Neoprene or Membrane

taza · 5th February 2008, 19:38

Advice needed from cold water divers (UK Waters & Dotty)
Whats the preferred choice of dive suit Membrane or Neoprene.
You guys spend more time in the water than OC divers so what suit do you own.
Cheers
Taza

Brainx3 · 5th February 2008, 19:47

Hi,

Actually it's more of a personal preference. It also depends on how cold the water is, how easy you get cold, how deep you usually dive, what undergarment you have. Bouyancy is better controlled with a Shell (Membrane) than with Neoprene. The reason is that Neoprene gets more and more compressed while descending so you will see youself going down fast while it can give you a bit more insulation in cold water. The Shell however makes your movement more flexible. Personally, if I would be choosing a new dry suit, I would go with the Shell even though we have really cold water in Sweden (Now 2 - 4 degrees Celcius). I think if you haven't bought one yet then it would be wise to try them both and see which one would fits you the best.

Best Regards. Wael

***Beanie*** · 5th February 2008, 19:58

Compressed neoprene (O'Three)

I wouldn't have a normal neoprene suit

I've used both trilaminate membrane and compressed neoprene on CCR, no problem with either - buoyancy or cold wise

taza · 5th February 2008, 20:14

Going to the London show to have a look at O'Three R2/100

***Beanie*** · 5th February 2008, 20:30

Quote: (Originally Posted by taza)

Going to the London show to have a look at O'Three R2/100

You won't regret it if you do.

Mark Chase · 5th February 2008, 20:52

I dived membrane first off and tried all sorts of base layers and under suits to alow me to dive all year round. I had a Weasel Extreme, an Otter Thinsulate and then a DUI 400gram. Then I tried a PPB base layer and Zerotherms and finally Exotherm Arctics.

Eventually following advice from a my M8 Rob Evans i bought an 03 MSF500 5mm neoprene suit.

It was fantastic.

I now dive an O3 Lycra 5mm semi compressed neoprene which I believe came out before the RI. I use a Santi 200G under suit and in extreme cold i use a Forth element Arctic base layer.

I just bought a Hammond ultra light membrane suit for my trip to Mexico cave diving I got it with Neoprene seals on the neck and wrists. I tried it wraysbury a few weeks back and froze to death

Ill never go back to a membrane for UK diving.

ATB

Mark

sdwenham · 5th February 2008, 21:23

I have an O3 compressed neoprene. It is the best suit I have owned really warm, flexible and comfortable.

However I am not so keen on the PBB under suit if I were to buy another suit I would get the O3 suit and then head straight over to fourth element to get an under suit.

Sam

lbdiver21 · 6th February 2008, 12:30

Another vote for Neoprene. I got a dui cf200 about 5 years back & love it although it's hard to justify the price they now ask over other makes. That said they just replaced it under warranty after almost 5 years so I'm a happy boy

.
M8 has just got an 03, 2.5mm job & I have to say it's one good looking suit. Dui also do a cheaper one that might be worth a look as they are sooooo comfy & dive like a membrane buoyancy wise.

Bottom line is try them on as what might be the best suit available might not fit you.

Derek

**nigelh** · 6th February 2008, 12:41

I tend to view Neo as what we used to use before we knew better but there's no arguing that O3 make a good suit.

I dive an Otter Britannic membrane these days and the only time I've had trouble it was my fault.

Ben Field · 6th February 2008, 12:53

O3 make great suits backed up with good customer care, I have one and get the impression I won't need to buy a whole new suit for a very very long time.

5th February 2008, 19:38	#1 (permalink)
taza New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Warrington UK Posts: 76	Neoprene or Membrane Advice needed from cold water divers (UK Waters & Dotty) Whats the preferred choice of dive suit Membrane or Neoprene. You guys spend more time in the water than OC divers so what suit do you own. Cheers Taza
(Offline)

5th February 2008, 19:47	#2 (permalink)
Brainx3 Totally Submerged Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: International Waters Posts: 292	Re: Neoprene or Membrane Hi, Actually it's more of a personal preference. It also depends on how cold the water is, how easy you get cold, how deep you usually dive, what undergarment you have. Bouyancy is better controlled with a Shell (Membrane) than with Neoprene. The reason is that Neoprene gets more and more compressed while descending so you will see youself going down fast while it can give you a bit more insulation in cold water. The Shell however makes your movement more flexible. Personally, if I would be choosing a new dry suit, I would go with the Shell even though we have really cold water in Sweden (Now 2 - 4 degrees Celcius). I think if you haven't bought one yet then it would be wise to try them both and see which one would fits you the best. Best Regards. Wael __________________ The depth of life cannot be measured in Bars, nor can the sea of lies, that lies within. Sooner or later I'll be cracking your market and end your game. *I don't take crap for an answer...*
(Offline)

