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| 02 Apr 2008 19:17:26 |
| Hi-Soft |
| wetsuit : 7mm vs 5mm w/vest ???? |
Just about to buy a wetsuit, looking at full 7mm for Victoria ( Australian ) waters mainly. It has since occured to me to consider the option of a 5mm full suit, with an added vest (probably hooded). I think the last wetsuit I hired on my OW course was actually a 7/5 anyway ( Pinnacle "Cruiser"), so just wanting opinions of the pros and cons of each.. Also, what's the go with wearing a hooded vest...under or over..does one provide better insulation..? And if I'm a size medium wetsuit, and choose to wear a vest over the top...do I get a size large vest...or will it stretch enough ?? losts of questions I know...but I'll my likely be purchasing online ( due to high local retail ), so need to look at all options first.... bc |
| 02 Apr 2008 13:05:39 |
| Re: wetsuit : 7mm vs 5mm w/vest ???? |
Unless you have a compelling reason to get a wet suit, I would get a dry suit. Much easier, nicer and much more comfortable! Once you wear one you will NEVER wear a wet suit again! John On Apr 2, 12:17=A0pm, "Hi-Soft" <nos...@spam.com > wrote: > Just about to buy a wetsuit, looking at full 7mm for Victoria ( Australian= ) > waters mainly. > > It has since occured to me to consider the option of a 5mm full suit, with= > an added vest (probably hooded). > > I think the last wetsuit I hired on my OW course was actually a 7/5 anyway= > ( Pinnacle "Cruiser"), so just wanting opinions of the pros and cons of > each.. > > Also, what's the go with wearing a hooded vest...under or over..does one > provide better insulation..? > > And if I'm a size medium wetsuit, and choose to wear a vest over the > top...do I get a size large vest...or will it stretch enough ?? > > losts of questions I know...but I'll my likely be purchasing online ( due = to > high local retail ), so need to look at all options first.... > > bc |
| 03 Apr 2008 10:07:25 |
| dechucka |
| Re: wetsuit : 7mm vs 5mm w/vest ???? |
"Hi-Soft" <nospam@spam.com > wrote in message news:aZQIj.5281$n8.1178@news-server.bigpond.net.au... > Just about to buy a wetsuit, looking at full 7mm for Victoria ( > Australian ) waters mainly. > > It has since occured to me to consider the option of a 5mm full suit, with > an added vest (probably hooded). > > I think the last wetsuit I hired on my OW course was actually a 7/5 anyway > ( Pinnacle "Cruiser"), so just wanting opinions of the pros and cons of > each.. > > Also, what's the go with wearing a hooded vest...under or over..does one > provide better insulation..? > > And if I'm a size medium wetsuit, and choose to wear a vest over the > top...do I get a size large vest...or will it stretch enough ?? > > losts of questions I know...but I'll my likely be purchasing online ( due > to high local retail ), so need to look at all options first.... > > bc 5mm suit and vest gives you more flexibility if you dive further North but will it be warm enough for your normal diving. You don't want cold knees |
| 02 Apr 2008 23:00:29 |
| Ron |
| Re: wetsuit : 7mm vs 5mm w/vest ???? |
johnvonc@earthlink.net wrote: >Unless you have a compelling reason to get a wet suit, I would get a >dry suit. Much easier, nicer and much more comfortable! Once you wear >one you will NEVER wear a wet suit again! On a personal basis, I agree. I wouldn't be doing cold water dives if I hadn't gone to a dry suit. It's like night and day in terms of convenience and warmth. This is not a universal conclusion. I dive with someone who wears a wet suit. A dry suit is way more expensive, and it adds complication (an extra low pressure hose to control) and makes buoyancy a bit more complex. In answer to the original question, it really depends on how warm you want to be. A warmer alternative would be to get a 7 mil suit with a built-in hood and then get a vest to go with it. Since it's such a matter of personal preference, the usual advice is to try to rent something similar to what you're considering and see if it proves to be something you'd like to live with. -- Ron (user ron in domain spamblocked.com) |
| 03 Apr 2008 06:59:26 |
| Hi-Soft |
| Re: wetsuit : 7mm vs 5mm w/vest ???? |
