I seem to collect fins also. I have gone through three pairs of Quattros--wore the first two out, but Betsy Royal at Mares replaced them at no charge, a set of USD blades, a pair of Tusa splits, Atomic splits, Seac-Sub Velas, Ocean Reef, Cressi frogs and Cressi full foot fins, Mares Trace, and, yes, I have a pair of Force Fins. I have given away several other pair that I had no use for. I am not enamoured with Force Fins. Those who like them seem to love them but they require a "bicycle"type of kick and I've been using a full leg and frog kick too long to change. The Navy Seals use them because they can walk forward while wearing them (like out of the back of an airplane). Split fins are ok in calm waters but they have no power curve if you need to overcome current. I wore a pair of Tusa splits on one of WW's North Carolina trips and had difficulty in even mild current in free ocean--I'd hate to think what would have happened if the Gulf Stream had been running strong. I like my Quattros, my Mares Velos or USD Blades. I switch to full foot Mares Traces for boat diving in Cozumel and I'll go along with Walter's Jet Fins for conditions where I'm doing a frog kick because silt-out is a problem. I have the luxury of several different pairs of fins. But, If I had to choose only one, I'd go with the Quattros.
Fins, fins, so many fins!
Started by
raizyr
, Apr 20 2004 08:12 AM
36 replies to this topic
#16
Narwhal
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Posted 25 April 2004 - 02:59 PM
"It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself."
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"There is nothing more terrifying than ignorance in action."
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"Democracy is two wolves and a sheep, voting on what to eat for dinner; Liberty is a well-armed sheep contesting the vote."
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"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."
H.L. Mencken:
Thomas Jefferson
"There is nothing more terrifying than ignorance in action."
Goethe
"Democracy is two wolves and a sheep, voting on what to eat for dinner; Liberty is a well-armed sheep contesting the vote."
Thomas Jefferson
"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."
H.L. Mencken:
#17
kevininpo
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Posted 25 April 2004 - 10:38 PM
l have a pair of Bios and a pair of Atomics splits, but they suck for sculling in the wrecks...l haven't had any problem in current or surge with the splits ever...are my legs that strong? 
if it ain't broke, fix it till it is
what if the hokey pokey really IS what it's all about?
what if the hokey pokey really IS what it's all about?
#18
Diverbrian
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Posted 25 April 2004 - 11:42 PM
No Kevin,l have a pair of Bios and a pair of Atomics splits, but they suck for sculling in the wrecks...l haven't had any problem in current or surge with the splits ever...are my legs that strong?
I don't have a problem with my Twin-Jets in currents either. My issue that I frog kick too much for them and they are too easy to overkick. For calm water in light gear I still love them...
Keep in mind, I trained with Twin Jets from day one of my dive training. The flutter kick that they are designed for is a small, tight kick where the split part of the fin acts like a propeller. They work great for that.
But, Narwhal, Walter, CT, etc. are right that they don't work well for any other style of kick.
If the only type of kick that you are doing is that flutter kick where your feet barely break the plane of your body, you will have plenty of power and speed. But, then as you observe, there are the problems with sculling on a wreck.
Just my (not-so) humble opinion,
Brian
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.
#19
RICHinNC
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Posted 07 May 2004 - 10:22 AM
My splits (tusa zooms) are just for backup now....there is nothing ZOOM about them. I generally dive in current and they are not good at all in such conditions.
When I am off the coast of NC you can bet I will be wearing my Mares Avantis. Sure would love to try a pair of Dacor Black Tigers....but it would be way to expensive an experiment.,...as would buying and trying a pair of Force fins.
When I am off the coast of NC you can bet I will be wearing my Mares Avantis. Sure would love to try a pair of Dacor Black Tigers....but it would be way to expensive an experiment.,...as would buying and trying a pair of Force fins.
The great thing about excruciating pain is....at least you know you are alive.
#20
mcm007
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Posted 24 May 2004 - 10:45 AM
Fortunately for me , I have a great Divemaster and Scuba Shop.
I tried out several pairs of Fins befored deciding what ones were right for me..
"Comfort is the most important feature." as my DM would say..
As for praticality, Scubapro Twin Jets (split fins) are my choice.....
