Visiting UK from Oz - drysuit purchase advice...

[northerner]

We moved to Oz from the UK 18months of so ago and are visiting family over Chrtistmas - we're taking the opportunity to buy our first drysuits whilst over (much cheaper than Oz for diving gear) - so there are a few questions which I hope you can help with.

First the choice of suit. I've read lots on this forum and others and O'Three seems to get continuously good customer reviews - everyone seems to love their O'Three! So would something like the MSF500tb be a good bet? Wouldn't want to spend too much more than this to be honest. Other options are the Waterproof Draco which also seems to keep users very happy. I was also considering Northern Diver Divemaster but have read various comments which put me off slightly - I get the impression that the other options would be a better bet.

The only thing which concerns me about the O'Three is the weedy looking knee/shin protection (something which the Draco seems to have sussed out). There are many, many shore dives around Sydney/NSW coast, alot of which have rocky entry/exit points - think crawling on hands and knees on exit - so this is a bit of a concern. Can anyone comment on the knee protection???

Once we've decided on a suit the next question is do we need to think about measuring up/ordering well before we come over?? We're over for 3.5 weeks but this is over the Christmas break also. Will this be enough time to just turn up to a store (probably one of the ones linked to above) and order one if necessary?? I don't think there's anywhere near me in Oz where we could go and try on a couple of sizes to get an idea... I guess that the measuring charts are pretty accurate so maybe we talk to one of the stores and see if they can make sure there are a few in around our size??

Anyway, sorry for rambling - any advice very gratefully received!

Graham

[TerryH]

My advice would be to NOT get a neoprene.

I've no idea what part of Aussie land you are in, but its obviously cold
enough to merit a drybag. Having said that there must be times where
the water is a tad too warm and go for a neoprene and in the odd
temperate zones you will cook.

Go for membrane, which has no thermal charectaristics and you can
choose what layers you put on underneath. That will make the suit more
versitile and give you more options.

One other point is that it's a lot easier to fix menbrane over neoprene.
Worth thinking about if you need to get stuff fixed locally.

Checkout Otter Drysuits Home

[northerner]

Hi Terry,

Thanks for the quick reply. I've read quite alot on the neoprene/membrane debate and can see the arguements both ways. Apart from the 'neutral' thermal properties are there any other advantages to going membrane over neoprene?

We live in Sydney and most of our diving is up and down the NSW coast. Sydney is typically 21-22 degrees in summer down to about 15-16 in winter. We dive with a wetsuit for most of the year - really until water temps drop below 17-18 degrees and the air temp is cooler - then the dry suit would be very welcome! Also will help for multiple dives (ie - keeping warm and dry) and also for boat dives - again wind chill factor.

Will have a look at the Otter offerings - I have a friend who has recently moved to the UK and has bought herself an Otter membrane and loves it!

Cheers,

Graham

[dryan]

I would go with membrane for reasons stated above.

Don't discount other manufacturers- I see youre from Manc originally, so assuming you will be back there for Christmas.

Theres a suit manufacturer in Liverpool that gets great reccomendations from lads in my club, plus they do a nice self donning black option

Protec Dry Suits

[Buoyant Babe]

If you are nearby, I would check out Seaskin in the Leeds/Bradford area.

[Barbel]

I would go with the membrane suite also. I decided to get a drysuite when i dived in 10 degrees water and thought if i gets any colder i will suffer. I was in capers at the weekend in my divemaster and i was sweating and i had only a thin pair of standard thermalls on that are available from asda for a £5. The water was 18 degrees for a guide.

Also i believe the membranes can be very robust compared to the neopreans i was thinking of buying the ND Cotrtex as its the same price but was advised by a couple of owners of the suite that if i planned in diving during the winter the neoprean is the way to go as the cortex became stiff in the cold of winter.A problem that i see you will not have.

WEre are you visiting on your trip we may be able to give you some advice on places to visit.

[Turtleburp]

Hi Northerner,

I moved out here a couple of years ago and am having the same issues with the cost of dive gear - that is if you can even get hold of what you want in the first place!

I bought MTM Otter Britannics for my partner and I and on the whole have been really pleased with them.

-I'm not sure that everyone has been so lucky though its probably worth trawling the threads.

We adjust thinsulate by season and dive them all year round -actually that's not true she adjusts thinsulate by season I dont bother.

We did the measurements at home and sent them via email, the suits themselves have turned out really well except for:.

• My boots are a bit big, (I was sent socks FOC) and they are okish now.
  
• The arctic thinsulate is shite though as all the insulating material slides down into the legs.
  
• My braces were rubbish, since tying a knot though where the elastic slipped though the plastic clip I have had no problem though. The braces are still adjustable the elastic just doesn't slip through and make me swear embarrasingly now.

I would suggest sending the measurements but arranging to try on the boots before they're attached -or get socks of course!

Take the suits back in luggage and claim back VAT at ariport, (if you get them shipped you get stung on import tax). Arrive in Aus, develop amnesia and avoid the tax.

Cheers
T

[northerner]

Take the suits back in luggage and claim back VAT at ariport, (if you get them shipped you get stung on import tax). Arrive in Aus, develop amnesia and avoid the tax.

Don't worry - I already thought of that one!

Thanks for the replies - I will investigate membranes a bit more, looks like it might be the way to go. The Otter Britannic looks like a really good suit too....

Cheers,

Graham

[PeeBee]

Seaskin for mtm membrane especially if you are visiting the north of the UK, OThree for MTF Neoprene. The number of people I know who are happy with both makes is incredible, whereas others don't seem to have the same following unless you can afford DUI (very nice)

Seaskin give superb after sales service too.

[broady]

I would still get the O3 but go for the Ri200 if you can stretch to it - kind of the best of both worlds being a crushed neoprene.

In any case to address a few points on the original post - the knee pads on the O3 aren't weedy at all, proper thick things they are. Maybe they don't look like it in photos but they're definitely up to the job.

If you do a lot of shore diving then you probably want to steer clear of the Waterproof Draco as the boot soles wear out at an alarming rate.

HTH

Graham

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