WELL, i will chime in here regarding a couple of things. first, the suit. i say get the best you can with the money you have(a no brainer i know) i am having a Bare Trilam HD custom cut for me through Dive Tank. production on the suit is slated for the 30th of this month. now, typically i would not have been able to spring for this suit(retail: +/- 1700.00) but, Richard cut me a deal i just could not refuse. the one thing i will say about Dive Tank is that they seem EXTREMELY busy. i have spoken mostly to Richard and Jason there and the one big problem i have seen is a lack of communication from what Richard and i have spoken about as compared to what is actually passed on to store staff. i have however gotten quick e-mail responses AND what issues i have had regarding the ordering of this suit, they were quickly resolved. the other thing i would like to point out is depending on your measurements you may or may not be able to get a GREAT deal on an "off-the-shelf" in stock D/S. i could not due to some odd measurements i have(suits that fit me in the chest area, do not fit me height wise). if it is a custom suit your looking to get, you should take a look at a company called SeaSkin. they are in the UK. both of my dive buddies have bought these suits and they are nice. membrane material coverd from kneck to ankle in Cordura(very tough) WITH options deliver'd to their front door for about $1100.00. the only reason that i did not go this route is that i have dived Bare suits exclusively and been real happy with their wet-suits and i figured i would be just as happy with their drysuit. if come this time next year i am not happy with the Bare Trilam, i WILL be ordering a SeaSkin. heck, as nice as that suit is, i may just order one next year anyhow. anyway thats just some things to think about. good luck with what ever route you decide to go.
Bill