Polar Bears Explorer

[the_negligent_snail]

Hi all,

Am in need of a new dry suit and am going for the Polar Bears Explorer.

Just wondered if anyone has experience of this suit and what they think of it? Is it good value? What does it compare with? Are the cuff rings really that difficult to get through the shoulder straps of a halcyon BP?

All comments most welcome,

Thanks,

[Bardo]

Originally Posted by the_negligent_snail

Hi all,

Am in need of a new dry suit and am going for the Polar Bears Explorer.

Just wondered if anyone has experience of this suit and what they think of it? Is it good value? What does it compare with? Are the cuff rings really that difficult to get through the shoulder straps of a halcyon BP?

All comments most welcome,

Thanks,

General consensus seems to be that they're very good suits providing you can get them to make one that actually fits! I know of a few people that ordered a MTM Explorer and had to send the suit back on several occasions for modifications to make the suit fit.

Since then, of course, Protec have released their DUI 'clone', the Protec Explorer that has stolen a lot of the Polar Bears' thunder. Whether they're as good as they first were is unknown as Ian - the previous owner of Protec - has since moved on to pastures new. Certainly the Protec suits I've seen so far have been good - I suspect I'd be more inclined to go for one of those than a Polar Bears!

[Darren555]

I've got a PB Explorer and I'm very happy with it so far.
Never had a problem with the cuff rings & they make changing seals a five minute job.
Unlike the Protec you can have a lovely neoprene neck seal and boot/sock options too.

[Adrian Kelland]

I have a PB Explorer. No problems with mine. I have changed the socks, but that was my choice and PB charged nothing for this. I don't have the PB cuff rings, but the manchettes, to which I have fitted Rolocks.

However you might want to thing about who is measuring you up for any suit. Get it wrong yourself and it could be to your cost. If the supplier gets it wrong it is down to them. I'd give consideration to a make of similar quality suit that is close to you and that you would be happy to visit for fitting.

Adrian

[Treerat]

I don't have the explorer but I do have the Voyager.
I use the cuff rings with an Eclipse and as yet haven't had an issue with it. My suit was MTM and was both measured and fitted at the factory in Launceston.

If you do your own measurements ensure you follow the instructions - it's not unknown for people to think and add a bit for undersuits, xmas puddings etc.

Don't think you can beat getting the factory to measure you.
Andy

[the_negligent_snail]

Thanks for all the advice.

I am meeting Brian from Ocean Explorers on Wednesday to be measured up and I am fairly confident that he will get the (possibly rahter odd) dimensions right.

I was hoping that nobody would have had tales of woe and appalling problems with these suits and to date nobody has so I am fairly happy.

If only I was a size smaller I would jump at a brand new (and half price) DUI TLS350 http://www.deepbluedive.com/product.aspx?id=11295 but my problem is my suit is stopping me from reaching my vales at present so I cant take a risk on a slightly smaller size than their charts suggest I should (even if it is only a few inches the missis tells me it makes all the difference).

This is what I am looking at, and at £100 off PB's own price - Ocean Explorers, The Online Technical Diving Centre