Viking Pro 1000 ?

[oldflounder]

Hi 3D diver - I just came across your thread and thought I might chip in about the cuffs. I purchased a Viking Extreme about 14 months ago and have been learning how to dive dry in bits and pieces. After about 10 dives with it last Spring I tore one of the wrist seals. Because I prefer the better freedom of movement a wetsuit gives, I put it away for the summer and then had Viking cuffs [press-ons, not bayonet type] installed at the end of summer. Cost me about $180 total but I love them and feel it was well worth having it done by a professional and not myself. You can buy the parts a lot cheaper but there are a few tricks to attaching them, such as putting about 10 layers of glue onto each part over the course of a few days [or so I was told anyway] to get a really strong bond. I like them because they are relatively easy to swap out if you tear one on during a dive or while suiting up. Also you can buy long cuff latex or neoprene chemical gloves for about $6 in hardware stores and places like Lowe's. I have some and have tried attaching them [no problem] but they are not good for the cold water I dive in. They feel pretty rugged and would be great for jellies, etc. The wrist seals I have cut back to a comfortable fit that goes on and off easy. I wear glove liners that have a velcro wrist strap so I get a good seal over the latex seals in case I took too much off. I don't have to worry about the neck seal because I use a full face mask which makes a tight seal over the latex hood. I wear a 3mm Seasoft full face mask hood under that for warmth and ear canal relief from the latex. I like the Viking suit but mine is more of a semi-wet drysuit. I don't know where the water is coming from but I always seem to have a wet chest when I get out. And it's not sweat or condensation. I am blaming the zipper but I can't find any leaks when I test it inflated in the water. I think it is just seapage through the shell material. I am going to try applying some kind of water repellant chemical one of these days.

Oh----I have a trick for trimming the wrist seals----take one of those decorative 2 3/4 inch pillar candles you have lying around the house and push the seal over it inside out. Use a sharp box cutter and a magnifying glass[or light with magnifier] to do the trimming. Don't use the point of the blade. Lay the blade on the latex and press gently [rocking it back and forth] along the line until you just cut into the candle. Just slowly work your way around the wrist and you should have a nice straight cut with no nicks.

[3D diver]

Hi, thanks for your reply. Guess I need to check in more often.

I got some hefty drysuit undergarments---bare super hiloft---& hope I don't overheat in the summer.

I've lost a lot of weight & discovered my neck size is pretty close to the as-sold neck seal so tried it on. With no talc on it I had a heck of a time getting it back off!!! I trimmed a quarter inch off and ordered some talc from Leisure pro via Amazon. They sent me an empty envelope & wouldn't do anything about it till I lodged a formal complaing with Amazon!!! The replacement is due Monday.

I've never had to trim wrist seals before.

You may have a pinhole somewhere that's causing the leakage, it doesn't take much.

[3D diver]

So I finally got in some dives in the new suit & underwear---first dives since Sept. 2004!

Here are some observations after logging dives 298 and 299:

I was hoping with my weight loss I could take some weight off my belt but the new undergarments required more weight instead. I'm going to look into a backplate based BC for better weight distribution. These are new to me so comments are welcome.

I've trimmed about 3/8" off the neck seal & will live with that for another dive or two before removing any more.

I took 1/4" off the wrist seals after the first dive & they are more comfortable.

The big surprise was the size of the face opening in the Surveyor hood. It was so small it interfered with my eyes and made it difficult to get a snorkel into my mouth. I trimmed 1/8" off the sides and bottom & will take off another 1/8" before my next dive.

Overall the suit was just like my old one, which was what I was looking for. The extra fin retainer ridges on the boots are a nice addition. The new (to me) inflation valve worked fine. I had a little difficulty venting but chalk that down to being out of practice.

The new underwear kept me snug in 47F water, only my hands and forearms got chilled. They didn't compress much & I'm going to have to fine tune my weight trim over the next few dives. I didn't get any drysuit squeeze track marks in my skin.

Oh, and about the talc...as my buddy was prepping his gear he pulled out a huge tub of talc. I asked where he bought it and he said Tap Plastics. D'oh!!! There's a Tap Plastics just a few miles from my house. I could have saved myself a lot of hassle if I'd a known.

[TNRonin]

3d, Re the forearms, is it possible that the sleeves got pulled up under the suit? Just a thought. I'd wear the neck a few more times before I would cut anymore off. I've been told by several the seals will further relax, and what may be comfortable now will be loose later. You know, "ounce of prevention" and all that. I had to trim my face opening as well on the hood.

Backplate? I love mine and will never willingly go to a vest BC again. Glad it worked for you.

[3D diver]

Agreed.

I went through several sets of hoods, wrist and neck seals on my sport so have trimmed a few. The face opening definitely needs more removed, the neck seal I'll live with for a few dives before trimming more.