anyone have experience with pinnacle wetsuits?

[jaclovesanimals]

i am looking to purchase my first wetsuit. i think i have decided on the 3mm pinnacle elastiprene. i live in ontario and will be doing some diving up here during the warmer months and also plan do do alot of diving in the carribean. i was told that the pinnacle 3mm is much warmer than many 3mm suits.

i was just wondering if anyone has experience with these suits and how you like it. i am also curious about the merino- elastiprene.
thanks

 

[H2O 70]

I've had one of the pinnacle semi-drys for a couple of years. 8mm with hood. Can't remember the name.

The zipper is finally starting to give way.

It has been a very good suit. I'm happy to see it going. Switching to dry here shortly.

As a whole it is well made and has survived a lot of abuse.

I know the wool is supposed to be exothermic when wet, but I couldn't really tell you if this worked or not.

I would recommend the brand.

 

[Crush]

I must have an odd-ball fit. The best-fitting bottom I found was a Pinnacle (Farmer John). The best fitting top was a Bare. Both came out of my LDS as used (rentals) so the price was good. I couldn't be happier with either, insofar as wetsuits go. My true love, however, has become my drysuit.

I am not an Ontario diver, so bearing that in mind, I really don't think that a 3mm wetsuit, even 3mm top + 3mm bottom, is going to cut it in Ontario - did anyone familiar with scuba diving recommend this to you? I personally own a 3mm two piece, 7 mm two piece, and a drysuit (scuba is expensive). I have taken the 7mm two piece when diving in the Florida and California on the same trip. In California, I used the 7mm top and bottom (but not a hood, unlike the locals). In Florida I used just the 7 mm top and found it fine - a few times it was a bit warm, but I just flushed some water through it and that took care of the temperature buildup.

 

[spectrum]

A 3mm suit will have very, very limited use in Ontario. You are headed for a wardrobe.

Pete

 

[Crush]

I know the wool is supposed to be exothermic when wet, but I couldn't really tell you if this worked or not.

I have an advanced degree in physical chemistry. Anyone trying to convince you to buy a suit on this basis is either malinformed (which is likely), or an idiot (which is equally likely).

 

[coldwaterlloyd]

I have a couple of Pinnacle suits , the merino is an excellent lining , I only use the 3mm elastiprine merino in 80 degree water or warmer .

 

[eelnoraa]

I will also say 3mm is very limited in Ontario. Here I am in SF/Cali, even 7mm won't be adaquate for most of the time in the year. I cannot image anything thinner for your location.

I use Pinnacle elestriprene 7mm merino, it is a great suit. I will buy again if applicable. I also have bare artic step in hooded vest. I think Pinnacle electriprene suit is much better made with better material.

 

[scubafanatic]

The thicker the wetsuit, the more annoying it is to put on/take off, so might I suggest whatever you buy, especially if it's 'thick', make sure you have both wrist and ankle zippers, makes life a lot easier. My older Pinnacle suits lack such zippers, but my new Waterproof ones have them, hence my switch over to Waterproof...still have my Pinnacles as back ups though.

 

[jaclovesanimals]

an instructer at my local dive shop recommended it. he said that the pinnacle 3mm is much warmer than most 3mm and that i would be comfortable during the summer months up here.

i think that with anything thicker i would be too warm when diving in the carribbean.

its kind of alot of money to spend on something im not too sure of, which is why i wanted to ask some people who know about diving and arent trying to sell me something.

maybe a more direct question-
is there a single suit that i can be comfortable in while diving the mild summer waters of the great lakes, and also comfortably dive the tropical waters of the BVIs?
or am i looking at 2 different suits?

thanks again everyone for your time and opinions

 

[coldwaterlloyd]

I recomend the 5mm merino pinnacle suit , you will not be too warm in the tropics you will be toasty , it will be much warmer up north than the 3mm .