Elios or Diveskin?

[Spearo_Fla]

O.k. anyone out there using the Benthos e Pelagos suits from Elios?

How much? Who do we order from? How do they fit?

I know plenty of people who have Diveskin suits does anyone have both?

[frogman]

John,
Try this link . You can e-mail directly to the manufacturer with what you want. For the Pelagos/Benthos tailor made in a 3 mm will run you from $180 to $200+shipping (depending on the material you pick-Yama, Heiwa, Freedown, linings, etc). They will respond back to you with prices/materials/options. I am not familiar with the diveskin suits but the Elios suits are simply awesome. And I have two Picasso suits that barely get used any more. It's getting close to breaking out my Benthos suit again. The water is getting chilly.

[ErikY.]

Sorry no experience with Diveskin (reports are good) but you'll need a gun to take my Elios custom away. I also have a Picasso that's gathering dust.
Peace,
Erik Y.

[Asturven]

John,

Diveskin is another league, keep it with Elios, Polosub or Marea they are best.
In the last one I can help you, they are more specialized in spearfishing wetsuits than Elios and you also have the same options of different materials and linings but much more camo patterns.

Hope it helps

Ivan


Check www.mareasub.it or send an email

[Asturven]

John,

I mean Send me an email or a PM.

Ivan

[jfjf]

I love my Custom Elios Jacket....

[sacha58]

I have been using only Polosub for the last 15 years and find them great....also because I live in the same town most of the year and this makes orgdering and having measurements taken easy, , but lots of friends use Elios and find them impeccable and I know they have great long distance service.

[DaKahuna]

Thanks for the elios link, but after checking out the elios site, I am more confused than ever!
Can anyone easily explain the differences between the different brands of neoprene they offer. I mean, I've heard of Yama, Heiwa, etc, but wouldn't know how to choose one over the other. The even mention a high density version of some of the neo. I'd guess it would be more durable and warmer, but is it less flexible as well?
I'd be looking for a 2 piece 5mil, smooth in, green/brown camo (nylon) out.
Any suggestions? I'm still trying to decide between the diveskin and the elios as well. Spiros' suits have been getting good reviews here, but I don't know about possible differences in quality of material.
Thanks in advance....

[Spearo_Fla]

Chip I'm in the same boat- I need a 5m for the end of Jan. for a trip to the hatch. Elios, Spetton, Spiros, Marea which will do the job for the least cash?

[ErikY.]

Heiwa medium density for freedivers is a good fit. Low density will be like the Yamamoto 45 that is very stretchy, but compresses more at depth (colder, more negative at depth) and loses it's insulating ability a few 1000 dives sooner. My Picasso lost 4lbs of buoyancy after about 30 days of diving (this means less insulation as the bubbles have collapsed and leaked out)
The high density might be good if custom fit, but will be less flexible and possible less insulating as there's more neo and less gas in the max. Scuba-type suits tend to be high density rubber.
My 3mm Heiwa med-dense is incredible and I will not go back to Yamomoto 45 or other spongy crap. In warmer climes maybe not such a big deal, but in Canada it's always an issue
Peace,
Erik Y.

[ErikY.]

What most of the freedive/spearos I know have bought from Elios is: Heiwa, medium density, custom fit, bare neoprene inside (they call it OPEN CELL) and a nylon lining on the outside for durability (black, camo,etc). Keep in mind that they do take about 4 weeks to get the custom suit to you.
Good luck and Merry Christmas,
Erik Y.

[Spearo_Fla]

I can wear a standard 52 right off the racks. Minus some trimming on the length of the arms and legs.

[Fondueset]

I've got two Elios suits - and 'off the shelf' 3mm thermic pile lined and a 5mm black shadow with superstretch on the outside and black slide - open cell inside. Elios took my measurements for the off the shelf model and it fits perfectly - clearly they modified it ALOT since I'm 6'1" and 160lbs - and at no cost - my daughter and another friend also got the inexpensive 3 mil suites - all are perfect fits.

The 5 mil is medium density and tremendously warm and comfortable. I've been in with it down to 38f. the 3 mil is also great - and good down to 55f or so for relatively short dives. Very sturdy
I'd definitely go Heiwa - yamamoto has a rep for not holding up.

Eliossub is fantastic! - just make sure you get the measurements right or they'll send them back to you with IMPOSSIBLE!! next to them
The answer to how they fit is 'absolutely perfect'

I've heard good things about diveskin over on deeperblue.

If you want to go off the shelf - Matt over at spearfishinggear.com had a great deal on an Omer camo suit awhile back - don't recall the details. Might've been a heavier suit.

[frogman]

Originally Posted by Fondueset

- just make sure you get the measurements right or they'll send them back to you with IMPOSSIBLE!! next to them
.

That's what they said about jfjfjf suits for his chest girth vs waistline until he sent them a picture with his "King Kong"-like physique . I guess those skinny italians are not used to burly americans.
John,
Medium Heiwa with open cell inside and smoothskin in the ouside will keep you nice and toasty and you WILL not need to wear a parka when out of the water. It feels like wearing a coat. Of course it rips a lot easier especially if you are not familiar with the similar type suits (read: you will need more shampoo than in a hair-stylist convention in South Beach ). I am sure the 5 mm would hold up better than the 3 mm. Make sure you order some tubes of neoprene glue from them. They go for $1-2 each.
BTW, the Benthos/Pelagic pattern are painted on the smoothskin (rubber) outside. If you really want the pattern but are afraid of the open cell inside, then you can get a nylon lining inside. Not as warm as open cell, though.

[milhouse]

I can't tell for Elios, but I'm sure they're great stuff, but my 5mm Diveskin is my best 139.00$ investment ever, ever.

They can't be better made, and the price is the big thing about them!

I've tested him in very cold water, and my buddy who was wearing a 7mm Picasso was not feeling hotter than I was.