Are Henderson wetsuits really better?

"Copwriter" <claymore20@hotmail.com> wrote:

> I am in the market for a 7mm wetsuit for diving in the Pacififc Northwest.
> I'd prefer a Farmer John + jacket combo as that's what I'm used to and the
> combination keeps me a bit warmer. I've read that Henderson "gold core"
> hyperstretch wet suits are the Cadillac of the industry, and also that they
> seem to cost about 50-75% more than the economy brands. Are Henderson suits
> really that much better, or are they like the old Izod knit shirts where you
> paid $10 for the shirt and $20 for the little embroidered allligator?


Find someone who has one, and ask them how much weight they needed to
sink it for its first dive, then how much they dropped after their first
3-4 dives, and then how much they're diving with now. Compare this to
the cheapest FJ you can find and decide if there's really a big
difference.


-hh

"Copwriter" <claymore20@hotmail.com> wrote:

>I am in the market for a 7mm wetsuit for diving in the Pacififc Northwest.
>I'd prefer a Farmer John + jacket combo as that's what I'm used to and the
>combination keeps me a bit warmer. I've read that Henderson "gold core"
>hyperstretch wet suits are the Cadillac of the industry, and also that they
>seem to cost about 50-75% more than the economy brands. Are Henderson suits
>really that much better, or are they like the old Izod knit shirts where you
>paid $10 for the shirt and $20 for the little embroidered allligator?
>

It's matter of preference. I bought a Henderson recently because it
was more confortable than the wetsuits I've been using. The
"hyperstretch" part of it makes it a lot easier for me to get it on
and off. It's also a lot more comfortable once I have it on.

Best advice is to go to a LDS and try them on and see what you think.

On Sun, 27 Jun 2004 01:55:53 -0700, "Copwriter" <claymore20@hotmail.com> wrote:

>I am in the market for a 7mm wetsuit for diving in the Pacififc Northwest.
>I'd prefer a Farmer John + jacket combo as that's what I'm used to and the
>combination keeps me a bit warmer. I've read that Henderson "gold core"
>hyperstretch wet suits are the Cadillac of the industry, and also that they
>seem to cost about 50-75% more than the economy brands. Are Henderson suits
>really that much better, or are they like the old Izod knit shirts where you
>paid $10 for the shirt and $20 for the little embroidered allligator?

A) Hyperstretch is not Goldcore.

B) Goldcore is the best there is, and WAY better than economy suits.
If well fitted it is essentially a "Semi-Dry".

C) Hyperstretch is terrible. It is the most comfortable suit you
will ever wear, but it's performance is LOWER than economy suits.

This is based on 2 years experience with Goldcore, and A/B comparisons
of the Goldcore with Hyperstretch.

I personally believe the Gold Core is that much better. First, it keeps
me warmer. Second, they last a lot longer. I have a Goldcore with over
300 dives on it. Though it is not as good as new (I know, I have a new
one and recently alternated them for 40 dives in Fiji) it is still quite
serviceable. It is still way better than say, O'neill, which give me around
1-150 dives before they have collapsed, and never were as warm as the
equivalent gold core.

Whether or not it's "worth the money" is too personal to decide on
your behalf. It is for us.

Benefit #2: The gold core lining is slick when dry, and dries very
quickly. You can don it very easily if both of you are dry. If one of
you is not, it becomes difficult. If you sprinkle the lining with water
and do the same to yourself, the suit will slide on like it's greased.

safe diving,

bullshark

Copwriter <claymore20@hotmail.com> wrote:
>I am in the market for a 7mm wetsuit for diving in the Pacififc Northwest.
>I'd prefer a Farmer John + jacket combo as that's what I'm used to and the
>combination keeps me a bit warmer. I've read that Henderson "gold core"
>hyperstretch wet suits are the Cadillac of the industry, and also that they
>seem to cost about 50-75% more than the economy brands. Are Henderson suits

If the premium is that great, you may do better with a custom suit. Henderson
may use good rubber, but it doesn't matter if the fit isn't good.

Titanium linings in particular, seem like unnecessary gold plating.

--
Jason O'Rourke www.jor.com

"Copwriter" <claymore20@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:10dt2sqocjcr880@corp.supernews.com...
> I am in the market for a 7mm wetsuit for diving in the Pacififc Northwest.
> I'd prefer a Farmer John + jacket combo as that's what I'm used to and the
> combination keeps me a bit warmer. I've read that Henderson "gold core"
> hyperstretch wet suits are the Cadillac of the industry, and also that
they
> seem to cost about 50-75% more than the economy brands. Are Henderson
suits
> really that much better, or are they like the old Izod knit shirts where
you
> paid $10 for the shirt and $20 for the little embroidered allligator?

As any old timer knows a neoprene wetsuit with no skin on it is the warmest
because it conforms best to the body and minimizes water flow. Adding skin
to the outside made it last longer. Adding skin to the inside made it colder
but you could put it on and take it off without tearing it or using a *lot*
of talcum powder.
The Henderson goldcore solved this problem.

I've spent over three hours in 45 degree (95% of the time on the surface) in
a one piece 7/5 with a hooded vest. The two guys with hooded farmerjohns 7
all around were ordered out of the water when they started shivering
uncontrollably.
I was probably more comfortable most of the time than the guys in the dry
suits. They hadn't dressed for the water temp and were cold most of the day.
(and as I pointed out to them, I had another way to get warm...)

