Imported post
Im in pretty much the same boat, recently qualified (only 35 dives since march) so as a result my information could be useless!
As for drysuit, i was lucky in that i effectively got given one so didnt have to buy. However, having used it and seen others around i like the idea of a membrane suit meaning you can vary what you wear underneath depending on conditions. I did manage to cut my suit on a wreck and flood it a while ago (yeah i know....) but the repair was nothing more complicated than a cycle repair kit - quick, easy and can dive again later the same day. Im not sure how easy neoprene is in this respect.
I have a cuff dump on my suit so cant comment on shoulder/auto dumps but even so, i dont find a cuff dump rocket sciene - raise arm to dump. The dump on mine is slower than my BCD dump though so if using suit for buoyancy think a little bit ahead.
Undersuit, i use a weezle extreme with booties - its fine this time of year however in march/april with 6-8c waters i was a little cold so wore a thin top and tracksuit bottoms under it. The one big plus with it is the wicking effect keeps water away from your skin and onto the outside of the suit. My drysuit neck seal leaks every dive and the outside of undersuit is always soaked - i stay warm and dry.
The thing does seem to trap a lot of air though so i occasionally have to squeeze myself hard to start to sink and likewise be a little careful on ascent to make sure nothing is trapped.
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Computers: For £350 you are spoilt for choice. I use a Vytec because it has a good gauge mode. (It shows mins and seconds). The vyper is just as good except it only shows minutes. I know I will never use the multigas facility and so that is useless IMO. If you get the Vyper you could also afford the computer interface thingy with it which makes keeping your dive log easier. (You can download your profiles onto your PC, much better than writing it all down)
Ive recently bought myself a Vyper, currently only used it on one dive weekend and a few holiday dives where i hired one but i like it. Easy to read underwater, display is fairly uncluttered and concise, the only minor issue i have is pressing the buttons (backlight, bookmark etc) is a little difficult with thick gloves on though far from impossible.
It does have a nitrox mode and a gauge mode. I got mine for £209 including P&P last week. If your budget is more though a Vytec maybe a better idea as its probably a computer you'll never outgrow. Alternatively, use the £140 you save and put it towards a better drysuit (or beer or something)
As for the comment about using the extra to buy the interface, im not sure thats needed. The interface costs about £60ukp but i built my own yesterday in about 3 hours for under £3 of components and it works perfectly so if you have any electronics knowledge or know someone that does do that and save yourself a lot of money (the same goes for other Suunto computers and interfaces).
