SpecialFins Dolphin Carbon Monofin

[Alun]

i've thought about the possibility of getting one of these...

if i remember rightly, there are four stiffness levels. does anyone have any opinion on which is the best for deep constant weight? does anyone have an opinion on them in general? how do they compare to waterways? are the footpockets any good?

 

[derelictp]

Alun,

I think the footpockets are good but its harder than my WW. The power transmission is good in my opinion. I use them barefoot.

 

[Alun]

which version (stiffness) did you try Peter?

 

[derelictp]

I have not tried their dolphin carbon blades.

I use the footpockets on one of my blades.

I belive that they have only one stiffness of the footpocket.

 

[£íáµ]

I belive that they have only one stiffness of the footpocket.

i think Alun means stiffness of the blade.

btw i want order a standart dolphin hard stiffness with wings and flaps.
there are 4 level of stiffness:
ex hard
hard
medium
soft
i THINK ( i m not sure) ex hard is for sprint 50m - 100m , hard one for 100-200m distance, medium one for 200-400 m and a soft one for 400-800m distance?
btw Juri didnt answer since a week, i hope i will get my mono until august

adam

 

[derelictp]

i think Alun means stiffness of the blade.

I think so to

 

[derelictp]

BTW Alun,

Do you use neoprene socks in your WW footpockets or do you dive barefoot?

 

[Alun]

3mm socks, always. without socks my feet move about too much.
in warm water i wear "half socks" that cover the front half of my foot.

 

[derelictp]

Don't you have to use schampo to get into the footpockets?

 

[Alun]

no. but i use very small/tight socks. using normal size socks results in extra folds of neoprene which makes it harder to get your foot in. i just wet the footpocket and sock first - it's no problem.

 

[samdive]

Alun - I use a normal (not carbon) Dolphin with a hard blade and I really like it - its just a touch harder than the Waterway Medium blade. The foot pockets are more comfortable than the waterway. I use 3mm socks in the lake and half socks in the pool - I totally recommend this fin. I tried it with a medium blade and found it too soft. Not sure about the carbon, don't think it comes in different stiffnesses though. Pim Vermeulen is a dealer for them and could tell you more - let me know if you need his contact details or look at www.immersion.nu

Sam

 

[megathumpzila]

Has anyone tried very long lengths? I am considering going with soft blades and possibly 125x125 dimensions for outer reef scouting and moderate depths. I would be going very far, and would be moving in a very relaxed spearfishing speed and depth patern., and I don't see a need for any acceleration bursts. I'm fairly strong and my technique is ok...

 

[pim]

Not sure about the carbon, don't think it comes in different stiffnesses though. Pim Vermeulen is a dealer for them and could tell you more - let me know if you need his contact details or look at www.immersion.nu

Sam

Yes, the carbon comes in different stiffnesses, ranging from ExSoft upto ExHard or even custom made......I have 3 carbons on stock in different stiffnesses, 2 standard and 1 specialy made for me (soft with bigger blade). All my carbons are with the wing.

Greetings Pim
www.immersion.nu

 

[£íáµ]

..I have 3 carbons on stock in different stiffnesses, 2 standard and 1 specialy made for me (soft with bigger blade). All my carbons are with the wing.
......

btw. can you share your expirience about blade size and wing on dolphin? is the wing on both sides ( down and up stroke) ? or only on down stroke?

Liam

 

[Golfinho]

no. but i use very small/tight socks. using normal size socks results in extra folds of neoprene which makes it harder to get your foot in. i just wet the footpocket and sock first - it's no problem.

Where can I buy these half socks or short neoprene socks that just come to the ankle, 3mm? cheers.

 

[samdive]

well some places sell them but the best way is just to chop up a pair of old socks where the heel has worn out!

au vieux campeur in paris sell them - you'll find them on the web

S

 

[Jon]

I just got mine today and tried it out in the pool tonight. It is STIFF!

Whoever said it will improve your technique was right. I really like the footpockets on it. The are half the weight of my OMER's and much more comfortable than my Waterway's.

I can hardly wait to try it out in a lake where I can get some depth. Also has me thinking about a softer fiberglass one for dynamic. So far I'm pretty happy with it.

Can anyone else update me on how they've faired with there's?

Jon

 

[cantshoot]

Wow, nice SF's Jon
That is an interesting weave pattern for carbon fiber, looks cool. I can't wait for your write up.

Roland

 

[Jon]

I tried it out in the pool today for some extended swimming. all I can say is that it is one Stiff S.O.B.! I ended up with some raw spots on my feet- and I was wearing a pair of 3mm socks at the time!

I am wondering how well these footpockets work on a softer fin, Sam? It certainly makes you concetrate on your core since it won't allow you to muscle it with your legs only. Maybe this thing is only for depth. It would be neat to try out a soft version for dynamic.

The one thing found funny was that my blue mono, with the omer pockets, felt like a copmf old pair of blue jeans once I put it back on. Special Ifns considers both of my fins to be a "hard" blade, but there is simple no compariopsn in stiffness between the two. I'm wondering if I should have gone with carbon on the omer pocketed one and fiberglass on the dolphin version?

Oh well, money's been paid and it's time to just jump in and use them. I think If I was goingto do any kind of distance swimming- like doing laps around a lake, I would use the blue mono and keep the carbon for dpeth only.

jon

 

[iceselkie]

jon: is this the same fin, and if so, how come yours doesn't have the rails etc.?
can a person buy these attachments seprately?
would they be especially useful for a carbon fin versus a fibreglass fin?