Quote:
| Originally Posted by endoman Dave
I thought you loved the Waterproof suit? What does the O3 do that the Waterproof doesn't? |
I do like the Waterproof suit, but...
The boot soles on mine have worn alarmingly (and no, I don't scuff my feet, or shuffle). When I spoke to the distributers at the NEC Dive Show they told me it was a known problem and that the boots were designed for boat diving and weren't meant for the constant shore diving I'd been doing. I was advised to buy a tin of some black wetsuit glue compound (that I can't remember the name of now) and mix it with fine sand then apply it to the boots...
Waterproof apparantly haven't changed the boot design, so sending it back under warranty will result in the same type of boot going on it again and the same problem this time next year.
I could have had a different boot from elsewhere fitted, but I also found that the suit didn't have the flexibility to allow me to reach the twin valves and manifold valve, so both together led me to start looking elsewhere.
This then leads on to the 'what's best for you' advice above. Had I known a little more about suits before I bought it I'd have had an O'three rather than the Waterproof. O'three have great customer service, the suits are well made and last and they're just an hour and a half down the road from me.
If I have any issues I can take it to the manufacturers myself and speak to them face to face rather than going through a distributer.
The Ri2/100 I bought is almost a perfect fit off the peg and has enough flexibility for me to reach around behind my head without being constrained by the suit.
Maybe I've just been unlucky with the boots on the Waterproof - I don't know - but it sounds like it's a known problem. All things considered I'd rather be dealing with a local manufacturer with a known track record, which all leads neatly back to 'it's right for me'
