fin spring strap choices +fit?

[infernalzen]

thought all they needed was a shackle, in place of the shown strap attachment?

[ardhill]

Originally Posted by infernalzen

thought all they needed was a shackle, in place of the shown strap attachment?

The Commercial Fin Straps are made for "Commercial Fins" such as the Jet Fins. The wording is maybe a bit vague, but the actual springs are no different than the ones for the Mares fins, it is just the attachment points. So, in theory you are right and could buy those springs, dismantle them, buy shackles and fit them to the mushroom fittings on your Mares, but this would appear to be rather an expensive way of getting a spring and fitting it to a shackle.

You are better to do as you have decided and just get some spring and shackles and DIY, or get some 8mm bungee and a number of high quality zip ties.

I had the standard 'off the shelf' Beaver springs on my quattros, and when I bought Jet Fins, I got the Beaver commercial springs. I have never had a problem, but if others have seen them snap, then there may be an issue.
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[B]

I actually got quite small hands and I find the beaver springs great but like said, find it hard to get my fingers in the loop when wearing gloves... not sure about the ND ones because I have never tried them personally but they look great.. but for £ 15.95 the Beaver price is hard to beat..

B x

[Allan Carr]

How heavy are these spring straps. We are busy trying to sort out an overseas trip and baggage weight is critical but I would prefer them to the ordinary straps on the Quattros.

[broady]

Originally Posted by Allan Carr

How heavy are these spring straps. We are busy trying to sort out an overseas trip and baggage weight is critical but I would prefer them to the ordinary straps on the Quattros.

Bloody hell now I am getting proper sad with all this weighing stuff - but anyway your wish is my command !!!

Mares Quattro standard strap = 135 grams

Beaver spring strap size M = 165 grams

So not worth worrying about the difference to be honest

Hope that helps

Mr Sad Bastard (Graham)


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[broady]

Originally Posted by B

.. but for £ 15.95 the Beaver price is hard to beat..

Just for the record the Northern Diver ones are £ 16.99

Graham


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[broady]

Oh my god somebody please take these scales away from me -

I have now weighed the rubber spring cover on its own and it weighs 45 grams so if you were making your own homegrown spring straps and replacing this with vinyl tube there would be naff all difference.

'Put the scales down and move away from the springstraps' LOL !!!

Graham


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[ardhill]

Regarding putting your finger through the rubber bit, I never actually do that.

I grip the sticky out bit between my finger and thumb and pull. A bit like you would do with a delicate china tea cup - you don't shove a dirty great big finger through the handle. No, you delicately lift the cup by the handle between your thumb and forefinger.

(A lightly extended little finger is option though when pulling on and off fins )

Broady, how much does a china cup weigh

[Allan Carr]

Thanks for the info guys. Airline baggage restrictions are getting so ridiculously tight these days we have to be very careful. We might end up taking some internal flights in the far east and the baggage allowance is a measly 15kg with 4kg hand baggage which apparently are strictly enforced with some pretty severe excess baggage charges so small differences can be important.

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by Allan Carr

Thanks for the info guys. Airline baggage restrictions are getting so ridiculously tight these days we have to be very careful. We might end up taking some internal flights in the far east and the baggage allowance is a measly 15kg with 4kg hand baggage which apparently are strictly enforced with some pretty severe excess baggage charges so small differences can be important.

This is one of the reasons I went from Mares Quattros to Volos as the weght difference was quite significant. If the water is going to be warmish I also take a 3mm full suit (rather than a 5mm) with my very light 4th Element Thermocline shorts and vest underneath.