Christmas Shopping for the single diver....
#1
Posted 15 December 2004 - 05:54 PM
The old drysuit was of a light material that was starting to require Aquaseal for pinhole leaks. It was also a back-zip.
The new suit is an Andy's DS-2 (diagonal front zip) with the following options....
Cordura material
Bellows pocket on the right side to get some tables out of my pocket on the front of my harness
Kevlar knee pads (no comments from the peanut gallery on that one! )
Relief "P" valve which I have volunteers to provide glue for
Field Replaceable Wrist seals on dry glove rings...
I am seriously hoping that the thing doesn't leak now !
Recommendations for my old drysuit? (This ought to be entertaining)
My current thoughts are to use the old one for a back-up in case my new one gets ripped on a trip.
#2
Posted 15 December 2004 - 06:32 PM
"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." C. S. Lewis
#3
Posted 15 December 2004 - 06:52 PM
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
#4
Posted 15 December 2004 - 07:24 PM
I would love to except...Um.....you could donate it to this poor diver that I know who just happens to be allergic to cold.....
I am about 5'10" and a pretty steady 180 pounds. I doubt that most females have that build, but many men do. The suit itself is a medium suit with size ten boots and large seals (wrist and neck both). Ask my dive buddy how many shades of blue that I can turn when someone tries to fit me into a suit with medium seals. LOL
The fact that I have been "Aquasealing" and that it has roughly 200 dives on it make me reluctant to sell it. I would feel awful if I sold it and something went wrong with it right away.
Like Dive Girl suggests, I am guess that my best bet is to keep the other as a back-up just in case the other gets ripped during a trip.
#5
Posted 15 December 2004 - 08:04 PM
DSSW,
WWW™
#6
Posted 16 December 2004 - 07:47 AM
Oh, and Brian - definitely keep it as a backup, and for travelling. I carry a trilaminate suit when I go cold water diving where I have to fly to get there, because my O3 would take up most of my baggage allowance!
#7
Posted 16 December 2004 - 11:35 AM
My favorite part of the discussion was when he said -
"I've got the Kevlar knee pads, because I go down with students and am on my knees alot."
Man- the things you have to do to make ends meet at a dive shop.
Every existing thing is born without reason, prolongs itself out of weakness, and dies by chance. - Jean-Paul Sartre
I feel the urge, the urge to submerge! -ScubaHawk - Raptor of the Deep !
WHO DAT!!!!
#8
Posted 16 December 2004 - 01:22 PM
TLS350 - Rock on!!! Best drysuit out there....oh but I could be a teeny tiny bit biased....I was just discussing dry suits with friend of mine on Tuesday. Getting ready for my first dry suit. I can't wait! I decided to go with the dui tls350.
My favorite part of the discussion was when he said -
"I've got the Kevlar knee pads, because I go down with students and am on my knees alot."
Man- the things you have to do to make ends meet at a dive shop.
And what's wrong with going down with students and being on your knees alot?
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
#9
Posted 16 December 2004 - 02:36 PM
Every existing thing is born without reason, prolongs itself out of weakness, and dies by chance. - Jean-Paul Sartre
I feel the urge, the urge to submerge! -ScubaHawk - Raptor of the Deep !
WHO DAT!!!!
#10
Posted 16 December 2004 - 02:53 PM
...... booking trip to PNW to enroll in EVERY CLASS OFFERED!I have kevlar kneepads on my DUI and yes, I got LOTS of comments when ordering those. "On your knees in front of students, eh??" and so on....
"Love is blind but lust likes lacy panties" -- SanDiegoCarol
"If you're gonna be dumb, you'd better be tough." -- Phillip Manor
"If I know the answer I'll tell you the answer, and if I don't I'll just respond cleverly." -- Donald Rumsfeld
#11
Posted 16 December 2004 - 04:37 PM
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
#12
Posted 17 December 2004 - 03:55 AM
Truth be told, I actually prefer a back zip. But the advantages of the front zip (and I have tried out the front zip) outweigh the minor inconvience of having to remember "this arm goes in/comes out first or the suit will be impossible to put on/ get off". The major one is that when I go to the head, I only have to unzip the bottom diagonal portion and not peel off the upper half of the drysuit. Close second is that I can get into my own suit while my dive buddy (who still dives wet) gets suited up.
