New Omer Carbon Blades for Stingray Footpockets

[Claudio]

Hi folks,

Have anyone heard more details on the new Omer carbon blades for the Stingray footpocket?

These blades will apparently come out soon and will be part of the Omer 2010 catalog... at least according to Deep Worldwide site, which to my knowledge is the first site to break the news.

Below is the image of the new blades from that site (photo credit: Deep Worldwide).

It should be an interesting competitor for the Skorpio blades from C4, which are also designed for higher-angled footpockets like the Stingray. I wonder if the prices will be comparable among the two brands.

Cheers,
Claudio

 

[hteas]

it's odd that they would offer blades, since the Stingray is not supposed to have removeable blades. It probably means that, like Imersion, you normally just buy a full pair of fins.

 

[DivingDane]

Hteas, you are misinformed the Stingray pocket has removable blades just like any other Omer pocket!

so it is not unusual at all, most likely they will offer the fins complete like the Rekord III's and have seperate blades for people with existing fins etc to upgrade.

not sure where you got the info about the stingray footpockets, i modified the back of a pair of Pegaso Meium blades to fit into Stingray footpockets for Erez and it was not difficult at all and i only had a stanley knife at hand!

look forward to seeing the new fins i'm gonna guess they are the next generation in the Rekord range, but havent got any info on that yet.

DD

 

[Claudio]

Hi guys,

I just downloaded the new Omer 2010 catalog... below is the info it lists on these new carbon blades. These will be offered in 20, 25, and 30 hardness.

"The new Stingray Carbon fins feature carbon fiber blades manufactured using the infusion technology with innovative double vacuum process. Thanks to this technology the carbon fiber stands are impregnated perfectly in the resin without the risk of forming micro bubbles and with an optimal distribution of the resin itself.

In addition the percentage of necessary resin is reduced considerably more than before with a great increase in performance characteristics of the blade. The specific carbon fiber strand used was developed specifically for the manufacture of freediving fins and patented.

The underlying result is a very comfortable fin, in part thanks to the thermo-rubber foot-pockets, providing high performance to the diver. Aside from not tiring out the diver’s legs while kicking on the surface for extended periods the Stingray Carbon blades push the diver the most during descents and ascents even in great depths. The interchangeable blades are available in three degrees of stiffness: 20 soft, 25 medium, and 30 hard."

Source: http://www.omersub.com/manuali/catalogo.pdf

 

[hteas]

DD
The 2009 Omer catalog calls them "fix blade fins".
I assumed that meant that they couldn't be changed out.
Guess not, huh?
Howard

 

[DivingDane]

Hteas maybe check the description a bitn closer as per below. in bold and underlined.

The new Stingray Carbon fins feature carbon fiber
blades manufactured using the infusion technology
with innovative double vacuum process. Thanks to this
technology the carbon fiber stands are impregnated
perfectly in the resin without the risk of forming micro
bubbles and with an optimal distribution of the resin itself.
In addition the percentage of necessary resin is reduced
considerably more than before with a great increase in
performance characteristics of the blade. The specific
carbon fiber strand used was developed specifically for
the manufacture of freediving fins and patented.
The underlying result is a very comfortable fin, in part
thanks to the thermo-rubber foot-pockets, providing high
performance to the diver. Aside from not tiring out the
diver’s legs while kicking on the surface for extended
periods the Stingray Carbon blades push the diver the
most during descents and ascents even in great depths.
The interchangeable blades are available in three
degrees of stiffness: 20 soft, 25 medium, and 30 hard. The​

sizes of the foot-pockets are 41-42,43-44,45-46 and 47-48.

 

[Claudio]

Hi DD,

I believe we are all on the same page. Hteas was referring to the last year's catalog (2009), which indeed says the blades of the Stingray are fixed.

It is puzzling Omer would say that because right next to the statement, they show an exploded photo of the footpocket and the plastic blade, clearly displaying that they are removable.

In any case, the 2010 catalog clearly states that these are interchangeable. And I remember the same sort of confusion when the Rekord fins came out.

I also already new that to be the same since I've heard of many people who love their Diver blades on the Stingray footpocket.

Regards,
Claudio

 

[DivingDane]

sorry mate didnt intend gto come across as short, its jjust the information was easily avaiable on this thread.

anyways all is good in the world and Omer will have a new carbon fin in the oh so comfortable Stingray pocket thats all that matters.

DD

 

[cww180]

They Stingray footpockets are very similar to the Mares footpockets.

 

[C-X]

They Stingray footpockets are very similar to the Mares footpockets.

You think?
I can't wear Mares footpockets, but Omers Stingray are as build for my feet.

 

[cww180]

That is strange, I had both sets and kept the Mares because they were a little wider and supported a higher arch.

 

[C-X]

Oh... I've actually own a pait of Mares Avanti Tre and those fit me (bought them for starters and they are nice and easy for the legs). Tried a pair of Razor (if I remember correctly) in a shop, and they did not like my feet - strange thing is they are both wide and with a high arch...

Maybe its my head that needs to be examined... rofl

Well, Omers did the job good.

 

[strangelove]

What is the main difference from the classic omer pockets to the Stingray ?

 

[C-X]

Besides the angle of the blade, the Stingrays are wider and more flexible. Also, if you check their catalog, you'll see that the sizes er different. 47/48 amd not 46/48 as with the older models.

 

[strangelove]

Are they also flexible under the foot ?

 

[DivingDane]

hi Strangelove

angle is the obvious thing but other major differences are:

- foot pocket material (thermorubber v natural rubber) so MUCH softer foot pocket
- thinner side rails so they allow the action of the blade more
- i find them to be more "foot' shaped than the millenium so they fit better
- sizing is a little different but not by much
- can be warn comfortably without sox (4hrs for me recently)

as a note of no real importance i would almost sware that the 43-44 were made for my feet its incredible i actually find these pockets as comfortable if not more comfortable than my cressi fins (which for LONG time have always ben my favourite pockets)

DD

 

[strangelove]

DD

I actually hate the cressi pockets, they are soft under the foot, causing it the whole foot pocket will bend rigth on the middle of my foot, very unconfortable, do the stingray bend on the middle of the foot as well ?

 

[DivingDane]

Nope. quite stiff foot bad (cant feel the blade throiugh them or anything liker that, i was more talking of the rubber that surrounds the foot and the more "foot" shaped posket ans side spar being MUCH more comfortable.

Power transfur through to the blade is very nice and there is reinforcing similar to the milleniums on top of the foot to ensure energy is lost during the generally more powerful down stroke.

DD

 

[cww180]

I agree with all that is said but would add that the new Omer Stingray pockets are narrower than the Milleniums, and the Mares are very similar to the Stingray's but a little wider and stiff in the places where they need to be stiff.

 

[Meshari]

fter contacting OMER, these from my email

Dear Mishari

Thanks a lot to contacting us.

The stingray carbon will be available around the first week of December (2009).

The blade is made with a composite :
- 70% Carbon T400
- 30% fiber glass

It is made by infusion system and not by pre impregnated material.

It will be made in 3 different hardness : 20 – 25 – 30



The stingray carbon blades will be more durable than Pegaso blades because :
- Pegaso blades are 100% fiber glass
- Pegaso blade are made with pre impregnated sheet