Fins for depth

[penguinator]

I would like to start pushing for a bit more depth, and was wondering about fin choice.

I was thinking maybe Omer Reklords? The Omer carbon fin.

Has anyone tried these fins? If not, what would people recommend for 20m+ diving?

 

[code2d]

I have heard that carbons offer alot of power. I have heard good reviews about c4 fins......you may want to investigate them.

 

[sheepeck]

I did my 30+ dives with Gara 2000HF. I liked their stiffness. Now I use mostly C4 Flap hardness 30. I'm also satisfied but maybe I would need a bit harder. Generally, I don't feel much difference between these two.

 

[seamus_murray]

I use my plastic cressi gara 3000 fins to 40m regularly and they seem perfecty fine for me..
Note: I have never tried any other freediving fins.

 

[trux]

The problem of platic fins is that they break easier than carbons or fiberglass, so if it happens to you at 40m and you have no ascent line, you may be in a big trouble. I changed my plastic blades against carbon after such accident (fortunately in moderate depth only).

 

[demasoni]

Hey Penguinator,

What fins are you using right now?

I started with plastic Beuchat Mundials, then to fiberglass (Matrix #3), then to C4 Falcon 25's. I personally believe you can get depth with almost any decent fin...there are so many other factors that contribute...

However, I like the C4's over the rest because they are much lighter, don't have shape memory, and have a significant angle in the blade. Also, they simply look cool... :t

The Matrix fins were awesome when it came to sheer durability - the blades are very tough IMO - they are very popular with spearos over here. Also, the side rails are not as high as the C4's and never ripped, unlike my C4 rails.

So, I guess the point is, get a fiberglass or carbon fin...:duh

 

[Jon]

I'm not sure how it applies to you, but the biggest difference I've noticed wit the plastic fins I've owned is how the same fin can change in stiffness depending upon the water temperature that you dive in.

I've owned fins that I thought were too soft for diving in the Caribbean with, but were too stiff for me when diving back home in 40F degree water. Carbon, and fiberglass, fins don't go through these changes- from what I've seen.

A good example is the Cressi 2000 HD's"s, which are too stiff for me to dive in around here, but people who dive down in Florida seem to love them. I found a huge difference diving with them in an 80F pool vs. 40F lake water.

For most of my diving I really like my C4-30's. For going deep I prefer a monofin, but YMMV.

Jon

 

[penguinator]

At the moment I am using GARA's, but they only fit if I do not wear socks with them.

And my feet get cold rofl

 

[Fondueset]

I use Omer Millenium runners when I get around the 20m range. These dives are mostly in the winter when the boats are all tucked in and I can get to deeper spots. I've used my Omer Ice fins for that depth as well - but they feel a bit doggy -esp in a 6 mil suit with lots of weight. The runners have good thrust from 38f to 70f near as I can tell. I think the Polymer used in them is pretty sophisticated and I know the Ice fins were tested for durability across a very wide temp range. The runners are just over twice the stiffness and made from the same polymer.

Haven't tried C4s or the rekords - but both are very popular among deep divers.

Monofins rule!

 

[cebaztian]

I have swam 40+ with sporasub elite, carbon pure, gara 2000, esclapez, C4, radical, leaderfins, grafibre, m-technique, waterway captain nemo and with no fins at all.

What I would want is a fin with variable stiffnes depending on where in the dive I am.

Of course carbon or glasfibre will give you a few meters for free. But you could also train more and go deeper with the fins you have. I would say its bad to change to "expensive" fins before 30. Its a short cut. Better instead to work on technique, hydrodynamics, relaxation, diet, warm-up - and get a few meters more and then reward yourself with a pair of new fins.

Stepanek have "said" he doesnt bother with monofin until below 80

Sebastian

Probably not the answer you wanted

 

[kmo]

Man, you guys go through some fins!