Lookn 4 Recommendations for a dry suit for cold water detecting

[Lookn4Seated]

Hey all. I know many of you hunt in some cold oceans, i.e. Northern Pacific, or the north eastern shores. I am looking to purchasing a "good enough" dry suit for detecting in Lake Michigan thru November (or until the lake freezes). Something simple enough to keep me warm. I don't need anything complicated for some deep cold water diving, just to keep me warm in shallow water detecting (up to the neck). I have seen some "bare" and "poseidon" drysuits, but are quite expensive. Is there an alternative dry suit suitable for such detecting, or do I have to crunch down and get one of these? They seem to range from $500-$1,000's of dollars. What's a reasonable amount (and an expected amount) to pay for a decent dry suit?

Sorry for all the "rookie" questions. Thanks for all the help.

Jon-L4S

 

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[wrecker]

If you want the suit for detecting only you could go with a used drysuit. There are good offers on e bay. I would recommend a suit you can put on alone without the help of another person. So I would buy a suit with a front zipper. Some dry suits have a hood permanently attached. You don't need that, a knitted cap or separate hood is fine. And I would choose a suit without a dry glove system. They are more expensive and you don't really need it. Just normal latex or neoprene wrist seals and separate neoprene gloves (a must for cold water detecting). I used to wear a Suunto Finn Dry myself for detecting, that's a 5 mm neoprene drysuit with an extra cordura outer shell and a front entry. Kept me warm in even the coldest water. But it's a bit buoyant, so you would need a weight belt if you're in chest deep water, otherwise you can't push down on your scoop. Make sure the weight belt has a quick release buckle, make yourself familiar with it so you can drop the belt and don't drown in case you stumble and fall in the water. Have a big plastic tub in the trunk of your car so you don't get the car all wet after you come out of the water after hunting. Good luck and happy hunting

 

[Sandman]

Wrecker gave some good advice. I think my drysuit was Scubapro but am not sure as it was years ago. I used it for diving under the ice to retrieve drowned snowmobiles. I wasn't a big fan of the latex neck closure as I felt it extra tight. Don't get one with an attracted hood or relief zipper but the front zipper entry is the best. If your just going to use it for wading maybe a full 7 mm farmer john wet suit will do you plus you can pee if you have too. There are suit warmers you can use inside the suit to help warm the water around your core. An you can also wear thermal underware to stop the movement of water inside the suit. Good drysuits cost the coins because of the extra comfort your buying. Suggest you not buy from ebay but a dive shop which may have used ones. You'll need to try them on for size as not all sizes by manufacturers are standardized. Talk to more divers at the dive shops.

 

[Smoogle]

have you considered a regular dry steamer from big surf names like Billabong, O'neill or Quiksilver - some of my friends from down south have them - booties, hoods included, some are layered in with sheepswool - like an ugg boot for your whole body - toasty! - also get them online at great prices - factory seconds etc

 

[jiminsandiego]

I highly recommend the Bare cd4. It's better than a DUI at half the price. The "bare boot" is very good. I would get latex wrist seals and neoprene neck seal. This suit is very durable and comfortable. The back entry zipper is easy to open and close by yourself using a clip and line attached to something at shoulder level. This is one subject that I really know about. Get the Bare cd4 and you'll have the best. The lamenants and neoprene dry suits just don't compare.

 

[OBN]

A different approach if you don't want to spend the cash

Best place to get a drysuit, EBay..BUY ONLY, NEW with Tags..never used.... Immersion suit, Survival Suit, or Drysuit. Most of these are 3 to 7 years old which is fine..but some can go back 20 plus, so watch the age. I would recommend the MSD900 Mustang Survival, excellent for the cold water or ice, insulated, gortex..new they are over 2000.00 but I have seen them for 250. Most are Military OP's Never used. My Opinion....When It comes to size I buy one size larger then I need..drysuits, old age, zippers, can make for some tuff maneuvering of the body..one size larger..piece of cake. I've got 4 drysuits off Ebay, first was used....it was a neoprene Henderson..Still have it but I look like a Big Blue Gummy Bear. Used a few times, no problems. Think I got it for 75.oo. Next was the MSD900 New, the Best..So far, 340.oo..Then I got a great deal on a MultiFabs UK Military Survival/immersion Suit, Gortex..New 80.oo, very light weight (compared to the others) ..good for areas that the water could be polluted, and water temps are still in the 50 to 60 range, Next a MAC300..Military Aviation Nomex & Gortex which is new and was 250. This one I have not used yet, and can not comment. My favorite so far, the MSD900..
And always wear a Manual Inflate vest (PFD) on the outside.....Get yourself some McNett Silicon for the seals, and a stick of zipper wax .

Good Luck

Have a big plastic tub in the trunk of your car so you don't get the car all wet after you come out of the water after

Good Advice for sure!

 

[maipenrai]

I would recommend a dry suit, that surfers wear. Anything heaver and your going to wear yourself out. I have used my diving wet suit, (10mm long johns, + 10mm jacket), when hunting in cold water, with ice, and it was torture. Had abrasions everywere. Dive suits are made for diving, not doing work, or detecting on a beach. I'm sure a surfers dry suit is the best for metal detecting in shallow water, (not diving).

Let us know the results, maybe others would benefit too.

 

[Lookn4Seated]

Going with the insulated Hodgmans instead of the drysuit for now. Not going to be diving anyways, just need something to keep me dry and warm up to the chest. Need a new pari of waders for trout fishing any who, so this might just kill two birds with one stone. Thanks for the tip Ron.

 

[Burldrives]

Be sure if you get a used dry suit you get some sort of promise or return if the zipper leaks . A zipper replacement can set you back $ 300 or more . I only used my dui underware mid winter in Jersey the rest of the I used heavy sweat suits . Undreware is $ 400 This was for diving . There are several materials some are like rubber like a viking or dui has a nylon type . Both have a tendency to pinch when not used with air tanks . crushed neoprene would be more con fortable . Dui has a sizing chart on line

Graig

 

[MBbeachrat]

Ocean Rodeo
http://www.oceanrodeo.com/

I kiteboard and they are the best and lightest.

 

[Randyd]

Be careful with waders, if you fall and they fill up with water you could have problems. The ocean might not be as bad as a river, but I have heard of people drowning in a river because they fell and their waders filled up.

I bought a used dry suit off of eBay that was in good shape. it was a L and I should have got a LT. I am a little to tall for it, although I have used it for river diving. Be careful of your size. If you are 6' get at least the LT. The other problem with it is it is too hot for what I do. it also is a rear zip, so i would have to hunt someone down to zip me up. I could get out of it by myself, just not in it.

I bought a semi-dry suit and that is what I use now. It works great for me working hard in cold or cool water. It is a front zip and I can get in by myself.


R

 

[gravediggermax-vabeachva]

lookn

this is only a suggestion for u.

several of us here use this top for our waders and farmer john suits.
works really good
just passing along.....fyi
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http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2558&pdeptid=1909