Hi Syn and Bill (there's a familiar name and avatar
)
Syn your questions are timely and Bill your opinion is as well, I'll explain.
C4 Falcons are still much more popular among new divers buying their first set of carbon fins than the Mustangs because the Mustangs are still relatively new, I think they've been out a couple years now.
Like anything new, I've seen the same reluctance in freediving equipment with the onset of long blade fins, carbon fins, european style guns, and open cell wetsuits/camouflage wetsuits...to give a few examples. Time has confirmed their place in the market and proven their effectiveness before gaining widespread acceptance.
C4's Mustang fins are the same, the first pair of fins designed with separate L and R foot-pockets. The important thing to keep in mind here is the fit. Obviously no matter how revolutionary they are if they don't fit your foot they're not much use to you. Make a deal with your dealer to exchange them for your second choice fins with a normal type foot-pocket if they don't fit you properly. With five sizes chances are they will fit.
The big difference that most seasoned divers used to traditional fins will have a hard time with is that rather than adjust your kick ot the fins you'll have to just let the fins adjust to your kick. The brain behind the fins is that you can kick more naturally as if you were swimming in a pool doing free-style and just like you would swimming off the bottom headed to the surface without fins. The ergonomic shape of the pocket a more natural kick and for many the big plus, save energy. Once you narrow down the correct blade thickness and style (spearfisherman read SuperFalcon rather than Mustang blades), based on your weight and body size and general diving preference, the 25/30/40 hardness choices will give you even more of a personalized fit. Like a bike, a pair of skis, or a pair of tennis shoes the fit and the style of diving determines the fin choices/blade stiffness your left with.
The 80's for doing anything BUT record apnea style freediving aren't reccomended, particularly not for spearfishing or recreational freediving. The 80's are deisgned solely for vertical work and sculling or doing any conventional type of diving is cumbersome with them.
And Bill, to answer your question directly next year C4 is coming out with a new version of the pocket, same look just more comfortable and a touch wider in the upper part of the foot. Price will go up slightly too. So if you've tried the Mustang and these are the issues you're having these will hopefully address them.
On a personal note I first tried a set of Mustang 40's last year and they were just too stiff for my style of diving and I stuck to my Rekord 3's. Now I've been alternating between these and the Super Falcon 30 version of the Mustang (the one's without the flaps) and I'm really satisfied with them and enjoy diving with them.
Hope this helps, clear waters,
Mark Laboccetta
Omer & C4 USA