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Extreme Dolfinism G2

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
For comparison, this is my latest concept for a monofin using a shoe attachment. This is the DOL-Fin Pilot (currently in beta-testing if anyone is interested):

 
The Beta Test is on going, and I'm still looking for more willing (and qualified) guinea pigs. If you are interested in a monofin like the Pilot, it may be possible for you to get one at reduced cost, put it through the paces, look for problems, provide feedback, etc....

PM me if you are interested in something like this, and we can discuss the options.
 
Reactions: noa
I had the privilege of spending the last few days at DEMA Show 2014 with the DeeperBlue Dream Team. It was a great show with some encouraging trends for monofins and freediving.

First, each time I go to DEMA I am noticing more and more freediving equipment at the show. Where freediving was once a fringe in a vast sea of bubble blowing equipment, freediving equipment can now be found in almost every major equipment manufacturer's booths. Next year, there will actually be a dedicated "Freediving Pavilion" at the show.

Second, for the first time I saw an actual monofin on display at a major dive equipment manufacturer's booth. Please note my post and pictures taken at the ScubaPro/SubGear booth on the Trygons' designed monofin: https://forums.deeperblue.com/threads/trygons-rx-monofin.102364/#post-939963

Third, the Orca Mk-2 I had with me at DEMA Show sold to a PFI instructor at the end of the show; evidence that the Orca2 is striking that needed blend of confidence and desirability worthy of taking the leap-of-faith purchase decision that exists between the customer and manufacturer in this type of equipment purchase.

Altogether, this may indicate that monofins are finally starting to come of age in the vast marketing theater of diving equipment.

Orca2 Broshure (pdf file): http://smithaerospace.us/images/Orca2_Pamphlet_Rev4.pdf
 
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Reactions: neurodoc, noa and Ted Ciamillo
Actually, there were two monofins at major booths in the DEMA Show. The Trygons monofin at ScubaPro, and Mermaid Linden had her very cool new mermaid tail monofin for kids at the Body Glove booth. Way to go Linden! Get the next generation of divers hooked on monofins while they are young.

http://www.mermaidsinmotion.com/

 
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I give you a lot of credit for openly conducting these beta testings. That way everything and everyone is clear that the product is still in a development stage.
Much better than some other monofin "inventors" that are charging full price for a product that is very far from being anything else than pretty...
And having said that, it looks like your fins are already 98% ready when you beta test. Congratulations for creating a benchmark (both in engineering and business ethics) for others to follow.
 
Reactions: HydroApprentice, baiyoke and REVAN

Thanks Noa. The downside of this ethic is that I don't create much controversy. There is that old saying that any publicity is good publicity. I don't have a bunch of unhappy customers stirring the pot over here, and sometimes I get the feeling I'm just having a conversation with myself, never sure if anyone else is listening to my posts. So, thanks for speaking up and letting me know that you appreciate what I am doing.
 
Reactions: neurodoc and noa
Hello DOL-Fin Makers and Users,

I have a question regarding the fin/shoes mounting for the X-20/Pilot. I have a pair of 3-bolt (Look system) Bont cycling shoes, bought for another monofin that hasn't arrived yet, and I see that they'd be incompatible with the Shimano SPD system that's been adopted by the DOL-Fin X-20/Pilot. I was wondering whether anybody has asked for a 3-bolt version and whether that's something that is possible to supply?

Having already posed the above question it the occurred to me to search for Look/SPD adaptors. They do exist so that then leads me to also ask, has anyone used them with a DOL-Fin or can anyone imagine any issues in using such an adaptor? I'd guess it might be a significant point of weakness.


Regards

Philip
 
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Oh believe me, people are both reading and listening to your posts. Probably more than you imagine...
 
REVAN said:
For comparison, this is my latest concept for a monofin using a shoe attachment. This is the DOL-Fin Pilot (currently in beta-testing if anyone is interested):

View attachment 39894
Click to expand...

Given the descriptions of the the Pilot and the X-20, I see that the Pilot is described as being more manoeuvrable and stable. The main difference I see from the pictures is the Pilot's connection to the hydrofoil is horizontal (the same plane as the hydrofoil)



whilst the X-20's is essentially vertical (perpendicular to the plane hydrofoil).



Is that the main contributing factor to the Pilot's manoeuvrability in that it allows the fin to be moved from side-to-side more easily compared to the X-20?

