Archive for August, 2010

Scubapro Fusion: Dry Core technology - Hybrid Techskin 200D Bi-laminate membrane + 1mm neoprene shell (neoprene super stretch and standard mix), nylon socks, latex neck seal with additional cuff, latrex wrist seals with double wrist cuff to minimise water entry and protect from sunlight, tough coat knees for abrasion resistance

Over the past month or so, I have been trying out the new Fusion Dry Suit from Scubapro.
And I was so impressed that I put my DUI CXL450 up for sale – and bought one!  I must add, that I love my DUI – if you know me, you know that this is true – but I have had it for nearly three years now and it and I have done literally hundreds of dives.  Given the chance and the money, I would definitely buy another one.

When Andrew first showed me the new suit from Scubapro, I thought it looked and felt like a giant condom.  However I was also have a minor leak problem with my current suit so I took both dry suits on the July Three Day White Island trip.
I decided to give it a good try out so I jumped in to the suit for the very first dive.

Before I had entered the water, I noticed that the flexibility in the suit was great.

Although it looks a little funny compared to the standard Trilaminate or Neoprene dry suit – yes I did get laughed at a lot – the Fusion is flexible and the ease at which I could pick up and put on fins even with my twin set on meant I could get my own laughs back from time to time.
I’m liking the idea of this as a working suit as often when you are teaching, there is no one there to help you and you need to be ready very very quickly in order to be able to help your students out.

On the first dive in the suit, the major difference I noticed was a slight decline in temperature.
The waters at White Island were pretty comparable to what I had been diving in the weeks previous, however my legs felt cooler.  This can be, and was, remedied quite easily with the addition of another layer or swapping back to my Fourth Element Artic leggings.
I’ve made do without my leggings for quite some time as the bulk of them under the trimlaminate of the DUI was hard to work with.

During the dive I felt comfortable with good trim.
I had been having a bit of a problem with my left shoulder for a few months and completing twin set gas drills had gotten quite hard.  Even with the telescopic body in my DUI, I needed to tip forward quite a bit to grasp my left post valve.
I did not need to do this in the Fusion – there is just that little bit more flex with the neoprene duo of the super stretch and the standard neoprene.  Chalk another mark up for the flexibility of this suit!

So, I decided to write this Product Review after reading the details and information on the Scubapro Fusion website.

In fact the following two sentences were the ones that I really wanted to have proven wrong :

ONE;

Fusion is an exclusive hybrid suit by SCUBAPRO. It is a cross-over of the tri-laminated style, providing ultimate protection against water entry, and the neoprene style, providing maximum comfort. This unique combination is for incomparably comfortable dry suit diving.

TWO;

SCUBAPRO has incorporated DryCORE Technology, a patented, double layer system using: an internal dry core of tough 200D bi-laminate and latex seals with a sleek outer layer of soft 1mm standard and super-stretch neoprene, for the utmost in durable flexibility.

Streamlined for a hydrodynamic effect reducing friction and drag.
Fusion requires less energy both in and out of the water.

Having been very very very happy with my DUI for nearly two years, I wasn’t quite ready to like another suit.
But the reality of being a Dive Instructor – and spending as much time in the water as I do – is that there are some pieces of your equipment that you just cant get too attached to.  And really, a dry suit is one of them.

I totally agree that the Scubapro Fusion is a very flexible suit.  It is very comfortable to wear both on the boat between dives and in the water.  I like the fact that I can take the neck off and still keep my arms in (no trying to tie it around my waist or stuff the wet arms inside the suspenders).
And as a working suit, I can see that this suit and its design is going to make quite a few tasks a whole lot easier.

The air distribution through the suit promotes good trim.
The outer neoprene layer helps to squeeze the air in an even arrangement around the suit.  I did not feel the collection of air in my ankles even when partially upside down checking out holes for crayfish in the Marine Reserve – the only time I check for them as I cannot be hassled about my lack of hunting skills!

I need to do a weight check to see whether there really is a difference for me and once I download my dive profiles tonight, I will be able to see if there is a difference in my SAC rate to justify the claim that the suit requires less energy.

However, as I mentioned already, I am sold.  My conclusion is that this is a great suit.
I bought a Scubapro Fusion Dry Suit and spent this weekend in it at the Poor Knights and I loved it.

So I now have a DUI CLX450 XL for sale.  More information on that to follow soon.

Scubapro Fusion Dry Suits are available now from New Zealand’s friendliest Dive Centre – Global Dive.

Scubapro Fusion Technical Details :

• The neoprene layer minimizes air shifting, for better stabilization no matter what your position.
• Require 10% less air, meaning less added weight.
• Double layer construction with heat sealed seams for durability and warmth. Temperature stays constant throughout the suit and requires less energy to keep your body warm.
• Outer skin is replaceable.
• Si-Tech® balanced side-activated inlet and adjustable outlet valves facilitate operation and increase comfort.
• For all-temperatures: from extremely cold water diving to multiple dives in temperate waters, you control your thermal layer by choosing the underwear to match your diving needs.
• Nylon socks to be worn with FJORD HD Rock Boots or neoprene boots.
• Latex wrist and neck seals for assured watertight insulation and protection. The additional neoprene wrist cuff protects the seal.
• Convenient and protective front entry double zipper system: heavy duty brass dry zipper on interior layer plus a second robust low profile zipper on exterior layer guarantees double protection.
• Abrasion resistant kneepads ensure durable flexibility.
• Slim pockets on each leg, with two zippers each to increase pocket size and ease of use.
• Anatomically shaped hood with prolonged neck and Fairskin interior keeps you warm where you need it most.