Opinions on a few fin types for Tech Diving

[LakeCountyDiver]

Hey folks I am in this fourm because you guys will have the right answers. I have done a lot of search and read some really great threads on this topic I just want some specifics.

The 2 fins I am looking at are Seawing nova and the Atomic Aquatics.
The reason I love the Novas are because they are Fast with out trying, Stiff and Positive therfore keeping my feet up for frog kicks Ect Ect.
I LOVE the Atomic's because The feel like there are not there. I do not feel them at all and also they are fast with no effort.
I know fast is not what I am going for in wrecks and caves when I get to that point.I want to know what you guys feel about these fins......

What Kind of fin is good for cave divers (easy on the ankle) and good with frog,back,& helicopter turn kicks? Stiff,Split,Paddle,Long,Short?????

Which fin do you prefer and Why? What kind of diving do you do with the fin. Be as specific as you like.

I would like some ideas for fins to try before I buy. I now Own Oceanic V12's they are just so heavy and dont feel good on my feet or ankle.

 

[Blackwood]

The general consensus is that short, stiff fins offer the best agility and control. Could be jets, turtles, rockets, F1s, etc.. From that bunch, find the one with the appropriate foot pocket for your boots.

240 bucks?! You should be able to find a used set of jets for 50 bucks. They last forever.

I personally wouldn't want fins that feel like they're not there; I like the feedback.

 

[kanonfodr]

Split fins are regarded as poor decisions for cave diving due to the fact that they can get entangled in cave line fairly easily.

As for fin preferences, I've heard reviews from many divers about several different fins from all makers: Dive-Rite, Scubapro, OMS, Hollis, etc etc etc. The key thing most look for is a stiff paddle-style fin with a broad blade.

The Scubapro JetFins are considered by many to be "the standard" as they are quite powerful while still allow lots of fine control (helicopter turns, backwards kick, gentle sculling). OMS Slipstreams are a carbon copy, but much lighter in the water due to their monoprene vs rubber construction. Hollis F1s are also very powerful but have a very comfortable foot pocket, but are on the negative side with the Jets.

Those are the fins that I have personally used and I'm happy with all of them but reserve my Jets and F1s for drysuit diving where the weight helps keep my feet from getting too floaty, whereas the neutral bouyancy of the Slipstreams makes them quite ideal for wetsuit diving. Of course, I can still have good trim with the Jets or F1s in a wetsuit, but I feel the effort required to do so in my thighs after a dive since I am used to using the Slipstreams with my wetsuit. If I had never discovered the Slipstreams, I wouldn't even notice it any more now as I would be used to compensating for the weight.

Peace,
Greg

 

[Bogie]

I like the Hollis F1 because of the foot pockets are more comfortable.

 

[peterbj7]

I find the OMS version of Jetfins wearable, though still not especially comfortable. I cannot wear the Scubapro version as the footbed is short and stiff and cuts into the top of my foot. I know several other tech divers who have the same problem with them.

Speaking personally, I have not found a fin to beat the basic Mares 2- or 3- slot "Quattro" (I don't know what they're called, but they're identical to the Quattro except for the number of flex slots). And I have used a wide variety of fins. They give the propulsion I need when I am shifting a lot of heavy gear, yet remain comfortable.

Fins work simply by action and reaction. If you can't feel you're doing any work it's probable that you aren't, and you won't get anywhere very fast.

 

[FireInMyBones]

I love my Jet fins. They are short and maneuverable. The thickness of the blades give a good "bite" in the water. If I am traveling I can still dive the Jet fin, it fits in my carry on. I have bought both of mine second hand and they have lasted through for all of my friends for years. I also like that the Jets are negative. It helps to give me a "feel" for what my feet are doing.

 

[TSandM]

In general, you're going to find that technical divers tend to like things that are a) simple and b) inexpensive. Split fins are a no-no in caves, because the split is a line trap. It's my suspicion that the design of the Novas would also cause them to entangle easily. Worse, there have been reports of the bridging cylinders in the Novas breaking, and you do NOT want a broken fin a couple of thousand feet back in a cave.

Most tech divers like a simply, fairly stiff paddle fin, because such fins are useful to propel a heavily laden diver in current or flow. Such fins are like ScubaPro Jets, Hollis F1s, OMS Slipstreams (for those who want a lighter fin) or the Dive Rite paddle fins.

 

[karstdvr]

because they are Fast with out trying, Stiff and Positive therfore keeping my feet up for frog kicks Ect Ect..

Fast isn't always your friend. I like a fin that gives you a surgical approach. The frog kick is just one tool,but the modified flutter and shuffle kick completes the diver's tool box. I will admit a fin like the Jetfin does a good job with all these kick styles,but isn't always the ideal fin. A very popular fin was the Dacor Turboflex which covered all the demands the a Jetfin would handle,but was light weight.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I currently own and dive OMS Slipstreams, Hollis F1s and XS Scuba Turtles.

The Slipstreams are the shortest, lightest, and stiffest. They are great performers ... if you have a foot shaped like a 2x6 ... their downside is that they are the most uncomfortable fin I've ever owned.

The Turtles are softer, and slightly less responsive than the Slipstreams. But the advantage is that the wide foot pocket accommodates larger boot sizes. It's a good performing fin, but doesn't have quite the "snap" to a kick that you'll get with the stiffer Slipstreams.

The F1s are the longest, heaviest, and softest. The foot pocket is designed for human feet, and envelops your foot more deeply than any of the others I own. The fin feels more resistant, due to the size of the blade ... but that's offset by the fact that it's less stiff than the others. It took me about 5 minutes to get used to it, after diving the Turtles and Slipstreams ... then about another 10 to love it. This fin has a surprising degree of performance, considering how soft it is ... probably because of the larger blade size, or the rounded shape, or perhaps just because the foot pocket so envelops your foot that you don't lose any power in the foot to fin interface. But it's got plenty of power and performance to go with all that comfort.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[LakeCountyDiver]

They are great performers ... if you have a foot shaped like a 2x6 ...

I Do.

So all the fins mentioned are:
1)Short
2)Stiff
3)Wide

So these are the kind of fins you want deep in a cave When you have to worry about lines,silt,and other things?????

Thank you guys so much for your input. It will be a While before I am in a cave I would just like to start window shopping now and maybe get a pair soon and start working on my Kicks and Technique.