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Are all Flotation / Survival Suits Created Equal??

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 12:48 pm
by Karack
Hey Everyone,

I want to buy myself a flotation/survival suit for the ice fishing season and I'm looking at the Mustang Survival Integrity Suit at $357 and the Buoy-O-Boy Anti-Exposure Flotation Suit at $247

Does anyone have any opinions about either of these suits? I'm wondering what the extra hundred bucks is buying me from Mustang (perhaps it's just the name but I don't know).

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Karack

Float Suits

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:26 pm
by Seaweed
I wonder if this has something to do with CFC certification or something.

I too checked out both suits and ironically it seemed like the cheaper of the two was actually a better suit. But they still won`t make me one big enough to wear... oh well I guess I get so save a couple of hundred bucks... that I can put to use elsewhere. Chances are my blubber will work as good or better than any suit anyways.

Now lets hope the Good Lord don`t get me wet this winter to prove me wrong. :?

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:29 pm
by Karack
Thanks for your thoughts Seaweed! Here's hoping that your theory isn't put to the test - brrrrrrrrrrr!!

Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 7:07 am
by jammer
Spend the most you can afford... If you can afford the mustang, buy the mustang... I have a camo one with the blow up collar and a blazing orange one.. These suits are simply unbelievable!!! The service from this company is unbelievable if needed..

Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 8:52 am
by gord_p
I went from a Bouy o Bouy to buying a Mustang Atlantic this year, and there is a huge difference. As jammer said if you can afford it get the Mustang.

Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 3:04 pm
by nighttroller
I have a Bouy o Bouy and it took a spring and fall to break it in. I am on my 3rd year with it and it is comfy, warm and keeps me dry in any weather (I have personnaly tested that a few times). Does one work better than another, the only way to tell is if you actually fall in the cold water and luckily I haven't.

Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 7:20 pm
by Wall-I-Guy
nighttroller wrote:Does one work better than another, the only way to tell is if you actually fall in the cold water and luckily I haven't.
Hey nighttroller,

I would recommend a test in shallow water in the Summer. After all, if it doesn't work as intended, not much good :!:

Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2004 8:48 am
by Trophymuskie
You definatly get what you pay for, I have a friend with a buoy suit and it sounds like a sears bag whenever he moves. I have had my Mustang suit for 5 years now and love it. I definatly will replace it with another Mustang or the new nautilus suit as they are of much higher quality as well.

I figure for the extra $100 you get many years of extra confort, figure out how many times a year you will wear the suit and you'll find a very low cost per day for the better quality.

Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2004 8:52 am
by gord_p
Getting yourself wet in summer is a good test. A snowsuit will also keep you warm and comfy, but I doubt it will after taking a plunge. I know someone that took an accidental slip into 40F water last fall in a Mustang and after pulling himself back onto his dock, he was completely dry inside. :shock:

Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2004 9:06 am
by eye-tracker
Mustang Atlantic class are made with Hypothermia protection...that is the big one when floating around in 34 degree water. Mustang manufactures suits for off -shore oil well workers, military and Rescue workers. They are very well made and tested. They may be a little over kill for the weekend angler, but I would not trade my life for a few hundred bucks.

Good luck...

Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2004 11:08 am
by joco
HI all

I was cheking to buy me one,,,,,,,,,,,there are not all the same,,
try some on ,,you will see the difference,,,some have neoprene on the harm,,some have more stuffing thene other some have more equipement on it ex poket and all,,,,,,,,,,,

AND make sher if you have to go on lake ontario or the st laurence
ALL suite are note APPROVED ON U.S. side there are some suite that are
only approved on canada side and not on us side ,,,,,,,,you dont want
a ticket,,,,,,,,,,,,,,chek all off this,,,,,,,,,,mabe pay a bit more then buy another one next year :wink:


joco

Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2004 11:59 am
by BASSSTALKER
ET is bang on! I am still saving my pennies to get one but here is a link for yall

http://www.mustangsurvival.com/

Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2004 10:11 am
by Karack
Thanks for all of the input guys. I ended up buying the new Nautilus suit. It was the same price as the Mustang Integrity suit, and besides being more comfortable it had many more high end features that the mustang didn't have like a better cuff system, built in suspenders (so that you can take the top of the suit off if it warms up) reienforced seat and knees, higher hypothermia rating etc.

I'm very please with my new suit, now I just need to put it to use.

Bring on the Ice Fishing!!

Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2004 11:06 am
by Visorboy
Good choice Karack, I guess you got the NFS1000? I got the same suit too, and IMHO, a good bang for the bucks.

VB