At the Lignano competition in October 2008, C4 had several of their new
products available for try out, see images below. The C4 people were there
(father and daughter) and were extremely friendly, helpful and ready to
listen to users' feedback.
Below some of my own comments - I have no relation to C4
The bright yellow color apparently was chosen following requests to
have more visibility. These products are intended for freedivers, not
spearfishers.
The footpockets are in Mustang style, i.e. full shoes at an angle to the
blade, with laces for a tight, adjustable fit. I tried the mono, the foot
pocket was very generous for my foot size and had to ask a smaller
size. Even so, it was still "too comfortable" but that's because I didn't
tighten it with laces I suppose.
The blade stiffness is different from 80's, that's why it's called 81.
Don't know exactly the difference. The "VGR" acronym is related to a
new concept of water flow around the fin. The blades in the bifins are less
wide than in the classical Falcon/Mustang. The Mono looks like two
bifins stuck together (of course it isn't). The "nose" (flap) is much
more pronounced than in earlier models. The side waterguides are
thicker and taller. The screws that hold the blade to the footpocket
seem to be better secured than in the older 80's that I have, with
a rubber cover.
"Driving experience": I tried the mono only, first with my normal
kick-and-glide style. I felt the push was not so strong (not surprising
given the small surface) and especially I had problems in the glide phase
to keep it straight and centered - note also I am not a good finswimmer.
However, I did a second lap with more regular (continuous) kicking,
and had a much better impression: the fin was responsive and much
more stable. I think that given its dimensions (long and narrow) this
mono is better suited for this. I cannot comment on materials, since
I really do not have experience with other carbon blades other than
the 80's - which by the way I still love.
About a dozen other people tried both bi- and mono there, so perhaps they
can comment too. What I heard is that the company has given such
fins to several big athletes (Carlos, Umberto...) and they are willing to
make special modifications to the stiffness, and also to the angle
(parallelism) between the foot pockets.
These products are for sale already. The official price of the bi-fins
was 429 (439?) euros, but they were available with a significant
discount from their stand so I assume that some distributors might
be able to offer a better price too. Don't know the price of the mono.
products available for try out, see images below. The C4 people were there
(father and daughter) and were extremely friendly, helpful and ready to
listen to users' feedback.
Below some of my own comments - I have no relation to C4
The bright yellow color apparently was chosen following requests to
have more visibility. These products are intended for freedivers, not
spearfishers.
The footpockets are in Mustang style, i.e. full shoes at an angle to the
blade, with laces for a tight, adjustable fit. I tried the mono, the foot
pocket was very generous for my foot size and had to ask a smaller
size. Even so, it was still "too comfortable" but that's because I didn't
tighten it with laces I suppose.
The blade stiffness is different from 80's, that's why it's called 81.
Don't know exactly the difference. The "VGR" acronym is related to a
new concept of water flow around the fin. The blades in the bifins are less
wide than in the classical Falcon/Mustang. The Mono looks like two
bifins stuck together (of course it isn't). The "nose" (flap) is much
more pronounced than in earlier models. The side waterguides are
thicker and taller. The screws that hold the blade to the footpocket
seem to be better secured than in the older 80's that I have, with
a rubber cover.
"Driving experience": I tried the mono only, first with my normal
kick-and-glide style. I felt the push was not so strong (not surprising
given the small surface) and especially I had problems in the glide phase
to keep it straight and centered - note also I am not a good finswimmer.
However, I did a second lap with more regular (continuous) kicking,
and had a much better impression: the fin was responsive and much
more stable. I think that given its dimensions (long and narrow) this
mono is better suited for this. I cannot comment on materials, since
I really do not have experience with other carbon blades other than
the 80's - which by the way I still love.
About a dozen other people tried both bi- and mono there, so perhaps they
can comment too. What I heard is that the company has given such
fins to several big athletes (Carlos, Umberto...) and they are willing to
make special modifications to the stiffness, and also to the angle
(parallelism) between the foot pockets.
These products are for sale already. The official price of the bi-fins
was 429 (439?) euros, but they were available with a significant
discount from their stand so I assume that some distributors might
be able to offer a better price too. Don't know the price of the mono.
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