In your opinions, what are the 10 most important questions when buying a drysuit?

PipsGirl · 20th April 2008, 23:13

Hello Everyone!
Being a person who gets cold in 80F water, i am considering buying a drysuit. It was suggested to me that i put it in a thread and ask the question in the title.

It doesn't have to be 10, but please don't limit yourselves either.

And of course, a BIG THANK YOU for your help

ps-i did read an old thread on neo v dry. i do have a 'semi wet...' yeah. that's not warm enough either.

SilverSurfer · 21st April 2008, 01:44

It sounds like you will be diving in warm water; however, if you plan on diving in cooler waters, definitely try the suit on (especially if it is a membrane suit with little or no inherent insultation) with underwear to ensure a proper fit.

PaulTG2 · 21st April 2008, 02:32

Hello,

Here are things I wish I knew....

First, do not buy a suit you can't try on or return free if it doesn't fit. Try it on WITH the undergarments you are going to use. If you dive quarries, etc, remember you'll likely be hot and sweaty when putting it on. Consider what type of seat or bench where you'll normally be putting it one and replicate that situation.

Give thought to where the inflation valve is in regards to rebreather and other gear. Make certain it is free and clear and hose routing works.

What are the options for gloves, socks, boots. Make certain you can live with what you choose or understand how much you'll pay to change it later (I love the zip seals for this very reason).

How hard it is to repair in the field -- even if temporarily. This includes holes and, most importantly, seals.

How small does it store for travel... no right answer, but you'll want to know how it affects your packing.

All the other questions really relate more to the construction of the suite vs. what environments you'll be diving in. You should understand the pros and cons of each type and material.

Finally, if you haven't dived dry, try to find an good fitting used (inexpensive) suite to use and learn what you like and don't.

Hope this helps. I've probably missed all the really important questions.

Sincerely,

Paul

-p

Christoph · 21st April 2008, 04:48

one more question to add:

Are the boots/socks of the suit big enough to wear really thick socks?

One can change nearly everything else (like gloves, seals, undersuit etc.) quite easily but the boots of the suit stay more or less forever.
Yesterday, I was three hours in our local lake (4°C ~ 40°F??) and and my toes became like icicles ... like every dive here

I had a longer discussion with a DUI dealer and they are now tailoring extrawide socks for my new CF200 but it took some convincing

**nigelh** · 21st April 2008, 06:12

Do you want something like this?

UKSteve · 21st April 2008, 09:50

"Any discount??"

Steve

Ben Field · 21st April 2008, 12:23

Do you have an interest free credit payment plan?

RAL · 21st April 2008, 13:39

Warranty how long?
Repairs where in house or on the other side of the planet?
How long have they been handling the suits?
Do many come back?
What suit do you dive?
Whats suits do the rest of the staff dive?
What is good about the suit?
What don't they like about it?
What undersuit is best for X diving?
Will you throw in the undersuit?

The three most important things to consider when buying a drysuit are fit, fit & fit.
If you want a shell suit look at Dive rite 905(good) or the Pinnacle(better). Weezle is the undersuit to use under a shell suit IMO.
In Crushed neo the DUI cf 200 is da suit but they do not give them away!!
For neo check out the Oneill suits. They have good sizes for women are well made & are a good bang for the buck.
Take your time & get a good fitting suit.

RAL

KevDD · 21st April 2008, 14:11

Does is make my bum look big?

Mark Chase · 21st April 2008, 18:12

Make sure the sholder dump is where you want it

Make sure the suit inflate is where you want it

Make sure the pee valve is where you want it.

How much movement does it alow

Does it come with braces?

Is it tough enough for the diving you do

How much does it weigh

How long does it take to dry

How failure tolerant are the seals

What are the boots like

Where are the pockets and what type

Do they charge extra for auto dumps, neopreen seals,braces, pockets etc.

ATB

Mark

20th April 2008, 23:13	#1 (permalink)
PipsGirl New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Area, Tx Posts: 7	In your opinions, what are the 10 most important questions when buying a drysuit? Hello Everyone! Being a person who gets cold in 80F water, i am considering buying a drysuit. It was suggested to me that i put it in a thread and ask the question in the title. It doesn't have to be 10, but please don't limit yourselves either. And of course, a BIG THANK YOU for your help ps-i did read an old thread on neo v dry. i do have a 'semi wet...' yeah. that's not warm enough either.
(Offline)

21st April 2008, 01:44	#2 (permalink)
SilverSurfer New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 14	Re: In your opinions, what are the 10 most important questions when buying a drysuit? It sounds like you will be diving in warm water; however, if you plan on diving in cooler waters, definitely try the suit on (especially if it is a membrane suit with little or no inherent insultation) with underwear to ensure a proper fit. __________________ You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway. AGB
(Offline)

