Camero semi-dry or Henderson insta-dry?

[dstrout]

I'm getting ready to do some beginning ( no-deco, < 130 ft) mid-atlantic diving. I'll be mostly out of Ocean City, MD or Virginia Beach, VA. and I'm looking for an appropriate suit.

I had my eye on the 7mm Camero semi-dry:
Camaro Stingray 7mm Mens Semi Dry Front Zipper Suit

but then I found this Henderson 7mm insta-dry gold core:
Wetsuits - Insta Dry Super Closeout Special - Mens Instra Dry Super Suit Closeout - 7mm Mens Insta Dry Super Closeout - Northeast Scuba Supply

For a budget of $300, which would you go with?

thanks,
dave.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

I'd either go for a cheaper 7mm (in the $150 range), spend a little more than $300 for a quality custom-fit 7mm Rubatex wetsuit (should last many years), or save my pennies for a drysuit. Getting the cheaper wetsuit would just be a stop-gap measure until I could save up for a drysuit.

Good luck.

 

[sdiver68]

I considered the Insta-dry (due to "blow out" prices) before reading several not-so-favorable reviews. But then I've read some concerns with the front zip of the Camaro being almost impossible to get off. YMMV!

Have you considered the Pinnacle Elastiprene 7 for the same price? Or if you like Camaro, the Seamless Hydronomic? both of these suits get better reviews. For full disclosure, I purchased the Elastiprene 3mm and 5mm with Merino after days of research.

 

[jbb]

I considered the Insta-dry (due to "blow out" prices) before reading several not-so-favorable reviews. But then I've read some concerns with the front zip of the Camaro being almost impossible to get off. YMMV!

Have you considered the Pinnacle Elastiprene 7 for the same price? Or if you like Camaro, the Seamless Hydronomic? both of these suits get better reviews. For full disclosure, I purchased the Elastiprene 3mm and 5mm with Merino after days of research.

Dang, I was eyeing a 5mm Camaro for warm water dives because of the front zip as the only other I've seen is a Waterproof. It is annoying to try to zip up the back as it never quite sits right.

 

[TimM696]

I have a camaro stingray pro 7mm and i really like the front zip. Once you get one shoulder out of the suit it comes off relatively easy

 

[gert7to3]

I had a 7mm Camaro front zip semi dry suit, though an earlier model than the Stingray. I really liked it. The arms and ankles have a skinned tubular seal with zip cuffs. These really limited water entry and exchange. I also liked the plush lining. Now some folks will say that such a lining won't add any insulation value when wet, but it sure feels better against your skin than thinly lined neoprene. It really feels better on surface intervals. I think the titanium bit is just marketing hype.

The older model's neoprene was a bit stiffer. This made the suit a little less flexible and somewhat harder wiggle into. I never had an issue with removing it.