Diver Magazine Fin Test

[leadweight]

Has anyone around here seen the Diver Magazine fin test? The only tidbit that I could find was that Scubapro is advertising on their UK website that the Twin Speed Full Foot fin was rated the best split fin by Diver. Knowing Diver's historical dislike for split fins, I wonder how thay rated this fin against their favorite traditional fins? Any other details or summary of what the test results were would be appreciated.

 

[Jonathan]

Yes I have - this was a split fin comparison, though force fin is in there for some reason as is the quattro!! No sign of the volo though - strange mixture.

I have the mag at home so will post some details over the weekend but it will probably be on Diver soon

Jonathan

 

[leadweight]

The Diver magazind fin test is online at divernet

http://www.divernet.com/equipment/fins0902/finstable.htm

I am a bit dissapointed as they did not test any full foot fins. Also the Scubapro UK boast about the twin speed full foot appears to be puffery as only the adjustable mdel was tested and it was "a top fin" and not "the top fin".

Perhaps what was interesting is that Diver found smaller performance differences between split and regular fins than Rodales. What they did confirm (as Rodale's reached this conclusion) is that a fast flutter kick was most efficient.

Oh well, I remain ISO the perfect full foot fin. However, my $30 Tusa Reef Tourers (similar to Rodale's highly rated Oceanic Caribe) work pretty good.

 

[lakesdiver]

Kind of an odd review. color/size/price I understand. But kmph?!? Don' t know anyone who bought fins based on how many kmph you can generate...

 

[leadweight]

Top speed does not mean much. I can't seem to remember fin races underwater anywhere. A few years ago they did a test of static thrust which is even less indicative of fin performance. Efficiency mesured by breathing rates at moderate speeds (.5 or 1 mph) would be more useful. Rodale's has done something like that, but each time they present their results differently to make comparisons across tests impossible.

 

[Cherry]

How would one measure a fin something like input energy to produce X amount of Thrust. You would probably need to measure it at different energy input levels to Id max efficiency levels. I know my ISt Taleria sure kick up a wake at low input levels.