5th February 2008, 19:58	#3 (permalink)
*Beanie* give a man an inch....... Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In da house! yeah baby! Posts: 3,174	Re: Neoprene or Membrane Compressed neoprene (O'Three) I wouldn't have a normal neoprene suit I've used both trilaminate membrane and compressed neoprene on CCR, no problem with either - buoyancy or cold wise __________________ Beanie Gallery Admin & Library Assistant. www.outlawdivers.org.uk www.beandiving.co.uk www.beanengineering.co.uk
(Offline)

5th February 2008, 20:14	#4 (permalink)
taza New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Warrington UK Posts: 76	Re: Neoprene or Membrane Going to the London show to have a look at O'Three R2/100
(Offline)

5th February 2008, 20:30	#5 (permalink)
*Beanie* give a man an inch....... Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In da house! yeah baby! Posts: 3,174	Re: Neoprene or Membrane Quote: (Originally Posted by taza) Going to the London show to have a look at O'Three R2/100 You won't regret it if you do. __________________ Beanie Gallery Admin & Library Assistant. www.outlawdivers.org.uk www.beandiving.co.uk www.beanengineering.co.uk
(Offline)

5th February 2008, 20:52	#6 (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: 2,700	Re: Neoprene or Membrane I dived membrane first off and tried all sorts of base layers and under suits to alow me to dive all year round. I had a Weasel Extreme, an Otter Thinsulate and then a DUI 400gram. Then I tried a PPB base layer and Zerotherms and finally Exotherm Arctics. Eventually following advice from a my M8 Rob Evans i bought an 03 MSF500 5mm neoprene suit. It was fantastic. I now dive an O3 Lycra 5mm semi compressed neoprene which I believe came out before the RI. I use a Santi 200G under suit and in extreme cold i use a Forth element Arctic base layer. I just bought a Hammond ultra light membrane suit for my trip to Mexico cave diving I got it with Neoprene seals on the neck and wrists. I tried it wraysbury a few weeks back and froze to death Ill never go back to a membrane for UK diving. 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
(Offline)

5th February 2008, 21:23	#7 (permalink)
sdwenham New Member Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Posts: 11	Re: Neoprene or Membrane I have an O3 compressed neoprene. It is the best suit I have owned really warm, flexible and comfortable. However I am not so keen on the PBB under suit if I were to buy another suit I would get the O3 suit and then head straight over to fourth element to get an under suit. Sam
(Offline)

6th February 2008, 12:30	#8 (permalink)
lbdiver21 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2006 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 16	Re: Neoprene or Membrane Another vote for Neoprene. I got a dui cf200 about 5 years back & love it although it's hard to justify the price they now ask over other makes. That said they just replaced it under warranty after almost 5 years so I'm a happy boy . M8 has just got an 03, 2.5mm job & I have to say it's one good looking suit. Dui also do a cheaper one that might be worth a look as they are sooooo comfy & dive like a membrane buoyancy wise. Bottom line is try them on as what might be the best suit available might not fit you. Derek
(Offline)

6th February 2008, 12:41	#9 (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: 838	Re: Neoprene or Membrane I tend to view Neo as what we used to use before we knew better but there's no arguing that O3 make a good suit. I dive an Otter Britannic membrane these days and the only time I've had trouble it was my fault. __________________ nigelh
(Online)

6th February 2008, 12:53	#10 (permalink)
Ben Field CK+Shearwater Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 1,621	Re: Neoprene or Membrane O3 make great suits backed up with good customer care, I have one and get the impression I won't need to buy a whole new suit for a very very long time. __________________ Know your PPO2, Pre-breath, Use checklists, Validate cells at 6mtrs, Use pure O2 at or near surface, Use a BOV, Don't dive Solo, Change Slime and Cells as recommended by Manufacturer and RTFM! Beware Fridge Suck! www.hugsac.org.uk
(Offline)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode