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Tips for custom Elios

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
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Ricochet

New Member
Jul 23, 2004
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Hiho all.

It's time to get wet! And I really need a wet suit for the coming season.
I thought about a custom made Elios, so I need some suggestions (Materials/thickness) and so on.

I usualy dive in a quarry with temperatures around 10-20°C.
So I guess I need some neoprene with a robust outside. And I guess 5mm are enough, any other opinions? I used to use a 7mm Scuba suit which was very warm last summer. Thats why I think 5mm whould be fine and I might even use it in the colder seasons!?

I do not hunt... just some recreational freediving.

What Model can you suggest?
Long John with closed Jacked with hood? Or are zips ok?


What material should I use, what price do I have to expect and how long will it take?


Regards,
Sascha
 
I think high-waist pants are much better than long-johns. Zips would be a waste of money in my opinion.
If a 7mm scuba was warm enough then a 5mm custom made elios will do well, but I'm not the person to ask about cold water diving.
There are various nylon exteriors, I'm not sure how tough you need the suit to be - in most cases nylon superstretch does the job.
 
I dive in a similar quarry and would recommend a 5ml high waist pants and hooded jacket with heiwa neoprene. Open cell inside, nylon outside

If you feel the cold, go for a 6ml or even 7ml. I have a 7ml and a 5ml but the 7ml makes me feel like Michelin Man

S
 
Ricochet said:
Long John with closed Jacked with hood? Or are zips ok?
Sascha
Click to expand...

" Zippers in wetsuits are like screen doors in submarines", a great mind once said

I dive in the same conditions Sascha: a 5mm will be good if you want to spend 3 hours in the water at 10C. If your dives are shorter (1 - 2 hours) and you're in 16-20C, then a 3mm will be more than enough.... IF it's medium Dense Heiwa Elios Custom Fit, open cell inside, long pants, attached hood.
Cheers,
Erik Y.
 
Ok lets sum it up.
5mm heiwa with high waist pants, hooded jacked, no zippers. Open Cell inside and nylon outside.

If I understand elios' website right, I whould order "11 - Open cell /Nylon elastic outside (black or green olive)". Anyone know how that looks like?

or what about:
"Open cell /Camouflage brown lining outside" or "Open cell / Kanoko lining outside antitears (black)"
is that robust, too?


And whats even more improtant. what will it cost? and how long will it take? Maybe someone has a pic of such a suit?


Sascha
 
It took 3 weeks for mine to arrive but well worth the wait.
You submit a proposel and they will email you with a bid.

jim
 
If it's only for freediving (no spearfishing), have a look at the "Freedown" model.

It's a little smoother on the outside (compared to the normal smooth skin) and a little easier to put on as the open cell inside has less "friction" while you put it on, but still you'll need to use shampoo. It's the model they advertise as their best "pure constant weight" suit. It's not the most flexible suit (like the one I use for static) but it's very good for constant weight since it’s durable and buoyancy changes are minimal. It should take a longer time for it to get compressed (and therefore loose insulation and flexibility properties).

I have no idea what the price is for the "freedown", but you can ask them.
 
Hi there,
our 5mm custom made Elios arrived last week ....
diving in a quarry of temperature 11C top 7C bottom and it was really wam enuf for a few hours of diving maybe. I guess it will be a bit of overkill during summer .. really hot in the pool (I had to try it thought)
The best luck with yours once its made and choose wisely ...
 
The freedown neoprene is not lined on the outside - I would not recommend this as it is much more fragile and could tear open. Don't get the kanoka outside as it would be too stiff. I agree, the best and simplest would be 5mm Heiwa med-low density with elastic nylon outside, open cell inside in high waist pant with pull on top (no zippers!) and attached hood. This suit is warm, flexible and durable. It is about 180 euros plus shipping. Email them for exact quote.

Lee
 
Panos Lianos said:
I have no idea what the price is for the "freedown", but you can ask them.
Click to expand...

They made me an offer for a 7mm freedown at 264 euros.

Fabrice
 
Freedown will tear very easily - I speak from experience!!! Having said that, it is a lovely suit, just not suitable for clambering among rocks and jumping on and off boats etc.

Donna
 
A "freedown" costs about 240EUR.

I would suggest a 5mm suit for diving in 10-20 degrees.
 
Donna said:
Freedown will tear very easily - I speak from experience!!! Having said that, it is a lovely suit, just not suitable for clambering among rocks and jumping on and off boats etc.
Click to expand...

So wich one will you recommend to dive from a boat ?

Fabrice
 
My suit is a 5mm with opencell inside and a nylon lining on the outside. It is strong but very flexible and is extremely comfortable - if you email elios and tell them what you will be doing whilst wearing the suit, they will email you back with the options that best suit your requirements.

Donna
 
Thanks for all the replies.

I'll send them my wishlist in the next days <g>.


Rico
 
I have a 5mm 'black shadow' suit - superstretch on the outside 'black coating' open cell on the inside. It is massively warm even at 4c and lower. I personally am a minimalist - I'd probably go 3mm in your position just becaue I like the greater sense of contact with the water.

As a person new to freediving suits I remain impressed by how hard it is to get the top on in an open cell suit - even with lots of lube. If I ordered another 5mm suit I would probably go with some sort of lining or smoothskin on the inside - in 5mm they have a lining called 'thermic pile' which is supposed to be very good - you'll want to stay away from nylon interior lining because it's not very efficient. The kanoko exterior is supposed to be quite tough - but I see someone mentioned its a bit stiff.

Open cell is the warmest however.

Eios is GREAT to do business with - they give great advice - however they thought I should get a 6 or 7mm suit too. I also have a 3mm suit from them with thermic plush lining (thermic pile is only available in 5mm) which I expect to be using here from late april into october - I consider the 5mm sort of a winter suit and the 3mm a 'three season' suit. They are very forthcoming with advice and descriptions of all the various options.
 
Last edited:
Am looking at Elios too.

Do most of my diving in teps between 13-18C here in NZ. I have currently got a Picasso Hombre suit with open cell but is starting to thin down a bit.

Some shoredives and most boatdives. Was thinking of 5mm L/johns.
Open Cell inside and either black nylon/or camo on the outside.
Heiwa neoprene of course in med density.

Any other suggestions or things I should know?

cheers
 
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