I tried out the DUI Tri-Lam at Dog Days and the CF200. The deciding factor for me was price. In my opinion, the Tri-Lam (I forget the nomeclature of the Tri-Lam suit that I tried out) wasn't any better than the Andy's DS-1 that I dive now and the CF200 was nice (OK, fantastic) but about 1K or better more than the DS-2 that I just ordered BEFORE I even tacked on the options. I can do alot of diving related stuff with a thousand bucks (like replacing the second stage of the deco bottle reg that my young Labrador decided was a chew toy, GRRRRR!.... Then she gives that innocent look and I can't stay mad. Awww!) . Keep in mind that I am a divecon for an Andy's dealer so the price breaks were not insignificant. Other people's mileage may vary on the price thing.
#13
Posted 17 December 2004 - 12:34 PM
I don't work for DUI. I just did a lot of research before buying my suit. Drysuits are also a staple for regular divers in the Pacific Northwest, so little differences can make huge impacts. Noted differences for me between the Andy's and the DUI TLS350 Trilam (warning - novella about to commence ):...In my opinion, the Tri-Lam (I forget the nomeclature of the Tri-Lam suit that I tried out) wasn't any better than the Andy's DS-1 that I dive now....
1. Rock boot system comes with the DUI, and most Andy suits have built in boots. Why do I like the rock boot system better?
...a) I can wear the rock boots when needed or I can actually switch and pull on a pair of wetsuit boots over it, if I don't need the boots (i.e. boat diving)
...b) Rock boots are more durable than the built in rubber boots. Durability is key when you're in the Pacific Northwest hoping over guard rails and hiking down steep rock terrain...yeah we're weird up here.
...c) Rock boots are more durable in that they can go over razor sharp oyster shells and any "hit" they take doesn't mean a leak to your suit since they are separate from your suit.
...d) Rock boots are pulled tight and keep air out of your feet. None of us DUI divers wear ankle weights to keep out feet down - they are unnecessary and that's nice because the tire out your legs and put weight you wrong in the water. Try to keep you feet up with weights on.
...e) Rock boots look cooler....ok, had to throw that in there - gotta look cool!
2. The DUI has a telescoping torso allowing for easy donning, a closer fit and freedom of movement. The telescoping torso means the suit is longer to help with the donning of the suit and to allow for the freedom, it also gives your suit more room for when you bulk up on the undergarments in the winter or in colder water. An adjustable crotch strap secures it after you're set.
3. Warm neck collar for use with warm neck hood. Most suits just have your latex neck seal and a short necked drysuit hood is pulled on and the neoprene hangs down to the neck seal and may overlap a bit, but ultimately your neck is are can be at times exposed to the water....brrrrr. DUI has a collar flange that a longer drysuit hood tucks into protecting the neck. And the DUI hood....I'd marry it if people wouldn't stop and stare....seriously, it is the most comfortable and warm hood I have ever owned.
4. DUI suits have a second zipper (a zipper guard) securing and protecting the waterproof zipper. It smoothes out the suit too.
These are just my personal thoughts on the subject. I did look seriously at Andy's when making my drysuit decision. I do like their products. The suits have a nice look to them and have a good reputation. A couple of my dive buddies dive them. I just know that I practically live in my suit on the weekends and so it was a very important choice for me. The difference I noted above may be unique to me and not be a factor for the type of diving others do.
Edited by Dive_Girl, 17 December 2004 - 12:37 PM.
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
#14
Posted 17 December 2004 - 12:48 PM
If your decision is not set in stone you might also try High Tide's suits. They also come with kevlar knees, rotating hose mount, full drysuit kit including thermals, carry bag, wax kit, hanger, etc.I was just discussing dry suits with friend of mine on Tuesday. Getting ready for my first dry suit. I can't wait! I decided to go with the dui tls350.
My favorite part of the discussion was when he said -
"I've got the Kevlar knee pads, because I go down with students and am on my knees alot."
Man- the things you have to do to make ends meet at a dive shop.
