Seeking opinions on specific split fins

[60feet]

Thank you all who have responded so far. Very helpful information. Thanks to anakin for the insight on fin length and wreck diving for the Atomic Aquatics. I like what I’ve heard about them; length is definitely a factor in packing for travel (going for some tropical boat dives in Southeast Asia in December). Appreciate strider’s reassurance that I will love Apollo or Scubapro. I envy Phil Ellis for having tried so many split fins. You’re right about foot pocket size, Phil; went to Sport Chalet today and tried on Tusa and Sherwood split fins (they don’t carry Apollo, Atomic, or Scubapro splits :shakehead ); considerable difference in pocket size and fit. Thanks, Jarret, for the link to previous discussions on split fins; after reading this helpful thread, I’d rather buy your Apollo fins instead of the Tusa . Appreciate Jason's, xidex's, and Terry's vote for Scubapro Twin Jets (my first fins after certification were also Mares paddles, xidex – gave me cramps on every dive too) ; have heard alot of good things about the Twin Jets. Good tip on Pycnogenol for cramp prevention and Apollo’s sizing system, pescador. Thank you also, thomjinx, for the note on varying degrees of stiffness among split fins. Interesting idea, Terry, about asking other divers to let me try on their split fins. I would except I might get laughed at... their fins will likely not fit me.

I’m starting to form a hypothesis but could use more information and comments before starting the downselect. Hope to hear from others also. Thanks again.

 

[AggieDad]

Just swam with my first pair of ScubaPro Twin Jets (L) that I bought from someone on this board. I did my 800 yard DiveMaster swim with them after using my Mares Avanti's for the tired diver tow. I felt I was just as fast or faster and absolutely no cramping or soreness afterwards. They are the black model and I really like them.

 

[D_B]

I like my blue model Atomics, very easy on my legs (color does indicate stiffness .. blue = soft)
although, as was pointed out, they are long (XL are 27")
I have been experimenting with my kick and now I can turn in place without moving forward more than an inch or two (no helicopter kick here, lol) and do a Frog kick too (OK, so a frog would laugh at me, but .. )

I think you are on the right track with Apollo, ScubaPro, or Atomics ... all get good marks from the people that own them

 

[60feet]

I like my blue model Atomics, very easy on my legs (color does indicate stiffness .. blue = soft)
although, as was pointed out, they are long (XL are 27")
I have been experimenting with my kick and now I can turn in place without moving forward more than an inch or two (no helicopter kick here, lol) and do a Frog kick too (OK, so a frog would laugh at me, but .. )

... at least you can frog kick. Flutter kick is still the only one in my arsenal. Gotta start looking into other kicks soon. The Atomic Aquatics sure are nice looking. I went to another LDS yesterday, saw silver, blue, red, even liquid blue! Asked if I could rent a pair. A resounding "no" for answer... . Also, the price was $199, I remember finding a $139 price at some online scuba store. So I left. But in hindsight, I should have tried on the Atomics just to see how well they fit.

I think you are on the right track with Apollo, ScubaPro, or Atomics ... all get good marks from the people that own them

Yes, these are my top 3 choices so far. I saw the Aeris Duo Velocity at Sport Chalet yesterday, but its material didn't impress me too much.

Thanks also, AggieDad for the comment on Scubapro Twin Jets. Wow... 800 yard swim. I think I would have fainted after 200 yards .

 

[Allison Finch]

I spent over 30 years in a pair of jet fins. I made the split change several years ago and will not go back. That being said, I tried several pairs of splits before I settled on one. I did not like the bio fins very much. They were too floppy for my likes. I could not make the precise movements I like while taking pics. I liked the SP twin jets until I tried the SP twin speeds. The twin speeds are very stiff! I can frog kick, back up, and swim ultra nasty currents with ease. I have yet to be "beaten" in a current with a paddle fin.

 

[jeraldjcook]

I spent over 30 years in a pair of jet fins. I made the split change several years ago and will not go back. That being said, I tried several pairs of splits before I settled on one. I did not like the bio fins very much. They were too floppy for my likes. I could not make the precise movements I like while taking pics. I liked the SP twin jets until I tried the SP twin speeds. The twin speeds are very stiff! I can frog kick, back up, and swim ultra nasty currents with ease. I have yet to be "beaten" in a current with a paddle fin.

Full foot or open heel? I heard the open heal twin speed are coming to the states this year. They have been available else where I heard.

 

[Steve_Dives]

I just switched to the SP twin jet. After a couple hours in cold water my calves started to cramp, but I was putting a lot of pressure on them. (In a small quarry a leg cramp isn't an issue, just an inconvenience.) I will say my legs were fresher than if I had been using the solid fins.

I do miss some of the ability to flick my foot and turn. I still turn with the split, just not as much. But I also found it easier to reposition myself without the big paddles, for example if someone were to hypothetically swim into a tree in a low vis quarry and needed a somersault-like manuever to extract themselves...you know this is a hypothetical...right?!?!??

 

[60feet]

Full foot or open heel? I heard the open heal twin speed are coming to the states this year. They have been available else where I heard.

Jerald,
Leisurepro has the SP Twin Speed open-heel split fins: http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/SCPFS.html?Search=op%3ddtSearch%26Term%3dscubapro%2btwin%2bspeed%26SearchFlag%3dall%26AdvSrchSortField%3dRelevance%26SortDesc%3d0%26Hit%3d1

 

[60feet]

... snip... for example if someone were to hypothetically swim into a tree in a low vis quarry and needed a somersault-like manuever to extract themselves...you know this is a hypothetical...right?!?!??

Of course... this hypothetical incident will be a secret safely guarded by me... and... ahem, the rest of the population of Scubaboard .
Thank you (and Allison) for your comments on SP split fins. Appreciate it.