Cressi-Sub Gara 3000 the LD

[serafino]

I'm finally shelling out the money to get good fins. Any advice on what I should go with. I'm 5'8 140 pounds. If it matters my dry static breath hold record is 4 mins 3 secs. I live in nor cal so it would be primarily cold water diving. I will however use them in Greece where its much warmer. I have mild asthma and was wondering which fin would be better for me based on your experience. I would appreciate any advice.
Serafino

 

[alexrom1207]

I'm not sure which fins your considering other than the Gara 3000LD. But I would highly recommend that fin for you. You sound like skinnier guy so you'll be better off with a softer fin, and if asthma ever becomes an issue the 3000LD will tire you out less than many other fins out there. In cold water you'll be fine with it; it'll give you plenty of push. In Greece you may want to go with a stiffer fin but the LD will work just fine unless you plan to go very deep. If your dives are under 70' I would recommend the LD, if they are over 70' you may want to go with the regular 3000 (previously known as the 3000HF) if you like the cressi footpocket. I use the 3000LD and I love it. Leisurepro.com in case you choose to buy this fin.
happy shopping,
Alex

 

[serafino]

Awesome great advice. I think I will go with the LD's. I'm fairly sure I'm not going to be going 70+ feet. I don't really see the need to here in Cali. Thanks for the advice it was what I needed to know.

 

[alexrom1207]

Glad to help. Welcome to DB.

 

[serafino]

I ordered the LD's yesterday from leisurepro along with a couple other things. Looks like they'll be just what I need.

 

[alexrom1207]

Let me know what you think when you get them. I love mine and continue to beat them up and abuse them and they just keep on finning. Great product.

 

[RogueCanadian]

Hey guys,

can I just jump into this thread as I have a similar question? I too am considering the Gara 3000's and the 2000 hf's. Ive been to 24m and plan to go deeper. I weigh 200lbs. Will the regular 3000's do the trick for my weight or should i go with the 2000hf's? I'll be using the fins mostly in Warmer water.

I'm picking the Cressi's because the foot pocket is by far the best I've tried for my feet.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[unirdna]

Rogue Canadian,

I've tried or owned both Cressi fins. Now first, bear in mind that this advice comes from a 150 lb, man. I'm a bit shy of 200. Still, I don't use "soft" fins. I've used a set of Specialfins "hard" blade for the past 5 years.

So, that said, I prefer the Cressi 3000's (or 2000LD's) way over the 2000HF's. The HF's are a great fin for going strait up and down. But, they come up really short when it comes to the surface swim, this because they are so much stiffer than the other two Cressi fins. If you plan on site-seeing, or need to chase a buddy around, you'll need a good surface-swimmer. If you plan on using the fins for the simple purpose of trying to achieve a new personal best, than perhaps the HF's would suit you better.

Most folks I know prefer the 3000's. "Whopperhead" is of the brawny type, like you, and still uses either the LD's or the 3000's. Perhaps drop him a PM.

 

[RogueCanadian]

Rogue Canadian,

I've tried or owned both Cressi fins. Now first, bear in mind that this advice comes from a 150 lb, man. I'm a bit shy of 200. Still, I don't use "soft" fins. I've used a set of Specialfins "hard" blade for the past 5 years.

So, that said, I prefer the Cressi 3000's (or 2000LD's) way over the 2000HF's. The HF's are a great fin for going strait up and down. But, they come up really short when it comes to the surface swim, this because they are so much stiffer than the other two Cressi fins. If you plan on site-seeing, or need to chase a buddy around, you'll need a good surface-swimmer. If you plan on using the fins for the simple purpose of trying to achieve a new personal best, than perhaps the HF's would suit you better.

Most folks I know prefer the 3000's. "Whopperhead" is of the brawny type, like you, and still uses either the LD's or the 3000's. Perhaps drop him a PM.

You had me chuckling at you "I'm 150 - just shy of 200" haha.

Great advice and a great summary. I've done a lot of reading but just couldn't sort out the weight portion.

I'll drop Whopperhead a pm for some further info.

Thanks a bunch and safe diving!

 

[hteas]

There are some pretty good freedivers using the 3000LD that don't seem to be suffering too much.

Dave Mullins is one of them:
http://forums.deeperblue.net/general-freediving/75390-cheap-fins-expensive.html

Personally I prefer a medium blade for all my diving, as they seem to get me just as deep, and are so much better for surface swims.

Howard

 

[serafino]

I have had mine now for a little while so I'll give a completely honest opinion on them for people interested in buying them.
I ordered mine from leisurepro.com. The shipping was quick and on time. I received them in perfect condition. I am a size 9 and 1/2. I ordered a half a size larger than what my foot actually is to accommodate the use of socks and the growth of my feet. So I ordered the 10-11. I use 3mm socks with them and they fit extremely comfortably on my feet with the 3mm socks I have. The foot pocket is very comfortable and not very loose on me. If you are young and still going to grow like I am I would suggest getting a size that you can grow into since they fit very well. I have done some surface swimming with them and they are comfortable even for that. The blades are fairly flexible in warm water almost a little too flexible but they are perfect for me when I dive off the coast here in California since they stiffen up a bit in the cold water and allow my kicks to be very efficient while not putting a strain on my ankles. While dolphin kicking in these bi-fins I can do 100m dynamic apnea. Using "regular" kicks I can only do around 60-70m. They have been working out very well for me. For a relatively inexpensive fin it is a great fin to start off with or even stick with.