"dechucka" <dechucka@vomithotmail.com > wrote in message news:47f411ba$0$13295$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au... > > "Hi-Soft" <nospam@spam.com> wrote in message > news:aZQIj.5281$n8.1178@news-server.bigpond.net.au... >> Just about to buy a wetsuit, looking at full 7mm for Victoria ( >> Australian ) waters mainly. >> >> It has since occured to me to consider the option of a 5mm full suit, >> with an added vest (probably hooded). >> >> I think the last wetsuit I hired on my OW course was actually a 7/5 >> anyway ( Pinnacle "Cruiser"), so just wanting opinions of the pros and >> cons of each.. >> >> Also, what's the go with wearing a hooded vest...under or over..does one >> provide better insulation..? >> >> And if I'm a size medium wetsuit, and choose to wear a vest over the >> top...do I get a size large vest...or will it stretch enough ?? >> >> losts of questions I know...but I'll my likely be purchasing online ( due >> to high local retail ), so need to look at all options first.... >> >> bc > > > 5mm suit and vest gives you more flexibility if you dive further North but > will it be warm enough for your normal diving. You don't want cold knees Yeah..I think I'm going to go with a full 7mm...like the Pinnacle / Paragon Elastiprene.. I have a Tusa 3mm steamer for warm water anyway.. I've often wondered what the hell those dry suits are all about...they look pretty funny ( unless you're a diver )...but I think way too complicated and too much fuss for me...and don't you need a special certification to wear one too ? |
| 03 Apr 2008 22:08:08 |
| Tazz |
| Re: wetsuit : 7mm vs 5mm w/vest ???? |
snip > but I think way too complicated and > too much fuss for me...and don't you need a special certification to wear > one too ? > > Special certification?! Riiiight ;) -- </Tazz > |
| 04 Apr 2008 12:37:20 |
| dechucka |
| Re: wetsuit : 7mm vs 5mm w/vest ???? |
"Tazz" <dmswaine@gmail.com > wrote in message news:47f57f78$0$4041$9a566e8b@news.aliant.net... > snip > > but I think way too complicated and >> too much fuss for me...and don't you need a special certification to wear >> one too ? > > Special certification?! Riiiight ;) PADI runs a dry suit course $250 and you get a dive thrown. No wonder PADI stands for Put Another Dollar In just kidding btw |
| 04 Apr 2008 00:20:22 |
| Tazz |
| Re: wetsuit : 7mm vs 5mm w/vest ???? |
dechucka wrote: > "Tazz" <dmswaine@gmail.com> wrote in message > news:47f57f78$0$4041$9a566e8b@news.aliant.net... >> snip >>> but I think way too complicated and >>> too much fuss for me...and don't you need a special certification to wear >>> one too ? >> Special certification?! Riiiight ;) > > PADI runs a dry suit course $250 and you get a dive thrown. No wonder PADI > stands for Put Another Dollar In > > just kidding btw > > Yea, I know. I did my OW cert through PADI at the LDS. The instructors didn't bother with the "PADI propaganda", as they called it. Instead they focused more on safety and common sense instead of 'going through the ranks and becoming a uber divemaster. After I passed I ordered my equipment (we used rentals for the course, so I had a better idea of what to buy). When the choice came to wet or dry, it had to be dry. I said something like "I guess I'll have to do the dry suit course now, right?" The instructor/owner said "No, we'll take you out and show you how it works on one of our 'fun dives'(a bi-monthly event)." Cool, saved me some $$ -- </Tazz > |
| 03 Apr 2008 22:52:22 |
| Adam Helberg |
| Re: wetsuit : 7mm vs 5mm w/vest ???? |
"Hi-Soft" <nospam@spam.com > wrote in message news:aZQIj.5281$n8.1178@news-server.bigpond.net.au... > Just about to buy a wetsuit, looking at full 7mm for Victoria ( Australian ) waters > mainly. > > It has since occured to me to consider the option of a 5mm full suit, with an added > vest (probably hooded). > > I think the last wetsuit I hired on my OW course was actually a 7/5 anyway ( > Pinnacle "Cruiser"), so just wanting opinions of the pros and cons of each.. > > Also, what's the go with wearing a hooded vest...under or over..does one provide > better insulation..? > > And if I'm a size medium wetsuit, and choose to wear a vest over the top...do I get > a size large vest...or will it stretch enough ?? > > losts of questions I know...but I'll my likely be purchasing online ( due to high > local retail ), so need to look at all options first.... > > bc What's the temperature of the water and air in Victoria? |
| 04 Apr 2008 09:09:27 |
| Hi-Soft |
| Re: wetsuit : 7mm vs 5mm w/vest ???? |