21st April 2008, 02:32	#3 (permalink)
PaulTG2 Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 361	Re: In your opinions, what are the 10 most important questions when buying a drysuit? Hello, Here are things I wish I knew.... First, do not buy a suit you can't try on or return free if it doesn't fit. Try it on WITH the undergarments you are going to use. If you dive quarries, etc, remember you'll likely be hot and sweaty when putting it on. Consider what type of seat or bench where you'll normally be putting it one and replicate that situation. Give thought to where the inflation valve is in regards to rebreather and other gear. Make certain it is free and clear and hose routing works. What are the options for gloves, socks, boots. Make certain you can live with what you choose or understand how much you'll pay to change it later (I love the zip seals for this very reason). How hard it is to repair in the field -- even if temporarily. This includes holes and, most importantly, seals. How small does it store for travel... no right answer, but you'll want to know how it affects your packing. All the other questions really relate more to the construction of the suite vs. what environments you'll be diving in. You should understand the pros and cons of each type and material. Finally, if you haven't dived dry, try to find an good fitting used (inexpensive) suite to use and learn what you like and don't. Hope this helps. I've probably missed all the really important questions. Sincerely, Paul -p
(Online)

21st April 2008, 04:48	#4 (permalink)
Christoph HH newbie Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Steyr, Austria Posts: 101	Re: In your opinions, what are the 10 most important questions when buying a drysuit? one more question to add: Are the boots/socks of the suit big enough to wear really thick socks? One can change nearly everything else (like gloves, seals, undersuit etc.) quite easily but the boots of the suit stay more or less forever. Yesterday, I was three hours in our local lake (4°C ~ 40°F??) and and my toes became like icicles ... like every dive here I had a longer discussion with a DUI dealer and they are now tailoring extrawide socks for my new CF200 but it took some convincing __________________ Cheers, Chris When my basement became full, I believed to have enough divegear. Truth is, I had to get another basement. http://www.sharkforce.at
(Online)

21st April 2008, 06:12	#5 (permalink)
nigelh New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Brighton, Sussex, UK Posts: 792	Re: In your opinions, what are the 10 most important questions when buying a drysuit? Do you want something like this? __________________ nigelh
(Online)

21st April 2008, 09:50	#6 (permalink)
UKSteve Still a novice... Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Weymouth, UK Posts: 557	Re: In your opinions, what are the 10 most important questions when buying a drysuit? "Any discount??" Steve
(Offline)

21st April 2008, 12:23	#7 (permalink)
Ben Field CK+Shearwater Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 1,485	Re: In your opinions, what are the 10 most important questions when buying a drysuit? Do you have an interest free credit payment plan? __________________ www.hugsac.org.uk Beware Fridge Suck
(Online)

21st April 2008, 13:39	#8 (permalink)
RAL Longbottom Time Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Florida Posts: 374	Re: In your opinions, what are the 10 most important questions when buying a drysuit? Warranty how long? Repairs where in house or on the other side of the planet? How long have they been handling the suits? Do many come back? What suit do you dive? Whats suits do the rest of the staff dive? What is good about the suit? What don't they like about it? What undersuit is best for X diving? Will you throw in the undersuit? The three most important things to consider when buying a drysuit are fit, fit & fit. If you want a shell suit look at Dive rite 905(good) or the Pinnacle(better). Weezle is the undersuit to use under a shell suit IMO. In Crushed neo the DUI cf 200 is da suit but they do not give them away!! For neo check out the Oneill suits. They have good sizes for women are well made & are a good bang for the buck. Take your time & get a good fitting suit. RAL __________________ The sea does not care about you.
(Offline)

21st April 2008, 14:11	#9 (permalink)
KevDD Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 105	Re: In your opinions, what are the 10 most important questions when buying a drysuit? Does is make my bum look big?
(Offline)

21st April 2008, 18:12	#10 (permalink)
Mark Chase I go down for ages Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 2,470	Re: In your opinions, what are the 10 most important questions when buying a drysuit? Make sure the sholder dump is where you want it Make sure the suit inflate is where you want it Make sure the pee valve is where you want it. How much movement does it alow Does it come with braces? Is it tough enough for the diving you do How much does it weigh How long does it take to dry How failure tolerant are the seals What are the boots like Where are the pockets and what type Do they charge extra for auto dumps, neopreen seals,braces, pockets etc. ATB Mark __________________ Is it supposed to make that noise ? I took my unit to the dive shop and demanded they bolt on every thing that would fit. Join my elite diving teem and get a Tshirt "Doing It Chasey"Hammerhead Eccr Advanced Diving System
(Online)

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