Find someone who has one, and ask them how much weight they needed to
sink it for its first dive, then how much they dropped after their first
3-4 dives, and then how much they're diving with now.  Compare this to
the cheapest FJ you can find and decide if there's really a big
difference.

-hh

It's matter of preference. I bought a Henderson recently because it
was more confortable than the wetsuits I've been using. The
"hyperstretch" part of it makes it a lot easier for me to get it on
and off. It's also a lot more comfortable once I have it on.

Best advice is to go to a LDS and try them on and see what you think.

A) Hyperstretch  is not Goldcore.

B) Goldcore is the best there is, and WAY better than economy suits.
  If well fitted it is essentially a "Semi-Dry".

C) Hyperstretch is terrible. It is the most comfortable suit you
  will ever wear, but it's performance is LOWER than economy suits.

This is based on 2 years experience with Goldcore, and A/B comparisons
of the Goldcore with Hyperstretch.

I personally believe the Gold Core is that much better. First, it keeps
me warmer. Second, they last a lot longer. I have a Goldcore with over
300 dives on it. Though it is not as good as new (I know, I have a new
one and recently alternated them for 40 dives in Fiji) it is still quite
serviceable. It is still way better than say, O'neill, which give me around
1-150 dives before they have collapsed, and never were as warm as the
equivalent gold core.

Whether or not it's "worth the money" is too personal to decide on
your behalf. It is for us.

Benefit #2: The gold core lining is slick when dry, and dries very
quickly. You can don it very easily if both of you are dry. If one of
you is not, it becomes difficult. If you sprinkle the lining with water
and do the same to yourself, the suit will slide on like it's greased.

safe diving,

bullshark

If the premium is that great, you may do better with a custom suit.  Henderson
may use good rubber, but it doesn't matter if the fit isn't good.  

Titanium linings in particular, seem like unnecessary gold plating.  

As any old timer knows a neoprene wetsuit with no skin  on it is the warmest
because it conforms best to the body and minimizes water flow. Adding skin
to the outside made it last longer. Adding skin to the inside made it colder
but you could put it on and take it off without tearing it or using a *lot*
of talcum powder.
The Henderson goldcore solved this problem.

I've spent over three hours in 45 degree (95% of the time on the surface) in
a one piece 7/5 with a hooded vest. The two guys with hooded farmerjohns 7
all around  were ordered out of the water when they started shivering
uncontrollably.
I was probably more comfortable most of the time than the guys in the dry
suits. They hadn't dressed for the water temp and were cold most of the day.
(and as I pointed out to them, I had another way to get warm...)

In a casual conversation with a dry suit salesman not affiliated with
Henderson  who had been around a long time. I mentioned a product similar to
goldcore. I got about a five minute lecture on the overall superiority of
the material Henderson used to the silver stuff.

Gold core probably is the best wet suit you can buy.
But you should still buy a dry suit if you want to keep warm.

I have one of the 7/5 one piece Henderson suits. Over the suit I put on a hooded vest
and I find that works the best with this suit, as you want the smooth surface to be
in contact with your skin. Don't have anything to compare with but this suit is fine
for Southern California. Occasionally my arms feel cold because of the thinness
there.

Before putting on the wet suit I spray my arms and legs with hair conditioner.

Adam

Please excuse my off-topic post, but I have a question for "copwriter"
regarding the following post:
http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=vp1bless1g0257%40corp.supernews.com

If you still have the Audible Advisor and are looking to sell it,
please contact me at: dulaniwoods ((at)) hotmail.com

Oh, yea.. I do have an on topic post if it will keep the rest of y'all
happy. :-)

Anyone looking so sell:
1. Mares Avanti-L fins size 9-10?  (they don't make them anymore)
2. Tusa liberator or similarly designed mask?

Thanks!
-D.

Check out diverswholesale.com and examine the Bare (from Fitzwright division
of Suunto) SGS suit. Superglideskin is their name for the newest, state of
the art rubber which is super stretchable and lined to allow rapid drying.
The build quality of the suit is every bit as good as Henderson. The farmer
john design has grown into a slightly different form with a one piece, zip
up suit and a step-into "vest" (Bare #61427). The top suit sells for $269
and the over vest for $109. P.