Picasso Wetsuits

[Stealthdiver]

I just looked at these online. They seam really pricey ? Whats special about them ? , or do the people on the west coast just make plenty of $ ?

[WESTBURY]

Not sure where on-line you saw them, but I've purchased Picasso's online from a shop in Spain ( www.scubastore.com ) in the $300 range.
The Picasso suits keep you real warm with a lot of flexibility.
Hey, everyone knows that Floridians don't have a state income tax. So theoretically, Floridians make about 10% more than us Californians

[Megabeast]

Originally Posted by WESTBURY

Hey, everyone knows that Floridians don't have a state income tax. So theoretically, Floridians make about 10% more than us Californians

We repay out the same amount of money for Bug Spray Services IMO.

[peterv]

...and flood insurance, and hurricane insurance.

The suits I've seen looked well made, nice patterns, nice neoprene.

[Pfish]

Originally Posted by WESTBURY

Not sure where on-line you saw them, but I've purchased Picasso's online from a shop in Spain ( www.scubastore.com ) in the $300 range.
The Picasso suits keep you real warm with a lot of flexibility.
Hey, everyone knows that Floridians don't have a state income tax. So theoretically, Floridians make about 10% more than us Californians

Is there any duty when bringing the suits in? Do they come to your home, or do you have to pick them up and pay duty at the post office?

[Belzelbub]

Originally Posted by Pfish

Is there any duty when bringing the suits in? Do they come to your home, or do you have to pick them up and pay duty at the post office?

Shouldn't be. Unless there is an export/import tax figured in to the shipping price. I just bought a wetsuit from www.diveskin.net out of Greece, paid the price of the suit plus shipping, and it arrived directly at my home. Great service from Spiros, and it looks to be very well made.

[ErikY.]

They are well-made suits but the Yamamoto has proved to be not as long-lasting as some other rubbers ie: Heiwa.
They are expensive if you buy them from the US distributor, who has been the distributor for US and Canada for a long time.
Not so expensive shipped from Spain. No offence to the distributor as he's a nice guy, but the prices are substantially less (sometimes less than 50%) in other places.
Peace,
Erik Y.

[deepdown]

You can also get them at Hana pa'a for significantly less than on the mainland...

Prices here on Picasso gear are seriously inflated, same goes for OMER I think. OMER gear can be had relatively cheap in Europe, only problem is most online stores outside the US don't ship here because of arrangements with the distributor here. Good for Mark and his dad, but sucks for us!

Dive safe,

Gerald

[WESTBURY]

Originally Posted by Pfish

Is there any duty when bringing the suits in? Do they come to your home, or do you have to pick them up and pay duty at the post office?

Not that I'm aware of. I have found Scubastore.com easy to deal with. In fact I ordered a suit and it was the wrong size, so I emailed them, and they paid for the return shipping and sent a different suit. You can have it delivered wherever. I think they are sent DHL 2 day. I always place orders with friends to reduce the shipping costs. Ive bought fins, snorkels, masks with prescription lenses, numerous wetsuits, etc

[Reelfrogman]

I have 2 Picasso suits. One is a 3ml and the other a 5ml. My 5ml is 12 years old and still keeps me very toasty. I was hot in 64 degree water last week. My 3 ml works well from 70 degrees. Sometimes I will wear the 3 ml top and 5 ml bottom. The patterns are cool too. They only knock I have had on the suits is the stiching around the ankles, wrists, and hood, sucks. But, a local boat canvas shop can re-stich them for next to nothing. They are alittle pricey but shop around.

[ROBERTO REYES]

Originally Posted by Megabeast

We repay out the same amount of money for Bug Spray Services IMO.

Way too hot, its 30% more on air conditioning alone.

[Bitter End]

Help! I have a 5mm Picasso Camu that I tore. I was pulling the top off and tore thru the beaver tail part at the stiching (in the middle). Its a pretty bad tear and in a bad spot. Do any of you guys out there have some advise for repairing this tear. The wetsuit has lasted me 5 seasons and it is holding up great. If it wasn't for my bad doffing technique I wouldn't have any problems, this is the best suit I've owned.

[Grin]

I'm looking at them and can't figure out exactly how they are configured. Are the bottoms farmer john style with the lowers coming all the way up over the shoulders? If not, how are the bottoms configured. Does the top pull over and velcro under the crotch or something? It appears there is a hood attached and you pull over the top and there is some sort of velcro type crotch deal? They look nice to me. I'm hoping I am seeing it correct and the bottoms are farmer style and the top velcro or something under the crotch. If so I'm ordering one. Thanks for any info.

[jfjf]

Originally Posted by Grin

I Does the top pull over and velcro under the crotch or something? It appears there is a hood attached and you pull over the top and there is some sort of velcro type crotch deal?

Yes, the crotch is not velcro but a mechanical fastening device, which is adjustable in tension. If you use an eleastic (rubber) weight belt it will help seal the bottom of the wetsuit, preventing exchange of water.

Since there is no zipper, and an attached hood, they can't make a step-in jacket like a modern SCUBA jacket.

[Nate Baker]

There are Picasso's and there are Picasso's. This thread, or one like it, was discussed on the California board not too long ago.

The Picasso suits sold by Picasso America are made with Yamamoto rubber. The Scubastore suits are made with something else. The North American dealer, Roger Yazbeck bought lots of inventory prior to Picasso switching rubber suppliers.

The Scubastore suit is much softer than the Yamamoto, maybe too soft. All things being equal, you're best bet by far is the Yamamoto suit. It'll last far longer and keep you warmer at depth. Unfortunately, all things are never equal, so you're going to pay more for the Yamamoto suit. You'll just have to weigh your own priorities.

As an aside, if you buy from scubastore there may be exchange rate issues. The price you see on the website may not be the amount that hits your credit card. I'm not certain about this, but you better ask them if you go that way.

Somebody asked about a ripped suit. Both Picasso America and Scubastore sell Picasso glue. It works great. The instructions are right on the tube.

Nate in O.C.