Northern Diver Divemaster Drysuit - Thoughts? Opinions ?

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Iain Sutcliffe - 15 Feb 2004 01:14 GMT

I was thinking of changing from my membrane Drysuit to compressed
Neoprene - been looking at the Nothern Diver Divemaster suit.

Has anyone got one or had experience of one ?

im interested in everyone's opinions but cant find a review site on
the 'net that has it listed

whats everyone's thoughts - sre they a good suit or bad ?

TIA, Iain

Reply to this Message

AJT251065 - 15 Feb 2004 10:29 GMT

The ND Dive Master is reviewed inthis months edition of Dive Magazine, along
with a number of other neoprene suits.

I've never tried a ND neoprene suit but had a Vortex membrane from them for a
while and as a result of that suit I would never use them again.

I found their quality control very poor and their customer service even worse.
That said I'm others will have different experiences.

Safe diving whatever you buy.

Angus

Reply to this Message

Derek Dear - 15 Feb 2004 10:46 GMT

>I've never tried a ND neoprene suit but had a Vortex membrane from them for a
>while and as a result of that suit I would never use them again.

I have a ND Neoprene and am very happy, but then my dive buddy had problems
with his suit, needed two returns and finally a complete new suit made.
Northern Diver did make sure he was satisfied in the end. I would suggest if at
all possible, go and get measured properly.
--
http://69.57.148.74/~dvlincol/forum/index.php
Visit the forum for Lincolnshires Diving News
and UK.Rec.Scuba Dive recomendations
--

Reply to this Message

Tricky - 15 Feb 2004 12:33 GMT

> I was thinking of changing from my membrane Drysuit to compressed
> Neoprene - been looking at the Nothern Diver Divemaster suit.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> TIA, Iain

They used to make some good suits, until they moved it all to China.
If you can find an old one in relatively good condition, go for it.
Otherwise, give them a wide birth.
I used a Divemaster neoprene for most of last summer, and I can't remember
having a dry dive in it!

Reply to this Message

Justin Champion - 15 Feb 2004 15:30 GMT

I am sure that Northern Diver do not need any defending but. I am have used
a Vortex Drysuit for about 2 years and never had any problems with it. The
shop which I botught this from was extermely helpful and did not rush me
into any descisions. I did buy direct from the factory, though in
Lnacashire.

I understood that all of the ND suits are made in that factory htough so I
am not sure wher ethe line they are made in China comes from. ?

> > I was thinking of changing from my membrane Drysuit to compressed
> > Neoprene - been looking at the Nothern Diver Divemaster suit.
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> I used a Divemaster neoprene for most of last summer, and I can't remember
> having a dry dive in it!

Reply to this Message

Tricky - 15 Feb 2004 16:34 GMT

> I am sure that Northern Diver do not need any defending but. I am have used
> a Vortex Drysuit for about 2 years and never had any problems with it. The
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> I understood that all of the ND suits are made in that factory htough so I
> am not sure wher ethe line they are made in China comes from. ?

The vortex and divemaster suits are very different suits.
The problem I found with the divemaster was the seal leaked constantly, no
matter how tight they were. Neoprene i suppose!

ND suits are manufactured in China (they have been for several years now).
They may have the boots fitted at the factory in the Uk, but the suit is
glued outside the UK (simular to many manufacturers, Oceanic being one that
springs to mind!). Also the repair work is carried out in the UK.

Reply to this Message

Ken Phillips - 26 Feb 2004 20:18 GMT

I wonder what all that very expensive CNC cutting gear, the large stacks of
unglued panels, lots of very busy people, and all the suits waiting to be
despatched, are for, that I saw on a recent visit to their factory at
Standish, nr. Wigan. No small yellow skinned people in sight!!

Safe diving, Ken Phillips

> > I am sure that Northern Diver do not need any defending but. I am have
> used
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> glued outside the UK (simular to many manufacturers, Oceanic being one that
> springs to mind!). Also the repair work is carried out in the UK.

Reply to this Message

Tony Dwyer - 15 Feb 2004 18:22 GMT

> I was thinking of changing from my membrane Drysuit to compressed
> Neoprene - been looking at the Nothern Diver Divemaster suit.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> TIA, Iain

I have an ND Divemaster suit. Bought it last October after my elderly
Gates Pro-Am (membrane) became porous. I've been in cold water with
it, most recently last weekend at Gildenburg. I was warm, cozy and did
not get wet. I had a PolarTec undersuit on to help with keeping warm.
The suit seems to be well made, fits like a glove and is very
flexible. It's the first neoprene drysuit I've had. Up to now, I'm
quite happy with it.

regards

Tony D

Reply to this Message