Thermalution heated vests

[Lebowski]

Has anybody tried the thermalution heated vests? Based on the one comparison I've found on the internet (here: http://www.heatedwetsuitreviews.com/) with Quiksilver's Cypher and Rip Curl's H-bomb, it sounds like a good product. It's pricey though.

I currently use a 0.5mm Hotskin rashy under my 3/2 here in NZ, which is fine, but I like to have maximum flexibility, and it's definately noticeable having the extra layer underneath.

Anyone used one?

Ta.

[surf patrol]

We had a little chat here - viewtopic.php?f=20&t=18810

[Lodato]

I've got the Thermalution and loved using it last winter. It definitely gets HOT and will make a huge difference on a cold day.

I use mine with a drylock wetsuit, and low is usually all the heat I need or want. Medium and High settings are uncomfortably too hot for me; I only need to use the higher settings if I go over the falls and get flushed.

[Lebowski]

Well, I bit the bullet and ordered one of these from the US today, so I will report back in a week or two when I've had chance to try it out.

[surf patrol]

Make sure you do. The winter is on the way.

[Lebowski]

The new rashy arrived today. The packaging is all very nice and professional, and it all looks very high quality. The instructions are obviously translated (a bit poorly in parts) from an Asian language, but it's all understandable.
I charged it up and tried it on (in my house) after work, and switched it on. I only had it on for a minute, but it definately got hot. I'm supposed to be working tomorrow, but the forecast looks pumping so I might try and do a half day and test it out.

[Lebowski]

Well today I tested the Thermalution rashy. It was a sunny day in the far north of New Zealand, but the air temperature was only 13 celcius.

First up, it's very comfortable. It feels a bit strange when you first put it on because of the batteries at your side and the heating element in the back, but under your wetty you don't even notice it's there. It also heats up very quickly. I turned it onto low just as I left my vehicle and about 10 seconds later I could feel it heating up.

Normally I wear an Ebomb Pro 3/2 with a 0.5mm longsleeve Ripcurl Hotskin underneath. Today I only wore the new vest underneath, which gave me a bit more freedom in the arms. I was definately warmer than I would've been with the hotskin. I normally come out after 2 hours or so with numb toes, but today my toes were fine and I wasn't too cold.

The actual heating effect is like having hot sun shining on your back. After an hour or so I started to get a bit cold, so I turned it onto high, which made me comfortable again. All in, I reckon I was in the water for about 2.5hrs, and the battery just died as I was getting out. It's a good product, the only downside (other than the cost!) being that if you get flushed, the heat dissappears and it takes a few minutes again until you're warmed back up. I tend to get a bit of flushing when I duckdive, but if you have a flush free suit then it'll perform even better I'm sure.

By the way, the sea temperature according to MSW was 15 degrees.

[surf patrol]

Thanks for that excellent review Lebowski. It seems that it might be worth me getting one for the winter.

[Threeo]

Im an aussie... just moved to the uk and bought a h bomb. 3/2 full suit. Definitely worth it. See my speil on the h bomb thread.

Have a look at thewetsuitcentreuk.co.uk or a slight variant. They are half price the cost in australia and have free shipping over about a $100AU spend.

It works out to be about $500AU for a h bomb... which is less than a normal Ebomb!!

Havent looked at the vests yet. Also here in the uk (so im sure on the net) they have heated belts for about 40AU. they have thos snap-heat things. really cool

hope that helps. feel free to message or whatever if u need some more info


aloha!