2014 lunocet

[noa]

Keep in mind that every manufactured adjustment is likely to add $$$ to the cost. However, there will likely be some toe-in/toe-out adjustability just from the tolerances of the assembly. I know that with the X-20, there is probably about 8 degrees of movement available between the shoes before they are locked down into position with the shoe bolts. If the lunocet is similar, that may be enough movement to do what you want.

Also, other posts have suggested that the Lunocet is already near the limit of the shoe technology it depends upon. It has been said that plastic sole shoes will break, and that carbon composite shoes are necessary to hold up against the Lunocet's fin loads. Further increasing the distance from the shoe to the peduncle may very well push it beyond the tipping point of workable.

There are usually good reasons why things are set up the way they are by the time a product goes into production. These are just a few possible reasons I can think of for the present configuration. There are probably several other reasons as well.

You make good points. I do believe however that there is always room for tweaks and improvements.

 

[neurodoc]

You're right, noa! there is always room for improvement and that is what has been driving the evolution of monofins in general. I've been thinking about the slight toe-in you mention, as on my bicycles with same shoes I always toe in a bit. The foot plates have round holes, with Look pedal compatible spacing. On a Look system, fore/aft adjustment comes from the cleat having slots, and rotation comes from the cleat/pedal interface. This means that when the shoes are bolted to the foot plate, there is no rotation or fore/aft movement possible at this point. The angle adjustment (when available) may include potential length adjustment to compensate for a swimmer having a curved spine or short leg. Foot rotation is not something I've heard anything about but I will suggest it to Ted as well. I have been thinking of taking the lead from Chip and modifying footplates with a chainsaw file-but have not gotten so bold yet. As the holes are recessed for Allen bolts (hex socket) it would be harder to create a curved path accurately. Of course, I have other tools...like a 25,000 rpm handpiece and a carbide cutter....and a steady hand... and so goes the modifying process!

 

[marginatus]

You're right, noa! there is always room for improvement and that is what has been driving the evolution of monofins in general. I've been thinking about the slight toe-in you mention, as on my bicycles with same shoes I always toe in a bit. The foot plates have round holes, with Look pedal compatible spacing. On a Look system, fore/aft adjustment comes from the cleat having slots, and rotation comes from the cleat/pedal interface. This means that when the shoes are bolted to the foot plate, there is no rotation or fore/aft movement possible at this point. The angle adjustment (when available) may include potential length adjustment to compensate for a swimmer having a curved spine or short leg. Foot rotation is not something I've heard anything about but I will suggest it to Ted as well. I have been thinking of taking the lead from Chip and modifying footplates with a chainsaw file-but have not gotten so bold yet. As the holes are recessed for Allen bolts (hex socket) it would be harder to create a curved path accurately. Of course, I have other tools...like a 25,000 rpm handpiece and a carbide cutter....and a steady hand... and so goes the modifying process!

Sir, you should write a book

 

[AquaThylacine]

I was impressed by reviews of Lunocet products, so I purchased the Lunocet Pro 2014 and the Lunocet Standard at the beginning of March 2014. After many promises and excuses from the manufacturer, the products have still not been shipped. Has anyone else had this experience?

 

[Ted Ciamillo]

I was impressed by reviews of Lunocet products, so I purchased the Lunocet Pro 2014 and the Lunocet Standard at the beginning of March 2014. After many promises and excuses from the manufacturer, the products have still not been shipped. Has anyone else had this experience?

I have just resolved an issue I was having with fluke production. I am shipping daily now. Hang in there...yours is on the way.

 

[neurodoc]

I was impressed by reviews of Lunocet products, so I purchased the Lunocet Pro 2014 and the Lunocet Standard at the beginning of March 2014. After many promises and excuses from the manufacturer, the products have still not been shipped. Has anyone else had this experience?

Hi AquaThylacine-yes, in short many have but for the whole story it's not totally a bad thing. Many improvements have been made and those that receive their fins later get new versions. Ted, the mfr, is just now getting production up to be able to meet demand. If you read through some of this thread, you'll see that you're not alone but it will be worth the wait. I have both of those fins and love them; they get used much more than any of my other fins at this point. Hang in there, you're ordering direct from the engineering/creation department and not from a standard retailer. There are benefits to this, but fast shipping is not one of them just yet.

 

[AquaThylacine]

Thanks neurodoc. I will continue to be patient in "The Land Down Under".

 

[neurodoc]

Aqua, note that Ted posted almost at the same time, just above mine-he is the manufacturer.