"Adam Helberg" <sendspamhere@yahee.com > wrote in message news:47f5c210$0$11373$4c368faf@roadrunner.com... > > "Hi-Soft" <nospam@spam.com> wrote in message > news:aZQIj.5281$n8.1178@news-server.bigpond.net.au... >> Just about to buy a wetsuit, looking at full 7mm for Victoria ( >> Australian ) waters mainly. >> >> It has since occured to me to consider the option of a 5mm full suit, >> with an added vest (probably hooded). >> >> I think the last wetsuit I hired on my OW course was actually a 7/5 >> anyway ( Pinnacle "Cruiser"), so just wanting opinions of the pros and >> cons of each.. >> >> Also, what's the go with wearing a hooded vest...under or over..does one >> provide better insulation..? >> >> And if I'm a size medium wetsuit, and choose to wear a vest over the >> top...do I get a size large vest...or will it stretch enough ?? >> >> losts of questions I know...but I'll my likely be purchasing online ( due >> to high local retail ), so need to look at all options first.... >> >> bc > > What's the temperature of the water and air in Victoria? Well..the water is around 19-20 celsius on the summer (approx.65 f), but as far as air temp...we are quite famous for being all over the place...often four seasons in one day...summer would average around high 20's celsius though.. So if I want to dive all year round might need to anticipate range of about 60-70 fahrenheit... bc |
| 04 Apr 2008 16:28:29 |
| Doctor Bob |
| Re: wetsuit : 7mm vs 5mm w/vest ???? |
While I was dreaming about my next Hawaii visit <47f5865d$0$13246$5a62a c22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au >, dechucka <dechucka@vomithotmail.com > wrote > >"Tazz" <dmswaine@gmail.com> wrote in message >news:47f57f78$0$4041$9a566e8b@news.aliant.net... >> snip >> > but I think way too complicated and >>> too much fuss for me...and don't you need a special certification to wear >>> one too ? >> >> Special certification?! Riiiight ;) > >PADI runs a dry suit course $250 and you get a dive thrown. No wonder PADI >stands for Put Another Dollar In Pay And Die Immediately |
| 04 Apr 2008 09:50:35 |
| Adam Helberg |
| Re: wetsuit : 7mm vs 5mm w/vest ???? |
"Hi-Soft" <nospam@spam.com > wrote in message news:bfmJj.5819$n8.2289@news-server.bigpond.net.au... >> >> What's the temperature of the water and air in Victoria? > > Well..the water is around 19-20 celsius on the summer (approx.65 f), but as far as > air temp...we are quite famous for being all over the place...often four seasons in > one day...summer would average around high 20's celsius though.. So if I want to > dive all year round might need to anticipate range of about 60-70 fahrenheit... > > bc You don't need a dry suit. And you're right, diving with a dry suit is more complicated, besides the extra expense of the dry suit. I dive in Southern California with similar temperatures and use a 7/5 with a hooded vest over it. Some put the hooded vest under the suit. Spray some hair conditioner on your legs and arms to ease getting the suit on. Adam |
| 09 Apr 2008 11:41:26 |
| Don Gingrich |
| Re: wetsuit : 7mm vs 5mm w/vest ???? |
Adam Helberg wrote: > > "Hi-Soft" <nospam@spam.com> wrote in message > news:bfmJj.5819$n8.2289@news-server.bigpond.net.au... >>> >>> What's the temperature of the water and air in Victoria? >> >> Well..the water is around 19-20 celsius on the summer (approx.65 >> f), And down to as low as 9C in winter <50F >> but as far as air temp...we are quite famous for being all over >> the place...often four seasons in >> one day...summer would average around high 20's celsius though.. >> So if I want to dive all year round might need to anticipate range >> of about 60-70 fahrenheit... >> A cold day in Winter can be around 8-10C >> bc > > You don't need a dry suit. And you're right, diving with a dry suit > is more complicated, besides the extra expense of the dry suit. I > dive in Southern California > with similar temperatures and use a 7/5 with a hooded vest over it. > Some put the hooded vest under the suit. Spray some hair conditioner > on your legs and arms to ease getting the suit on. > First, and probably most important point to consider is, "What is comfortable for you?" I know divers (generally female, but not exclusively) who won't dive in Victoria any time of the year without a dry suit. And I know others who will dive in a wet suit or semi-dry all year around. A lot depends on your metabolism and possibly how much "personal insulation" you may happen to have. I dive in Victoria. Started with a 5mm "Farmer John" 2 piece and added a 5mm hooded vest later. The hooded vest underneath was a good compromise since it meant no cold water down the back of the neck. And with what