Picasso Apnos or Cressi World Competition?

[motaz49]

Hi everyone,

I have a 5mm cressi competition wetsuit and am quite happy with it (except for the long john bottoms, my torso's a bit long for the suit and it can get very uncomfortable so i've had to cut the shoulder straps) but 5mm isn't always necessary here (red sea and mediterranean) and i like how you don't need to carry so much weight with a 3mm suit. so i want to get a new suit and would gladly have bought the 3mm competition but scubastore doesn't have my size and other suits are beyond my budget.

i like the picasso apnos and the cressi world competition, which seems to have some improvements on the competition which is the one i have. some of the reviews of the apnos say that the seams come apart. Has anyone had any experience with this? i generally like cressi gear but i want to check out a different brand (also the suit's green which i'm for some reason i find very cool). if i get the cressi i know i'll probably have to adjust the new suit again like i did the 5mm if they're using the same cut, which i dont really mind, but it would be nice not to have to. does anyone know how similar/different the picasso and cressi apnea suits are cut?

would really appreciate feedback soon as i have to make my order quick to someone outside the country so they can bring it in (so as to avoid local customs hassle ... re: my previous thread on getting a speargun in egypt). thanks.

cheers,
motaz

[motaz49]

one more thing, does anyone know anything about the Beuchat 3.5mm reversible suit, also on scubastore? thanks.

[Ron Bakker]

The Beuchats are very well made, I cannot compare them to a Cressi but they have a different fit than the Omers.

[jimdoe2you]

Motaz,

Hopefully this response isn't too late. For what it is worth, I have both the Cressi and the Picasso suits and I would have to judge the fit on them as equal. Both suits offer an excellent fit and I am very impressed with each of them. I would describe them both as soft and comfy.

Let's open up to another idea for a new suit for you. Are you familiar with Elios? I just received my new Elios Smoothskin/open cell 2.5mm custom suit yesterday after having placed the order a mear three weeks ago. The fit is perfect, and it represents a great value.

http://www.eliossub.com

Jim

[Marwan]

moataz,
i have a beuchat 1.5mm reversible and the cressi world comp 3.5mm... i do not have an apnos. There is one main difference, the apnos is open cell from the interior, this gives more warmth as it "sticks" to your body, but its more hassle to wear as you need water/conditioner mix...but once you get used to that its heaven.. (i also have an omer open cell interior)..
the beuchat is a great wetsuit, its smoothskin on the outside, and its really durable contrary to the initial reaction and very easy to get into i use it throughout the year until october...
the cressi world comp. tried to imitate the open cell interior wih a titanium interior lining which supposed;y gives you the sam warmth as open cell, yet is very easy to get into, even when you feel th einterior its like open cell, so far it has only been tested in my room as i bought it at the end of winter, so in a month or so ill get to test it, i think it will be a bit too warm for the red sea most of the year, but then again that boils down to your body and its reaction to cold... some friends of mine wear 5mm even in the summer....
cheers

[motaz49]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your replies. I ended up getting the 3.5mm cressi world competition. I chose it over the apnos because of the reinforcements around the kneees and elbows (I usually spear around sharp rocks). Also there were a few comments floating around the internet about the apnos having funny seams and I didn't want to bother with fixing a wetsuit here in Egypt. The wetsuit came and looks fine. I actually got it because i've been wanting something thinner than my 5mm because i hate having to carry so much lead. Marwan, I'm one of those people who have no problem wearing a 5 mm in the summer... ba7eb el dafa ya m3allem. I'm glad I didn't go for the Beuchat, it seemed from the picture that it wasn't open cell inside.

Jim, I just can't get myself to think Elios. Cressi off-the-rack suits fit me OK and I don't feel the kind (and frequency) of diving I do warrants such a suit (and investment). By the way, do you know how much a custom basic open cell inside nylon outiside elios suit goes for? (Hey, if I plan in advance I might just deserve one by sometime next year ).

Good spearing and safe diving guys. Marwan, kol sana winta tayeb.

Motaz

[Marwan]

wenta tayeb, mabrouk its a cool wetsuit..

[jimdoe2you]

Originally Posted by motaz49

Jim, I just can't get myself to think Elios. Cressi off-the-rack suits fit me OK and I don't feel the kind (and frequency) of diving I do warrants such a suit (and investment). By the way, do you know how much a custom basic open cell inside nylon outiside elios suit goes for? (Hey, if I plan in advance I might just deserve one by sometime next year ).

The suit I just received was 120 euros and 45 euros to ship it to Florida. I feel it is a common perception that Elios custom suits are very expensive, yet they are (I have bought three now) always the least expensive and best value. I paid much more for my Picasso than any of my Elios suits.

However, your decision to go with the Cressi should not be second guessed. It is a great suit, I love mine, and I am sure you will love yours as well.

Jim

[Fondueset]

I have an elios 5 mil black shadow - after shipping it was still cheaper than anything comparable off the rack that I've seen.

[spaghetti]

Elios is not as expensive as people think, indeed, because you buy directly from the manufacturer: no importer, no distributor, no rep, no store reseller to charge.
I paid 50 euro my Elios 3,5mm trousers and just 100 euro my fantastic 5mm jacket (open cell inside/superstrecth outside) taylor made from Diansub. Plus shipping of course. But for me it's just next door!