Beuchat,Omer or Cressi fins

[gabbydiver]

Hello all,
I am a spearfisher who is diving up to 15 meters.In my diving I need to swim a lot(I am swimming from the shore,I don't have a boat).Right now I have a cressi Gara 2000hf and I need to replace them.Which fin you thing is best for my use?
1.Omer millenum runner
2.Omer millenum
3.Beuchat compotiton
4.Beuchat sport
5.Cressi gare3000

Many thanks in advance.

 

[spaghetti]

I'm an Omer enthusiast, but in your case I'd say Cressi Gara 3000 LD, for the followin reasons:
-Your feet are already familiar with the Cressi footpocket (and you did not complain about it)
-They are very durable and solid for contact with rocky bottoms in entering water (you said no boat).
-The 3000 LD (Long Distance) are said to be at the same time very reliable for diving within the 20 meters mark and pretty comfortable for lon distance swimming.
-They are cheaper
-If it's good for Umberto P., then it's good for us too!

 

[Old Man Dave]

Down to 15 metres, lots of surface work! You need Omer Ice 3's. None better.

Dave

 

[Spaniard]

I have used the Cressi Gara for shore diving (under 12M) and had no problems with them, comfortable and practical.

 

[cigarlung]

I like the beuchat competion fins foot pocket is soft and comfortable the fins are flexable less fatigue for swimming price thru scuba store is reasonable good luck in your hunt for the perfect fin.

 

[Bill]

Anyone that hasn't tried the Beuchat foot pockets may have a pleasant surprise coming.
Aloha
Bill

 

[cdavis]

I'm not familiar with the beuchat pockets, but, assuming barefoot or thin booties, stay with the softest cressi you can get, over the omer. If the cressi pocket fits you, the omer probably will not. I recently used both ice and bat 25s. Both are very nice, assuming reasonably shallow water (25 m or less). To me the bats were best. My feet like the cressi's and the omers were uncomfortable for me. I own a pair of 2000hf's and think you will be very happy with a softer blade, after you get used to them.

Good luck

Connor

 

[Fondueset]

I've got both Omer Ice fins and the millenium runners. The runners are about twice as stiff and really nice swimming fins - particularly for distance. The Ice fins are great to and I've done over 15 meters with them no problems - plus they really do lower your profile and perceived movement for spearfishing.
The runners are cheaper - just as smooth to swim with - with a bit more oomph. I can't speak to the Cressis but they have a solid rep. I'd definitely go soft for distance.

 

[azapa]

so many fins so many opinions. I have the same usage as you propose, and I have the IMERSION JB ESCLAPEZ, the greens. I have to say they were 100% comfortable from day 1. I often do 4Km surface swims, not a pinch or rub. Shame they were not on your list of candidates.

 

[Morg]

I've got both Omer Ice fins and the millenium runners. The runners are about twice as stiff and really nice swimming fins - particularly for distance. The Ice fins are great to and I've done over 15 meters with them no problems - plus they really do lower your profile and perceived movement for spearfishing.
The runners are cheaper - just as smooth to swim with - with a bit more oomph. I can't speak to the Cressis but they have a solid rep. I'd definitely go soft for distance.

I have a pair of the Ice fins as well and I've dove deeper then 15m with them easily as well. I didn't know they were rated like that. So for deeper dives a stiff fin is best?

 

[cdavis]

Stiffer is better for deeper, but every diver has a different definition of stiff and deep. For example, I used a set of c4 VTR 25s for a couple of days of hard diving down to 20-25 meters and LOVED them, wonderful blades, better than either my kelpie mediums or waterways #2. Then I did a 110 ft dive and wondered if I was ever going to make it back to the top, a bit scary. Any of my other blades would have been fine in that depth.
When you are deep and very negative, the softer blades may not have the acceleration to get you moving up, quickly. You can overpower them and it is as if they are a cavitating propellor, going like crazy but not going forward.

Connor

 

[Mr. X]

Beuchat Competitions work fine for me. They were the only fin available to me at the time & they were much cheaper than the Cressi & Omers. I have been pleasantly surprised. They fit great with socks in winter & without in summer (I have large, wide feet with short toes, size 46). The foot pocket sole is v. thick & strong for shore entry. The blade looks flimsey but is strong & unmarked after a year of use from sand, rocks & pebble beaches. They are plenty long enough (deceptively so) - providing significantly more lift than traditional fins when rising from a dive with a weight belt and they allow/force a lower cadence while finning, which seems more relaxed & easier on the breathing. They also give confidence when swimming in currents (e.g. round Manacle Point in Cornwall).

I get the impression that Omers suit wider feet & Cressi narrower feet, although I have seen contradictory reports on this - so you should try them on if possible (there are some older threads on this). I would have thought Italian footwear would generally be narrower but I have had good luck with Italian climbing shoes & boots (Spanish shoes are often too narrow although, some make wider fit esp. for the UK market now).

I would have liked to try the Cressi Gara 3000LD but they seem overpriced in the UK at the moment (despite the strength of the pound). Although right now I would go for Omer Ice - transparent is the ultimate camoflage. I can't really fault the Beuchat's though -- if they offered a clear fin guaranteed not to break (like Omer), I would seriously consider them (actually, if they offered just the blades, I'd definitely upgrade). Right now, I just dab a little paint on to break up the outline.

[It seems like we are all happy with our fins. Surely somebody must be ticked off with their fins?! We are fortunate to have a choice of such great equipment these days.]

 

[spear0men]

I dive with the Gara 3000 and 2000 .. i am a rookie but i regularly go down to 25m (35m is my max so far)...
I would recommend the 3000LD any time - its durable and will do the job with flying colors.
I have two 2000HF and one 3000LD (my favorite). The Gara 3000 gradually thining to the end of the blade, thus it has some nice characteristics when in use. Also it has softer (not flimsy) footpockets.
I also own a Omer Millenium, but i really don't like it - at all! (stiff plastic blade almost no gradual bending, and for me: unconfortable foot pockets).

 

[JakeF]

Another vote for the Beuchat Competition fins. I love mine. As X said, foot pocket sole is nice and thick for shore dives & the foot pocket is very comfortable for my feet. I do wear 3mm socks with them. I'm not a deep diver, never more than 15-20 meters, but they have more than enough lift to get me moving off the bottom fast.

That said,,, they're they only long fins I've used, so I can't make any comparisons.

 

[Mr. X]

Glad you like them. I'm still using mine. Good as new and painted matt-black currently.

I should have mentioned, I'm quite big - just under 250lb/113kg - with quite large leg muscles. Unfortunately that means other forum members have since suggested that I don't get the Omer Ice fins that I mentioned in my post above, 3 years ago - apparently the blades break far more commonly than other plastic spearo fins . Your mass & strength, will probably affect how well a given stiffness of fin will suit you too. (SpearOmen, I was wondering if you had a light build?).

 

[pufferhal]

Hi!

I use an apnea xaos,and it's a perfect fin,with thin socks comfort pocket, very good prise,interchangeble blades for 22eu....
I use the black one it is the most hard,from 7.00am-14.00pm offshore.never had problems.all dives from 10m to 18m spearing around.I am 183cm,76kg

it is worth to keep a place in your list!