Which Santi to get

[rddvet]

wife and i dive santi e.lite+ and have been very happy with them. we were on the fence between a DUI and Santi, but what pushed us to Santi was the gusset panel on the under arm area, and the Santi being a mostly turnkey purchase. The DUI when trimmed out with matching options (pockets, padding / reinforcements, made to measure, etc) was around the same price, and that underarm seam immediately annoyed me when trying it on with just a base layer.

another nice thing about the santis if you get the ring system, you can change a wrist seal without doffing any kit.

we went with the metal zip option expecting a YKK, but got a JQJ brand instead.

I totally forgot about the underarm gusset. That was a huge pro compared to other suits. Really helps mobility


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[LMN]

I know you asked about Santi, so feel free disregard my recommendation of Seaskin. I’ve been pretty happy with mine, custom made, for less than $1000 shipped from UK. You won’t even have to pay for shipping, although you will probably have to pay VAT (or not anymore?). You can probably get 3-4 Seaskin suits for the price of one Santi. FWIW.

[Draker]

I totally forgot about the underarm gusset. That was a huge pro compared to other suits. Really helps mobility


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Otter offers the same. Just sayin?.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[EDirr]

Almost twice the price of a nice Otter Watersports suit.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Otter offers the same. Just sayin?.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

https://imgur.com/a/R5mRU2H

[Draker]

https://imgur.com/a/R5mRU2H

Nope. Kicked out of the Scubaforce club years ago. LOL

But I do really love my Otter Drysuits.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[bent]

I know you asked about Santi, so feel free disregard my recommendation of Seaskin. I?ve been pretty happy with mine, custom made, for less than $1000 shipped from UK. You won?t even have to pay for shipping, although you will probably have to pay VAT (or not anymore?). You can probably get 3-4 Seaskin suits for the price of one Santi. FWIW.

It's a good suggestion. I know Seaskin. It's just that my last two suits were about a grand and I was happy with them but this time I want something fancy. And I wanted to go into a shop an try on some suits. The Santis are 'only' about double the price of a fully decked out Seaskin over here... at least before Brexit that was the case.

Otter offers the same. Just sayin'.

An Otter Britannic MK2 isn't exactly a cheap suit either, if that's what you're comparing the e.lites to. Couple of hundered less that the e.lite maybe.

Nope. Kicked out of the Scubaforce club years ago. LOL

Ahh, ok, so that's why that SF-2 is gone.

No issues with zipper. It was one of my concerns.

There used to be a lot of reports about failing plastic zippers a few years ago. I guess they fixed that issue then.

[bent]

we went with the metal zip option expecting a YKK, but got a JQJ brand instead.

I'm still kind of leaning towards metel too. People keep telling me that they are very happy with their plastic zippers though.

[Draker]

Ahh, ok, so that's why that SF-2 is gone.

It?s not gone. Just not dived much. But happy to dust it off if you?d like to come visit.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Draker]

An Otter Britannic MK2 isn't exactly a cheap suit either, if that's what you're comparing the e.lites to. Couple of hundered less that the e.lite maybe.

I never used the word cheap. But considerably less expensive and more affordable than a comparably equipped DUI or Santi, at least in the US. And I?m my experience, a much better made suit backed by awesome customer service from the manufacturer.

Rugged material, glued and taped seams that I?ve yet to see fail, stock and custom sizing, and the Atlantic model offers the gusseted seams in the armpit and crotch. Heavy duty seals. Not to mention, I?ve had no need to add knee pads or crotch pads, and I prefer the thigh pockets on the Otter.

So yes, a quality suit, comparably outfitted, and priced considerably less than others.

But what do I know? Maybe having your last name stitched to your pocket is important enough to spend an extra $1000 or more on another brand.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[rddvet]

The plastic zipper issuenis a thing of the past. Itwo years ago I avoided santi because of it. It was an issue from the zipper manufacturer that has been resolved.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk