surfkart
Grom
Reged: 03/15/10
Posts: 63
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Good review, I have bought e-elite 434 I'm amped to test it in cold water, I'm worried as you about the cut of the neck which seems very very low, once I've done 2-3 session I wll do my review
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Turtle71
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 01/19/10
Posts: 489
Loc: NE FL
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Quote:
Quote:
I bought the XCEL Infiniti Xzip with the bamboo lining when they had the deal on Whiskey for $95. I was excited to score the deal since I had heard about the xcels being more stretchy and the chest zips in particular being easier and more free on your shoulders (my shoulders are larger than average). Have only worn it twice so far. As others have mentioned it is a hell of an ordeal getting in and especially out of the suit in the upper body area. Like someone mentioned, you feel like you almost have to dislocate your shoulders to get them in or out. I also noticed the neck feels like it is cutting off air/blood circulation and find myself stretching it while sitting in the lineup. I by no means have a meathead build or thick neck (6'2" 190lbs) and the suit is appropriately sized being a LT. I will say, it is very warm and the fatigue on my shoulders seems to be less than my last Oneill Epic backzip.
I am wondering if chest zips aren't for me?
Is there a backzip out there that is super stretchy and free on your shoulders?
Or is there a different type of zip I should try thats easier to get in/out of?
Anyone have these same or similar issues?
the neck will stretch out quite a bit. also, if u think the x-zips are hard to get into, don't ever get a drylock. now that is crazy getting in and out of. doesn't leak at all through the neck though so a tradeoff in that respect. def'ly improved from previous iterates.
Good to know the neck will stretch out a bit, which may mean some flushing but I can deal with that as long as its not overly so. Maybe the shoulder area will be the same way.
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Nobody listens to Turtle...
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cornelyus
Grom
Reged: 09/12/08
Posts: 7
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Quote:
http://www.buellwetsuits.com/blogs/news
Looks like a great deal.. but with the shipping charges to Europe and the risk of being stopped at the customs it could be quite expensive :S
I'll have to go and try a Quik Syncro to see how it fits..
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rice
Duke status
Reged: 07/02/02
Posts: 17773
Loc: CA
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Quote:
btw, I am south of pt conception if rice is reading this thread 
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daave
Nep status
Reged: 12/28/02
Posts: 614
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billabong sgx (not the xero version) is great for so cal. Easily one of the lightest, stretchiest suit i've worn (and it is a 4/3). Just by checking out some of the mainstream suits, it seems that billabong is the only one using this type of japanese rubber (it is very similar rubber as used on one of my custom japanese "summer" suits - all stretch, not a ton of additional warmth). Beats my old buell in just about everything - neither suit is overly warm but zero flushing with the billabong and WAY stretchier/softer/lighter. I am usually not a fan of liquid tape but it is done well on this suit. the "water repellant" seems to wear off eventually but it helps to reduce that sponge effect. Too soon to talk about durability - but it looks like the seam tape will not peel up like the buells.
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freaknut101
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 11/24/05
Posts: 2299
Loc: CA
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Quote:
i think the current listed price is the black friday price. from what i remember, they are originally $390 and are marked $290 for the sale.
can anyone confirm this or was the sale price on a 4/3 really $190? that's a pretty insane deal if it was. i'll be picking up my 5/4 this week. just in time for... hawaii 
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email: saltwaterplayground@yahoo.com
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Havoc
Tom Curren status
Reged: 09/10/07
Posts: 10000
Loc: The OC Life
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Quote:
billabong sgx (not the xero version) is great for so cal. Easily one of the lightest, stretchiest suit i've worn (and it is a 4/3). Just by checking out some of the mainstream suits, it seems that billabong is the only one using this type of japanese rubber (it is very similar rubber as used on one of my custom japanese "summer" suits - all stretch, not a ton of additional warmth). Beats my old buell in just about everything - neither suit is overly warm but zero flushing with the billabong and WAY stretchier/softer/lighter. I am usually not a fan of liquid tape but it is done well on this suit. the "water repellant" seems to wear off eventually but it helps to reduce that sponge effect. Too soon to talk about durability - but it looks like the seam tape will not peel up like the buells.
is that the glued/fused seamed one? or is it blindstitched and taped.
