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Sporasub H.DESSAULT OPEN and Regular???

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
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SangP

New Member
Feb 7, 2005
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Hi,

I'm looking to try a pair of free diving fins for general snorkling and also some shallow dives... 15-20 feet as I'm just starting to freedive... I usually scuba dive.

Anyhow, does anyone know the difference between the H.DESSAULT OPEN and the H.DESSAULT? Scubastore has a discount on the H.DESSAULT open but not the regular and is there a difference?

I've been reading all the post for beginners like myself and generally people here recommend the Omer Millenium or the Sporasub Dessault.

Please help.

SangP
 
The 'open' means it has an open heel on the footpocket- just like most scuba fins. It uses the same blade as the 'closed', normal, footpocket that freedivers usually use. The full-foot pocket provides better energy transfer to the blade than an openheel footpocket. For cold water you can put on a thicker wetsuit sock to keep warm. With the open heel foot pocket you can wear a standard scuba bootie with a thick sole on it.

Jon
 
Thanks Jon,

I wasn't aware that there was an open foot version of the fin as the pictures look the same on the scubastore site.

Btw, is there any fin you would recommend for a beginner snorkler/freediver?

Best regards,

SangP
 
hi SangP,

For beginning h.dessault is a good choice..U said u already doing scuba, so, u might have open heel fin..Now, time to go with regular closed footpockets for freediving.. Sporasub is really good choice coz of quality footpocket also interchangable blades gives u a lot of advantage.
By the time, u r going to get more info about other brands' footpockets and blade types and u will determine exactly what u need...Just keep in touch here and search the posts...

Cheers,
Burak
 
Thanks guys,

I really appreciate the help and advice as I have long spent too much money on useless gear. I now make it a point to get the best advice before chucking down the dough.

Many thanks again.

SangP
 
Okay, good, just what I need, exactly the same question I've been asking myself.
Maybe I can pick some brains over fins. I’ve spent nearly 40 years using Jet Fins, a legacy of my commercial scuba fishing. However, technology has moved on and left me behind (literally) when it comes to freediving fins. I’ve been so impressed by Ed (Portinfer) and others when surface swimming in tide etc. I’m used to people not keeping up with me but now, even bearing in mind the ravages of age, I’m being left for dead. Hence am now in the market for new fins.
I’ve been researching on the net, especially Deeperblue and think that Sporasub H Dessault seems to be the fin of choice. They’re what Ed uses. More recently some of the boys have bought Cressi Gara 3000 LD’s and these also seem very good.
However, and this is the crunch, I want to keep my boots as I walk long distances over rocks when spearfishing. Almost all my freediving spearo’ing is done off the shore and I regularly walk a mile or more over really rough terrain. Walking in 3mm socks is a joke.
The Cressi’s are foot pocket only but I still can’t establish if the Spora’s are available in open foot. Deeperblue shop advertises Spora’s in open form and then shows a foot pocket closed picture. Have emailed them but can’t get a reply.
Anyway the point is what do people think of using boots and open strap fins for shore diving? That’s mainly surface swimming and down to 10 metres or so. Opinion seems to be that you loose efficiency unless you use full foot pockets, but I’m not that bothered. 90% will do me.

Sangp, have you made up your mind?

Cheers
Dave :confused:
 
For your situation, the open pockets will be fine. The efficiency difference won't matter. Just make sure the pocket you buy is comfortable on your feet. Note that the spora pocket is going to fit your feet much more snugly than the jets.

I switched from my beloved Jetfins the day after a friend of mine forced me to try longfins. You won't be sorry.

Connor
 
I use open heels myself at the moment and they work fine when youre through the swell and into calmer water, but I find that in the swell and even with fin savers the strap has movement which makes finning a bit difficult. Behind the break when youre diving is slow and relaxed theyre good though. Im also looking into buying the longer fins though, and am busy making a decission between three pares, cressis, esclapez or picassos. Luckily Ive spoken to the sales man and hes willing to let me test the fins in the pool, as Ive heard too many stories about guys buying fins and finding the blade too stiff and then being stuck with a pair of fins not suitable for them.
 
Thanks for the input Connor. Given me some more confidence to hear of your experience.
Deep thinker, seems as though you're going for closed foot pockets. Testing seems the ideal if you can. I'm going to try to borrow some fins to try.
Seems to me from what I've gathered that the stiffness of the fin is the governing factor concerning suitability. If you're mega strong then stiff fins are okay. If you're diving deep for a few minutes from a boat and then resting either on the surface or in the boat then again stiff fins are the way to go. However if you swim from the shore and travel maybe 2 miles over 2hours (like me) then soft fins are essential. More so if you don't need to go down more than say 15metres.
I've found that lots of manufacturers say their fins are suitable for doing everything. Suppose they gotta sell their products somehow. :t
I know that the Cressi's vary but the 300LD (Long Distance) are soft enough for distance swimming. I'm told that the Esclapez fins are quite stiff. I'm sure the man himself (Jean Baptiste) would have no trouble but as for us mere mortals? Seen the DVD of him fishing at 30+ metres - Wow!
The reason I like the idea of Sporasubs is the fact that you can change blades. As you use these fins you get stronger and maybe need stiffer blades, which you can buy to upgrade. Also you can upgrade to fibre blades from standard plastic with only half the cost of buying new fins. Apparently Omer are also made with removable blades as well.
Anyone out there want to comment - please do - especially if I'm talking rubbish. :naughty
Cheers
Dave
 
Hey There, yes I think I am going for the closed pockets, but if anybody here has some input on either of those three types of fins please let me know. Old Man Dave it seems to me weve got much the same requirements from fins as I too have too swim quite a bit to get to the spots and the rough seas here get rather heavy by times especially in the shallower water so being able to swim comfortably is important, very important, as you dont want to get pounded on the rocks and not be able to kick out of it. I doubt though that Ill be going for interchangeble blades as i feel this creates weak spots on your blades, just my two cents worth.
Safe diving to you all
 
I have a pair of Sporasub H Dessaults, footpocket version, and I recommend them. I haven't seen weakness in the blades (doesn't mean it can't happen), and it's the interchangeable type of blade. They are also inexpensive, and they can give you a good idea on what you would want on a subsequent pair of fins. :)
 
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