First Drysuit - Any Recommendations?

[mikecsmith]

Hi,

I'm a PADI AOW who's just joined his Uni BSAC branch and I'm looking at purchasing my first drysuit.

Looking for a membrane drysuit - thats what I learnt in and am comfortable with - with a max budget of around £500 possibly £550 for the right one.

I'm pretty big coming in at:

6'2
Size 13 Feet
38" Waist
32-33" inside leg
44-46" Chest
17 Stone

Was wondering if I should go M2M (If anyone knows of any M2M in my price range that is) or just off the shelf and any recommendations for make/model would be appreciated.

Cheapest I've seen so far that I like the look of is a Norther Diver Cortex for £379 at Deep Blue:

http://www.deepbluedive.com/product.aspx?id=14043

Anyone have any reviews/opinions on that suit, and anyone know of cheaper models which are just as good?

Cheers,

Mike

[Mike Halligan]

If you're able to get to Bolton, then Nautec can do you a better suit at a better price, MTM

[mikecsmith]

That was fast.

Thanks, any website/contact details for Nautec?

Come from Staffs originally so I can always go via Bolton on my way down from Newcastle, any idea on the pricing for the suit?

Cheers,

Mike

[AndyA]

I would recommend one of the Aqua-tek range.
www.aquatekdrysuits.co.uk
I got the X480 made to measure with a few add ons for £500 from Scuba + Outdoor (www.scubapursuits.com). Im well pleased with it and other members of my club have had them for years so they are hard wearing.

[Mike Halligan]

Mike

You have PM. I paid around £420 for trilaminate suit, latex seals, neoprene boots, back & P zips, small pockets, hose, hood & bag. Tough as old boots and well fitted.

Mind you if Staffs is home, Gryphon at Cannock might be more convenient for you. I had been looking at a similar setup but priced more like your top dollar.

[Phil Mauer]

Try Otter at Divers Warehouse at Bradford - at the end of Nov they always have a massive sale! Call them to check on the exact date and ask them ref price.

Phil

[Richard Whitcombe]

I've just ordered a seaskin made to measure (they only do made to measure).

Base suit for membrane is about £430, Neoprene £400.

With a lot of extras im paying about £530 in total.

(http://www.seaskin.co.uk)

Other than that Otter are good membrane suits.

[Phil Laughton]

Don't forget, with a membrane drysuit you will need a good under suit.
It might be worth looking at companies who do suit packages such as RoHo,
or Divers Warehouse. They are both on the net as well as other companies.

Phil

[Richard Mason]

Don't forget, with a membrane drysuit you will need a good under suit.
It might be worth looking at companies who do suit packages such as RoHo,
or Divers Warehouse. They are both on the net as well as other companies.

Phil

Seaskin do an undersuit package to, if you get both d/s & undersuit MTM, off you and each other, that's got to be good.

[Rick]

i have an otter brittanic which was too big in the body for me which would fit you

size 10 feet mind so you would have to get that changed can supply a couple of undersuits with it also

it only has 4 dives on it so is basically brand new pm me for details