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>I am currently considering Drysuits, and having followed the discussions on >this list, I have pretty much decided to go trilaminate, and DUI. Looking >at the DUI range in Oz, there are currently two models, the Norseman and the >TLS350. (I've been shopping new drysuit too. These are the opinions/findings/conclusions of someone who has been researching them, rather than someone who has been using them all for years, and should be taken with caution, but since you ask,,,,) >Also, I am interested as to whether the strength and quality of the suit is >good, compared to the TLS350. Norseman is a traditional plain jane, almost generic heavy weight trilam in the same category as the Diamond, Aqiuon and Typhoon. It's not at all like DUI's other suits - it wouldn't surprise me if there was a "made in England" label hidden away in it somewhere. If you are interested in the Norseman, you might want to look into some of the others mentioned, or similar ones, and buy whichever is the best buy/best fit. Not sure what the Norseman uses for a zipper - DUI traditionally cheaps out on zippers, and the others mentioned all use the really lovely BDM riveted zip, a major advantage. Diamond makes a nice suit that is just about identical to the Norseman but is self donning (nice thing about diagonal zipper self-donners is that the entry zip doubles as a relief zip, but doesn't get in the way if you want to add a Pvalve BUT unless the suit has a real good zipper it is a potential trouble spot bending over the shoulder as it does). >I would go for a TLS350, if I could be sure that I am getting good value >from the extra $1000. If the only differences are things like self donning >and telescoping body (read from brochures) then I would probably forego >these at this time. TLS is a relatively lightweight "comfort suit" with all the user friendly DUI bells and whistles. It gets a lot of good press on this list because it is popular with the scooter/cave crowd, but I've also heard it criticised by many local owners here in New England who say it doesn't swim great because of the baggy legs (a fault shared with most shell suits) and that it is too lightweight for really nasty wreck/cave crawling, and shore diving from mussel covered rocks. There's nothing wrong with lighterweight material if that's all you need (as many Viking Pro owners will be quick to tell you) it's a heck of lot more comfortable. But the 350 also has lighterweight zipper & untaped seams. >Does anyone know of the new model, and is it perhaps worth waiting for as an >alternative to the Norseman. Understand there are two new models, here at least - a 50/50 crushneo/trialam and another which will essentially a 350 made from polyester trialam which gives a little stretch and hence much greater comfort with good ruggedness. Plus since there's a little extra stretch it can be tailored tighter for less drag, sort of like a Viking Sport though whether DUI will do this (or how much extra they want to charge for it) remains to be seen. I think the polyester trilam is going to be the material of the future it's so comfy - everyone I know who has one loves it. See the discussion here last month about the Finnish-made Dacor Extreme for more info about this material. Don't know if this suit is available there, but if it is you might want to check it out. -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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