DUI DrySuits - good, bad, indifferent

[DavidW_NZ]

Sorry if this has been covered before but we need some input regards DUI drysuits.  With winter just starting over here with colder seas and air temps than usual we've decided enough is enough and we wish to retire our semi drys for now.  We have the choice of local drysuits (don't think so ) British made Beaver suits(sold by local chapter of the DIR brigade)  or DUI suits.  So input would be much appreciated

Many thanks in anticipation
DavidW

[Snash]

David

Without doubt DUI are very good suits - do a search on "DUI" in YD and you will find lots of threads. I would have posted the link to a recent one but I cant seem to get it to work. If anyone can enlighten me, that would be good.

There was recently quite a discussion on DUI suits and recent price rises seen in the UK.

There are many DUI suit owners here on the forum and they will sing the suit's praises.

I guess my main comment was, was the price differntial (around £300 or NZ$800) seen between a DUI suit and a suit that is "in competition" with it in the UK (a Otter Brittanic) justifiable. Didn't get an answer to that one.

How much are you being quoted for a DUI in NZ?

My view is that in the UK you are paying quite a bit to have this top of the range suit - do I think that premium is justifiable for a "brand" when there are "comparable" suits at a lot lot less. No. But others do.

Obvioulsy cant compare a DUI with your local suit and I dont ahve experience of the Beaver dry suit - what is its name and what cost are you looking at.

Simon

[Driftwood]

<font color='#0000FF'>Pal of mine recently had to send two DUI suits back due to excessive wear. After sending the second (replacement) suit back got told &quot;Here's your money back, don't bother buying another one&quot;. He didn't and is now very happy with an O'Three.....

Have heard rumors (from a DUI dealer) that there is a dodgy batch of DUI's going around as they received a duff lot of material.

[Mr T.]

Hey David,

I've had my DUI TLS 350 for over three years, and it's the 'nads! Highly recommended.

[Woz]

<font color='#000080'>Don't know if it's still true but 15 years ago all Beaver dry suits were being made by Otter.

DUI- either love 'em or hate 'em but at the new UK prices I think they will price themselves out of the market.

[BJ]

They are among the best but they should be. The prices are becoming astronomic. (£1500 to £2500 in the UK).

[DavidW_NZ]

Just been down to our friendly dive shop and been quoted around $NZ4500 (about £1500). &nbsp;Think this also includes drysuit fitting and some free training in their pool. &nbsp;We think this sounds good albeit expensive and as the only other choice is either something local or flying back to the UK we think we may go this route and start saving our pocket money.
Many thanks for your help and input - as always much appreciated

David

[Steve L.]

Have they really hiked the price up to £1500 &nbsp;or more ? That really is a rip off. I paid £620 for my CF200SE 8 years ago and though that was expensive, but the suit has lasted well and apart from the zip that has started leaking, there have been no problems.

I don`t think people mind paying extra if the expense is justified. However, according to a thread on this forum a few weeks ago, the astronomical prices are due to alighning the cost of the suits with German dealers.

Has anyone brought a DUI from Hydrotech yet ? It seem strange that DUI have put their all eggs in the basket of a company who make their own dry suits. SDS and Aquarius were providing a first class service. I fear the DUI drysuit will disappear from the British diving market, which is a great shame as they are always coming up with some great innovations.

Still we`ve always got O`Three, and Otter who must be rubbing their hands with delight over DUI`s self destruction in the British market.

Steve

[Snash]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (DavidW_NZ @ April 10 2004,07:42)]Just been down to our friendly dive shop and been quoted around $NZ4500 (about £1500).  Think this also includes drysuit fitting and some free training in their pool.  We think this sounds good albeit expensive and as the only other choice is either something local or flying back to the UK we think we may go this route and start saving our pocket money.
Many thanks for your help and input - as always much appreciated

David

David

£1500 is a shed load of dosh for any suit. Does that include an undersuit etc in that price; if so what is in it.

what about the Beaver one you mentioned - if you give us some more details (eg Name, Description, Price) I am sure someone can give you the heads-up on it.

If you are coming over to the UK, then I am sure that the All Blacks tour this autumn migt be at the same time as the Dive Show in Birmingham where prices tend to be cheaper - you could combine the 2!!!!

Or if you wait for the Lions tour, there maybe one or two YDs over who bring &quot;their new&quot; drysuits overand then &quot;leave&quot; them in NZ &nbsp;
Simon

[DavidW_NZ]

Thanks for the thoughts Guys - Unfortunately we are trapped on an island at the end of the world and we have very little choice.  We can have local drysuits with local standards  or pay a premium for drysuits from the real world and hope they are better.  Alternatively we could fly to the UK and buy the suits but that makes them even more expensive. Part of the local pricing is the raft of taxes levied by the NZ government which I believe also includes a 7% levie on all imported drysuits.

Oh well I suppose a drysuit's for life not just fot the first dive

Bye for now

David