Product Reviews: Subcraft Light and Pathos Suit

I've been fortunate enough over the past couple of years to get to try out various products from several different companies...

I've been able to demo kayaks from Santa Cruz Kayaks, Jackson Kayak, paddles from AquaBound, coolers from Orion, and various brands and products available through Red Triangle Spearfishing.

I try not to pimp and force people into one brand or another cuz each person is different, has different opinions, and has different styles of paddling and diving etc, but am always happy to offer my opinion if anyone asks, and occasionally post a review for anyone interested in my experience:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=42453.0

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=69518.0

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=69014.0

So, in the spirit of sharing my experience I wanted to give a review on two products I have tried recently:

1. Subcraft 1,000 lumen dive light

https://www.redtrianglespearfishing.com/collections/dive-lights/products/subcraft-1000-lumen-dive-light

I have used the UK Sl4 eLED L1 light for several years and love it. It is sturdy and bright and I have recommended it to many people.

When Matt and Suzie from Red Triangle gave me a chance to try this new Subcraft light I was skeptical...could it really be brighter than my UK? Would it be as easy to turn on and off with one hand while diving up and down? Would the rechargeable battery last long enough to get me through a full marathon day of diving?

When the light arrived I was immediately impressed at how sexy it looked...obviously a key factor in choosing any product. 

Then I tried the rotating switch and was pleasantly surprised at how smooth it was to turn it on and off...the UK thumb switch sometimes gets "sticky" after awhile and has actually worn holes in the glove on my left thumb...not a problem with this easy on/off switch.

Once the light was on out of the water the strength of the beam was apparent...before I even got a chance to use it diving we used it around the house for some work in the attic and on the ducts of my dryer...stupid bright!

Diving I found that I could scan across the bottom and the light would penetrate holes/cracks/caves from a distance and let me see if they were worth exploring before swimming over and shoving my head into them. HUGE bonus!!

After diving all day (8+ hours, 130+ dives) the light was still going strong, but of course I wanted to recharge it before my next dive...I found the charger that it came with easy to use and was stoked to not have to go buy C batteries for my UK...also was happy to not have to load the C batteries cuz I am clumsy and sometimes it is a challenge for me to get the first two C batteries into my UK light...those who own the light will know what I mean.

After a handful of dives with the light I was more and more stoked on it...then my daughter Jayme spilled a glass of water on the charger that I had set up on my bedside table!!  Ana says I did it while I was sleeping but pretty sure it was that darn Jayme. 

Anyway, I need to get a new charger (no big deal) but I was diving yesterday and needed a light...so I went out and got some fresh C batteries for my UK...

Dude...I am ruined...the UK was nowhere near as bright as what I had gotten used to with the Subcraft!! Spent all day wishing I had the Subcraft and will be ordering a new charger off Amazon tonight! 

Anyway, if you are looking for a new light or just want another option to try out I highly encourage you to consider the Subcraft...I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised!!

2. Pathos Thira Wetsuit
https://www.redtrianglespearfishing.com/collections/wetsuits/products/pathos-thira-7mm-wetsuit

I've used westuits over the past couple of years from Yazbeck (KelpSnyper), Omer (3dCamu), and Subcraft...the Subcraft was my first time trying a "high-waist" bottom instead of a farmer-john bottom and I was really impressed with the difference it made in freedom of movement underwater and being able to breath up easier on the surface.

When Matt and Suzie asked if I wanted to try the new high-waist Pathos suit they had in I jumped at the chance.

When the suit arrived the first thing I noticed was that all the seams were coated...no chance of stitching coming undone, fraying, or raveling.

The second thing that jumped out at me was the large knee and elbow and loading pads...not just a little patch, or some rubber (like on some suits), but large sections covering the knees and shins, and elbows and forearms, and sternum and belly! This is huge IMO because as anyone who has ever tried to wiggle into a crack to shoot a fish knows the more protection you have in these areas the better!

Looking over the suit I noticed the waist on the pants seemed higher than the waist of my Subcraft suit, which I was excited about because the waist on that suit has a tendency to slide down on me... 

Yesterday I got a chance to get out and dive and was excited to try the suit out...bottom lubed up and slid on nice and slick, and was impressed right away at how high the waist came up (to top of belly) and how it sealed up nice at the top and didn't slide or sag down at all.

Top went on nicely as well, snug but stretchy and the beaver tail and clasps seem really well made and solid.

The extra elbow/knee/loading pad areas made me feel protected and ready to charge into battle. 

Paddling out I noticed how well the suit fit me...I've never owned a custom fit suit but the Pathos fits me the way I IMAGINE a custom suit would. 

