My dives once i got the '2nd' gen have been simply delightful. Part of it was 'figuring out a system' and part of it was figuring out what the heck to do with the battery bricks
![:wink: ;)](./images/smilies/wink.gif)
(I was not so fond of the heated elements being part of the actionwear 100 because it was a PITA to get on under my regular undergarments)
For the batteries, they are are still not my 'ideal' configuration, but i actually 'weave' them together on the light retaining assembly on my Cinch harness. There is just enough room for a big video light canister (13.5) and the battery bricks. They also fit well in my drysuit pockets, so after the dive i can just wear them there
with regards to getting dressed, YMMV, but...
the lycra supergirl suit is awesome. First of all it allows your 'real' undergarments to slide on easily, and second (and a surprise benefit) it keeps the chest and back pads from riding up. I put the lycra suit on first, then my fuzzy booties and plug in. Follow that with the bottom half of powerstretch undies. At this point i can either stand around for a bit on my turbosocks (I don't like doing this) or somewhat clumsily continue to don the bottom half of drysuit. it depends a lot on how much its raining. I try to do it this way because i need my hands (not drygloves) to get the Rockboots properly installed. Rockboots in place and laces tidy, i then put on the heated gloves and plug them in. I use the thumb loop on the lycra suit to then push my arms through the powerstretch 300 garment and un do them so i don't forget
![:) :)](./images/smilies/smile.gif)
still no riding up or weird tugging and bunching. I try to be slow and methodical so i don't unhook any of the couplings, but honestly that has not been an issue. They zigzag extra wire inside the suit so you have quite a bit of play in the wiring. the final thing to remember is to make sure the suit connector wires are in a easily accessible place before getting into the top of your suit (and drygloves) otherwise you are begging your dive buddy to go look for them. For those who use a ring system, this may or may not be easier, i like everything to lay nice an tidy and flat inside the suit, so i'd probably do it this way anyway.
The hands and feet heaters are just divine. the torso (front and back) portion covers much more area than my BTS vest. Overall it feels warmer, although the hands and feet seem 'hotter' than the torso. If i'm just hanging out, i have both on 100% and am comfey. If i'm doing anything with my hands, i'll put the gloves/footies on 75% and the body on 100%.
I have about 30 dives on the lycra suit system so far this year. I wear middle weight long johns under it so i don't have to wash it if possible. on my feet i wear mid/thin wooly hiking socks. It had been 100% reliable and functions exactly as it was designed. I have gotten addicted to it. I can get about 90 min on it at full power (or so it seemed) longer at 75 or 50%. I'm going to start trying it shortly with the XM450 to see if i can run it at 75 and 50% for a few hours. I will report back
I don't know when it is going to be available. Susan mentioned that it is coming 'soon' and the torso heater will likely brought to market first. it will be fully modular though, so depending on what you want, you can upgrade
I did not think 'warm hands and warm feet' would make that big a difference but ..simply... it does.
the only things i could possibly think of would be make the torso able to get warmer still, and have some other 'battery' options. I don't mind so much that it is not same voltage as my lighting systems, mostly cause this means I have all my packs for lights
![:wink: ;)](./images/smilies/wink.gif)