Tech Fins vs Recreational (Mares Quattro, etc.)

[loosenit2]

I guess I should have prefaced that I'm wondering about these types of fins for warm water recreational single tank diving (wetsuit or skin)
And knowing that just like the comparison between my old Frog fins and my Quattro fins, there are probably a big differences between models/brands/materials...so any guidance on which ones might be good for single tank diving, if any?

And to those of you tech divers who use jets for drysuit doubles diving...and that also go recrational single tank fun diving, do you switch to quattro or somthing similar for that recreational stuff or have you found a jet style that works equal or better than quattros or similar?

for pure recreational diving i use the scubapro go fins (the ones you wear dive boots with). They are very good at propulsion, very comfortable foot pocket, good side rails for frog, back kick, and helicopter, they are lightweight and compact enough for travel.

 

[boulderjohn]

I, too, started with Cressi Frogs. I went through a couple other options before I started tech and used Jet fins. They were fine for the reasons people have already stated. That created a problem for me when I became the tech instructor for a shop that did not sell ScubaPro, so I had to go with the Oceanic option--Hollis F1's. They are very similar to the Jets in performance and in weight. I still use them when I want that weight, which is becoming less and less often. I am less and less happy with that much weight on my feet.

I absolutely do not want that weight for single tank, warm water (3mm wetsuit) diving. For that kind of diving, I always go with (wait for it!) Mares Quattro. I use all the technical diving kicks in those conditions, and it does quite well, especially (wait for it!) back finning and helicopter turns.

There are two ways to do those kicks, and the way I was originally taught (using the wide surface of the blade as the propelling surface), the extra length of the Quattros made it more difficult. I now use the sidewall of the fin for the propelling surface, and it works much better. The sidewall of the Quattro has just about exactly the same area as the Jet and the F1.

 

[bradlw]

I called them "Jet Fins" in my original post.
I didn't intend to mean only the SP Jets... I kindof meant them and all the similar takes on the same idea.... the Hollis, the Hog, the 4th Element one that was mentioned, Deep6 Eddy, etc... and I was even thinking about the ScubaPro GO even though it's not jetted...

So what I'm taking away is that some of these, such as SP Go are maybe not REAL tech fins at all...maybe call the 'tech-lite'? I think I saw another one that was similar to the Go someplace, don't remember what it was...maybe it was the Gorilla version...

So the compromise

Anyway,
so fins like the Go, and also maybe some of the previously mentioned vented variants are a compromise but still offer performance frog kicking and other maneuvering. Any experience comparing these fins to something like the quattros when doing a flutter? Are they going to be like my Cressi Frogs.... I was kicking like mad with them and barely moving forward.

and similarly comparing them to the more tech-oriented versions of the jets. Are the jet variants that much slower?

 

[boulderjohn]

Are they going to be like my Cressi Frogs.... I was kicking like mad with them and barely moving forward.

That was when you were a beginner, and the fault may have been more with you than the fin. I thought my Frogs were fine. I regretted selling them not long after I did.

 

[BoltSnap]

So what I'm taking away is that some of these, such as SP Go are maybe not REAL tech fins at all

The Go Sport Gorilla has it all (I have the regular Go Sport and the Gorilla).

 

[bradlw]

I, too, started with Cressi Frogs. I went through a couple other options before I started tech and used Jet fins. They were fine for the reasons people have already stated. That created a problem for me when I became the tech instructor for a shop that did not sell ScubaPro, so I had to go with the Oceanic option--Hollis F1's. They are very similar to the Jets in performance and in weight. I still use them when I want that weight, which is becoming less and less often. I am less and less happy with that much weight on my feet.

I absolutely do not want that weight for single tank, warm water (3mm wetsuit) diving. For that kind of diving, I always go with (wait for it!) Mares Quattro. I use all the technical diving kicks in those conditions, and it does quite well, especially (wait for it!) back finning and helicopter turns.

There are two ways to do those kicks, and the way I was originally taught (using the wide surface of the blade as the propelling surface), the extra length of the Quattros made it more difficult. I now use the sidewall of the fin for the propelling surface, and it works much better. The sidewall of the Quattro has just about exactly the same area as the Jet and the F1.

Well @boulderjohn you certainly offer the perspective I was looking for
So the shorter fins aren't going to help me in any big way with those finning techniques in any big way?
Hmmm.... sumthin' to think about....
my other thought was to just find a fin that is generally a bit shorter but keep performance at least similar to the Quattro... so I still have some reason to consider others....but maybe then, if and when I do need to replace mine I'll just get a set of their newer version!

Have you by chance ever tried any of these other shorter and lighter tech or 'tech-lite' fins that have been mentioned... SP Go's, or Gorrilas, or Hollis F1 LT, or the 4th Element fins, etc. ?

 

[bradlw]

That was when you were a beginner, and the fault may have been more with you than the fin.

fair enough...and true enough....
but I'm not so sure.... maybe I'm wrong, but I think that my flutter kick is pretty much the same as it is even now. It was the frog kicks and other things I had no idea bout then
and regardless, as soon as I tried quottros I was going what seemed like 2x speed with less effort!

 

[Boarderguy]

I still use the same fins from 2000 that I was certified with. A pair of yellow Mares Quattro XL. I changed the strap to their bungee type and they're still going strong. I also have a pair of Mares Quattro+ L that I use for diving wet. They pack just fine in a large suitcase and go under the plane.

Quattros are a great all around fin though you might like some of the SP line. Such or the Go Sport, Gorilla, Travel or Seawing.

I've found for me that the foot pocket on most "tech" fins is uncomfortable. I like a full pocket that goes nearly to my heel. I have 3 pair of jets and they don't ever leave my garage except wham I'm organizing things.

 

[boulderjohn]

Have you by chance ever tried any of these other shorter and lighter tech or 'tech-lite' fins that have been mentioned... SP Go's, or Gorrilas, or Hollis F1 LT, or the 4th Element fins, etc. ?

None of the above.

 

[fred32176]

I use Mares quattro + fins. I just bought scubapro go sport fins. So far I love the go sport fins. The main difference between the quattro + and the go sports is go sport fins are shorter and a bit less powerful. I plan on using the quattros in high current dives or where I feel I need the extra power. For all other dives, I will use the go sports. If I had planned on getting rid of the quattros, I would have got the go sport gorillas. If you are looking for fins similar to the quattros, but shorter and a bit less powerful, check out the go sports. Go sports are common enough you can probably rent them and see for yourself.