OmerSub Master Pro vs New Team Titanium

[Gunnar]

Hi,

I started ("professional") freediving about have a year ago, I have always gone snorkeling with deep dives, but now I want to learn it the right way!

So far I had been using my old surfing neoprene suit, which of course restrained my chest quite a bit, but money was rare after getting mask, fins and a weight belt.

Anyway, I want to get a wetsuit now. I was looking around on the Internet and I liked Omer best so far. Seems like they make big suits which I need (6'3 and 250lbs... hoping to get to 230lbs soon)

OmerSub Master Pro vs New Team Titanium

Can anyone tell me the significant difference between these two suits? Does anyone own either one and would like to share some experiences?
What is the general opinion on these suits and on Omer in general?
By the way, I want to get the suit in 5mm.

Thanks for your reply in advance,

Cheers
Gunnar

 

[spaghetti]

The significant difference between the two suits is in the inside: the Master Pro is open cell neoprene, while the New Titanium is coated inside with a film of titanium paint. Both solutions are good for thermic insulation, but personally I prefer open cell: you have to lube it when you wear it, but then it's warmer, softer and more comfortable.
So at the end between the two I'd pick the Master Pro, which is also better sealed and stiitched.
About Omer in general, they make some of the world's most popular and innovative products for speafishing and freediving, with a good quality/cost ratio.

 

[Fondueset]

For a first suit I recommend open cell in, nylon out. Depending on your budget I suggest Eliossub and a custom suit. Price is less than most off the shelf suits and they are custom made and fit perfectly. The Elios suits are also tremendously sturdy and well made. My basic and oldest suit is a 5 mil black shadow neoprene suit with superstretch nylon out and what elios calls 'new black' coating over open cell in. It is incredibly sturdy and I have used it year 'round here - in water temps down to 3c. My dive buddy has a less expensive titanium lined suit from elios - with nylon out and he also dives all winter in it. Email Elios with your requirements and they will give you a bunch of options. My basic recommendation is

Heiwa neoprene
Open cell, titanium or new black inside (depending on what you want to pay for - the coatings inside make the suit a little easier to put on - but you still need lube - you can save a fair amount of money by just going open cell)
Nylon out (superstretch is fantastic - but any of them are fine.

 

[Gunnar]

Thanks for the quick replys:

@spaghetti: Master Pro is better sealed and stitched... how come? What ist the difference in produktion?

@Fondueset: I did consider Elios but to be honest I was kinda overwhelmed by the alternatives that a custom suit offers.
I thought i might as well buy a suit off the shelf as a first. I guess a stock suit would be a bit cheaper, too (less then 200€ with shipping).
If the suit doesn't fit I could return it with no cost and go with a custom suit...

 

[Fondueset]

Here in the states Elios suits are generally cheaper than off the shelf, even with shipping which is now about 60 euros. However you can probably get Omer gear for much less over there. I would check with Elios on their pricing for a suit similar to the one you are looking at.

I understand being overwhelmed - That's why I suggest 5 mil, open cell in, nylon out and heiwa neoprene - pretty much narrows it down. Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[Gunnar]

I'll do that... get in touch with elios I mean.

If the price is not much higher I think I might go with elios.
Is there a big difference when wearing a custom suit compared to wearing a stock suit (I know of course that does depend on the body shape).
I just want to know if one does acutally realize the better fit of the custom suit.

 

[spaghetti]

I'll do that... get in touch with elios I mean.

If the price is not much higher I think I might go with elios.
Is there a big difference when wearing a custom suit compared to wearing a stock suit (I know of course that does depend on the body shape).
I just want to know if one does acutally realize the better fit of the custom suit.

It depends on just one factor: if your body matches the stock suit size of not. Omer in particular makes more intermediate sizes than most of the other "mass production" brands, so you maybe lucky enough to find your fit. Unless you don't have a "particular" body (tall and very thin, short and very fat, etc etc etc.).
PS: The Master Pro wetsuit has stretch Lycra bordering and protective round patches on all the stitched areas.

For the Elios thing, check the price and make your decision. True that Elios suits are said to be the best of all, but they're not the only ones in the world making good suits. A Master Pro nylon/open cell for 170 euro is - if anything - a good deal.

 

[Gunnar]

It depends on just one factor: if your body matches the stock suit size of not.

Yes, I think that is the crucial question. I am not quite decided yet but I think I will order a Master Pro and see how it fits.
If it fits fine I will keep it.
If it doesn't fit... well then I guess my body shape is not within the standard.
Then I will order a custom one.

Thanks for the answers...

Dive safe!

 

[Gunnar]

the Master Pro is open cell neoprene, while the New Titanium is coated inside with a film of titanium paint

One more question:
The New Tem Titanium has open cell neoprene on the inside too. Combined with titanium coating the NTT should be even warmer than the Master Pro, shouldn't it?

 

[Fondueset]

Nope titanium is just to make it a little easier to put on. Open cell is warmest.

 

[Janner]

Word of warning. Don't buy the new team titanium. Omer have apparently stopped making this suit now as they were having lots of problems with them. I had my suit 4 months and the glue used to join the neoprene on the inside totally disintegrated. So i was getting cold in the water with 40mins as there was no seal.

Im just being sent an omer master pro as a replacement now. Which apparently is a much better quality suit.

Ian

 

[Gunnar]

Thanks Janner.
I was deciding between a custom suit by Elios, the New Team Titanium and the Master Pro.

Elios is too expensive for my small budget...
New Team Titanuim seems to have quality problems...

My tendency was towards the Master Pro anyways and reading this... well I guess the disicion was made then.

@Janner:
Please let us know how the Mater Pro feels in the water.
Did you order 5 or 6,5mm? What temperatures do you dive in?

 

[Janner]

Gunnar, i will let you know how i get on with the suit over the next week or so once i receive it.

I've ordered the 5mm suit. I dive in the English Channel, I think the average water temperature is around 6 Celsius. But im sure somebody will correct me on the water temp thing.

 

[Fondueset]

We do 5 mils here down to 3c. A nice add-on is a little 1.5mil vest under the suit - extends dive times a little without too much bulk. We also sometimes use henderson ice masks - these add quite a bit of warmth (its amazing how much heat loss there is through your face) but I've gotten away from them lately because they insulate you from the environment so much.
Anyway - another helpful hit - in cold weather suits that are smooth neoprene on the outside are much warmer - because of the reduced heat loss to the air during breathe-ups. The difference is pretty dramatic thought he suits are much more fragile and I still think nylon out is best for a general purpose suit.

 

[paali90]

Elios suits have a much longer waiting time too.. have heard up to 8 months.. :O

 

[Gunnar]

That is too long for me anyways then.
It is getting cold now, not in June 08.:t

 

[Fondueset]

They are currently at 30 days - and have been for quite awhile. Eight months sounds like an urban legend to me - I've never waited more than 60 days.

 

[Janner]

Update: Tried the new master pro out for the first time the other day, what a difference. Its a much better quality suit than the new team titanium. Had 5 bass in 2 hours.

 

[Gunnar]

Had 5 bass in 2 hours.

Way to go Janner.
I think I will go with the Master Pro, too.