Blackwood
Contributor
I've only seen two pair [of Hollis F1 fins] in the real world.
F1s will run you 150 or thereabouts...
Opinions on a few fin types for Tech Diving
- Thread starter LakeCountyDiver
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I've only seen two pair [of Hollis F1 fins] in the real world.
F1s will run you 150 or thereabouts...
My Mares cost me 1/5 of that and do everything I want them to do, in rec and tech diving. Incidentally, I've never knowingly seen Hollis fins. I am also a person who dislikes spring straps - I find they hurt my heels. Perhaps I've not worn ones that fitted me properly, but I have to say I've never found anything to object to in good quality rubber straps. As they say, "if it ain't broke don't fix it". Especially when it typically involves parting with large amounts of cash for no discernible benefit.
OP
Man I always do that... I meant the folks that have answered not everybody in the world. My bad.
I do see that most everybody has mentioned F1's weather they use them or not is out there. I am going to do my very best to try as many fins out as I can before I buy. I love Scubapro but there footpockets SUCK!!! BAD!!!! and are not meant for human feet. I own a pair of older style of SP fins and hate them. They are also so worn out and give no thrust. I will lean toward the other brands mentioned and see what ones feel the best.
As for "splits are for chicks" I dont give a damn what divers think about what looks cool or not. If it feels right and serves me best then I am going to use it.
OP
Has anyone used or heard any reviews on the new DiveRite fins I seen them in a LDS and they seem very stiff and are not long at all how would they hold up in the Cave World???
Recommendations so far are:
Hollis F-1
SP Jets
OMS Slipstreams
XS Scuba Turtles
Are the DiveRites comparable to any of the above mentioned fins?
Recommendations so far are:
Hollis F-1
SP Jets
OMS Slipstreams
XS Scuba Turtles
Are the DiveRites comparable to any of the above mentioned fins?
elan
Contributor
Do not waste your money on Atomics, they are not effective in the kicks at all. I had to sell mine. You fell like you are trying to maneuver with logs attached to your feet.
After switching to turtles it was a huge difference on how you can control the movement.
You want the blade not to be very stiff nor very soft, if it is too stiff it is hard to do modified kicks.
You want the fin to be negative.
The reason for this is that it helps you to control your trim by changing the lever by extending your legs. When you dive doubles you tend to have more weight towards your head. A negative fin would help you to counter weight your head weight and you can adjust this by extending or bending your legs. If you have a neutral fin you are throwing that tool out of your toolbox, if they are positive they are making your situation worse as they pull your legs up.
SP Jets are popular for that properties, they are negative and they are fairly stiff but not too much.
I cannot comment on F1 fins as I have never tried them but out of your list SP would me my choice
After switching to turtles it was a huge difference on how you can control the movement.
You want the blade not to be very stiff nor very soft, if it is too stiff it is hard to do modified kicks.
You want the fin to be negative.
The reason for this is that it helps you to control your trim by changing the lever by extending your legs. When you dive doubles you tend to have more weight towards your head. A negative fin would help you to counter weight your head weight and you can adjust this by extending or bending your legs. If you have a neutral fin you are throwing that tool out of your toolbox, if they are positive they are making your situation worse as they pull your legs up.
SP Jets are popular for that properties, they are negative and they are fairly stiff but not too much.
I cannot comment on F1 fins as I have never tried them but out of your list SP would me my choice
markmantei
Contributor
I might get ripped here from the tech guys
I use force fins. Almost feel like nothing is there and as good as splits for avoiding cramps, don't lose power in current like splits either, and I'm pretty sure they wont get entangled in any cave line. I use the bungie straps. As good as spring straps for quick on and off, nothing to snag, but more comfortable than springs.
I've got modified flutter and frog kicks down, and I'm teaching myself helicopter and reverse, its a little slow as I'm playing around to figure it out on my own for uw photography, but I think its doable. I have a feeling that there are already some threads debating the merits of force fins in cave diving.
I use force fins. Almost feel like nothing is there and as good as splits for avoiding cramps, don't lose power in current like splits either, and I'm pretty sure they wont get entangled in any cave line. I use the bungie straps. As good as spring straps for quick on and off, nothing to snag, but more comfortable than springs.
I've got modified flutter and frog kicks down, and I'm teaching myself helicopter and reverse, its a little slow as I'm playing around to figure it out on my own for uw photography, but I think its doable. I have a feeling that there are already some threads debating the merits of force fins in cave diving.
I would say the benefits are pretty discernable - ease of putting on & off and practically eliminating risk of breakage. As for cost you can get copies for $10 each from Piranha.
Shame about your heels hurting, it's possible the spring straps you used were too small. Otherwise there are straps (OMS, Piranha) with rubber padding on the heel; you can also get booties with achilles pads that might help
For simplicity, cost & benefit spring straps are one of the best scuba inventions out there IMO
elan
Contributor
What Tortuga says, spring straps are used because they are unbreakable. The bungie, rubber etc straps break quite easy especially if it's in colder weather.
markmantei
Contributor
Again, I am NOT experienced here, but my limited experience has many of my dives in quite cold water (40-42 f) and my last dive was in 35 degree water temp with air temps around 10 degrees. At the beginning of the last summer I grabbed my wifes fins by accident and was cramming my drysuit boots into fins 2 sizes to small. Other than the obvious overstreaching and overexertion trying to get them on my feet, the bungies performed flawlessly. I don't think that the temperature affects the bungies that much if at all.
Do you have anywhere you can point me to that would support this? I like to dive with the best equipment I can afford, so if I'm going to have issues with the bungie straps, I might change them out.
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