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"motions of rippage is initated by the hind leg"-Northern_Shores
"Lemme know. I got endson gas"-20W
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daave
Nep status
Reged: 12/28/02
Posts: 614
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blindstiched/tape on inside.
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Havoc
Tom Curren status
Reged: 09/10/07
Posts: 10000
Loc: The OC Life
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Quote:
blindstiched/tape on inside.
cool, let us know how durable it is.
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"motions of rippage is initated by the hind leg"-Northern_Shores
"Lemme know. I got endson gas"-20W
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Havoc
Tom Curren status
Reged: 09/10/07
Posts: 10000
Loc: The OC Life
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really digging this 4/3 xcel drylock. loosened up nicely and is quite flexible now. way more flex than my patagonia r3, although the patagonia is a bit warmer. one thing I love about the suit is that it simply does not flush at all. they made some changes to previous iterations and this is the most watertight one I've ever used. I'd get another at 50% in a hearbeat  hope this stays together for at least another season.
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"motions of rippage is initated by the hind leg"-Northern_Shores
"Lemme know. I got endson gas"-20W
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prjwebb
Nep status
Reged: 02/13/11
Posts: 898
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Been in my Buell 4/3 pretty much since April. Used it pretty often but always rinsed it out and hung it in the shade. It's getting towards 5/4 time so a good time to review I guess.
It's been a good suit. Very comfortable and I'd guess it'd have to be considered warm to still be wearing it in December in the UK. I've had a few flushes and a couple of real bad ones when I've pearled and it's literally filled up like a water balloon. Not ideal but it's only happened twice.
So after 8 months solid use, it's still in decent shape. A couple of leaky seams. One on the ass being the worst. Also around the right knee pad is really worn out and leaks badly. That's down to duck diving I guess but not something that usually happens with my suits.
If I was in the USA I'd send it in for a few repairs and it'd probably be solid to keep going in the cold, but as that's not possible it'll probably be used as a late spring/early fall and cold summer day suit. I might try and get it fixed up locally though.
Overall, happy with the fit, comfort, drying time and flexibility but I'd rather the tapes didn't start lifting after 6 months of being babied. Seems worst where tapes overlap. I think I'll buy again during sales but won't be paying full price for one. I'll see how my 5/4 goes through winter.
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Heavyfooted
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 10/17/06
Posts: 2669
Loc: Orange County
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I was told by the Buell TM that any issues with the tape lifting have been resolved... If so, I can't imagine a better suit (coming from using mainstream suits).
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manbearpig
Billy Hamilton status
Reged: 05/11/09
Posts: 1603
Loc: its so flat
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shoved out an arm and a leg for a patagonia r4 today but im pretty content and pumped to try this thing. ill put up a review once it hits the water for a few session
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Photo Blog| Flickr
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littlewave
Gerry Lopez status
Reged: 11/15/09
Posts: 1223
Loc: Orange County
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r4, where are you at? that's a warm suit.
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manbearpig
Billy Hamilton status
Reged: 05/11/09
Posts: 1603
Loc: its so flat
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northeast. regular trips to about as far north as you can get no madder how cold it is, a good winter suit is something i cant not have. a little nervous as i was a dihard xcel guy, this was the first suit to steer me to try somthing new. i think it will work out well though, everything about it felt good when i tried it on. a little tight in the shoulders but after reading up on it seems alot of people say the same. its not really an issue though
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Photo Blog| Flickr
Edited by manbearpig (12/03/11 05:48 PM)
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sh3
Gerry Lopez status
Reged: 11/30/08
Posts: 1041
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R3 in cold and windy Santa Cruz. Stoked!!!
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Me Blog>>> ShShSh
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commuter
Grom
Reged: 12/17/09
Posts: 4
Loc: NorCal
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Ordered a 4/3 Syncro last week. First back zip I've had in a while, but the price was too good to pass up. Got it yesterday and the fit is nice. Lot stretchier than my 2yr old x-zip. The deal with the velcro on the neck catching the inside material kinda sucks, but we'll see how it holds up. First water test comes tomorrow in Santa Cruz.
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Muffcake
Grom
Reged: 07/10/08
Posts: 15
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So I've been waiting for my Patagonia to get repaired under warranty for over two months. Is this normal?