They are a composite neoprene which are extremely warm yet more comfortable then a wet suit...very durable seals made of neoprene and not latex so no powder, no ripping, and you can even leave a necklace or bracelet on if you wanted to like I do.
The list goes on but perhaps the best part is that I can get you a discount on them. -ww
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#15
Posted 17 December 2004 - 04:24 PM
Drysuits are a staple for Great Lakes divers, too .I don't work for DUI. I just did a lot of research before buying my suit. Drysuits are also a staple for regular divers in the Pacific Northwest, so little differences can make huge impacts. Noted differences for me between the Andy's and the DUI TLS350 Trilam (warning - novella about to commence ):...In my opinion, the Tri-Lam (I forget the nomeclature of the Tri-Lam suit that I tried out) wasn't any better than the Andy's DS-1 that I dive now....
1. Rock boot system comes with the DUI, and most Andy suits have built in boots. Why do I like the rock boot system better?
...a) I can wear the rock boots when needed or I can actually switch and pull on a pair of wetsuit boots over it, if I don't need the boots (i.e. boat diving)
...b) Rock boots are more durable than the built in rubber boots. Durability is key when you're in the Pacific Northwest hoping over guard rails and hiking down steep rock terrain...yeah we're weird up here.
...c) Rock boots are more durable in that they can go over razor sharp oyster shells and any "hit" they take doesn't mean a leak to your suit since they are separate from your suit.
...d) Rock boots are pulled tight and keep air out of your feet. None of us DUI divers wear ankle weights to keep out feet down - they are unnecessary and that's nice because the tire out your legs and put weight you wrong in the water. Try to keep you feet up with weights on.
...e) Rock boots look cooler....ok, had to throw that in there - gotta look cool!
2. The DUI has a telescoping torso allowing for easy donning, a closer fit and freedom of movement. The telescoping torso means the suit is longer to help with the donning of the suit and to allow for the freedom, it also gives your suit more room for when you bulk up on the undergarments in the winter or in colder water. An adjustable crotch strap secures it after you're set.
3. Warm neck collar for use with warm neck hood. Most suits just have your latex neck seal and a short necked drysuit hood is pulled on and the neoprene hangs down to the neck seal and may overlap a bit, but ultimately your neck is are can be at times exposed to the water....brrrrr. DUI has a collar flange that a longer drysuit hood tucks into protecting the neck. And the DUI hood....I'd marry it if people wouldn't stop and stare....seriously, it is the most comfortable and warm hood I have ever owned.
4. DUI suits have a second zipper (a zipper guard) securing and protecting the waterproof zipper. It smoothes out the suit too.
These are just my personal thoughts on the subject. I did look seriously at Andy's when making my drysuit decision. I do like their products. The suits have a nice look to them and have a good reputation. A couple of my dive buddies dive them. I just know that I practically live in my suit on the weekends and so it was a very important choice for me. The difference I noted above may be unique to me and not be a factor for the type of diving others do.
Personally, I didn't like the telescoping torso. It just didn't feel snug to me. My old Andy's truly fits me like a glove with heavy undergarments.
Also, I don't wear ankle weights either. I just put the minimum of air in my suit. There is less to travel that way. The rock boots to me are a wash. I don't do much shore diving in a dry suit (There isn't much shore diving here.). The boots are pretty thick. I worry about the drysuit material (why I ordered Cordura) having problems before the boots. None of the instructors that I dive with have had problems with boots in their drysuits either.
Actually, I have two zippers on the DS-2 as well for the same reason that you mention. But, that is nice.
As I said, the major reason that price was a factor was the discount that I get from my dive shop. If you don't have that factor, I would have leaned closer to the DUI. But, a Cadillac is good enough for me. That price difference was just too much for what little improvement that I was looking at.
I dive with people who use all different brands of drysuits. If it keeps you dry and comfortable and you like the looks (I did have to pay a little more to have the Cordura in all Black instead of Andy's trademark Blue over Black so sharp appearance does matter a little bit to me.), then I say get it! That goes for Andy's, DUI, White's, Bare, High Tide, Viking or any of them. They are all good to me.
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