Opinions on a few fin types for Tech Diving

[TSandM]

As far as the Dive Rite fins go, I just picked up a pair after using them for several days in the Florida caves in December. I really liked the fact that I could use a pair of fins that fit my feet well, but had a blade long enough to produce some real power. (About two inches longer than the blades on the Jet fins that fit my feet.)

When we talk about fins for technical or cave diving, we throw out "line traps", or "reputation for breaking" and I suspect that most people just shrug and think those are the figments of paranoid imaginations.

Well, I've been a thousand feet back in a cave and lost a fin, and it's sobering to realize that your propulsive ability to get yourself out of where you are has suddenly been severely compromised. A fin like the Novas, which can deliver a lot of power with certain kicks, and which CAN be used for all the kicks (I know, because I have done it) simply gets crossed off my list because of reports of breakage. Rare? Maybe. But any report is too much for me. Similarly with splits, which are line traps AND are absolutely awful for frog and back-kicking.

There is a reason that simple, durable paddle fins are the choice of tech and cave divers almost without exception. They are hard to break, don't cause problems, and cost comparatively little money.

 

[elan]

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.

Just look what people use for demanding dives and you will see that they are not using bungies but stainless steel spring straps. I just happen to live in the place with good concentration of GUE divers ranging from fundamentals to tech 2 and cave 2, they all use spring straps, that's enough for me especially if it makes perfect sense

I can of cause put bungie straps and try to prove them that they are as good as their spring straps but if their experience is in 2 orders of magnitude greater then mine my arguments will sound more like a joke.

I'm not even telling that I will not be taken anywhere as a buddy if I'm ignoring obvious things.

Bungie and rubber straps - I saw at least 3 of them tearing apart in 2 years

 

[Ste Wart]

.

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).

That's the Plana Avanti. It can be almost half the price of the quattro, who would have though an extra channel cost so much.
A Cave diving friend ditched his Splits and went back to his old skool Mares Planas, as he felt that the spilts were too heavy and tended to pull his feet downwards.

My Mares cost me 1/5 of that and do everything I want them to do, in rec and tech diving. .

Exactly.

I've had my Quattros for 9 years now, and I've done approx 2000 dives with them. I and my ex happily used them in Mozambique when all the other instructors at the shop were using Free-diving fins to deal with the current. They have enough power to get you out of any trouble and propel me quite easily when I've been on 5 Tank dive. There is a reason they are the industry standard.

Oh & the're black so they look cool!

 

[LakeCountyDiver]

Thanks TSandM I really wish I would edit the first post in this thread but instead of starting a new thread I thought I would add to this one..

The novas and atomics are OUT. I was just asking about the DiveRite fins cause they look good sleek and are strong. I just want to know if there were any true reviews about the yet.

 

[BabyDuck]

"split fins are for chicks"

not this chick. :comeandgetsome: jets for me.

the foot pockets aren't as huge once you're diving dry.

 

[TSandM]

Marci, that depends on what you are doing for dry suit footgear! With my TurboSoles, the foot pockets on even the L Jets are big (although very small spring straps make them usable). The Dive Rite fins have smaller foot pockets for the same blade size. They're light, though, and I've had to do some rearranging of weight to use them.

 

[BabyDuck]

and, of course, foot size, ms petite! i'm a women's 8 1/2, and my turbosoles are snug in my xl jets. not barely-get-off-without-a-crowbar snug like the larges were, though. i couldn't get them off myself.

 

[kierentec]

Thanks TSandM I really wish I would edit the first post in this thread but instead of starting a new thread I thought I would add to this one..

The novas and atomics are OUT. I was just asking about the DiveRite fins cause they look good sleek and are strong. I just want to know if there were any true reviews about the yet.

LOVE the dive rite fins! light to carry, almost neutral in the water, lots of power, and I can back up quicker than most people can flutter kick (well, maybe not quite that quick)... I find them to be far more comfortable than jets, however they are stiff, so you definitely know they're there. it will def take some conditioning if you're used to split fins. For rec, I dive cressi gara freediving fins. makes it easy to catch students trying to disappear over the wall on me, and keeping up with eagle rays is a piece of cake in em. however, when i switch to my DRs, it takes a good 10 min or so to get adjusted.

 

[Spazzy]

Jetfins, Avanti Quatros or the Dive Rite fins.

 

[ianr33]

Everyone I dive with on technical dives uses either Jets or Slipstreams (whichever works best for trim) Springstraps of course.

I have some Quattros in the back of a closet .They work fine in open water but are too long and floppy for caves.