Specialty - Ice or Dry Suit

[jleech]

I guess if you are trying to prioritize your $$$.  If you plan to dive in MN or WI very much, I would recommend investment in a drysuit.  Most shops will either include the price of the class with the purchase of a new suit (at least the shop I bought mine first suit from in Ohio did) or at least give a steep discount.

I like ice diving, but as others have stated, it's really a way to get out and enjoy other divers, and keeping your self wet in the winter.  If you can't do both right away, I would go for the drysuit and class.

I started diving a 7mm farmer john in Lake Huron, which is generally 10-20 degrees warmer than Superior.  The first dive was OK, the second dive I was always uncomfortable.  I bought the drysuit so that I would enjoy both dives.

My current suit is really more a "damp suit", so it's on it's way up to Brainard for repair  :

Jeff