I was wearing I effectively had 15mm of neoprene over the torso. Comfortable at 9C (after the initial shock) as long as I was moderately active. If I had been taking photos, it would have been bloody cold, though. (I tend to not move a lot on dives where I'm doing photography.) I'd have to say that in 9C my arms an legs were "cool". In any case, female partners have referred to me as the "human space heater", so it's probably fair to say that I'm less affected by the cold than most. Another type of wetsuit to consider is the "Probe" brand available here. They use a "stretchier" type of neoprene. And since part of the goal is to reduce the water flow, a tighter fit is good. The only problem is that putting one of these suits on is a tad more difficult. (But see comments re ways of making it easier to get a suit on.) BUT.... Now that I'm doing deco diving, I'm using a dry suit. Hanging around on the stops I find that I get cold easily since there is limited movement. I still haven't thrown the wetsuit away, though. I pull it out for Summer most years. Another alternative for getting on tight wetsuits is either a lycra "skinsuit" or a surfing "rash vest" with long sleeves and a pair of cold weather bicycle tights. The lycra and neoprene slide better against each other. I've also seen people put a plastic bag over their foot to help it slide into a suit. Hope this is useful -Don |
| 09 Apr 2008 17:59:59 |
| Hi-Soft |
| Re: wetsuit : 7mm vs 5mm w/vest ???? |
"Don Gingrich" <gingrich@cs.rmit.edu.au > wrote in message news:euOdnfG1YduggmHanZ2dnUVZ_quhnZ2d@internode... > Adam Helberg wrote: > >> >> "Hi-Soft" <nospam@spam.com> wrote in message >> news:bfmJj.5819$n8.2289@news-server.bigpond.net.au... >>>> >>>> What's the temperature of the water and air in Victoria? >>> >>> Well..the water is around 19-20 celsius on the summer (approx.65 >>> f), > > And down to as low as 9C in winter <50F > >>> but as far as air temp...we are quite famous for being all over >>> the place...often four seasons in >>> one day...summer would average around high 20's celsius though.. >>> So if I want to dive all year round might need to anticipate range >>> of about 60-70 fahrenheit... >>> > A cold day in Winter can be around 8-10C > >>> bc >> >> You don't need a dry suit. And you're right, diving with a dry suit >> is more complicated, besides the extra expense of the dry suit. I >> dive in Southern California >> with similar temperatures and use a 7/5 with a hooded vest over it. >> Some put the hooded vest under the suit. Spray some hair conditioner >> on your legs and arms to ease getting the suit on. >> > > First, and probably most important point to consider is, "What is > comfortable for you?" I know divers (generally female, but not > exclusively) who won't dive in Victoria any time of the year > without a dry suit. And I know others who will dive in a wet suit > or semi-dry all year around. A lot depends on your metabolism and > possibly how much "personal insulation" you may happen to have. > > I dive in Victoria. Started with a 5mm "Farmer John" 2 piece and > added a 5mm hooded vest later. The hooded vest underneath was a > good compromise since it meant no cold water down the back of the > neck. And with what I was wearing I effectively had 15mm of neoprene > over the torso. Comfortable at 9C (after the initial shock) as > long as I was moderately active. If I had been taking photos, it > would have been bloody cold, though. (I tend to not move a lot > on dives where I'm doing photography.) I'd have to say that in 9C > my arms an legs were "cool". In any case, female partners have > referred to me as the "human space heater", so it's probably fair > to say that I'm less affected by the cold than most. > > Another type of wetsuit to consider is the "Probe" brand available > here. They use a "stretchier" type of neoprene. And since part of > the goal is to reduce the water flow, a tighter fit is good. The > only problem is that putting one of these suits on is a tad more > difficult. (But see comments re ways of making it easier to get > a suit on.) > > BUT.... Now that I'm doing deco diving, I'm using a dry suit. > Hanging around on the stops I find that I get cold easily since > there is limited movement. > > I still haven't thrown the wetsuit away, though. I pull it > out for Summer most years. > > Another alternative for getting on tight wetsuits is either a > lycra "skinsuit" or a surfing "rash vest" with long sleeves and > a pair of cold weather bicycle tights. The lycra and neoprene > slide better against each other. I've also seen people put a > plastic bag over their foot to help it slide into a suit. > > Hope this is useful > > -Don > Yeah I've been looking at that Probe....nice looking suit for sure...does look tight at the ankle...and no zippers there by the looks of the promo pic.. The Pinnacle (Paragon ) I tried on was the new "Elasteiprene" 7mm, and fit me way better than the previous "Cruiser" ( non stretchy )., also a little bit cheaper than the Probe.. so top of my list so far.. |
