O Three Drysuit 5 or 2mm

[pauldiving]

i have ri, was going to get the 5mm, glad i got the ri..

i have had it 2 years and still looks new!

[MattS]

Originally Posted by airpusher

I think I'm edging towards the 2.1 but I don't want to end up with loads of underclothes on too.

Define loads!

In the summer I wear a PBB base layer. In winter I wear the base layer with a knackered old Beewise trackie over the top. In the depths of winter I put another very thin layer on. I once tried a 100gm undersuit underneath but I was sweating like a pig.

If you are thinking about tech, get the 2mm IMVHO as it's a bit more flexible. My 3mm takes an extra 1 to 2Kg to sink it.

[G man]

Under my 2.1 I just wear a Exotherm Artic, so its not that cold, in the summer Ive got a thinner Exotherm and thats fine.

G.

[jackdiver]

Originally Posted by airpusher

I think I'm edging towards the 2.1 but I don't want to end up with loads of underclothes on too.

At the moment (6-8 deg), under my Ri I'm using O3 PBB and a set of fourth element dry base. That's not loads, but for me it's warm enough.

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by MattS

Define loads!

In the summer I wear a PBB base layer. In winter I wear the base layer with a knackered old Beewise trackie over the top. In the depths of winter I put another very thin layer on. I once tried a 100gm undersuit underneath but I was sweating like a pig.

If you are thinking about tech, get the 2mm IMVHO as it's a bit more flexible. My 3mm takes an extra 1 to 2Kg to sink it.

I do love these people who don't get cold


Yesterday in a mild 10c I had a 200g Santi Thinsulate over an Exotherm Arctic top under my 2.5m 03 and it was OK. Andrew had the full on 03 PPB salapets and top on and he was visibly shivering underwater after 90mins.

I had the 5mm and its a fantastic suit for trim and buoyancy control because it fit like a wet suit over my Exotherm Base layer. Very comfortable very easy to swim. If it leaked or got punctured it was still warm enough for long deco.

The Ri is no where near as warm. Its a virtual membrane but admitidly slightly warmer. It has total reliance on base layers for main warmth.


The Ri is tougher, the 5mm is inherently warmer.

Both are excellent suits.

My one is very old and predates the Modern Batman look and its still going strong. I was using it in the winter with my heavy 400G DUI base layer and using the MSF500 in the spring summer with just a base layer. Sadly i put on a bout two stone and it wouldn't fit any more so I am now forced to use my RI all the time.

ATB

Mark

[airpusher]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

It still leaves me in a quandary over which to get! but at least i have an idea about each suit now. I have to pop down and try them both on soon and try to make a decision.

Cheers

Edit: Would you believe it! SWMBO won a competition at the LiDS. We get (thats if she invites me!!!!) 2 day charter hire and accommodation, tanks etc with celtic diving. Not bad but she could have won something blood exotic

[MattS]

Originally Posted by Mark Chase

I do love these people who don't get cold

I put it down to working as a despatch rider when I was a lot younger. I also have an iron bladder, much to the consternation of those that let me drive them long distances

Yesterday in a mild 10c I had a 200g Santi Thinsulate over an Exotherm Arctic top under my 2.5m 03 and it was OK.

Yes, but you are a soft lager shandy drinking puff!

The Ri is no where near as warm. Its a virtual membrane but admitidly slightly warmer. It has total reliance on base layers for main warmth.

Not arguing with that. You have a choice. There are no free lunches so to speak. You can have the suit do the insulation or you can put the insulation underneath. Neoprene, even pre-compressed 5mm, will compress more readily than a sensible choice of undesuit. So you need to carry more lead to sink an equivalent thickness of neoprene and that lead will work against you once the neoprene has compressed. Multiple layers of thin material underneath usually provide better insulation than a single thick layer of the same material - as any despatch rider will tell you.

The RI is tougher, the 5mm is inherently warmer.

I would think the main advantages of the 5mm is cost. It used to be wear and tear when I bought my original 2.5mm Lycra but the RI coating is just so damn strong...If you can afford it.

Both are excellent suits.

My one is very old and predates the Modern Batman look and its still going strong. I was using it in the winter with my heavy 400G DUI base layer and using the MSF500 in the spring summer with just a base layer.

When you had the choice of either which did you choose to wear more often. QED.

[airpusher]

Originally Posted by MattS

Yes, but you are a soft lager shandy drinking puff!

Just a thought as I have it lying around. Has anyone ever used buffalo PP layers under a drysuit and with what effect? I use the top under my bike gear with good effect but may be a bit bulky fro drysuit.

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by MattS

When you had the choice of either which did you choose to wear more often. QED.

Given the choice I prefered the 500 because it just fitted me perfictly (when i was 13 stone ). The 2.5 can suffer from air in the feet which I hate but again I stress both are excelent suits.

ATB

Mark

[ShinyD]

I've just arived back home after visiting o'three (only just over an hours drive for me) and have to say I'm really impressed with them.

I did go to the dive show last weekend with a view to trying a 2.5mm suit, but seeing the scrumm around their stand for all the time I was there decided to leave it and pay them a visit instead at their factory.

Their stock is a litle low right now, and the lead time for mtm is out to July thanks to orders at the dive show. Fortunately being a fairly generic 'large' off the peg size I tried a large Ri 2/100 and it fitted like a glove but with plenty of room for movements like shutdowns. I need 3cm removed from each arm to get a perfect fit, but it's perfectly adequate to dive as is.

The boots are a size 9 on the suit and I'm a size 8 shoe, but it's a close call whether the suit size 9 is actually too large and needs changing.

I've bought the suit and will collect and dive it next weekend at Chesil (weather allowing) to see if the boots are too big or not (I think they'll be ok).

I want the left hand pocket changed from velcro closing to zip, and a second zip pocket added to the right hand side, both of which I have to pay for (perfectly happy to do so).

I'm really pleased that I can take the suit away next weekend and try it with the alterations I want (pockets and possibly boots) to be done at some later stage when things quieten down after the dive show rush.

It was great that I wasn't rushed at any point and had plenty of time to get the feel of the suit, ask questions and drink a complimentary coffee before making the decision to buy.

My experience so far is that they're great people to deal with and are very helpful