I was using Quatros until my search and rescue class. After the first day, I cramped up so many times I thought I would need rescuing. My instructor had brought along some IST Talaria split fins, unfortunately I tried them late in the class. What an improvement, faster and no cramps. I wish I had used them when he first offered them.
I bought a pair, and now my quatro's sit in my basement, or if I think of it throw them in as backups.
Intersesting part is, the thing I like best is that they are slightly positive boyancy. At the quarry or shore entry into calm water, you just set them on the surface, no need to hang on to them. And getting back onto the boat, its definitely one less thing to worry about.
The only downside is the strap has an annoying tendency to pop off the stud if one end is popped open. No, I don't want to get into a springs debate (mostly because I think the idea looks good), just need to figure out the best solution for me.
Best part is they can be had on line for $100.
I can't tell you how they compare to the Apollos, because I haven't looked that closely at the Apollos (my LDS doesn't carry them). I did here them compared very favorably to the Apollos though.
As to kicks, I do find doing frog kicks less effective than my Quatros. But as to control, balance, turns, I can't really tell much difference. Since all I do is recreational diving, the idea of leaving a perfectly good body of water to go into a closed in space doesn't appeal to me. So splits work very nicely for me.
As to kicking up silt, I'm not really convinced there is any difference. I can and do swim close to the bottom at times, looking at critters, and don't stir up any silt. But I use very small kicks when I do it, and good boyancy control. I'm not looking for speed, that's not an issue here.
