View Full Version : Fins with a bit more power?
Hello.
I'm currently using a set of Mare Plana Advanti X3's. I inherited these along with a lot of other kit and have never really tried anything else.
After 25 dives or so with them I'm starting to notice that I could do with a bit more push in the water.
I read in a recent DIVER review that their benchmark fins are the Mares Avanti Quattro. Does anyone have experience with these fins or can recommend another set that they have found to be powerful?
Increased surface area doesn't bother me, I think anyone's Granny would call me "a big lump of a boy" :D
I don't think that you'll find much difference between X3s & Quattros.
My wife has a pair of X3s & I have Quattros. Some pudding (i.e. me) decided to deck us both out with yellow fins :eek:.
A few weeks ago I arrived at a dive site only to find that I had one X3 and one Quattro. :rolleyes: Needless to say, I didn't end up swimming in circles! They are very similar to be honest.
In saying that, I've never felt that my Quattros lack in power (although my calf muscles are a bit tight just now after 4 dives this weekend). I'm sure that you could borrow somebody's sometime to have a try... there are usually plenty of pairs being used at most dive sites!
I would echo what Charlie said ... but add that you might want to try split fins. I changed from the Mares Avantis to Scubapro split fins (the long stripey ones) three years ago and immediately enjoyed the benefits. Some people say that they let you down when finning against a current, but i've never had a problem.
or buy a scooter!!
i have a pair of mares volo fins, the 'upgrade' as they call it from the Avanti Quattro fins.
has more copyright on them than you can shake a stick at.... sales blurb.
i find they give me similar speed to Avanti Quattro's but better skulling, turning etc as they are more flexed.
i also have a pair of jet fins which are great for backwards & forward but slow for turning, skulling etc.
force fins, the supercharged fins of the decade...
yup, very fast but you have to learn all over again on how to kick with them.
crap for anything else other than forward speed.
worth thinking about what type of fin kick you do.
if your a stroke mud duster, then force fins, split fins or any mares will suit you.
if your a frog kicker, then go for something stiffer like jet fins.
I use the quattros after a pair of Idea fins and noticed the difference straight away. The clips are also great on the quattros! For scottish diving, I have never felt the urge for speed, you dont get to chase that many whale sharks in the loch long, and so like the flexibility these offer for normal fin kicks and frog kicks, tried force fins when I snapped a strap once and was absolutely buggered. Obviously using them wrong but legs ached after using them.
I have used the quattros in strong tides, and slack and never felt I needed more power, would like to see what the fuss is with splits, but no intention of buying a set just yet!
worth thinking about what type of fin kick you do.
if your a stroke mud duster, then force fins, split fins or any mares will suit you.
if your a frog kicker, then go for something stiffer like jet fins.
Interesting! I'm a frog-kicker - so you think I'd be better off with jet fins ... hmmm must borrow a set and see for myself :)
i use force fins and find them great, because there short its easier to kit up on a boat if space is limited. You need to put bungee straps on them as i was always falling over or having to get my buddy to help me on with them if you stick with the standard webbing.
I got them in the States for 65 quid, well chuffed.
Interesting! I'm a frog-kicker - so you think I'd be better off with jet fins ... hmmm must borrow a set and see for myself :)
can you frog kick with split fins & keep up a steady pace?
based this on my own personal usage of them but found them less worthy of the task. too much flex.
excellent for forward speed on the stroke though.
can you frog kick with split fins & keep up a steady pace?
based this on my own personal usage of them but found them less worthy of the task. too much flex.
excellent for forward speed on the stroke though.
Yeah - i felt from the start that i get more propulsion for less effort in any stroke with the split fins ... but i'm always interested in getting more for less ;)
Like Chris I had the "Ideas" with a spoon shape and thebn changed to the Quattros and noticed a huge improvement. Like most bits of technical stuff (includign carving ski's, full suspension mountain bikes, etc) what you have seems fine until some chump lets you try their new improved version, then you need to upgrade.
