Ron19

Whats up fellow divers? Just had some ?'s about wetsuits.



First off, I'd like to say thanks to Josh, Ivan, Fritz and rest of the crew at MBT Dive Center. Just got my open water cert this past weekend. Why I waited so long, I don't know. Just glad I finally did it. Thanks guys.



OK, been looking around the web at some wetsuits. Found quite a few for around $100. A few names are new to me and wanted some opinions on them. I tried a Hyperflex during the class and had no problems with it. But I was also looking at BARE and Pinnacle? What do you folks think?

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Bluewater 2350

Orion45

Get the cheapest one that fits you the best. Just make sure it's not too tight. For spearfishing during most of the year, I use a one piece 3 mm Hyper-Flex. Bought it atMBT for $70 (on sale). For winter I have a 1/4" farmer john and a hood. No reason to spend lots of money on something that gets lots of abuse. 3 mm neoprene is 3 mm neoprene regardless of the name brand.

Evensplit

"3 mm neoprene is 3 mm neoprene regardless of the name brand"......

That's like saying a ribeye is a ribeye. Of course, I don'tknow thatOrion has ever had "prime" .oke

A premium stretch neoprene made for diving is quite a bit different than the hyperflex access suit or any of the low-midrange suits. You've gotta feel it to see the difference.

You don't have to have a premium suit for diving the local area, especially in the summer, but they sure are nice in the cooler months when a good snug fit with retained mobility is important.

Orion45

That's what she said.

You mean that fine HyperFlex that you sold me for $69.99 plus tax is not the top of the line??? :hoppingmad :hoppingmad :hoppingmad

I want a full refund.

P.S.Any restocking feesif the wetsuit has beenmicturated in?

Evensplit

The hyperflex suits are great suits for summer diving (I use one myself), but they are designed primarily for surfing, which uses a different neoprene than the more expensive suits designed for diving.

"Any restocking feesif the wetsuit has beenmicturated in?"

110% before discounts.:letsdrink

Orion45

Ron19,

Go to MBT and tell them exactly what kind of diving you are interested in, e.g. spearfishing, sightseeing, etc. and they will recommedn the right wetsuit for you. Since I spearfish, I use my 3 mm during the spring, summer, and fallstrictly to protect myself from cuts and abrasions. I also need the wetsuit because I use a Shark Shield.If you plan to dive during the winter months, you'll need something more substantial. How much more substantial? That depends on how cold you get, what kind of boat you are diving out of, andif you plan to dive in Jan and Feb. During the middle of the winter, if you're diving out of a boat that has a cabin (not a cutty cabin but a real cabin with a heater) a wetsuit will be fine since you can get out of it and warm up. On the other hand, if you plan to dive extensively in the middle of the winter out of a center console boat :dohor acuddy cabin without a heater, I recommend you look into a dry suit.A two or three tank dive trip under the latter conditions canget pretty cold. There are a lot ofvariables to consider. You can be sure that the folks at MBT will steer you right and will not try to sell you something you don't need.

I live in Navarre and drive all the way to MBT for all my diving needs despite having to endure the type of abuse dished out by Evensplit. oke

Orion45

:hoppingmad :hoppingmad :hoppingmad