No fin fight, OK?

[cocoajoe]

I'm posting this hoping I won't get a fight started over fins. I've been diving for 4 years and have had my Atomic splits from the beginning. I like them and they've served me well except for the frog kick and a few times caught in a ripping current. I've tried to do frog a few times with my splits and wasn't happy with the results. Part of it was undoubtably operator error but even split owners that are happy with their fins will not (honestly) say they prefer splits whem doing frog or back kick.

So, why change? I'm thinking about taking cavern and instructor doesn't like splits. I totally understand because of the type of diving and alternate kick methods. I don't want any jet, jet clones or any fins that feel like a piece of plywood strapped to your feet. I would like fins that perform well in a current, easier than splits to do frog and back kick. Oh yeah, they have to be neutrally bouyant. I am a warm water diver and don't want trim messed up.

Thanks in advance

 

[Griffo]

I'm posting this hoping I won't get a fight started over fins. I've been diving for 4 years and have had my Atomic splits from the beginning. I like them and they've served me well except for the frog kick and a few times caught in a ripping current. I've tried to do frog a few times with my splits and wasn't happy with the results. Part of it was undoubtably operator error but even split owners that are happy with their fins will not (honestly) say they prefer splits whem doing frog or back kick.

So, why change? I'm thinking about taking cavern and instructor doesn't like splits. I totally understand because of the type of diving and alternate kick methods. I don't want any jet, jet clones or any fins that feel like a piece of plywood strapped to your feet. I would like fins that perform well in a current, easier than splits to do frog and back kick. Oh yeah, they have to be neutrally bouyant. I am a warm water diver and don't want trim messed up.

Thanks in advance

I think that compared to splits, any stiff fin is going to feel a little weird at first. But once you get used to them you realise how much power those "plywood" fins give you.

Personally I love my F1 fins. Awesome for all kicks, great amounts of power. They are big, heavy, and negatively buoyant. However they never presented me any problems warm water diving them. I have just bought some F2's but that is to save on the travel weight, not for buoyancy reasons. Once I dive them I'll report back.



The pictures are me diving them with a well compressed 3mm shortie on and I didn't struggle with them being negatively buoyant at all. Trim is more about technique than the particular fin.

There's also the OMS slipstreams which i've tried which are apparently neutral in the water. I didn't mind them at all, just not as comfortable as the F1's and I felt not as good at the back kick, with maybe slightly less power. It's all very subjective though.

 

[rongoodman]

Either Slipstreams or Dive Rite EXPs, and I think of the two the EXPs are less "board" like.

 

[Nemrod]

I'm posting this hoping I won't get a fight started over fins. I've been diving for 4 years and have had my Atomic splits from the beginning. I like them and they've served me well except for the frog kick and a few times caught in a ripping current. I've tried to do frog a few times with my splits and wasn't happy with the results. Part of it was undoubtably operator error but even split owners that are happy with their fins will not (honestly) say they prefer splits whem doing frog or back kick.

So, why change? I'm thinking about taking cavern and instructor doesn't like splits. I totally understand because of the type of diving and alternate kick methods. I don't want any jet, jet clones or any fins that feel like a piece of plywood strapped to your feet. I would like fins that perform well in a current, easier than splits to do frog and back kick. Oh yeah, they have to be neutrally bouyant. I am a warm water diver and don't want trim messed up.

Thanks in advance

Real Jets are not really that stiff, but they are bit negative which is generally compensated for easily by keeping your feet up which is the resting position between frog kick cycles.

But, I think you would like the Mares Avanti/Quattro line of fins.

N

 

[Dhboner]

Slipstreams - neutral in the water and great for frog/back kick.

 

[decompression]

I'm a big fan of the slipstreams but another option to checkout are the scubapro Nova's, we have to wear them when teaching OW's and they are surprisingly competent and super light......

 

[TSandM]

Novas are frowned on for cavern and cave diving, because their construction makes them line traps.

For a neutral fin, I really like the Dive Rite EXPs.

Any paddle fin you try is going to feel like the Mafia have put you in concrete boots for the first dive or so. You'll get used to them.

 

[ferris213]

I started with Mares Avanti Quattros, and they are good fins, but I got a cheap deal on some OMS Slipstreams and have been happy with them. I know what you mean about 'plywood' fins but you do get used to them quickly, and now I really like that feeling.

The quattros might be a good transitional fin for you... if you lived closer I'd sell you mine

 

[Nick A]

I love my mares xstreams. They're kind of a hinge fin, but I get awesome propulsion, current isn't an issue with them either. No cave diving, but I penetrate wrecks a lot, use lines, no problems. And they work good for frog kicks and back kicks.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

Dive Rite EXP.