jetfins or turtle fins, or cheap knock-offs?

[hyweldavies]

Having lost one of my quatros (I know, wrong sort of straps), so need a new pair - so might as well get some Jetfins. I've looked at prevous posts on this, and concensus seems to say Scubapro Jetfins or Turtle fins. Anything to chose between these ? They are the same price, but no shop seems to sell both. On some earlier posts it seemed to be a matter of sizing as much as anything. I'm size 9 (UK) shoes, so perhaps size 10+ drysuit boots and the Quatros were XL if that's any guide on that score ? Leaving aside size, is there any preference otherwise ? Also what about the various knock-offs eg Norther Diver ones, or Beaver which are perhaps half the price. I've got a bargain pair of US diver ones off ebay, which look the same and are heavy rubber, but are too small so useless for me.

Any thoughts?

PS - anyone want to buy a single Mares Quatro fin ? Actually the other fin is also included in sale, but the buyer must collect it from where it lies in 35m water near the wreck of the Lucy in Pembrokeshire.

Thanks

Hywel

[Woz]

I use the ND ones and they're great. Not as wide as turtles and if you have really big feet (like size 12+) the XXL foot pocket may be a bit teeny so buy Turtles. But the ND ones are great. And they are out of the same mould as the Beaver ones- they just change the round logo bit on the top.

Finning style will be different from the Quattros but you can do all sorts of fancy tricks in them- forwards, backwards, round and round and round and round on boring deco stops. Frog, flutter, silt-ploughing-big-kicking- the lot.

[Bardo]

Originally Posted by hyweldavies

Having lost one of my quatros (I know, wrong sort of straps), so need a new pair - so might as well get some Jetfins. I've looked at prevous posts on this, and concensus seems to say Scubapro Jetfins or Turtle fins. Anything to chose between these ? They are the same price, but no shop seems to sell both. On some earlier posts it seemed to be a matter of sizing as much as anything. I'm size 9 (UK) shoes, so perhaps size 10+ drysuit boots and the Quatros were XL if that's any guide on that score ? Leaving aside size, is there any preference otherwise ? Also what about the various knock-offs eg Norther Diver ones, or Beaver which are perhaps half the price. I've got a bargain pair of US diver ones off ebay, which look the same and are heavy rubber, but are too small so useless for me.

If you're interested, a mate of mine is selling a pair of XL quattros...

Regarding your original post, though, it really depends on the type of boots you have on your drysuit. If you've got the welly style drysuit boots then a pair of jetfins will fit just fine. If, however, you've got the thick, neoprene-lined boots like they have on O'three suits then you should look at a pair of Turtles. I've got size 9 boots on my O'three and I *still* need Turtles...

Personally I'm a strong believer that not all jetfins are created equally. Whilst the 'knock off' jetfins you get on ebay and the ND/Beaver/IST jetfins are perfectly adequate, they'll not as good as the real maccoy - ie. Scubapro Jetfins. Fact is, the Scubapro's are made from rubber that's *alot* heavier than the cheaper clones and they're a lot stiffer too. Now unless you're planning to go down the DIR route, this is probably something that won't concern you as chances are you're not going to ever need to fin backwards or do fancy helicopter turns...

Hope this helps!

[Scuttler]

I like my Jetfins.....I had Avanti Planar....and before that US Divers Compro which are Jetfin "copies" (ie before Jetfin.....lighter.....and blue)....Can't sing Jetfin praises enough.....but a bit worried about the whole O'Three boot issue....having said that I had neoprene lined boots put on my current suit.....no probs with my jetfins

[ratcliffe]

Like Woz, I use the ND clone of the jetfin, and get on with them very well. For a size nine, I would say you would need the XL, as that is what I use with my size 8 feet. I have two pairs, one size L for use in warm water with wetsuit boots, and size XL for use in the UK with my drysuit.
They are nice and solid as you would expect from such fins, and get s from me.

[Dick Barwell]

I read a report in a BSAC mag comparing fins and the ND ones scored really high on thrust etc and were almost top of the pack on thrust etc ..........given their being cheap as well got 10/10 .Thought of getting some for backup
or you could plug out and get some Force Fins at the Dive show .A bloke there was knocking them out at £60 last year.Never lose a fin again as they push themselves on and the bungees are great
Then again I am biased !!!
db

[Justin Owen]

anything from ND gets a high rating in BSAC's magazine...

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Justin Owen

anything from ND gets a high rating in BSAC's magazine...

Oh you synic

[TAZA]

Check out EBAY

Scuba Pro Jet Fin Halcyon stainless steel strap DIR
Item number: 110040574275

[frosty the snowman]

Originally Posted by hyweldavies

PS - anyone want to buy a single Mares Quatro fin ? Actually the other fin is also included in sale, but the buyer must collect it from where it lies in 35m water near the wreck of the Lucy in Pembrokeshire.

Thanks

Hywel

We have an amputee in our club. I'll ask.