Advice on DUI Drysuits

[Narked@50]

Hi Guys

I've tried to search on this, as I'm sure a few remarks have appeared about it before, but it's too short a name to be included, hense the post.

I was looking at these at the dive show, and was wondering about peoples actual experience with them?

I seem to remember people loving them but complaining about the customer service. Hydrotech at Stoney Cove are now the importer and recon this is not the case?

There are several current models available, please give your opinions freely.

Thanks

James

[Jimmy Blake]

I was looking for a TLS 350 as they are one of the recommended DIR suits, but I found out that Hydrotech bumped the prices up from £741 to about £1020 on becoming the distributor.

Many of the resellers that previously used to be main DUI outlets (i.e. carried stock rather than catalogues) have now dropped them, one example being Anne-Marie at Aquarius Diving, Didcot. Anne-Marie had been a premier DUI dealer and service centre for years but could not afford to maintain the stock, especially when sales levels dropped due to the price. As a result of this, you'll have less places to get your suit serviced locally.

With any luck DUI will see that their sales in the UK had dropped and replace Hydrotech, in the mean time I'm looking elsewhere for a suit to replace my current one. I'm probably going to go with a Gates VSN 1100 TEK which comes out at roughly the same price as the TLS 350 was before HyperInflation, sorry I mean Hydrotech started distying them. My preferred suit would have been the TLS 350 but DUI have just lost a customer :-(

Regards


James

[Paul Sharman]

IF money was no object, my preference would be for the TLS 350, having borrowed one a few years back. It was the most comfortable suit I have ever worn.

I cant comment on customer service but have heard some whispers about durability issues with some of the new materials.

In reality I just think that with the current pricing structure thet DUI no longer represents value for money.

Cheers.
Paul.

[Woz]

Originally Posted by Paul Sharman

I cant comment on customer service but have heard some whispers about durability issues with some of the new materials.

I have seen a 6 month old lightly dived DUI start to bobble badly with the nylon outer seperating from the neoprene underneath. IMHO DUI used to be good but are now flogging seriously overpriced suits that are uncompetitive and are starting to drop in quality. That's what happens when you get greedy and hike your prices up too much. They'll come down in a year or so once Hydrotech have a dirty great big pile of stock they can't shift.

[cough]

i have one of those so called suits, that are suspect, its got a seven year warranty though not a gaurantee !! so i'm sure that if it lets ne down within the seven years dui will put it right. and i think thats why i paid the money, peace of mind !!!!

[Narked@50]

BInned the idea of this, I'm going to Protech who operate out of the Wirral.

I am on their doorstep, and can save around £500 for a "similar" suit,

I'll openly slate/endorse them as and when I part company with the cash and take delivey of the suit. It's up to them how good the report is.

James

[Steve L.]

About a year ago, I think And from the DIR forum wrote or spoke to someone directly at DUI. From the reply he received I got the impression DUI did`nt know, wern`t interested or did`nt really care what was going on in the UK.

Maybe he could ressurrect the reply from DUI.

I have a CF200SE which has given excellent service over the last 10 years. I`ve had work done on it by Aquarius and SDS, all of which was excellent quality.

Hydrotech don`t seemed to have done much with their dealership. According to one post on the thread Gledders started on purchasing DUI suits in the UK, they hav`nt actually sold any !

There are enought excellent suit manufacterers in the Uk these days without having to go abroad

Steve

[gunsentry]

Originally Posted by Narked@50

BInned the idea of this, I'm going to Protech who operate out of the Wirral.

I am on their doorstep, and can save around £500 for a "similar" suit,

I'll openly slate/endorse them as and when I part company with the cash and take delivey of the suit. It's up to them how good the report is.

James

http://www.protecdrysuits.com/suits2.html

The dogs dangles...

Fantastic suit and so comfortable.

I would highly recommend.

Gary.