inside out to hose it out after a weekend of hot cave dive action.

[Signal 20]

Oh yea Mike, that trick to solo into a back zipper suit was from Sheck.

man I love still being young and limber enough that when I had my 905 I could just reach back and zip it up myself. it wasnt the prettiest looking affair but I could get the job done.

[DeepSea]

I have a 350...Front zipper, turbo soles (they are great)!

Walter, why did you go with the turbo soles over the rockboots? everyone has been telling me to get the rock boots system, throw away the rock boots and just get a pair of booties to wear over the sock feet. But that seems like abunch of extra work.

I went with turbo soles because in my opinion the rock boots are a PITA...They are great if you are climbing "rocks" in California though.

[Webmaster]

I have a 350 with the rockboots, had to get one custom made to fit, and it does. If I get another I may try to get one of a more durable material than the trilam. I can't complain too much about it though.

That reminds me it is about time for a new wetsuit. Mine gets used mainly for caving and it's getting a bit ragged.