- Messages
- 93,416
- Reaction score
- 91,688
- Location
- On the Fun Side of Trump's Wall
- # of dives
- 2500 - 4999
I dive split fins ... Apollo biofins ... I've had them since OW class and never regretted the purchase.
Folks say you can't scull with them ... I do it all the time. It's not as efficient as with a blade fin, but with practice it can be done passably well.
Folks say you can't do helicopter turns with them ... I do it all the time. It's actually fairly simple to do ... and I can rotate on my axis just as effectively as my buddies with Jets and Turtles.
Folks say they kick up too much silt ... I say it depends on how you use them. I dive some pretty silty areas with my splits, and all other things being equal I can see just as well on my return as I can on the way out. Learn to scull, learn to stay off the bottom, and learn to dive with your knees slightly bent and your fins higher than your head (there's a technical term for that style, but I don't know what it is). If you do those things, you won't kick up silt no matter what fin you're wearing.
Folks say you can't back up with splits ... they are correct. This is the one thing that I have to agree with the split fin critics about. Then again, unless you're planning to dive caves and wrecks, how important is that particular finning skill to you?
Boots ... try SeaSoft. The thing I like about their boot is that it's built like a regular shoe, with arch support and a slightly built-up heel. Not important when diving, but it will matter when you've got to lug your gear up a long stretch of beach ... especially one that's rocky and irregular.
Light ... depends on your diving goals. If you plan to dive a lot, and do a lot of night diving, look into a canister light. They're a lot more convenient in the long run, although fairly expensive. Lots of folks out there making excellent canister lights these days. I use a Nite Rider HID, and it's bulletproof. If you're only planning occasional night dives, or don't want to pony up the $$ for a canister light, UK makes several rugged models of handheld lights. I like their C8, personally ... either the halogen or the HID (Light Cannon). If you can afford it, get a rechargeable light. They're a bit more expensive but in the long run you'll save $$ on the cost of replacement batteries. For a nice, small backup light, I like the Ikelite PCa ... very bright, focused beam in a tiny package. Easy to stow as a backup.
Knife ... no specific recommendation except stay away from a pointy one unless you've got a need to stick something with it. I prefer a blunt-tip knife simply because there's less chance I'll end up poking a hole in something I don't intend to. Also, I'd recommend getting one with a line-cutter (a little crescent opening on one edge of the blade that lets you capture the line). I've found it to be a very effective feature when getting entangled in stray fishing line. I'd also recommend, if you're diving in an area where fishing line is prevalent, a backup cutting device such as EMT shears ... they're inexpensive and can attach to a BCD or hose where they're easily reachable.
Hope that helps ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
Folks say you can't scull with them ... I do it all the time. It's not as efficient as with a blade fin, but with practice it can be done passably well.
Folks say you can't do helicopter turns with them ... I do it all the time. It's actually fairly simple to do ... and I can rotate on my axis just as effectively as my buddies with Jets and Turtles.
Folks say they kick up too much silt ... I say it depends on how you use them. I dive some pretty silty areas with my splits, and all other things being equal I can see just as well on my return as I can on the way out. Learn to scull, learn to stay off the bottom, and learn to dive with your knees slightly bent and your fins higher than your head (there's a technical term for that style, but I don't know what it is). If you do those things, you won't kick up silt no matter what fin you're wearing.
Folks say you can't back up with splits ... they are correct. This is the one thing that I have to agree with the split fin critics about. Then again, unless you're planning to dive caves and wrecks, how important is that particular finning skill to you?
Boots ... try SeaSoft. The thing I like about their boot is that it's built like a regular shoe, with arch support and a slightly built-up heel. Not important when diving, but it will matter when you've got to lug your gear up a long stretch of beach ... especially one that's rocky and irregular.
Light ... depends on your diving goals. If you plan to dive a lot, and do a lot of night diving, look into a canister light. They're a lot more convenient in the long run, although fairly expensive. Lots of folks out there making excellent canister lights these days. I use a Nite Rider HID, and it's bulletproof. If you're only planning occasional night dives, or don't want to pony up the $$ for a canister light, UK makes several rugged models of handheld lights. I like their C8, personally ... either the halogen or the HID (Light Cannon). If you can afford it, get a rechargeable light. They're a bit more expensive but in the long run you'll save $$ on the cost of replacement batteries. For a nice, small backup light, I like the Ikelite PCa ... very bright, focused beam in a tiny package. Easy to stow as a backup.
Knife ... no specific recommendation except stay away from a pointy one unless you've got a need to stick something with it. I prefer a blunt-tip knife simply because there's less chance I'll end up poking a hole in something I don't intend to. Also, I'd recommend getting one with a line-cutter (a little crescent opening on one edge of the blade that lets you capture the line). I've found it to be a very effective feature when getting entangled in stray fishing line. I'd also recommend, if you're diving in an area where fishing line is prevalent, a backup cutting device such as EMT shears ... they're inexpensive and can attach to a BCD or hose where they're easily reachable.
Hope that helps ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
