C4 Monoflap Impressions

[Fondueset]

Here are two videos of divers doing long surface swims - interesting to note they have their arms at their sides. Best with a front snork.



[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naEfshQv5kg]YouTube - MONO PALME C4 EN CORSE[/ame]

 

[Mbuna]

Hi everyone, Noa,

Just back from Fiji where I used my monoflap quite a bit and am really happy with it. Noa, I went out on a couple of 3-4 mile swims to an outer reef in Fiji with my monoflap and it was amazingly easy. I would not want to do that swim with my Waterway or Finis monofins. I feel I could swim all day long with my monoflap and I cannot say that about any of my other fins. I concur with Fondueset about sustaining speed with very little effort and I would add "especially surface swimming over against more traditional monofins". For me this fin just flies on the surface. And you will not find a more comfortable monofin than this one.

(By the way if you're ever going diving in Fiji, check out the Taveuni Island Resort. It's a class act in every way.)

 

[sgnips]

hi everyone
i didn't forget you asked to see someone in a long DYN with this fin, so here is my kept promise: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO6oQnZeBEY]YouTube - Gaspare Dianamica m 170.40[/ame]

this is Gaspare Battaglia (yep, not yet me, sorry) in a 170+m swim (hope this is long enough for you...) a few months ago at the Subaquatica 2009 in Lignano (Italy)
you can also find a video (among others competitprs) of his 175m swim at the Europe Evolution Cup 2009 last november here: http://www.europeevolutioncup.com/

enjoy

 

[Fondueset]

Now that's interesting. (and now I gotta re-write my review AGAIN). I like using a continuous, small and streamlined undulation with the monoflap rather than kick-glide. But then I haven't quite hit 170m yet :yack

 

[DerekB]

I think the monoflap looks good. Perfect for photography. Any one have more experience taking this thing to depth?

 

[Fondueset]

I've heard rumors of 60 plus. I know I'd have no problem taking it to 40.

 

[noa]

a year later and with more experience on it, is the monflap still the best fin to use for long surface swims out at sea ?

 

[Mbuna]

Hi Noa,

I've been using my monoflap for about 6 months now and it would clearly be my choice for going long distance in the open ocean. Compared to my Waterway Nemo and Finis Competitor it requires markedly less energy to keep up a constant speed whether underwater or on the surface. I find the monoflap superior for surface swimming altogether-it feels like the length and flexibility of the fin gets better grip on the surface whereas I seem thrash around a bit on the surface with my other monofins. Still, I'm no expert and don't have any of the custom made fins that most on here use. I am curious what Fondueset has to say.

 

[sgnips]

so, Fondueset, is your review ready?
can't wait for it anymore...

BTW: as for the depth, Gaspare took the monoflap to -56 last summer, but it's just for lack of training, as he surely can do much more

 

[Fondueset]

It's been on hold for a bit - I've been busy and not getting much writing done - plus I've got so much input that it keeps changing. I think this thread provides a pretty good review though. Right now Cdavis has mine down there in Florida - I think he likes it Maybe he'll chime in with some sage observations.

 

[spaghetti]

BTW: as for the depth, Gaspare took the monoflap to -56 last summer, but it's just for lack of training, as he surely can do much more

56? Great!. Now this is what we've been waiting for!

 

[cdavis]

Not sure I can make much comment that will be relevant, since I have almost no monofin experiance, but the monoflap is one interesting fin. I do a lot of dolphin with bifins and, I think, have finally developed fairly decent undulation technique. The problem for me with bifins, or the other monofins I've tried, is ability to dolphin slowly. I'm a sightsee-er and spearo; big depth or going fast are not my area of interest. Going slow is important for me and the monoflap does great. Almost zero power input, nice and slow and efficient output. Going moderate speed, it is more efficient than gara 2000s, but the difference is not eye poping. Go slow and it is.

I'm still playing with it. A busted knee has really slowed down the experimentation, but there is a lot more here.

My thanks to Fondueset and Jon for giving me the opportunity to try this thing.

Connor

 

[cdavis]

Just back from a Bahama trip where I used the monoflap. If you want to reef cruise, which is mostly going slow, this is a great product. I could slip along about 1/3 speed with what seemed like no input beyond my ankles. Odd, but very fun.

One thing though, reef cruising requires good surface technique even more than underwater. My surface technique is crap and that greatly limited the fin's usefulness for me.

Connor

 

[rddk]

I've tested it and i didn't like too much, the footshoe is confortable at the beginning but if u start to push is too soft, also the blade is too soft and long i've used a mat mas carbon bade and i find it better, the thing i enjoyed of this monofin is that it has no drift, but i think that the price is too high for the quality offered.

 

[Fondueset]

My dive buddy loves it.
I understand what it's for, but personally its not my thing.

I think its very well-made and the price is in line with other high-end monofins - though I think the monoflap is more durable than most.

I'd call it a very good touring/ Sea-Hiking fin.

 

[Jon]

I didn't like it and I tried it out a couple different times.

I found it too soft, and dolphin kicking with my standard C4's proved to be much more efficient. I will say that it is much better than a Lunocent, but thats not saying much.

We had both fins at last year's Palooza and the monoflap was favored by everyone there over the Lunocent, but neither one could compare with any of the standard type monofins, or hyperfins, that we had there.


Jon

 

[noa]

besides the monoflap, another "great" Lunocet review. ouch

 

[0psi]

Thought I'd give this a bit of a bump to see if anyone else has spent any more time with this fin and what your thoughts were?

Seriously thinking of getting one but having played with one it seems like they'd be good for surface swimming and not so good for depth. I'd be using it for general mucking about, snorkelling, maybe the odd bit of photography but I still like to be able to get down (or get back up as it were) to 40m or so.

I'm attracted to this fin mainly from a comfort standpoint, I'd like something I can comfortably wear for a few hours, is decent on the surface (which I know this is) but can still get a bit of depth with.

 

[Fondueset]

Alex Lichenko at Starfins is very consistently able to make really comfortable hyperfins. You could also get something along the lines of the Waterway Nemo.

The mono flap is not bad - and certainly comfortable and durable. I didn't really like it much - but several of my friends did.

It likes a low amplitude/soft undulation - or a high amplitude undulation if you want to power down, or up from depth. In a way its two fins.

 

[0psi]

In a way its two fins.

Two fins that they stuck together? rofl

I looked at the Nemo but I wasn't entirely sold on the low angle of the blade.

But by the looks of it I'll probably just get a Starfins, I was looking at one for ropey diving but assumed like most monos they'd kill your feet.

Thanks.