Yeah - i felt from the start that i get more propulsion for less effort in any stroke with the split fins ... but i'm always interested in getting more for less ;)
different strokes for different folks. :)
I have Apollo Bio-fins XT extra torque, with Beaver spring straps.
Nice n fast.....I think.
Interesting mix. A few of you seem to have noticed a difference with the Quattros. I've just noticed the simplyscubadotcom have knocked down the price of the Quattro Excels by 15 sheets, these are 2cm longer than the Quattro's and 4cm longer than the Avanti X3's. There is also the added bonus that they look cool :eek:
Reading the sales talk they are an improvement on the standard Quattro's but I've not came across any reviews yet.
Anyone tried these?
I agree with Chris that normaly you don't need the speed for Scottish diving. However I do like to know that it is there if needed..... (my buddy is where :mad: )
I have noticed with the X3's that I feel as if I'm kicking a lot more than others to keep up at times. I can feel my legs giving out plenty of oomph but it just hasn't translated into forward movement.
In saying that if I do get longer fins I might need to get a bigger box :eek:
Not encountered anyone with open water Excels yet but some of our guys have bought the pool fin version for playing octopush. Mares & Technisub seem to be the fins of choice for UW hockey. :rolleyes:
(my buddy is where :mad: )
You've dived with Chris too.
I've just put my newly deposited wages where my mouth is and ordered the Quattro Excel's
Watch this space or ebay for my thoughts :)
dive granny
29-05-07, 21:03
I love reading all your varying thoughts on kit! I bought my fins second hand from Gord's wife just when I started my open water training. They are Mares avanti quattro. I've never tried any other kind and they suit me fine. My suit and regs (good ones though all scuba pro) were second hand as well and I found my D4 torch at Kyle of Lochalsh. (still going strong) I have had 2 second hand stabbies as well. (Don't like the current one too much) So I have never gone into what is 'the best'. Anyway I do like to read the different thoughts on kit;)
alexmaclennan
29-05-07, 21:50
Started with Technisub Idea 3 spoons from ebay - got cramp everytime I used them. Then borrowed Scubapro Twinspeeds - were OK. Then bought Scubapro Twinjets which were fine but lost one in SOM at the start of the month. Bought heavy rubber Jetfins in Tobermory, so I'll stick with them for a while.
alex
Airmonster
30-05-07, 07:47
Started with Technisub Idea 3 spoons from ebay - got cramp everytime I used them. Then borrowed Scubapro Twinspeeds - were OK. Then bought Scubapro Twinjets which were fine but lost one in SOM at the start of the month. Bought heavy rubber Jetfins in Tobermory, so I'll stick with them for a while.
alex
Now you mention it Alex, I use the Technisub Idea 3 fins too and I suffer from cramp sometimes. Never gave it much thought until now, just one of those things you deal with underwater. I'll need to pay more attention and maybe look at changing them, I quite like the look of the Mares Avanti Quattros but need to ask, can the fin straps be replaced with springs or bungee? Changed the straps on my Idea 3 to bungee and it made a huge difference.
Thanks,
/Colin. :D
Now you mention it Alex, I use the Technisub Idea 3 fins too and I suffer from cramp sometimes. Never gave it much thought until now, just one of those things you deal with underwater. I'll need to pay more attention and maybe look at changing them, I quite like the look of the Mares Avanti Quattros but need to ask, can the fin straps be replaced with springs or bungee? Changed the straps on my Idea 3 to bungee and it made a huge difference.
Thanks,
/Colin. :D
yes they will fit colin.
its a standard fitting.
Airmonster
31-05-07, 07:45
yes they will fit colin.
its a standard fitting.
Thanks Stewart,
I'll see if I can scrounge a pair to try before I part with the cash. :o
/Colin. :D
Try here and not to expensive either.
http://www.kitfondle.co.uk/fins/index.htm
there is one type that doesnt fit, I think it is the beaver type, so check before you buy!!