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greysuit
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 11/16/06
Posts: 2502
Loc: My god..it's full of k00ks
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Just picked up a chest-zip R2 (damn you black friday). First time I've been in a chest zip. It's a bitch to get off! Any pro-tips?
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heelnipstr
Billy Hamilton status
Reged: 07/29/09
Posts: 1449
Loc: Southern Tip, Norcal
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Quote:
So I've been waiting for my Patagonia to get repaired under warranty for over two months. Is this normal?
mine took about 6 weeks. I called them at 6 weeks and they said the regular seamstress was on vacation and the sub is kinda slow(maybe she never came back). Anyway they sent it out the day after I called. 
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"Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government and business."
- Tom Robbins
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retodd
Tom Curren status
Reged: 02/22/09
Posts: 11187
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Quote:
Just picked up a chest-zip R2 (damn you black friday). First time I've been in a chest zip. It's a bitch to get off! Any pro-tips?
All of them are , one arm out first .
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silentbutdeadly
Tom Curren status
Reged: 09/26/05
Posts: 11627
Loc: Tower 13
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reTodd how's that custom working out for you?
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Thou shall not commit adulthood
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retodd
Tom Curren status
Reged: 02/22/09
Posts: 11187
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love it .
only issue i have is the fuzzy stuff around the ankle lets in a bit of water ( like it comes in 2-3 inches sometimes )
other than that its flawless 
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silentbutdeadly
Tom Curren status
Reged: 09/26/05
Posts: 11627
Loc: Tower 13
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Cool, Exactly why I created this thread. Honesty!
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Thou shall not commit adulthood
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saltyNuts
Gerry Lopez status
Reged: 04/05/11
Posts: 1180
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O'neill update:
Took my 2011 psychoFreak down to the factory a few weeks ago. Mucho falling apart at the chest shoulders and back smoothie.
I traded it in for an RG8. Overall I like the neoprene much better than that stretchy crap on the PF. I actually stay warm and rubber fits snugger on the legs, so no blow outs on the legs just yet. Overall, I think this or the Psycho2 is the best bet for your bankroll if your buying an Oneill.
Only thing is the neck seal on the RG8 is giving me the gnar neck rash. Ive just realized there is no end all, be all wetsuit out there. Pick your poison.
cheers
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finboy3
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 01/25/10
Posts: 520
Loc: Topanga
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Finally got a surf in my new Oneill 4/3 Superfreak. I paid $180 for it, and it seems more than worth it. I especially like the snug neck enclosure on the chest zip--no water's getting in there! This is a very warm and FLEXIBLE suit for the money. Nylon panels bonded to neoprene. Is this a new process? Anyways, I was toasty in Ventura last week, probably 57 degrees. Let's see how it does up around Pt Conception next week. Dries pretty fast, so that'll help camping.
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commuter
Grom
Reged: 12/17/09
Posts: 4
Loc: NorCal
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Had my new 4/3 Syncro out in Santa Cruz for a few hours this afternoon. Water temp was 52-53, air temp about the same. Not much wind. Suit wasn't as warm as I'd have liked, but it was bearable. Gonna wear my old xcel tomorrow and see if there's any difference.
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donniedarko
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 07/26/04
Posts: 2003
Loc: The Coast
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Quote:
Had my new 4/3 Syncro out in Santa Cruz for a few hours this afternoon. Water temp was 52-53, air temp about the same. Not much wind. Suit wasn't as warm as I'd have liked, but it was bearable. Gonna wear my old xcel tomorrow and see if there's any difference.
Youll note the amount of seams on the suit, more then any Ive ever seen on a suit. This allows them to use less panels of neoprene to make the Synchro. Why its its at its price, less materials wastage during manufacturing. The negative is seepage and over time progressively worse seepage, and without taping or welded seams even more so. To me for the dough the best 3 season wettie out there. Hardly a bad buy at that price...
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face the mirror...
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finboy3
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 01/25/10
Posts: 520
Loc: Topanga
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Anyone else out there have an Oneill Superfreak? I know they're new. Liking mine, for sure.
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saltyNuts
Gerry Lopez status
Reged: 04/05/11
Posts: 1180
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Can anybody +1 on that bodyglide stuff for neck rash? Im ready to pull the trigger.
