Join DiveBuddy.com

Meet new scuba divers, maintain a virtual dive log, participate in our forum, share underwater photos, research dive sites and more. Members login here.

#622
I need fin help!
Matt65 - 10/19/2008 2:46 AM
Category: Equipment
Replies: 12

I have been anguishing over my next fin purchase. I want to buy a set of the split style fins, but am having difficulity deciding which ones, there seems to be soooooo many to choose from. I have kinda narrowed it down to either the Apollo bio fins, Oceanic V16 fins, or the Tusa Zoom fins. Does anybody have an opinion on these? Any advice / suggestions would definately be helpful! Thanks in advanced, take care and dive safe!
#545
trimixdiver - 10/19/2008 7:19 AM
Hello Matt Consider the area you will be diving, Strong currents or overhead enviroment with line.I dove with many diffrent types of Split fins in strong current,pools,Reefs,etc i can over kick the fin and loose power but for drift diving they can be nice.Some fins are stiffer than others. in strong current one with stiffer rails on the sides will respond better.I dive the Jet with Hal Spring Heel and I get great power and easy kicking. Good luck with the search SFUE Diver
#1577
Marti - 10/19/2008 7:32 AM
I have used both the Apollo and Tusa and much prefer the Tusa. They are light weight, so they don’t stress the leg, and they are super easy to get on and off. They also make me able to fly in the water. (I got them to help me ace the 800 yard snorkle and fin requirement for my Dive Master.) Why don’t you ask your local shop if you can rent a pair of each and try them out before making a decision? Happy diving. - Marti
#8046
Rich-D-Fish - 10/19/2008 11:12 AM
Hey Matt. Can’t go wrong with the Apollo Bio fins with the C-straps. The spring straps are awesome for going on and off, plus not getting hung up on kelp. When I was doing my shopping the consistently highest rated split fins were the Apollo’s and the Atomic Split fins (Smoke on the Water were rated the fasted and also came with spring straps). The Apollo’s felt a little flimsy in the hand compared to the Atomic’s stiffness, which I thought would make a difference in thrust. But no, the tests all showed they were neck & neck. Ultimately, I went with Apollo for three reasons; they have been rated highest for more years in a row than any other fin, I cramp easy and they rate the best for leg fatigue in every article, and they are a few inches shorter than the Atomics, which helps me keep them off the bottom. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The only hard part is learning to flutter kick, which are more efficient with split fins than larger kicks. That’s my $ .02.
#5919
SCUBASMITTY - 10/27/2008 8:18 AM
HEY MATT! the try before you buy is an excellent piece of advice,rent or borrow some to get a feel.. as for me I have two sets of fins and have tried MANY others but I prefer scuba pros. the twin jet max, is a good split fin, and the non split is tried and true solid fin I love them both... GOOD LUCK!
#3515
Nesher - 10/27/2008 11:49 AM
From SCUBASMITTY: HEY MATT! the try before you buy is an excellent piece of advice,rent or borrow some to get a feel.. as for me I have two sets of fins and have tried MANY others but I prefer scuba pros. the twin jet max, is a good split fin, and the non split is tried and true solid fin I love them both... GOOD LUCK!
I second what scubasmitty say here: Definitely test out the fins. I have at least four pair of fins and on my last trip I tested out the ScubaPro Twin Jet Max split fins and found them to work excellent in current. OI like them so much I’m making them my standard travel fin for light to medium current conditions. For heavy current - Jet Fins (paddle) Also the Jet Fins which are older are big with the tech/military/rescue divers.
#2276
dwightfrie - 10/30/2008 10:38 AM
Hey Matt I wear the tusa split fins 99% of my diving has been in lake Michigan. I’ve had 6 spinal surgeries and can honestly say they cause little to no fatigue or pain for me. They also offer very good propulsion and control for my style of diving.
#2248
SKEETER - 10/31/2008 8:00 PM
I have tried both. I ended up with the tulsa expert zoom. 200 dives later I think they are great. Rivers, drift, Speagle Grove 5 times. Great power you can over power the fin and then back off. You don’t need the power kick For in side wrecks butterflie and frog kickes love them. Most that realy try them like them.
#6537
MonkeyDiver - 11/07/2008 6:37 PM
Apollo splits are the bestest.
#5700
dirtguy49 - 1/25/2009 8:58 PM
Appollo Bio fins - love mine.
#218
DanM - 1/31/2009 11:45 AM
i agree with trimix diver, i won a set of split fins and when trying to get to the boat in a small current it was quite difficult, if you do any demanding type of diving or dive in caves or wrecks, or use lines then stay away from them, lines tangle in them, and you over kick them easily. my opinion. Dan