The design of the DOL-Fin is strikingly simple and seems to require minimal effort to breakdown for transport. The simplest solution tends to win out in the end. May be the nick-name for the Pilot should be Occam's Razor


Philip
 

It would be fairly easy to make a three hole adapter for the Pilot. Then again, since I make the Pilot here in-house, I could even make a version of it that is designed to use the 3 hole shoe mount. All that is needed here is a justifiable reason to make it. Thinking along the lines of a kick-starter, if I can get a few backers/customers behind a Pilot version for the 3 hole shoe mount, I'll look into building it. I can prototype fairly quickly and economically. If, along with yourself, you can rally 2 more of your friends together who want to buy a 3 hole Pilot, I'll kick it off. Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss in private.
 
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The Pilot is basically a slightly shorter X-20 with a simplified frame design (fewer parts that are easier to make). It "feels" more maneuverable because it is shorter. The reduced length makes the fin a little lighter on the feet, and therefore, it feels easier to move the fin around.

As you have deduced, there will also be a slight difference between their resistance to side-to-side motion due to the removal of the vertical tail fins for the Pilot design, but I don't think it is a big difference compared to the resistance provided by the area of our bodies. You may be able to feel a difference if you pull your legs in to axis spinning to make a turn in a pool (if that is you style). In my style of turn, where the body stays more elongated, I don't notice a big difference. But, then again my X-20 is in Hawaii and I am in Arizona. I haven't actually used an X-20 since before I first built the first Pilot, so I'm going from memory on this.
 
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Thanks @REVAN for the explanation.

Philip
 
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I'm looking to see if there are a few people interested in crowdfunding a DOL-Fin Pilot that uses the 3 hole Look pattern shoe interface. I'm offering beta test units at $499+shipping (you provide your own shoes). If 3 or more people back this up front, I'll get to work on it ASAP. Please contact me if you are interested in backing this project.
 
I've got a couple interested parties considering going in on this, but I'm still looking for more people to back this product. To add more definition to the product, this is an example of what I'm proposing for a DOL-Fin Pilot that uses the Look pattern (3 bolt) shoe interface. The fin system is quite mature from a technology standpoint, already having several years of operations in its development history. So, there is not too much risk there. This project just needs to work out the shoe interface and frame structural details. It should be a fairly straightforward project.

Again, I'm looking for some backers to kickstart this project. A pledge of $499+shipping for your destination will get you a beta prototype with everything needed to start swimming except the shoes. You will provide and mount your own shoes to the fin. Please, PM me if you are interested in backing this project, and together, we can make this product a reality.
 
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Happy Newyear everyone!

I don't have any specific news updates at the moment, but was thinking that the main advantage to building a Pilot for the Look shoe interface is the inclusion of many more shoe options to use with the monofin. Although I liked the design of the SPD bolt plates that were in the RT-32 shoes of the X-20, there are more shoes on the market that use the Look interface. If the interface works out for the Pilot, I think I like these shoes shown below. I may get a pair of these for the design validation if the Look interface project kicks off.
 
Revan,

I know your choice is made with lots of experience behind you.

......a revealing choice! You must be doing a much gentler movement than I'm used to.

The single Velcro closure would be challenging to get the very secure shoe tightness I've come to prefer.

I've used 5 pairs of Shimanos. Eventually daily swimming destroys the shoes. My favorite set up is carbon sole (stiffness rating 11) with two Velcro attachments at the toe and instep and the ratcheting closure at the top. I prefer my synthetic leather uppers over my mesh uppers feeling the tougher material yields better power transfer. That said all the variations worked, but my current preference is the one described.
 
REVAN said:
...the main advantage to building a Pilot for the Look shoe interface is the inclusion of many more shoe options to use with the monofin...
Click to expand...

Yes, absolutely, that'd be a very useful addition to the design. Having a broader range of shoes to choose from opens up more price/feature options. My choice of shoe was based upon one that had a broad fit and plenty of space for the toes, along with a stiff sole, and not too expensive, which is why I opted for the Bont Riot. I felt the roominess of the shoe would be more accommodating of 4-5mm neoprene fin socks. The fit is good with the sock I chose. I'm just waiting on a fin from you know who but one-way-or-another that'll be resolved this month.
 
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