TESTCENTRE
The heat is on
Electracore 3mm Heated Vest
COMPANY : NORTHERN DIVER TEL : 01257254444 PRICE : £ 89 WEB : WWW . NDIVER . COM
Choosing suitable exposure protection to wear beneath a drysuit is a relatively straightforward process . Summer often requires a relatively thin base layer and late autumn perhaps a more substantial offering . Slap-bang in the midst of a freezing UK winter there ’ s no substitute for slipping into the highestrated thermals available .
There is a limit to how much you can actually wear before both buoyancy and manoeuvrability are compromised . An alternative to ‘ layering-up ’ is a heated undersuit or vest , with the ability to provide warmth while producing very little change to those important factors .
While many such products can be a major investment , Northern Diver ’ s Electracore Heated Vest is a budget model that definitely won ’ t break the bank . Similar to the type of vest worn by motorcyclists , the Electracore differs in that it is manufactured from a flexible 3mm neoprene material shell with a cosy fleece inner .
This ensures a degree of extra warmth even before its trio of heating elements are activated . Located in the rear of the garment , two are positioned over the kidney areas with the third in the centre of the spine . The waistcoat-style vest features a central zip and two hip pockets , one of which houses a rechargeable Lithium-ion power bank , connected via USB .
While the vest ’ s heat panels are waterproof , the battery itself is not . In the event of a flood , it is recommended that the battery be disconnected and the dive aborted . The Electracore proved a nice , comfortable fit and I chose to use it with a thin base layer underneath and full onepiece over the top .
Prior to diving , I checked through the Electracore ’ s settings . A long press to the small colour-coded LED button activated the vest , then consecutive pushes cycled through the setting : High power ( represented in red with a 50-degree temperature and 4-hour runtime ), Mid ( blue / 40 / 7 ) and Low ( green / 25 / 10 ).
All good so far , but once concealed under the combined bulk of my drysuit and undersuit there was no real way to locate the button . There is of course , the option to turn it on pre-dive but my DIY hack proved a far better working proposition .
In best Blue Peter tradition , I acquired a strawberry jam jar lid ( any flavour will do ) and using Velcro simply secured the lid to the inside of the jacket directly behind
the switch . This provided a tactile marker and also a solid base to press against .
The lid , being only a little over centimetre deep , caused no discomfort and I was then able to select my heat setting - sight unseen – following the high , medium , low sequencing . To deactivate ? Another long press .
I have to say that the vest compared very well with heated garments I ’ ve reviewed in past , with the duration of the compact power bank ( also suitable for charging phones and tablets ) excellent . This ensured I could continue to enjoy the Electracore ’ s warmth not only during my dive , but boat-to-shore ... and on the car journey home as well . NH
SCUBA SAYS
Northern Diver ’ s inexpensive Electracore Heated Vest provides a no-frills , warming glow for drysuit divers on a budget .
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