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Picasso or Apnea?
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Page 1 of 212> Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes 08-16-2007, 08:21 PM #1
NWnewbie
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 9 Picasso or Apnea? i need some help, im about to purchase my first spearfishing wetsuit, but i cant decide between the 7mil apnea kelp camo or the 7mil picasso abalone.
Anybody have opinions about which suit is better?
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Find More Posts by NWnewbie 08-17-2007, 07:40 PM #2
23six
Kalea Kai
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: South FL USA!
Age: 41
Posts: 818 Re: Picasso or Apnea? I have an Apnea suit and it s pretty BAD-ASS! Keep in mind mine is a 3mm Kelp Kamo version but I know they have 7mm as well. I have not had a Picasso suit and can t comment from experienc but I have seen the price (spendy, you get what you pay for though) and I ve heard they are a bit on the delicate side. Again, I have not had one. I know the Apnea suit is awesome and the price is right too. You can t go wrong. Find em here spearotiki. com
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Find More Posts by 23six 08-18-2007, 03:13 AM #3
XbrandonX
I am the boss of you
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Torrance, CA
Age: 26
Posts: 122 Re: Picasso or Apnea? I would say the apnea. I have the 5mm apnea passion suit and I couldn t be happier with it. I wish it was winter so I didn t have to keep letting water in, I over heat in my suit now.
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Find More Posts by XbrandonX 08-18-2007, 04:05 AM #4
snowstopsspears
Podvodny Okhotnik
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 319 Re: Picasso or Apnea? HammerHead Adaptation. Neither apnea or picasso have reinforcements on the knees or elbows. the hh is the same color as the apena but it has knee and elbow pads the hammerhead is like the apnea on steroids. get the HH your knees and elbows will thank you for it.
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Find More Posts by snowstopsspears 08-18-2007, 05:06 PM #5
Seacidal
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,229 Re: Picasso or Apnea? Honestly, if this is going to be your first freediving suit and you re just getting started, you may not be able to appreciate all the features of the different suits. Price and quality are likely equal variables.
There are some excellent suits (5 mm or 7 mm) out in the $250-400 range these days. Look at Apnea, Adaptation, Imersion, Beuchat, Picasso, Yazbeck, Spetton, etc. before making a decision. And be sure to talk to people who not only own a particular suit, but have worn it for at least a full year of regular use. For it is over time and use that the true character of a suit become apparent.
I ve used Picasso, Beuchat, Imersion, Spetton, and others, and have personally examined many more brands. Each has their own pros and cons.
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Find More Posts by Seacidal 08-18-2007, 09:48 PM #6
seacrecher
Registered Fish Killer
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: MS Gulfcoast
Age: 40
Posts: 2,976 Re: Picasso or Apnea? Very well put Chip. However, I think the primary concern for most new spearos is first price and then durability. Unfortunately, most of the top freediving suits are not very durable. Which in itself is a catch 22 situation; with the most comfortable suits usually being the least durable. Personally, I think that the most critical element of a suit is fit and then comfort. As far as fit is concerned, I went through at least a dozen suits, both factory and custom before I found one that fit me perfectly. Believe it or not, it was a factory suit that was sized as a large bottom and an XL top. I could not be happier. It was an Apnea suit. Decently priced, very well made, very durable, however, not the warmest wetsuit I have worn. But, like Chip said, every suit has it s pros and cons.
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Find More Posts by seacrecher 08-18-2007, 10:18 PM #7
KingNeptune
KingNeptune
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Central California
Posts: 190 Re: Picasso or Apnea? Quote:
Originally Posted by NWnewbie
i need some help, im about to purchase my first spearfishing wetsuit, but i cant decide between the 7mil apnea kelp camo or the 7mil picasso abalone.
Anybody have opinions about which suit is better?
Hi- First of all, by reading your profile where do you dive? Warm or cold water? Everyone is right about the pros and cons about the wetsuits. . . In my opinion, the real question is how much reef hunting do you do or do you hunt in the open blue water? In reef territory, I would want my wetsuit to be tough so that it will handle the jagged rocks in the water so it not to tear up the wetsuit. . you know? So you would have to investigate the durability and toughness of the wetsuit that is build light and comfortable to you. The cost is what matters to me because I can purchase 2 wetsuits for the price of one good wetsuit. . . . I ve worn a 5 mm wetsuit made by Sporasub and dove in 48 degree North Coast waters and it s fine until I ve switched over to Apnea 5 mm Kelp Camo. . OOoohhhh, Man did I love it!!! I ve dove in 48 thru 66 degrees of water and I didn t feel a thing!! The wetsuit was like a second skin attached to me. It was VERY comfortable!!! So I say research a little bit more on the quality and durability of the (a) wetsuit so you re be happy at the end of your successful hunt or photography. I took over a year in researching wetsuits and I ve very glad I did. . Happy Hunting!! K. N.
