Fin recommendations..?

[tgreene]

To split or not to split, that is the question.

In all of the reading and research I've been doing, I'm tentatively between the following 2 fins, and wanted your opinions. It appears that the general opinion is that split fins are much more efficient, unless you're in a strong current.

Aeris Velocity Duo Split Fins or the Tusa X-Pert Zoom Split Fins

To be honest, as long as I really like whatever I go with , I'll most likely get their non-split sisters eventually, so I'm covered in all arenas.

What do you all use, and why..?

-Tim

[billsreef]

I primarily dive the waters of the North East Atlantic area, so lot's of current to contend with at times. Fairly stiff non split fins are the norm and give you a lot of power to your kick, but can also be tiring if your not used to them. Like with other gear, it's always best to try out your prospective choices first to see what your comfortable with.

[dougie]

aqualung slingshots!! best fin ever. i love mine.

[sawillia]

Scuba Pro TwinJets are good. You can find a set on Ebay if you're looking.

I've had the full foot and open heel.

Good thrust to effort.

Test drive them and see if you like them...

[fishome25]

once you start reading a lot of reviews you will find apollo bio fin very highly rated. I love my pair.

I originally bought the large and used it for a season. when I got a drysuit the large wouldn't fit so i bought the xlg. I bought the same exact fin just in the bigger size. I think that says a lot for it. I do just fine in current and I use less air with these fins.

On a related note I have a pair of large apollo bio fin pros for sale :)

[yousmellsfishy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13947037#post13947037 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishome25
I have a pair of large apollo bio fin pros for sale :)
PM sent

[fishome25]

i didn't get the pm. but I'd like $130 shipped for them. if that what you were asking...

[Surferlopez]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13940035#post13940035 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tgreene
To split or not to split, that is the question.

In all of the reading and research I've been doing, I'm tentatively between the following 2 fins, and wanted your opinions. It appears that the general opinion is that split fins are much more efficient, unless you're in a strong current.

Aeris Velocity Duo Split Fins or the Tusa X-Pert Zoom Split Fins

To be honest, as long as I really like whatever I go with , I'll most likely get their non-split sisters eventually, so I'm covered in all arenas.

What do you all use, and why..?

-Tim


I have been using the scubapro twin jets and love them, I recently convinced my diving buddy to go split fin and he decided to go with the Aeris Velocity Duo's--on a recent trip to key largo, we dove Mo-Deep and he was blown away by the fins, he swears by them now...

Danny

[tgreene]

Okay, so this morning I went to the local dive shop to buy a set of fins and get registered for a class...

This is a tiny shop that carries only top shelf stuff which they sell for MSRP. In order to take the class from them, they REQUIRE that you buy mask, snorkel, fins, booties & books from them. Since I already have booties and bought a better snorkel elsewhere, I decided to go ahead and buy the fins from them at their inflated price. -- I bought the Slingshots for $219, when I could have only paid $135 online at LeisurePro.

So then he's figuring out everything, and adds in an extra $100 class fee because I didn't buy my snorkel and booties from him. Unfortunately, there is nowhere else within a couple of hours to get certified, and I would make up the difference in lodging to take the classes elsewhere.

I guess I could go ahead and buy a spare snorkel (the cheapest one he sells) and a new pair of booties, and only be a few dollars over the "penalty fee" and actually have something to show for it. I despise scam artists though!

-Tim

[billsreef]

The MSRP is par for the course when buying at the LDS. They really don't have choice, even if they wanted. It's part of the dealer agreement. If the manufacturer/distributor catch them undercutting MSRP, they get their dealership yanked. Leisure Pro is essentially "gray market", and therefore gets to set their own pricing. So I wouldn't get upset at the shop for that part. The requirement of buying your personal gear from them, however, is a rip. Most shops around here will give you a discount on buying the personal gear when you sign up for the class, or even make it a part of a package deal with the class, but they don't require you to buy the personal gear.

[tgreene]

I just went back to the shop after I wrote the above post, and up "buying" a new pair of booties (my old ones are 20 years old), and a spare snorkel. Total cost was $104.10, and since it went against the $100 add-on fee for not buying everything there, I basically ended up with extra gear for $4.10...

When I walked in and asked the owner about doing this, he laughed and said he wondered when I would be back for the gear. He said that he's tried over and over to explain this policy to people before, and that he actually had 1 guy pay the $100 extra fee rather than simply adding in a $16 ultra-basic snorkel to round out the basic kit.

Being a small business owner myself, I can appreciate where he's coming from in regards to everyone wanting to buy online to save money, then coming to him solely for the classes and pool sessions, but I agree with your post about offering the discount rather than the "screw-you!" fee. If I really wanted to play his game, then I could have just as easily bought the cheapest snorkel and fins that he sells, rather than a mid-range snorkel and his most expensive fins.

On the flip side though, he did fill two 80# tanks for me this morning without charging me, and he has always been very good about filling tanks for me when I need them, knowing I'm not yet certified... I will be in a few days however! :)

FWIW: The only thing that I don't have yet is a BC and my own weights. I do have ankle weights, and have been borrowing a friends' weight belt for tank diving.

-Tim

[dougie]

yeah slingshots rock! have you had a chance to use them yet? what do u think? i got the black and silver fins.

[tgreene]

Not yet... I'll either be hitting the pool today or over the weekend, as I just began the reading materials last evening.

I went with the silver/red fins.

-Tim

[Kenmx10]

This guy at the shop sounds like a jerk. I would find other people to dive with. He should have been happy you spent 220.00 at his establishment on a pair of fins. He shouldnt be trying to force you to buy something you dont need. Since he ripped you off on a snorkel and boots , I would return the fins and buy them at leisure pro and get your $80.00 back. Aqualung gives you a 30 day return policy and he has to honor that.

Also, what did he charge for the classes.
Also, is he a PADI certified instructor. Doesnt sound right giving air to someone not certified. He's just wants the money. Not too worried about other peoples safety. Sorry you have had these problems so soon in your diving career. I would try to find better people to get with if possible. Even if they are 30 min or so out of the way. Have fun on your classes.

[tgreene]

The next closest place to take lessons is 2 hours away, and he HAS been good about filling tanks for me knowing my circumstances, so I'll tolerate some of the stuff that I have to deal with because I absolutely have to have my tanks filled in order to do my job!

-Tim

[Kenmx10]

In that case , better to build a good relationship up front. It pays in the end.