Hunter Drysuit stockists - Where?

[Narked@50]

After much deliberation and a lot of looking and researching, I am now looking into Hub=nter Drysuits, specificaly the PRO-VSN PRO 1100 TEK.

I know they are made in Dumfries, but does anyone know where I could get a closer look around the Wigan/Manchester or Liverpool areas?

If you have any plus or minus comments on these feel free to give them.

Thanks

James

[SML]

There is a stockist list on their website

http://www.hunter-diving.com/divingsuit_traduk.html

[Mark Powell]

Originally Posted by Narked@50

If you have any plus or minus comments on these feel free to give them.

I've been using a Pro VSN 1100 Tek this year and have now done about 250 dives in it.

It's a very comfortable suit, easy to get in and out of. Very hard wearing and still looks almost new.

The only negative point is that I have had a tiny pin prick leak in the seams on the wrist.

[Clare Gledhill]

Hmm.... To be honest James - I'm not impressed with mine (although I know that saying that always brings a torrent of posts saying that others are happy).

I've had two. The first failed on two seams and on the zip. They made me a new one (full marks for that) but it has been wet constantly since I got it - nothing serious, no floods but wet enough to get cold on every dive - no matter what I do.

The seams are made from material which bobbles and looks messy after only a few dives, the boots are very flexible and comfortable but are coated in something which peels off quite quickly - again making the suit look scrappy. The material may be 'bomb proof' but this doesn't mean it looks good and the down side of it is that it weighs a ton and takes ages to dry.

I've been thinking about a new suit for a while and had decided to buy an Otter instead (looking at Daz's it's worn much better than the Hunter). But I got hit by a bought of retail therapy yesterday and bought a DUI(god help my credit card) I sincerely hope it will be better as I am fed up with being cold and wet.

[The Purist]

I've got an early version of the Gates (as it was) VSN 1100. Yes it's tough, but not bulletproof - as others have said it does take a bit of drying. I had issues with the seams on mine which meant I spent an age trying to nail a leak which was moving along the seam every time I patched it.... my buddy also had one which developed seam issues - he's now got a PB Explorer and I may well be heading that way (or the Otter). Mine still looks OK after a good few years of use & abuse so maybe something's changed with the move to Hunter to give Gledders' symptoms.

On the whole I'd say it's not a bad suit, but I think that these days there are better options for similar money.

[Ding Dang Doo]

I too have a Gates/Hunter PRO-VSN PRO 1100 TEK.

Have only done about 30 dives in it - Fit me like a glove (never had any problems with leaks), but could be too soon for me to comment. I haven't had ant experience with any other suit (apart from the one I did my Drysuit course in, which did leak, like a sieve). I'm happy with it, but it isn't the cheapest suit on the rail... I'm sure there are others you could buy for a lot less money and give similar performance. You pays oyur money, you makes your choice!

3D

[Narked@50]

Thanks for these replies guys, It's just a night mare trying to make the right decision.

I had tried Otter a few months back and they pissed me around something rotten, I eventualy asked for my money back after 3 months and still no suit - crap service from everyone I dealt with, including the owner, who promised twice I would have it in a week!.

The DUI are being slated for price and value for money issues, and now I find a few negatives for the Hunter.

Surely somebody makes - The Ultimate Drysuit!

James

[sarahmb]

If you should come across the 'ultimate drysuit' please let me know. Having had a Hunter Pro VSN for 3 years I am now in the market for a new suit. Sadly, the Hunter suit has not lasted the pace (I would expect to get more than 3 years out of a suit at that price). I have one tiny hole appear in the material that seem to be un-repareable, and is continuing to leak more and more after each dive. The inner nylon membrane has come away from the rubber and thus means it cannot be patched effectively. I know that i am not the only Pro VSN diver to experience this problem. In an effort to correct the problem I have been in touch with Hunter but have found their customer service to be incredibly bad. If anyone has had a good outcome to this problem I would be interested to hear.

[Narked@50]

Hi Sarah

I'm going for one of these now, hopefully get measured next week and have it by mid dec.

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

James