Dive Safe and Smart
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Find More Posts by KingNeptune 08-19-2007, 03:05 AM #8
Seacidal
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,229 Re: Picasso or Apnea? Good points, all. However, bear in mind that if warmth and comfort is really your first priority, you ll want a chicle suit. But be careful with it.
Also, assuming all other factors are identical, a suit with seals will be warmer over time.
And don t forget to consider that some people chilled more easily than others. Personally, when the water dips below 55F, you won t find me in less than a 7mm. But then, I dive long hours under gray skies and windy conditions, and like to be comfortable and not the least bit hypothermic.
I m not 100% certain where the pricing currently stands, but I believe the Yazbeck, Apnea, and Picasso suits are pricier than some of the others. Be sure to compare features, material, cut, fit, and quality before buying.
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Find More Posts by Seacidal 08-19-2007, 11:18 AM #9
seacrecher
Registered Fish Killer
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: MS Gulfcoast
Age: 40
Posts: 2,976 Re: Picasso or Apnea? Actually the Apnea suit is cheaper in price than Picasso, Yazbeck, Omer, and Spetton. In fact, if there are any other reputable 7mm suits going for $300 or less, I would like to know about it.
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Find More Posts by seacrecher 08-19-2007, 01:43 PM #10
Seacidal
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,229 Re: Picasso or Apnea? That may be true, depending upon source. Yazbecks may be pricier than Apnea and some Picassos, but the quality is certainly there. It is a very well made suit, with a lot of attention to design and details, by someone who really understands what makes a great wetsuit. If you can t find a
I believe Imersion, like Apnea, is one that has a U. S. distributor, so you can get questions answered, even check out the suit in person, and if you had any issues you have a ready contact point to go to. At the recent Blue Wild spearfishing Expo, I had a chance to look at a number of suits, and it was significant to note that it was the U. S. distributors (and not the overseas online stores) that attended. But, the point is, it depends upon your individual weighting of the various factors that go into a purchase decision. Price is not everything. For the amount of use you ll derive from a suit over its lifetime, trying to save a few bucks just isn t worth the effort. BTW, I ve been meaning to ask if anyone is using Apnea s Hawk fins? I d be interested to hear or read any reviews.
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Find More Posts by Seacidal 08-19-2007, 02:43 PM #11
seacrecher
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: MS Gulfcoast
Age: 40
Posts: 2,976 Re: Picasso or Apnea? One final point I would like to make on the subject concerns fit of the suit. While there most likely won t be any issues with this aspect with a custom suit, it is most certainly an issue with factory or off the rack suits. More and more dealers are finally starting to offer the option of separately sized tops and bottoms. This was one of the major selling points for me with dealers like Apnea and Spetton. By having this option available, factory suits may fit just as well as a custom suit.
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John Hanson
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Find More Posts by seacrecher 08-19-2007, 03:43 PM #12
Seacidal
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,229 Re: Picasso or Apnea? Fit is essential. Without it, why even consider other factors. And a significant number of dealers are willing to split sizes, if you need different jackets and pants sizes. In fact, I believe the only time I ve ever had a store refuse to split sizes, was a shop overseas.
Then there are those of us who have bodies that are outside the standard proportions for whatever reason, and off the rack suits might not be an option at all. That s why there are some great custom suit options available.
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Find More Posts by Seacidal 08-21-2007, 04:42 PM #13
striperswiper
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Rhode Island, USA
Posts: 23 Re: Picasso or Apnea? Being someone who has yet to fully make the jump from intermediate to high-end equipment equipment, I factored versatility into my wet suit purchase. Here in the NE, for me anyway, I can get away with my Akona one piece 3mm suit, which I either wear as is, top with a 5mm chicken vest, or the 6. 5mm top from my Akona farmer john style scuba suit. Not perfect, but it gets me in the water shooting fish. One thing though, I did glue in a chest pad to the suit and chicken vest after one time without it!
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Find More Posts by striperswiper 08-23-2007, 11:07 PM #14
Trimbandit
discord and rhyme
Join Date: May 2007
Location: San Mateo
Posts: 2,302 Re: Picasso or Apnea? Quote:
Originally Posted by KingNeptune
Hi-
I ve worn a 5 mm wetsuit made by Sporasub and dove in 48 degree North Coast waters and it s fine until I ve switched over to Apnea 5 mm Kelp Camo. . OOoohhhh, Man did I love it!!! I ve dove in 48 thru 66 degrees of water and I didn t feel a thing!! I guess I m a wimp. In the Apnea 5mm at 57 degree I m OK, but at 50-52 I get cold after about 2-3 hours. After 4 hours my hands and feet are blue. The 7 mm adaptation seems to supply the toastiness I require.
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Find More Posts by Trimbandit 08-23-2007, 11:22 PM #15
chasintail
Hell Diver
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Ocean Springs MS
Age: 35
Posts: 4,693 Re: Picasso or Apnea? I would look into a custom suit and compare cost. A suit that fits well has a shtload more thermal protection than a name brand suit that leaks. I bought one of thoses spiros suits and it done great for me. Keep in mind I dive in shorts and a 1 mil top 6 months a year though.
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