| 10 Apr 2008 15:30:20 |
| dechucka |
| Re: wetsuit : 7mm vs 5mm w/vest ???? |
"Hi-Soft" <nospam@spam.com > wrote in message news:zu7Lj.7725$n8.979@news-server.bigpond.net.au... > > "Don Gingrich" <gingrich@cs.rmit.edu.au> wrote in message > news:euOdnfG1YduggmHanZ2dnUVZ_quhnZ2d@internode... >> Adam Helberg wrote: >> >>> >>> "Hi-Soft" <nospam@spam.com> wrote in message >>> news:bfmJj.5819$n8.2289@news-server.bigpond.net.au... >>>>> >>>>> What's the temperature of the water and air in Victoria? >>>> >>>> Well..the water is around 19-20 celsius on the summer (approx.65 >>>> f), >> >> And down to as low as 9C in winter <50F >> >>>> but as far as air temp...we are quite famous for being all over >>>> the place...often four seasons in >>>> one day...summer would average around high 20's celsius though.. >>>> So if I want to dive all year round might need to anticipate range >>>> of about 60-70 fahrenheit... >>>> >> A cold day in Winter can be around 8-10C >> >>>> bc >>> >>> You don't need a dry suit. And you're right, diving with a dry suit >>> is more complicated, besides the extra expense of the dry suit. I >>> dive in Southern California >>> with similar temperatures and use a 7/5 with a hooded vest over it. >>> Some put the hooded vest under the suit. Spray some hair conditioner >>> on your legs and arms to ease getting the suit on. >>> >> >> First, and probably most important point to consider is, "What is >> comfortable for you?" I know divers (generally female, but not >> exclusively) who won't dive in Victoria any time of the year >> without a dry suit. And I know others who will dive in a wet suit >> or semi-dry all year around. A lot depends on your metabolism and >> possibly how much "personal insulation" you may happen to have. >> >> I dive in Victoria. Started with a 5mm "Farmer John" 2 piece and >> added a 5mm hooded vest later. The hooded vest underneath was a >> good compromise since it meant no cold water down the back of the >> neck. And with what I was wearing I effectively had 15mm of neoprene >> over the torso. Comfortable at 9C (after the initial shock) as >> long as I was moderately active. If I had been taking photos, it >> would have been bloody cold, though. (I tend to not move a lot >> on dives where I'm doing photography.) I'd have to say that in 9C >> my arms an legs were "cool". In any case, female partners have >> referred to me as the "human space heater", so it's probably fair >> to say that I'm less affected by the cold than most. >> >> Another type of wetsuit to consider is the "Probe" brand available >> here. They use a "stretchier" type of neoprene. And since part of >> the goal is to reduce the water flow, a tighter fit is good. The >> only problem is that putting one of these suits on is a tad more >> difficult. (But see comments re ways of making it easier to get >> a suit on.) >> >> BUT.... Now that I'm doing deco diving, I'm using a dry suit. >> Hanging around on the stops I find that I get cold easily since >> there is limited movement. >> >> I still haven't thrown the wetsuit away, though. I pull it >> out for Summer most years. >> >> Another alternative for getting on tight wetsuits is either a >> lycra "skinsuit" or a surfing "rash vest" with long sleeves and >> a pair of cold weather bicycle tights. The lycra and neoprene >> slide better against each other. I've also seen people put a >> plastic bag over their foot to help it slide into a suit. >> >> Hope this is useful >> >> -Don >> > > Yeah I've been looking at that Probe....nice looking suit for sure...does > look tight at the ankle...and no zippers there by the looks of the promo > pic.. > > The Pinnacle (Paragon ) I tried on was the new "Elasteiprene" 7mm, and fit > me way better than the previous "Cruiser" ( non stretchy )., also a little > bit cheaper than the Probe.. so top of my list so far.. looking good is crap. diving comfortable is good |