Drysuit Holy Grail

[Greg Hanna]

Folks,

I currently have a Hunter Pro VSN Drysuit. I enjoy technical & wreck diving so I am very hard on my kit. When I bought the VSN it came with an excellent reputation and seemed to be a worthy replacement for my Aquion Pro. From my own experience and those I know who have this same Hunter suit, I can only politely say I am disappointed with it.

Can anyone recommend a suitable replacement as my Hunter suit has not weathered well. I am not overly concerned with the price range and was thinking about a DUI or a top of the range Otter?

Something ideally black :cool: with an affinity to twins sets and plated in twelve inch Kevlar!:eek:

Many Thanks
Greg

[purdy]

Try the Whites range

fantastic, even though I do say so myself

Mine has never let me down, they are well designed and constructed.

Purdy

[Ben Panter]

Hi Greg,

I've had an Otter Brittanic for over five years now, it's survived very well. About a year ago I managed to nobble the front zip and sent it back for replacement and a full service on the suit. I think the total cost was about 170 quid, but that included a new zip, reinforcing the boots, putting an extra bellows pocket on, reaffixing the braces, new neck and wrist seals and reinforcing the seat which they thought looked a little worn.

The suit is, needless to say, as good as new and bone dry. I reckon it must have easily done in excess of 300 dives, many involving trudging over rocky loch shores or long rides on inflatables. Built to last.

Ben

[Nigel Hewitt]

I've had an Otter Brittanic for over five years now, it's survived very well.Mine leaked when a mouse chewed a hole in it but that's hardly fair ware and tear. I don't do enough heavy diving to know if it's up to what Greg is handing out.

[Paul Rosendale]

Folks,

I currently have a Hunter Pro VSN Drysuit. I enjoy technical & wreck diving so I am very hard on my kit. When I bought the VSN it came with an excellent reputation and seemed to be a worth replacement for my Aquion Pro. From my own experience and those I know who have this same Hunter suit, I can only politely same I am disappointed with it.

Can anyone recommend a suitable replacement as my Hunter suit has not weathered well. I am not overly concerned with the price range and was thinking about a DUI or a top of the range Otter?

Something ideally black :cool: with an affinity to twins sets and plated in twelve inch Kevlar!:eek:

Many Thanks
Greg


Hi Greg,

Another thumbs up for The Otter Brittannic. Tough as old boots. Heavier than the DUI but a lot lighter in the price. Brittannic should be around £750 MTM.
I've heard the DUI is around £1,200 to £1,400, but this is only 2nd hand info. If that is the correct price, then I think their taking the p*ss. Was their price hike anything to do with DIR ?

Cheers

Paul

[David Tombs]

Agree with the Whites as a DUI alternative. Good mate of mine has reicently bought a Whites Catalyst and thinks its the Bees knees. Mind you,you do look a bit like Captain Scarlet in it. But as a Membrane suit it looks fantastic in design,materials used and robustness. Sold at SDS in Sheffield. Would by one myself but prefer O'three. Also do not want to look like my mates better looking , younger brother. Glad he's in New Zealand.

[purdy]

Agree with the Whites as a DUI alternative. Good mate of mine has reicently bought a Whites Catalyst and thinks its the Bees knees. Mind you,you do look a bit like Captain Scarlet in it. But as a Membrane suit it looks fantastic in design,materials used and robustness. Sold at SDS in Sheffield. Would by one myself but prefer O'three. Also do not want to look like my mates better looking , younger brother. Glad he's in New Zealand.

What do you mean Captain Scarlet!!!!!

I am sure I look better than that.... OK maybe only on a good day!!

[David Walker]

I've had a Gates (Hunter) CBX 450 suit for the last 3 or so years, and have been very very happy with it. Its done about 200 dives so far, and still looks almost new condition! Its their cordura suit, very hard wearing, and only about £400 or so. The only thing i've needed done to it was a new neck seal earlier this year, for which I sent it to Hunter who also did a quick once-over and pressure test, and I got it back within the week, paying less (including postage) than I would have paid going to any other place I know of.

Not the "top end" suit you might be looking for (and you're probably put off Hunter from your past experience), but personally I can't see the sense in paying more than double (or even three times the cost!) for a drysuit that does nothing different to mine thats lasted me so well. Its available in front entry too, as well as with options on near enough anything else if you get one ordered.

David

[iain aitchison]

HI Greg,

I use an otter britannic. I take much less than I should care of it, stuff it in a bag etc. and it still is dry and fit for purpose. I find the neoprene boots a bit hard to get in and out of and the trunk is a bit short. Probably me not reading the form. Neck and wrists not overly warm - but I was spoilt before with a Viking with a dry hood and lock on gloves. That suit took easy 400 dives and taught me a lot about dry suit repairs in the end before I gave up trying to fix it (after a soaking on a FCD prep). The otter is Ok though, I would buy it again. Otter might give you an instructor discount too if you sweat talk them.

regards
Iain

[Gareth]

Iain

This

sweat talk them.

is it something special that NI's or prospective NI's know about:)

Gareth

[iain aitchison]

Sweat talking is good to practice. You are on the phone to them so why not try your luck. Asking costs only the phone bill? You can spend what you save on gas.:D

Who said I was a prospective NI - have you seen me in action? Was it that good? These divers all look the same. :eek:

[Argo]

Folks,

I currently have a Hunter Pro VSN Drysuit. I enjoy technical & wreck diving so I am very hard on my kit. When I bought the VSN it came with an excellent reputation and seemed to be a worthy replacement for my Aquion Pro. From my own experience and those I know who have this same Hunter suit, I can only politely say I am disappointed with it.

Can anyone recommend a suitable replacement as my Hunter suit has not weathered well. I am not overly concerned with the price range and was thinking about a DUI or a top of the range Otter?

Something ideally black :cool: with an affinity to twins sets and plated in twelve inch Kevlar!:eek:

Many Thanks
Greg


Well if your still looking........try my website and see if anything catches your fancy e.g The Viking Pro 1000 or the Viking ProTec.......
If you need any special size let me know.......
www.Argonautic-Online.com or www.Argo-Nautic.com

Have a good one and compare prices as well as quality..

[Ian@1904]

http://www.seaskin.co.uk/
These guys have been making suits for 20 years.
Try calling Richard Hurdman he is the MD. MTM membrane suit starts at about £429. I have material swatches right next to me as I am giving them serious interest.
You may not have heard of the name as they are OEM suppliers to "bigger" diving suit names.
I can't vouch for the quality, but maybe the police and military can ;). Visit the site and you will understand.

[Ian Wigg]

Have you considered an O Three Ri 2/100 as an alternative to a membrane suit.

Might be worth looking at.