 

[Elisabeth Howland]

Hi guys! I am a novice free diver and researcher and just received my Lunocet Pro. I have some experience with it's predecessor, the Lunocet, and can say after only one night with the Pro that it is way more powerful. I work for Speak Dolphin and we conduct cognitive and behavior research with Atlantic bottle nosed dolphins. I free swim with adults and juveniles at various facilities across the Riviera Maya in Mexico. I will be using the fin to not only free dive with dolphins in the wild but to also spend time with the pods I already work with. I will be taking my Pro to The Jacks, an artificial reef off of Dania Beach, Fla to free dive next week. I'm beyond excited to see how it compares to my blades...will let y'all know! Cheers, Elisabeth

 

[marginatus]

Hi guys! I am a novice free diver and researcher and just received my Lunocet Pro. I have some experience with it's predecessor, the Lunocet, and can say after only one night with the Pro that it is way more powerful. I work for Speak Dolphin and we conduct cognitive and behavior research with Atlantic bottle nosed dolphins. I free swim with adults and juveniles at various facilities across the Riviera Maya in Mexico. I will be using the fin to not only free dive with dolphins in the wild but to also spend time with the pods I already work with. I will be taking my Pro to The Jacks, an artificial reef off of Dania Beach, Fla to free dive next week. I'm beyond excited to see how it compares to my blades...will let y'all know! Cheers, Elisabeth

That will be hard to beat in terms of awesomeness!!!
If possible, some pics, please.

 

[Chipswim]

Sounds even cooler than pool diving in Nebraska. Many years ago .....(true story) I had an opportunity to be near a few dolphins in a tourist park type setting. One happened to be near me and seemed to notice me. I was on land.

Thinking that they are smart and can communicate I took a very quiet moment to see if I could receive a message ?????

Just as clear as a bell ringing I got: "ONE FIN!"

That was it.... I did get the subtle follow up..... If it could have given two messages "One Fin! You Idiot!" Was available.

Actually happened. That's how I got pointed this way.

Noa! I haven't mentioned this to our therapist! Maybe you and I should keep it secret?

 

[Elisabeth Howland]

Sounds even cooler than pool diving in Nebraska. Many years ago .....(true story) I had an opportunity to be near a few dolphins in a tourist park type setting. One happened to be near me and seemed to notice me. I was on land.

Thinking that they are smart and can communicate I took a very quiet moment to see if I could receive a message ?????

Just as clear as a bell ringing I got: "ONE FIN!"

That was it.... I did get the subtle follow up..... If it could have given two messages "One Fin! You Idiot!" Was available.

Actually happened. That's how I got pointed this way.

Noa! I haven't mentioned this to our therapist! Maybe you and I should keep it secret?

Dolphins are incredible and are one of the three species who have the largest brain to body ratio - humans and primates are the other two. We are working to decipher their language and the Lunocet really helped when I was in Isla Mujeres two months ago. While free swimming with them they actually slowed down for me and 'accepted' me into the swim pattern. I am moving to Cancun next month to make my research full time and am really looking forward to the Pro taking my interaction with my underwater buddies to the next level...

 

[Elisabeth Howland]

Dolphins are incredible and are one of the three species who have the largest brain to body ratio - humans and primates are the other two. We are working to decipher their language and the Lunocet really helped when I was in Isla Mujeres two months ago. While free swimming with them they actually slowed down for me and 'accepted' me into the swim pattern. I am moving to Cancun next month to make my research full time and am really looking forward to the Pro taking my interaction with my underwater buddies to the next level...

 

[Elisabeth Howland]

That will be hard to beat in terms of awesomeness!!!
If possible, some pics, please.

Pics coming soon, I promise! Here is an above water one...I literally stopped traffic on my way to the pool, so I finally made someone take a shot of me

 

[Chipswim]

So cool! You've taken this thread to a new level!

 

[Elisabeth Howland]

Thanks neurodoc. I will continue to be patient in "The Land Down Under".

I can promise you, it is every second worth the wait! Soon patience will be replaced with elation. And remember, the waiting is the hardest part

 

[Elisabeth Howland]

So cool! You've taken this thread to a new level!

I'm glad to do it, especially as a newbie. I'm really anxious to see how quickly I can descend with the Pro, I got down 30 feet (the bottom of the dolphin enclosure) in 2 kicks with the first Lunocet....I wanna go DEEP

 

[neurodoc]

Elisabeth, welcome! Your description of your work is beyond awesome...I look forward to reading some of your dolphin stories when you can share them. I'm a dolphin/whale enthusiast and love reading about them. Hope to have them join me on a swim one day, when I get to the ocean more!

 

[AquaThylacine]

Hi Elizabeth,
May I ask what cycling shoes you're wearing with your Lunocet Pros?

 

[Chipswim]

You've entered a particularly slow moving pod. We'll have to speed up to keep up!

We do have our orders in! Be patient we are right behind you....

Tracking says a dedicated US postal worker opened my package and has reached the Mississippi River. He is swimming upstream toward the Missouri... Then the Platte River and finally the North Platte River to within a few blocks of our post office. It is the snow melt season so even swimming a fast fin takes time to get here upstream¡

Aqua! Photo of Shoes on hand: