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BARE NEX-GEN PRO. By specification it looks like an affordable shell type suite. Does anybody have an opinon and/or want to share experience of its use? As i understood it is "bi-laminate" which suggests that it is less durable than for example DUI TLS350. However it is $300 or so cheaper than TLS350. How often NEx-Gen cave diver have to repair it and what are weakiest points?
Have you looked at the Dive Rite 905? I love mine and have yet to hear any negative feedback from others who have dove this suit.
My experience with DR is that thay have great customer service... So if there is ever an issue they will take care of you.
No doubts, agree with that and i had probably the best experience of servicing my other DR gear. I also was recommended DR suit by Jordan. However $1200 is not reallistic p.tag for me. I have better p.quote for DUI TLS350 size L but it will be still long time before i get warm. Nex-Gen is only $600 + shipment but i have no caver's opinion on it so far.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwain
I know better than anyone how hard it can be to budget for diving needs. In the long run however, you will be much happier to spend what it takes to get what you need and want. The number selling point on the DR 905 for me is the RF welded seams, no stitches to ever leak. If you shop around you can probably get a better price. Heard they were going for $905 as a DEMA special. There are a lot of DR dealers out there who cater to cave divers and will make you a good deal, just have to seek them out. BTW, the only negative comments I have ever heard regarding Bare's suits are the the boots are huge, so may require a larger fin pocket. Quality wise I have heard nothing but good comments about them. Hope you get what you want and that it will last you a long time.
I bought a NexGen a few months ago for cave diving.
Yes, the boots are very large. I moved to a pair of Jet Fins to get a large enough pocket.
The suit is nice and light, easy to handle and appears to be well made. I have about 10 dives on mine so far. I did have one day where I had a leak and the lower part of one leg was damp. Have not been able to find the leak and it didn't happen the next time I dove.
Overall I am very pleased with mine, and the dollars I saved went towards buying a new set of doubles. I bought mine knowing that it would have a shorter life span than others since it is so light, but I wanted to get the doubles.
Are you sure you wern't having flashbacks to the "wet" suit and trying to get a little warm :?: :twisted:Quote:
Originally Posted by mavjax
I have very good experience with Bare Drysuits. I have a trilam front entry suit (ATR heavy duty) with telescopic torso. Its just as good as my DUI TLS 350 which I use for cave diving.
Indeed with the rock boots you need to get the largest size jetfins. Bare rockboots are however worth the investment and are superior to the DUI rockboots in my opinion.
I suppose the materials are similar to the suit you are looking at. Why don´t you go for the front entry suit, it is much more comfortable.
In general i have heard an opinion that a lifetime of front entry zipper is less than back entry although i can see that it might depend on manufacturer. That Nex-Gen is bilaminate material. Trilaminate that you refer to is durable suit and it is as expensive as others brands. i asked users of this suit back in russia and several people responded me that Nex-Gen is easy to puncure and tear. As pros the very light weight was mentioned. So currently i guess i'm gonna keep feeding my piggy for DUI or DR. Too bad my idea was wrong... Thanx all.Quote:
Originally Posted by Joaquin
Don't be so sure.
I SPEARFISHED in one for a winter, and when I sold it (because I lost 30lbs and it fit like a potato sack) I got all that I had in it back out.
It is a seam-welded design like the 905 and is not stitched.
That suit is NOT easy to puncture. Its one tough customer, and is a screaming buy IF it fits you. I was drug over the deck and railings of a wreck on more than one occasion with a pizzed-off fish on the other end of my spear and did not tear it. You can find them for around $500, which is ONE THIRD what a TLS350 costs.
Shortcomings include a back zip, no suspenders, and neoprene socks, but you can fix that with either wetsuit booties or Bare's "trek boots" worn over the top (I prefer the booties.)
I had ZERO trouble with the one I owned, and strongly recommend it as an inexpensive but well-built suit. They also come with the fantastic Sitek valves which I vastly prefer over anything else on the market, particularly the exhaust, which dumps reliably and without drama. Wrist seals are bottleneck type which have much more sealing area than the conical style.
I've had excellent experiences with Bare drysuits. I have 2 of the 7mm Supra Dry's. Lot's of drawbacks but great suit for the money. I passed the first down to my son and both are still in great shape, after many dives. I thought long and hard about the Bare ATR Heavy Duty Trilam and could have had one at dealers cost. Benefits of being a mixing fill monkey! I held out for what I really wanted and finally got the DUI TLS-350 at keyman. Don't compromise on price alone. Look at all the optimal suit options and save up until you can buy the best suit for your diving needs. This has always been a winning deal for me!Quote:
Originally Posted by ARY
Thanks to all, for the great thoughts,
Kenny P.
Don't get me wrong - I LOVE my TLS350.
BUT - if you don't have the money, then you don't. Its that simple. And there is a huge difference between $1300 (about what you can get a rack TLS for if you bargain a bit) and $500 (what you can get a NexGen for)!
And that price on the TLS doesn't include the pockets and such - you get to put those on yourself. Not a big deal, but something to consider.
You can buy TWO NexGens for that $1300 and have money left over.
Karl,Quote:
Originally Posted by Genesis
I follow you man! I just have to say to folks every time. I have compromised so many times and have been disappointed every time! I always end up with what I wanted in the first place. I bought a Mako scooter, new! Great scooter! Still have it, along with a Gavin, also bought new and it is the cats ass. I tow the Mako as a back-up now. I have the two Bare neoprene drysuits and now the TLS-350, wanted all along. It goes on and on. I would never try and sell anyone on anything but just like to point out my own expenriences, as thought provokers for the unknowing.
Thanks for the comments,
Kenny P.
I have about 100 dives on my nex-gen now. I have no regrets buying it at all. Sure I'd love a custom cut tri-lam suit, but it wasn't in the budget. I've recently added pockets from 5th-D and intend to use this suit for quite a bit longer. I know of numerous people who had hundreds of dives on these suits and they were still going strong.
I sent it back once from a small leak in the knee, and it turns out there were a few more on seams, tape joints. It came back a couple weeks later, with the hole I put in fixed, and the warranty issues all taken care of. It was all covered by warranty. Bare has been great and I'd highly recommend any of their products.
Next suit will be a custom cut Diving concepts. The Nex-Gen will be kept for a backup suit.
I get my custom Diving Concepts tommorrow I can't wait. I have alot of friends with them I you can't beat them for a custom.
Mike
Biggest thing that kept me away from them is a lack of anyone who seems to have them in stock to look at and/or in stock size(s) to check out.
I might well have ordered a custom if I could have toyed with it first....
I love mine. Had it for about 3 years. No leaks, no problems, very comfortable. Highly recommended. Seems a bit more form fitting than a typical shell.
"Bilaminate" generally means "urethane coated nylon," which sucks because the urethane never stays seamless and bonded to the nylon for very long. The Whites Nexus is a urethane coated nylon and has leak problems. The Nex-Gen is something different and appears to be quite a bit more durable. Bilam doesn't *necessarily* mean "sucks"