Diving up and down I noticed again how well the waist stayed up high, and was also impressed with the seals at the wrists/ankles and around the face...no water getting in at all.

Crawling under some boulders I was stoked on how much of the suit was covered by the elbow/knee pads, and didn't feel like any of the stretchiness of the neoprene was compromised by the additional protection.

I didn't shoot many fish so didn't have to reload a bunch but when I did I was loving just shoving the gun butt in my belly/chest and knowing that it would be on the large loading pad.

Overall, I am super impressed with this suit, how it fits me, how the waist stays up and seals nicely, the added protection in the elbow/knee/chest areas, and the sealed/glued seams.

If you are looking for a very reasonably priced quality freedive suit I think the Pathos Thira deserves your consideration.

If anybody has any questions about either the Subcraft Light or the Pathos suit just let me know.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Thanks for the review Jim.  That suit looks like it's made for NorCal waters.  I am still in a two piece with farmer John bottoms but definitely open to a different type.  It was amazing going from a scuba suit to a Freedive suit so when I go to a custom I am sure it would be hard to ever go backwards. 

As for the lights I totally agree with all you said.  I bought one just to see how it works and fell in love with it.  My new favorite light and I have one that is brighter and 3-4 times more expensive.  Love it so much I bought a second one for a back up.  I have carpal tunnel and nerve damage and couldn't switch the UK Switch after diving after an hour or so.  I never new how many fish I was missing until I got this light and was able to see spots I couldn't before.  Only thing I did differently was bought a bungee lanyard for the light so I could peel it off if it got caught on rock or kelp along with extra batteries from Amazon. 

Do you to use a second hand to twist the light on/off? I changed to a one handed switch light and now can't believe I used to use one that needed two hands. The brightness sounds great, just unsure how the operation works?

Do you to use a second hand to twist the light on/off? I changed to a one handed switch light and now can't believe I used to use one that needed two hands. The brightness sounds great, just unsure how the operation works?

Nope, its a one handed twist on/off...

It's like a little ring that rotates around the light, can turn it on/off very easily with thumb and forefinger...hard to explain but very easy to do...let's dive together soon and I can show you. 

Gun in right hand, light in the left...turn light on with left hand when getting close to hole, turn off with left hand when heading back up...

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Great review Jim!

Here are a couple pics for those that want to understand the size and use of the lights mentioned.  There are raise and indented groves in the ring I pointed out that make it easy to twist on and off underwater with one hand. I think it is a magnetic switch so less parts to break.  I have loaned it to others on trips and all were amazed at how good it worked.  Not all manufacturers rate lumens the same so if you see one online that promises to be super bright read the reviews because I have learned they are often misleading.  I have a 1200 lumen light that I was using on a wrist mount and later realized I had to use my other hand to turn it on and off.  It would get stuck in rocks and kelp while diving and scared the crap out of me so stopped using it on wrist for most things.  Also the 1200 lumen was for flood light and not spot light which I like more anyways.

Thanks for the report Jim. I wouldn't mind getting another light. I have the UK light but would like something even brighter. And for the suit I went with a suit on the cheaper side and I am constantly adding glue to the seams. So hearing that all the seams are taped intrigues me. Thanks again

Thanks for the reviews guys, I'm glad to see reviews coming back. IMO they are very useful and fun.  Who doesn't like new stuff and we can benefit from the trial and error of others it saves money and frustration plus I think it drives industry to produce products useful to us.

THANK YOU DG for the awesome pics showing the switch!!

 

And thanks to everyone else for the positive feedback...really appreciate it!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Oh, I get the light now. Sounds good if it's an easy one hand operation. Surprised how small it is for 1200 lumens- pretty amazing. I think the one I use is about 200 lumens, not nearly as bright. Sure be great to get out with you. Been a rough winter, but hopefully soon there will be some calmer stretches. Where I dove last weekend there was not a single whole kelp plant. Just some bare stalks in places on the bottom. Clearly some mutha waves have been pounding the coast! Thanks for the reviews!

I'll be up at shelter the Thursday before the tourney if you want to go diving

Ha ha ha thats the same suit i have, also got it from matt!!! Great guy, has alot of good gear.

Ha ha ha thats the same suit i have, also got it from matt!!! Great guy, has alot of good gear.

Nice Kevin!!

He told me you stopped by!

Looking forward to seeing you and the fam at GS!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Thanks for the detailed review BigJim. I just bought this suit from Matt and Suzie last month and was hoping that I made the right choice.  I am taking it out out for its maiden voyage on Monday and after reading your review, I feel much more confident in the purchase.  I too was concerned about the high rise waist without shoulder straps, but after putting it on, it did feel much better for mobility and breathing.  Thanks again, I'll let you guys know how the dive goes.