Stif fins give me cramps and restrict my movement..I have never been happier than with my Scubapro Twin Jets (split fins).. I almost had a heart attack when I found out they are 200 dollars.
Worth every penny : ) !!
Hope this helps
I tried out several pairs of Fins befored deciding what ones were right for me..
"Comfort is the most important feature." as my DM would say..
As for praticality, Scubapro Twin Jets (split fins) are my choice.....
Stif fins give me cramps and restrict my movement..I have never been happier than with my Scubapro Twin Jets (split fins).. I almost had a heart attack when I found out they are 200 dollars.
Worth every penny : ) !!
Hope this helps
#21
nycamico
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Posted 24 May 2004 - 04:40 PM
I am not hardcore like some of these guys- mostly warmwater reef dives. I have the Atomic split fins and I love them! Had some stiff old boards to start and always got cramps and leg pain. I have been in some decent currents at Cocos Islands and really had no problems, seems like I can generate plenty of speed and power when I need it. Of course, I also haven't tried any others to compare- bought based on some ratings and testing in dive mags.
Laurie 
Laurie
#22
Diverbrian
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Posted 24 May 2004 - 10:09 PM
Actually, I have a buddy who does the same type of diving that I do which involves, doubles and a stage bottle. He swears by the Atomic Splits as well. They are stiff enough for a decent frog kick and manueverability. He is now whining because our IANTD instructor won't let him use them for the Normoxic Tri-Mix course, LOL.
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.
#23
Bubble2Bubble
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Posted 25 May 2004 - 05:23 AM
I'm using some dacor trackers right now and they seem to get the job done but they are soooooo long. i'd like to find some fins with the same power but in a shorter version. I'm enjoying the thread because I have been looking to get a new pair of fins and this is helping bunch's.
Mike
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no trees were harmed while posting any of my messages,
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#24
oatmeal769
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Posted 30 May 2004 - 11:42 PM
Everyone's different, So it doesn't matter what I wear as far as a litmus test, but I use the Atomic splits for diving in my drysuit and technical diving. If I need to move lots of gear through current and/ or distance, they work better for me than any paddle fin I've tried. I liked the Apollo Bio fin too, but not as well as the Atomic. This is interesting though - I've tried ALL the other splits, and hate them. I don't know why the Atomics work well for me and the rest don't.
If I'm in a wetsuit with a light amount of gear on, I actually prefer my full foot freediving fins. For efficient propulsion and maneuverability I think they're cool. I look like a dork though, I'm sure.
When I go to do cave training in August, I'll be packing my good ol' tusa imprexes that are like 10 years old. I just love them, though they are the least efficient to me of the others I've mentioned.
If I'm in a wetsuit with a light amount of gear on, I actually prefer my full foot freediving fins. For efficient propulsion and maneuverability I think they're cool. I look like a dork though, I'm sure.
When I go to do cave training in August, I'll be packing my good ol' tusa imprexes that are like 10 years old. I just love them, though they are the least efficient to me of the others I've mentioned.
Jeff Schoonover
www.jetharness.com
www.jetharness.com
#25
maninthesea
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Posted 31 May 2004 - 02:31 AM
Like a lot of you I have tried and owned a LOT of fins.
I loved the original Apollo Biofin (This was the fin that was originally molded in the molds DiveRite uses now, However DiveRite uses a different material and it is definatly not the same fin) so much the first time I used it I promptly sold my Scuba Pro Jets the next day.
But alas mine went missing and they are no longer produced. I have a pair of Bio-Split fins(one white one black so I am easy to spot) I wear them on beach dives that require boots and wreck penitration(for me I find them one of the best fins for wrecks for manuverablity and keeping silt down) All other boat dives(wich I try to make the majority of my diving) I use Full foot Mares Quatro Power fins. They are long and stiff and move me faster or more eficiently(depending on effort and kick style) than other fins I have tried. I was given a pair of personalized force fins by Bill Whatshis name and HATE them. I've had them for about 6 years and have not used them more than 10 times. I would get a pair of Mares Volo's or Quatro's on open heel but I just dont need them!