Last thing I want it to do is deteriorate the material or have to resort to a rashguard.
You Xcel guys, I heard bout dem neck rashes. What you using?
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kdropin
Grom
Reged: 02/27/10
Posts: 135
Loc: LI,NY/ TI,NC
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Quote:
Can anybody +1 on that bodyglide stuff for neck rash? Im ready to pull the trigger.
Last thing I want it to do is deteriorate the material or have to resort to a rashguard.
You Xcel guys, I heard bout dem neck rashes. What you using?
nothing i just let my skin toughen up after a couple sessions
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interferor
Grom
Reged: 11/04/10
Posts: 4
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For a while after I got my Xcels I enjoyed telling people who asked what happened to my neck that I was just really into autoerotic asphyxiation, but then I got tired of my neck hurting and I got some Body Glide. Stuff works well and is easy to use in the deodorant style stick. I have never noticed any kind material deterioration.
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Havoc
Tom Curren status
Reged: 09/10/07
Posts: 10000
Loc: The OC Life
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Quote:
Can anybody +1 on that bodyglide stuff for neck rash? Im ready to pull the trigger.
Last thing I want it to do is deteriorate the material or have to resort to a rashguard.
You Xcel guys, I heard bout dem neck rashes. What you using?
stole my wife's vaseline. seemed to work and only need to apply it every 3-4 sessions. cured the bad bad neck rashes I was getting. digging my 4/3 xcel drylock. loosened up nicely. warm!
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"motions of rippage is initated by the hind leg"-Northern_Shores
"Lemme know. I got endson gas"-20W
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littlewave
Gerry Lopez status
Reged: 11/15/09
Posts: 1223
Loc: Orange County
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also works for pit rash (vaseline). so does zinc oxide (diaper ointment).
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prjwebb
Nep status
Reged: 02/13/11
Posts: 898
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I used to use Vaseline but have since been told on here that the petroleum is super bad for your suit and it's a good idea not to use it.
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jkb
Nep status
Reged: 02/21/05
Posts: 899
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Quote:
stole my wife's vaseline.
Yeah right......you're wifes
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Oceanslide
Miki Dora status
Reged: 03/04/08
Posts: 5184
Loc: Oceanside, CA
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Quote:
Quote:
Had my new 4/3 Syncro out in Santa Cruz for a few hours this afternoon. Water temp was 52-53, air temp about the same. Not much wind. Suit wasn't as warm as I'd have liked, but it was bearable. Gonna wear my old xcel tomorrow and see if there's any difference.
Youll note the amount of seams on the suit, more then any Ive ever seen on a suit. This allows them to use less panels of neoprene to make the Synchro. Why its its at its price, less materials wastage during manufacturing. The negative is seepage and over time progressively worse seepage, and without taping or welded seams even more so. To me for the dough the best 3 season wettie out there. Hardly a bad buy at that price...
Agreed...for the price, it's a really good suit. I'd prefer
to have all taped seams, but so far no leaking at all after
maybe 10 sessions and it's kept me pretty comfy on the coldest
of mornings (near 30 degree air with gusty offshores).
Flexible, comfortable, warm enough for here...great deal
for $150ish retail price!
Only issue I don't like, as someone else mentioned, is that
the velcro on the neck closure sticks to the inner lining
like a mofo and I hope it doesn't start to f up the suit.
Even so, if I can get one solid year out of it it's a great
deal, IMO.
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"Surfing reminds us of how good life is."
Oceansliding
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fdb_23
Nep status
Reged: 06/08/10
Posts: 825
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does anyone have any experience with a Quik 4/3 Ignite?
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donniedarko
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 07/26/04
Posts: 2003
Loc: The Coast
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Quote:
does anyone have any experience with a Quik 4/3 Ignite?
Best quik suit for the money IMO. They redid the neck entry this year, easier to get into...
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face the mirror...
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ghostshaper
Billy Hamilton status
Reged: 01/22/05
Posts: 1596
Loc: 1134
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Quote:
So I've been waiting for my Patagonia to get repaired under warranty for over two months. Is this normal?
Just got an email today and my suit is done after about a month.
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They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time, it works every time.
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