Another Jetfin convert

[dlegros]

Well,

With the able assistance of our resident kit-whore, I have discovered the joy of Jetfins.

Still getting used to then as they feel drastically different to my old AvantiX3s but the increase in power is incredible.

And with the springs they look like the dog's danglies!

A big-up to Mr Knackers

Dom

[Dick Barwell]

Have you tried a set of FORCE FINS?
Never look backas (you can also walk forward s as a party trick) A guy was giving them away for £60 at the Dive Show
db

[Mark Chase]

I am truly gob smacked at this comment. I have been using Avanti Quatros for a while (bout 7 years) and they are very powerful and maneuverable fin's. I recently swapped to Apollo Bio FIns and they were also very powerful fins but lacked the maneuverability of the Avanti's. I just purchased a pair of Turtle fins which I understand are pretty much the same as Jet Fins and they are no where near as powerfully as the Apollo or the Avanti fin. They are not as maneuverable as the Avanti either.

Used yesterday in the NDC my buddy reckoned I was doing three Kicks to his one. Flutter kick was much much beter than the Avanti because of the more flexible fin tips and about on a par with the Apollos. Frog kick felt lame and although the finns are soft so the effort is less than the Avanti the forward movement was noticeably down.

This may have been apparent because of the drag of diving a CCR and single stage over an OC rig. I dived the Turtle fins with my streamlined twin 7s rig and they felt fine. However they are the ONLY fins I have used with that rig so its hard to compare.

So in conclusion

Good fins well designed (I love the fin straps) rugged and unbreakable in my lifetime but NOT powerful by any stretch of the imagination.

I will use them on wrecks where I dont need to fin but I will use my Avantis on reef dives like Red Sea trips where some power may be needed.

ATB

Mark Chase

[Lou]

Mark

Cheers for that - very interesting. I have been watching all the converts to jetfins and thinking that maybe I should try some, but apart from the length on the boat I am happy with my Quattros (with spring straps now!).

You may just have saved me some money for a bit . Why did you change to them btw, if you were happy with your Quattros?

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by Lou

Mark

Cheers for that - very interesting. I have been watching all the converts to jetfins and thinking that maybe I should try some, but apart from the length on the boat I am happy with my Quattros (with spring straps now!).

You may just have saved me some money for a bit . Why did you change to them btw, if you were happy with your Quattros?

Cramp. They give me cramp now on virtually every dive over 90mns long. Apart from that they are great fins. Get spring straps if you don't like the plastic ones. I have a set of Regulars that tended to perch on the end of my boots so a set of large might have cured the problem. But 7years is a long time and I fancied trying the fabled split fin.

I went over to the Apollos Bio fins because SteveW recommended them highly. I suffered no cramp they are very powerful (which was unexpected) but only in flutter kick mode. Frog kick they are not as good as Avanti Q's
They also seem very light in the water I felt for one horrible moment I was going to need ankle weights I am sure i would get used to them over time but I was very floaty feet on my first go. First impression was I liked them.

I got the Turtle fins to do DIRF no other reason. Went for Turtle over Jet fins because the largest Jet fins wouldn't fit on my O3 boots despite me only being a size 9-10. They feel very soft and modified flutter kick (so hard to do well in Quatroes) is easy in them. However they dont have the sideways finning power that makes helicopter turns so easy in Q's and they are no where near as powerful in frog kick mode.

Dont get me wrong they are very comfortable fins and plenty good enough for wreck diving but I wouldn't like to be trying to keep op with OC divers in a current on a reef with them.

ATB

Mark Chase

[Lou]

Thanks again, Mark. One thing on the Bio-fins, I think I recall Steve saying that he got his in the States and that they are a heavier version than you get in Europe. Maybe that is the floatiness you felt? I think it is something like the balck US ones are heavy and the grey ones you get here are lighter.

Anyway, although happy with the manouevrability I have in the Quattros I thought if I could get the same performance out of a set of Jets that are shorter it would be worth a swap. Sounds like I would have to have a go with them and see if it would be worth it first though.

I don't like spending money without a good reason, and looking "techie" isn't a good enough one by a long way!

Maybe someone will have a set at the Stoney gig I could try?


Lou

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by Lou

Thanks again, Mark. One thing on the Bio-fins, I think I recall Steve saying that he got his in the States and that they are a heavier version than you get in Europe. Maybe that is the floatiness you felt? I think it is something like the balck US ones are heavy and the grey ones you get here are lighter.

Anyway, although happy with the manouevrability I have in the Quattros I thought if I could get the same performance out of a set of Jets that are shorter it would be worth a swap. Sounds like I would have to have a go with them and see if it would be worth it first though.

I don't like spending money without a good reason, and looking "techie" isn't a good enough one by a long way!

Maybe someone will have a set at the Stoney gig I could try?


Lou

My Bio fins are Black. They do do a pair with stiffer side pipes which i am tld are better for frog kick and manouvering. Unfortunatly I only found this out out too late

They are very floppy and easy to get on the boat with. Well worth a try dive if you can. My ones are XL so its probably no use me lending you them. What size Avanti's do you use?

ATB

Mark Chase


ATB

Mark Chase

[Lou]

Regular Avantis are a perfect fit for me (size 7-8 d/suit boots) but i don't know what size Jets or Bios that translates to!

[daz]

Originally Posted by Lou

Mark

Cheers for that - very interesting. I have been watching all the converts to jetfins and thinking that maybe I should try some, but apart from the length on the boat I am happy with my Quattros (with spring straps now!).

You may just have saved me some money for a bit . Why did you change to them btw, if you were happy with your Quattros?

I wouldn't honestly say the jetfins are a revelation over quattros. I used Quattro's for years and they are excellent fins. Powerful and manouvable and they work well for virtually any fin strokes.

Personally I switched because I find the shorter stiffer blade of the jetfin more convenient and I don't get cramp like I used to with the Quattro's, but that could be that I've modified my finning more than switching fins.

Also the Jetfins do make backward finning *easier* (But it is possible with Quattro's, unless of cause I was narced at 6m ). Having said that, as my mate says in regard to backward finning, "That's crap, why don't you just avoid putting yourself in situations where you need to fin backwards"

I'd see if you can borrow a pair for a dive to see what you think before you buy.

Daz

[Lou]

Yes, I managed to backfin in the Red Sea in Quattros whislt pissing around at 6m under the boat Dunno if it would work in drysuit etc but a hand waft does and the backdraught from that is much easier to control then that from fins LOL!

Cool. I shall stick with my Quattros then - their only downside is the blade length on a cramped boat or on a narrow ladder, but that is a minor point.

Cheers

Lou