When I look at the Twin-Jets it seems to me that the jets and the split counter act each other. I dont have much use for them either after trying them.
Cheers
Jim
I loved the original Apollo Biofin (This was the fin that was originally molded in the molds DiveRite uses now, However DiveRite uses a different material and it is definatly not the same fin) so much the first time I used it I promptly sold my Scuba Pro Jets the next day.
But alas mine went missing and they are no longer produced. I have a pair of Bio-Split fins(one white one black so I am easy to spot) I wear them on beach dives that require boots and wreck penitration(for me I find them one of the best fins for wrecks for manuverablity and keeping silt down) All other boat dives(wich I try to make the majority of my diving) I use Full foot Mares Quatro Power fins. They are long and stiff and move me faster or more eficiently(depending on effort and kick style) than other fins I have tried. I was given a pair of personalized force fins by Bill Whatshis name and HATE them. I've had them for about 6 years and have not used them more than 10 times. I would get a pair of Mares Volo's or Quatro's on open heel but I just dont need them!
When I look at the Twin-Jets it seems to me that the jets and the split counter act each other. I dont have much use for them either after trying them.
Cheers
Jim
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#26
Trymixdiver
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Posted 14 August 2004 - 09:02 AM
My first pair of fins was USD blades, they were a good fin for the diving i was doing.
I ended up going to Turtle jet fins once i got my first DS and realized my Blades didnt fit my Viking DS foot. I got a 2nd pair of Turtles ( lost one in the surf) and ended up bying a new DUI suit about 7 yrs later. Again my fin options were limited due to the size of the feet on the suit. Turtles can push me and my doubles through the water be it on the surface or submerged, they are comfortable, and the price is cheap compared to some of the crazy fins selling out there now. I would buy a set even if i wasnt diving dry and using doubles. Its a well made fin.
Andy
if your a weak swimmer i wouldnt reccomend the turtles / jets.
I ended up going to Turtle jet fins once i got my first DS and realized my Blades didnt fit my Viking DS foot. I got a 2nd pair of Turtles ( lost one in the surf) and ended up bying a new DUI suit about 7 yrs later. Again my fin options were limited due to the size of the feet on the suit. Turtles can push me and my doubles through the water be it on the surface or submerged, they are comfortable, and the price is cheap compared to some of the crazy fins selling out there now. I would buy a set even if i wasnt diving dry and using doubles. Its a well made fin.
Andy
if your a weak swimmer i wouldnt reccomend the turtles / jets.
If i could only dive and golf at the same time.
#27
triggerfish
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Posted 14 August 2004 - 10:05 AM
i've used mares avantis from the start..full foot cuz they fit in my bag (now THERE'S a good reason to buy fins, huh?!).
i just last week bought some volos, cuz i gave my niece the quattros. my first trip with them will be to coz next week. then to the currents of nc in october...gee, my own personal gear test.
the only thing i don't like about the volos is that i can't write RED HED on the bottoms :dltears: . and (ok to laugh here) they're not bright green!!! howEVER will people see me underwater????
i just last week bought some volos, cuz i gave my niece the quattros. my first trip with them will be to coz next week. then to the currents of nc in october...gee, my own personal gear test.
the only thing i don't like about the volos is that i can't write RED HED on the bottoms :dltears: . and (ok to laugh here) they're not bright green!!! howEVER will people see me underwater????
#28
ryvor
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Posted 02 September 2004 - 10:55 AM
I use Mares Quattros for single tank diving, Scubapro XL jets with my drysuit and doubles, and Scubapro L jets with AL80 Dubs and wetsuit. Love the Quattros and the Jets. It's all a matter of preference, try out different pairs until you find what works for you and makes you happy. If people want to dive splits, more power to them.
#29
jextract
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Posted 02 September 2004 - 12:13 PM
The illogic of split fins can be illustrated easily next time you're in the water. Try swimming with your fingers spread out, then try it again with them together cupping the water. Which gives you greater thrust?
"Because I accept the definition, does not mean I accept the defined." -- ScubaHawk
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#30
ryvor
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Posted 02 September 2004 - 03:06 PM
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.Try swimming with your fingers spread out, then try it again with them together cupping the water. Which gives you greater thrust?
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