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Fins, fins, so many fins!


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36 replies to this topic

#31 Diverbrian

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Posted 02 September 2004 - 04:51 PM

Try swimming with your fingers spread out, then try it again with them together cupping the water.  Which gives you greater thrust?

That is true to a certain extent. Split fins use a different type of fin kick than your regular fins. With split fins you need to do more of a flutter kick. The Votrices created by the short finning motion is what moves you through the water. That's why they're better for people with knee problems as their's less stress on the knees. Most of the time people say they don't like them is because they're finning wrong.

Finning wrong is a matter of opinion. I have a set of Twin Jets and do use them on occasion but find them not efficient for the primary kick that I do (the frog kick). There are many divers out there that have absolutely no use for seeing a flutter kick taught. These divers will not use splits.

My dive buddy uses splits and uses them with the designed flutter kick. I must admit that I sometimes have trouble keeping up with her and she is barely kicking. So, there is something to it. I also know from experience that my air consumption in my splits tends to be less than my DR paddle fins. But the paddle fins are still my fin of choice for the reason that I get more control of my position in the water (ie. turning on a dime and stopping) which is highly important to a photographer.

Still, I don't criticize split fins as see more sides to the story now. Split fins have advantages as do paddle fins. You just need to kick a little different from one to the other.
A person should be judged in this life not by the mistakes that they make nor by the number of them. Rather they are to be judged by their recovery from them.

#32 DMP

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Posted 11 January 2005 - 11:27 AM

Umm being late to the party is always fun. But, I have to say that working for an LDS gives me some advantages of trying out gear when I want too. I use the twin jets and have compared them to other fins. I love the performance that I get out of them compare to other brands and types.

#33 peterbj7

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Posted 11 January 2005 - 07:05 PM

Just spotted this thread. I have tried all sorts of fins, including several different split fins and two types of Force fins, as well as more conventional single blade ones. I love the SP (Lightning) Jet fins, but find with thin booties that they cut across the tp of my foot and hurt after a while. They're fine with my heavy duty drysuit with its thick and fairly rigid boots. Another problem I find is that when "fluttering" with them the two blades sometimes catch each other, as they're quite wide. But they're ideal for frog kicking. I used to like that kick, but ever since a major pelvic fracture some years ago I find it slightly uncomfortable and unnatural. I do it when I have to, but only then. Incidentally, I have two pairs of these, one bought in the USA and used down here in Belize, and fitted with conventional rubber straps. The other pair was bought in the UK and I leave them there - they have metal spring straps as have been discussed in another thread. These were on from new.

My overall favourite, for anything from warm water rec diving through to cold water trimix diving, is what I always call Mares "Duo". I'm not sure what the model is actually called, or indeed whether Mares still produce them (I heard a rumour that they'd sold the design to another company), but they are identical to the Quattro's but with two flex slots instead of four. I've had four or five pairs of these, and they always feel just right whatever I'm doing. The only disadvantage is that they are a little long for getting back on a boat. Mares also have what to me is easily the best strap buckle system out - very secure, very easy to put on and tighten, and very easy to get out of quickly. And because the open buckles make the strap a fair bit longer, ideal for slipping over a drysuited arm when climbing a non-fin-friendly ladder.

#34 Marvel

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Posted 11 January 2005 - 07:15 PM

Hmmm.... I think I have that same fin style, Peter & I love both them & the strap design, too.
Marvel

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#35 Axua

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Posted 12 January 2005 - 05:13 AM

I do not know if IST distributes its product in the US, but I use their F1 fins (a copy of the jetfins) and it works great and cost less ($28)

#36 WVMike

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Posted 17 March 2005 - 06:14 AM

I don't mind being late to the party either.

Post count ya know :wakawaka:

Having tried stiff blades, scuba pro twin jets and force fins, I am now sold on the Scuba Pro Lighting Jets with spring straps. For all the reasons stated by others.

The spring straps are the "Cats Meow"

Mike

#37 maninthesea

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Posted 17 March 2005 - 05:09 PM

My overall favourite, for anything from warm water rec diving through to cold water trimix diving, is what I always call Mares "Duo". I'm not sure what the model is actually called, or indeed whether Mares still produce them (I heard a rumour that they'd sold the design to another company), but they are identical to the Quattro's but with two flex slots instead of four. I've had four or five pairs of these, and they always feel just right whatever I'm doing. The only disadvantage is that they are a little long for getting back on a boat. Mares also have what to me is easily the best strap buckle system out - very secure, very easy to put on and tighten, and very easy to get out of quickly. And because the open buckles make the strap a fair bit longer, ideal for slipping over a drysuited arm when climbing a non-fin-friendly ladder.


Mares does not offer the two racing stripe design anymore(Plana Avanti HP). They had a deal with Sherwood for them for a while and were also selling them under the sporosub logo. I think some other companies had them too. Now sherwood will be selling a couple of versions of the Volo fin. Photo's available if someone wants.) If you are looking for something simular to the Avanti HP you could try the Pana Avanti X3 which is a three racing stripe version of the Avanti HP. One big advantage of the HP is it is the only Mares fin that comes in XS.

I have added a pair of SporaSub "Varient Comp's to my next order. I will post a review when I have tested them.

Cheers Jim
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