Anyone tried the FinClip yet?

[kelemvor]

I've been using bungees for several years. I've never lost a fin since I began using them and find them to be much easier to use than any spring straps I've had before. If anyone would like to donate funds to help me start my bungee fin business I take Paypal, VISA or cash.

What is your paypal address?

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Takemymoneyfornogoodreason@ripoff.com

 

[kelemvor]

The finclip thing looks mildly interesting. $50 seems over the top for something like that in my opinion. I've owned fins that cost less than $50 (recent money). If they ever ramp up production and get the cost down under $10 then I'll try some.

I have some questions for those of you that have these.

1. Do you have to adjust the fin strap much to accommodate the clip? In their promotional video, the clip looks like it takes up some space between the bootheel and the finstrap.
2. Does it feel sturdy? I am not a small man. I'm thinking if I step on this it might just flatten out instead of flipping the finstrap up. What's your sense for how well these are made?

 

[Altamira]

In the North East when you don your gear its done on the bench or box. This area is made for 1 or 2 people to get suited up. Then its a short 2 or 3 shuffle steps to the back or side of the boat to giant stride off. Our boats up here aren't very big and with all the gear and heavier tanks that are worn, it's made to be done is one shot the step off. Its not like the big vacation boats where everyone suits up and stands in line with fins in hand.

That I can understand, and it makes sense. Never having dived in the Northeast, I appreciate the information. I still see some dive ops in the Caribbean having divers line up with fins on, and then have to shuffle the length of the boat's diver bench area to get to the rear platform. Maybe I will remember to ask them why they do that procedure the next time I see it.
Thanks.

 

[kelemvor]

That I can understand, and it makes sense. Never having dived in the Northeast, I appreciate the information. I still see some dive ops in the Caribbean having divers line up with fins on, and then have to shuffle the length of the boat's diver bench area to get to the rear platform. Maybe I will remember to ask them why they do that procedure the next time I see it.
Thanks.

I think that's a function of time. If you've got 30 divers on the boat and those folks are gearing up two at a time you're going to have a very long day.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

So, you don't want to try my double 120s and a 40 deco bottle? Come on, once you breathe everything down to 500psi it's a lot lighter! ;-)

I do always wonder how much at risk I/we put myself/ourselves at for DCS by having the exertion of climbing out in sporty conditions with all that weight on. I remember reading a post from one of the more experienced tech divers on here that talked about hanging out on the surface for a few minutes after getting to the surface and before getting out, for just that reason. Seems like a good idea. Just hang on the tag line and do some surface deco, as it were.

A crane!

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I just looked up the fin clip.
So it’s a cam lever type system I see, if I’m looking at the correct photo.
My question is how easy would it be to inadvertantly unlatch the lever underwater on say a kelp frond or some other unforseen entaglement?

 

[dmaziuk]

Should be doable if you catch at the top of the lever and push your foot forward. I'd be far more concerned with it pressing where achilles tendon attaches to calf muscle under normal circumstances. Muscle to tendon attachment points are very common targets in martial arts: they hurt.

 

[ibj40]

The finclip thing looks mildly interesting. $50 seems over the top for something like that in my opinion. I've owned fins that cost less than $50 (recent money). If they ever ramp up production and get the cost down under $10 then I'll try some.

I have some questions for those of you that have these.

1. Do you have to adjust the fin strap much to accommodate the clip? In their promotional video, the clip looks like it takes up some space between the bootheel and the finstrap.
2. Does it feel sturdy? I am not a small man. I'm thinking if I step on this it might just flatten out instead of flipping the finstrap up. What's your sense for how well these are made?

1. The original fin strap is removed, and completely replace by the FinClip. The FinClip device includes a neoprene-like cord that connects to the sides of the fin where the original equipment fin strap attached.

2. I'm 5'-10", and about 175 pounds, and when I closed the FinClip, it felt very secure on my foot. The base of the FinClip, which attaches to the bottom of the foot pocket, seems to be very well constructed, however this is why I started this thread in the first place, to see if anyone has actually used theirs during a dive. I understand that they have been tested by the manufacturer, and that multiple enhancements or improvements were made to the prototypes prior to making them available (over a year, with about a dozen e-mail updates to subscribers), so hopefully, the kinks have been worked out.

Should be doable if you catch at the top of the lever and push your foot forward. I'd be far more concerned with it pressing where achilles tendon attaches to calf muscle under normal circumstances. Muscle to tendon attachment points are very common targets in martial arts: they hurt.

The lever, when I close it, felt very comfortable in how it is shaped relative to the Achilles area. When I stood and took a few steps (in my living room), I did not experience any binding or rubbing (I use an ankle height bootie, so the lever never comes in contact with my bare skin.

 

[dmaziuk]

When I stood and took a few steps (in my living room), I did not experience any binding or rubbing (I use an ankle height bootie, so the lever never comes in contact with my bare skin.

When you stand your ankle joint is at around 90-degree angle, which is why I said it should work for bicycle kick. See e.g. photo here: Power Your Swim Kick: Flex Appeal | Triathlete.com -- that is the kind of angle I am thinking of.