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I'm looking to purchase a drysuit for technical diving. Though DUI seems to have been the drysuit of choice for many years, I'm hearing that the quality has gone down of late. What are the best choices for a drysuit that will remain durable and leak free season after season?
They *all* leak eventually. Look at the Pinnacle.Quote:
Originally Posted by NJCaver
Most people will respond with the suit they own,since few people own multiple suits. I would recommend contacting someone who works on drysuits for a living,and will see the strengths and weaknesses of all manufacturer's suits. Call Steve Gamble at gamblescuba.com for insight into what may be the best suit for your needs before investing big $$$.Quote:
Originally Posted by NJCaver
I am intrigued by the Santi suits that have finally come into this country...
I too have been intrigued about the Santi suits, and have heard nothing but good things.
Also, I have had a Diving Concepts suit for about three years now, and am just now, starting to notice a few leaks here and there.
All good info, thanks everyone. Just for informations sake, which material tends to hold up better over time .. the crushed neoprene or the trilaminate?
Just an FYI .. this seemed VERY credible ;P
"Over the 25+ years of my diving experiences, I have had the opportunity to dive alot of different drysuits.
I am most impressed with my new Santi ESpace drysuit. I am very pleased with the new innovative and extremely durable fabric and reduced seams design. This fabric allows for a very streamlined cut and still provides an easy full range of movement.
I am looking forward to many years of good service from this suit."
Larry Green
Eagle's Nest Technical Divers
I've been diving a custom fit Santi for roughly a month and a half or so and it is by far the best dry suit I've ever used. I still have a 905 as a back up, but the quality of the Santi suits speak for themselves.....
I just wish it would cool down a bit, so I don't have to use the wetsuit on really hot days :)
Safe diving,
Rich
they sure are purdy suits :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich
I would have to go with Whites. Their new Fusion suits are very innovative. I dive a custom fit Whites suits at work and play and I love them. One of my dive buddies dives a Pinnacle suit that he loves.
www.whitesdiving.com
do the Santi's only come custom cut? I couldn't find a sizing chart on the website, what is the pricing on the e-space?Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich
do you cave dive in your fusion?Quote:
Originally Posted by newman_diver
I haven't personnally dove the Fusion yet. My dive buddy uses one and the range of motion is excellent. At first, I was sceptical about the durability of the outer skin but after seeing it used on numerous wreck dives it holds up to the task. I am hoping to give the Fusion a try in the caves this fall. I will keep you posted.Quote:
Originally Posted by l31gc
I just bought a Fusion and will try out when the caves clear.Quote:
Originally Posted by newman_diver
Santi's come in stock sizes as well. www.santiusa.com, you will find the charts here.Quote:
Originally Posted by l31gc
Edit:http://www.santiusa.com/SizingTable/sizingtable.pdf
RE: material
I was wondering about the crushed neoprene vs trilam when I first got my suit, for cave diving, I don't know why anyone would go any other way than crushed neoprene, they are great against abrasion. However, for wrecks, I'd have to suggest trilam, for the puncture resistance.
Funny, I look at it just the opposite. Trilam: advantages lightweight, quick dry. CN: advantage durability.Quote:
Originally Posted by systematic.entropy
When I got my first custom suit, I wanted to get a CN because of the durability, but was talked out of it. I'm glad. After six years it was just beginning to show scuffs on the shins, so I got some knee pads.
If I were a NE wreck diver, I would go for the CN, as it's much more durable. One scrape against a piece of rusted metal and the trilam is toast. But in caves, I wouldn't have anything but a trilam.
I have some experience with Whites and though the suits are comfortable and flexible, the outer layer of lycra is good for maybe 1/2 dive on a wreck. I came up and had torn through the suit in about 3 places.
I'm not sure about their other "legacy" suits but they also have a current recall on their LP hoses which doesn't bode well for reliability.
As far as material is concerned, trilam is good against punctures for sure but a good scrape will start a leak pretty quickly. I think if drying time and weight is unimportant, the crushed neoprene seems to be better from what I'm reading elsewhere.
I have had my Sanit for 3 months now.. It is great.
Yeah, I love my trilam for travelling and caving but it sure makes me a lot more careful in wrecks. There I use my neoprene. On the whole though I far prefer my trilam suit to my neoprene one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Slüdge
I've owned several and have to agree with the previous posts. Lots of very good drysuits out there.
Here's another consideration. If your technical diving takes you on to dive boats for long, offshore dives, or if you find youself in jungles like in Mexico (you get the idea, a long way from a repair shop), then you might consider the DUI.
I now dive their crushed neoprene with ZIP SEALS. The crushed neoprene because it is so strong and provides a degree of thermal insulation, and the zip seals because they allow me to switch out torn wrist and neck seals in the field in under 5 minutes. They also allow me to put on dry gloves for those cold dives (I've glued on Sitec dry gloves to the latex wrist seals so that I can dress with my bare hands vs putting on the DUI dry gloves and having to dress with them already on.)
It's a good and tough suit. My earlier DUI trilam was trash after about the second year, as it came down with "pinhole" syndrome. I sealed hundreds of tiny pinholes for two years and DUI finally took it back and credited me towards the crushed neoprene.
So, the DUI offers a lot of flexibility, but it is pricey.
I still have a BARE trilam that works like a charm, and carry it for a backup. Never had any problems with it, just wanted to replace it before it died. A friend borrowed it for a dive a few weeks ago and it worked fine. Glad he did as I had forgot it doesn't have a pee valve, so need to pack a few diapers in the bag should I need to use it.
Regards,
Bill
I have dove alot of drysuits over the years and the best one I have found is the Pinnacle Evolution II front zip.
Thanks,
Edd Sorenson
Cave Adventurers
5211 Limestone lane
Marianna, FL 32446
www.caveadventurers.com
850-482-6016
That's what I'm diving now, and I love it. I don't have the depth of experience to compare like Edd does, but it's taken all the abuse I've given it and still looks great, no leaks.Quote:
Originally Posted by cabo
Quote:
Originally Posted by NJCaver
I just bought my 2nd dry suit from DUI--cannot be more pleased with the quality and service--had trilaminate suit before for 7 years and gave that to a friend, still going strong--new suit is signature series CLX450 with sport package and zip seals all around--a great suit
Tony
Pool diver? Am I supposed to consider your opinion as valid as the rest?Quote:
Originally Posted by aapasquale
:smt081
J/K .. thank you .. ALL .. for the feedback. Looks like I'm going to have a hard dedcision on where to spend all that beer money.