In a casual conversation with a dry suit salesman not affiliated with
Henderson who had been around a long time. I mentioned a product similar to
goldcore. I got about a five minute lecture on the overall superiority of
the material Henderson used to the silver stuff.

Gold core probably is the best wet suit you can buy.
But you should still buy a dry suit if you want to keep warm.

"Copwriter" <claymore20@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:10dt2sqocjcr880@corp.supernews.com...
> I am in the market for a 7mm wetsuit for diving in the Pacififc Northwest.
> I'd prefer a Farmer John + jacket combo as that's what I'm used to and the
> combination keeps me a bit warmer. I've read that Henderson "gold core"
> hyperstretch wet suits are the Cadillac of the industry, and also that they
> seem to cost about 50-75% more than the economy brands. Are Henderson suits
> really that much better, or are they like the old Izod knit shirts where you
> paid $10 for the shirt and $20 for the little embroidered allligator?

I have one of the 7/5 one piece Henderson suits. Over the suit I put on a hooded vest
and I find that works the best with this suit, as you want the smooth surface to be
in contact with your skin. Don't have anything to compare with but this suit is fine
for Southern California. Occasionally my arms feel cold because of the thinness
there.

Before putting on the wet suit I spray my arms and legs with hair conditioner.

Adam

"Jason O'Rourke" <jor@soda.csua.berkeley.edu> wrote in message
news:cbn3fg$1e55$1@agate.berkeley.edu...
> Copwriter <claymore20@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >I am in the market for a 7mm wetsuit for diving in the Pacififc
Northwest.
> >I'd prefer a Farmer John + jacket combo as that's what I'm used to and
the
> >combination keeps me a bit warmer. I've read that Henderson "gold core"
> >hyperstretch wet suits are the Cadillac of the industry, and also that
they
> >seem to cost about 50-75% more than the economy brands. Are Henderson
suits
>
> If the premium is that great, you may do better with a custom suit.
Henderson
> may use good rubber, but it doesn't matter if the fit isn't good.

Unless you are an odd size it's worth trying on a few Hendersons of the same
size off the rack first. They fit most people quite well but there are minor
differences in them.
>
> Titanium linings in particular, seem like unnecessary gold plating.

There is no indication that the lining does reflect heat and conduction and
convection are the far greater causes of heat loss.

Please excuse my off-topic post, but I have a question for "copwriter"
regarding the following post:
http://groups.google.com/groups?selm....supernews.com

If you still have the Audible Advisor and are looking to sell it,
please contact me at: dulaniwoods ((at)) hotmail.com

Oh, yea.. I do have an on topic post if it will keep the rest of y'all
happy.

Anyone looking so sell:
1. Mares Avanti-L fins size 9-10? (they don't make them anymore)
2. Tusa liberator or similarly designed mask?

Thanks!
-D.

"Copwriter" <claymore20@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<10dt2sqocjcr880@corp.supernews.com>...
> I am in the market for a 7mm wetsuit for diving in the Pacififc Northwest.
> I'd prefer a Farmer John + jacket combo as that's what I'm used to and the
> combination keeps me a bit warmer. I've read that Henderson "gold core"
> hyperstretch wet suits are the Cadillac of the industry, and also that they
> seem to cost about 50-75% more than the economy brands. Are Henderson suits
> really that much better, or are they like the old Izod knit shirts where you
> paid $10 for the shirt and $20 for the little embroidered allligator?

I have been diving my Gold for 4 years, I use 26# in Fresh Water on day One
and Today.

JOhn ><>


" H. Huntzinger" <{NOSPAM-rm_to_reply}rec-scuba@huntzinger.com> wrote in
message
news:{NOSPAM-rm_to_reply}rec-scuba-90EDA3.09250627062004@news-east.dca.giganews.com...
> "Copwriter" <claymore20@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I am in the market for a 7mm wetsuit for diving in the Pacififc
Northwest.
> > I'd prefer a Farmer John + jacket combo as that's what I'm used to and
the
> > combination keeps me a bit warmer. I've read that Henderson "gold core"
> > hyperstretch wet suits are the Cadillac of the industry, and also that
they
> > seem to cost about 50-75% more than the economy brands. Are Henderson
suits
> > really that much better, or are they like the old Izod knit shirts where
you
> > paid $10 for the shirt and $20 for the little embroidered allligator?
>
>
> Find someone who has one, and ask them how much weight they needed to
> sink it for its first dive, then how much they dropped after their first
> 3-4 dives, and then how much they're diving with now. Compare this to
> the cheapest FJ you can find and decide if there's really a big
> difference.
>
>
> -hh

> snip <
> I've spent over three hours in 45 degree (95% of the time on the surface)
in
> a one piece 7/5 with a hooded vest. The two guys with hooded farmerjohns 7

I did 6.5 hours @ 55 degrees Sweating in my Two Piece 7m Farmer Jon Gold
Core, between surface and 13 feet installing a statue in a run off pond last
November. My buddy had a titanium something on and bailed after 3 hours.

JOhn ><>