Dry Suit on ebay

[MoshDiver]

Looking forward to my first time out on Saturday... but being keen I've started looking on ebay for kit.... the first being a dry suit!

I've seen this one on ebay a Mares Dry Suit it's item number 7164062368 and I've copied the description below. Currently sitting at 0 bids for £100 reserve.

Does this look like a reasonable offer?

'I am a plonker, I bought this new for £285.00 and it is the wrong size for me, to tight on the shoulders and arms. It is an XL and will fit a person 5'10" to 6'1" around 14.5 stone. It has size 10/11 boots fitted although I am a size 9 and they are ok. It has never seen water. Only bid if you intend to buy. It versatile and rugged dry suit, characterized by a modern, elegant line, combines the comfort and thermal protection of a neoprene suit with the softness of a trilaminate dry suit. select one size to big - to leave place for the inner suite * The 4-mm precompressed neoprene is lined with Small Diamond fabric that offers high abrasion resistance. * Boots included The boots are constructed from 6 mm neoprene with a rubber coating and reinforced soles. High technology inflation and deflation valves, ergonomically positioned for ease of access in every position. * Valves and LP hose included High-tech inlet and exhaust valves, ergonomically positioned for ease of operation in any swimming position. Quick coupling for the low-pressure hose, with an oversized ring shaped to facilitate attachment and removal. * Hood included Two non-communicating holes at the top of the hood permit venting of air. * SiTech valves, BDM dry zip, Cuffs and collar in durable latex * Suspender straps included Easy to adjust.'

[Sam]

Martin
you can get some fantastic bargins on ebay, but you can also get some pups - ask Catriona about her torch with an italian charger or Thomas about pony which in total cost more to buy and fix than it would to buy brand new.

Suits are very subjective and unfortuantley you cannot try them on before you buy them. It sounds like it might fit, but you wont know for sure until you buy it, only to find that it is unsuitable.

Unless you have unlimited funds, I would suggest that you start looking a little closer to home. Colin had some drysuits a couple of weeks back which were for sale - they did need a bit of work, but they would still work out very cheap.

Likewise Don Lees is a good person to speak to about drysuits. You will not get much cheaper than via Don.

If you are very intersted in the ebay suit, I would suggest that you do a google search to find a Mares size chart to see if it really will fit you

[GScrym]

It sounds good but I always get a bit wary of things on Ebay that aren't actually the thing themselves (pictures from websites, catalogues etc). It sounds like a good suit but to buy a suit for £285 new, especially Mares compressed neoprene, sounds unusual.
Even if you don't buy a new suit, go to loads of shops and try them on. At least then you'll get a feeling for what fit and type of suit you like. It'll also give you an idea of which suits are big or small made.
Ronnie's been lucky with anything he's bought on Ebay, diving wise. I bought a mask that wasn't the type I thought it was and ended up selling it on.

[MoshDiver]

Cheers guys... think I'll hold off this now and get an idea of what I actually want before I buy anything. Thanks for the advice

[divermckay]

My reply wont be the most constructive in helping you look for a suit but in my opinion BOOOOOOO BOOOOOOO TO EBAY

ask tom about his commercial giant torch that when delivered could be clipped to his keyring (slightly stretching truth) also his nifty little knife that when strapped to his leg could be used as an emergency splint coz its huge

and thomas with his pony (as sam already said)

and catriona with her italian torch (again sam got there first)

ronnie and thomas have both bought other stuff thats lived upto its promise but my post wouldnt have been as bias if i listed them so BOOOOOOOOOOOOO again and BOOOOOO HISSSSSSS TO EBAY ;D

[GScrym]

You're just booing ebay because it's technolgy that your extremist group PRAT is opposed to. ;D

I did laugh at the size of Tom's little knife though.

[GScrym]

And before you say anything, yes I know, I spelled technology wrong

[MoshDiver]

Thanks for the tips again.... Once more I'm back on the dry suit hunt after going out on Sunday.... this time I've looked at the SCOTSAC web site and I've found a Northern Diver Neoprene suit that I can go and visit and try on in Blantyre tomorrow (Weds) night. Over the phone he said he's not used it for a coupla years due to a sore back, but he's always taken good care of his kit (though he would say that!). He's also said he might throw in a semi-dry suit as well. And the cost a reasonable £100. Obviously the best test will be getting it in the pool... but I doubt he'll have one... though I'm not sure how upmarket Blantyre is! Bar the obvious like rust on zip.... checking for nicks and tears is there anything else I should look for?

[divermckay]

there shouldnt be any rust on any dry suit zip if there is walk away coz a zip could cost over £100 pounds (ive replaced two)

check cuff and kneck seals for any nicks cuts or perishing

check inflation and dumps work

look for obvious wear and tear around knees and bumb

check how many dives its done


but what you will be unable to check for until its in the water is leaks

personally i wouldnt buy a second hand suit without trying it in pool first . both my suits have been second hand from people within the club and ive been able to try them in pool before deciding


if you do decide to get it prices for repairs are roughly £15 for cuffseals, £35 for kneck seals, boots iam not to sure about but i think £45, and a zip over £100 if any of the valves dont work probably £20 upwards

and then you may get it in the water and it leaks anyway


you will have noticed by now that im not a fan of second hand kit from people i dont know


most of my kit is second hand from people in boness or borders club my only new stuff is masks and regulators (breathy things)

i dont mean to be kill joy but paying slightly more for a well checked suit from a trusted source COULD end up cheaper than buying a cheapy that will need replacing sooner

but i dare say others will have different opinions (how dare they disagree with me)

theres to much free thinking and fun within the club but i will put a stop to that when i am the all powerfull
bdo and have the committee eating from my hand

mwaha ha ha mwa ha ha ha


bring back the over use of smileys ;D ;D ;D ;D

[GScrym]

Blantyre is not upmarket. It's a quaint little ex mining town just outside Glasgow.

I called Northern Diver about seals for my suit and the cuffs were £35 per pair and £40 for the neck. They also had a 2 - 3 week wait on doing repairs. I think it's a case of 'oh, look at the weather, I think I'll dust off the moth balls and get out diving'. I know, it's me. A shop called Deep Blue Dive can do it in 24 hrs for £35 cuffs and £35 neck plus an extra £10 for quick turnaround if they have the parts. It's in tyneside but they have a website.

[GScrym]

And for Greame

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[MoshDiver]

Cheers...for the tips people... very useful. I'll keep them all in mind when I have a look.

& some smileys from me 2 also

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Sam]

Just to add to Gillian and Graemes comments.

Try the suit on with appropriate undergarments either with an undersuit or several layers of clothing - dont allow yourself to be hurried.

Make sure it is easy (!) enough to get on and off. Have a good walk around - it should be comfy at all times.

Check your range of movement - can you touch the back of your neck, can you kneel/ bend down in it, stretch your arms up and diagonally across the body.

If the answer to any of these questions is no or not very easily I would say that the suit is too small for you.

When its on, ask if the seller can connect up a bottle and reg and try inflating the suit - if there are any obvious and major problems with holes/valves/dumps etc this will show them up quickly.

If you want to double check anything about the suit whilst you are there - give me a call.

[MoshDiver]

Cheers all... The suit seems reasonable enough and the guy selling it let me take it on a pool trial after leaving him a deposit. I've also got a 2-piece semi-dry suit chucked in.