Split Fins versus non split, what are the pros and cons?

[mkenyon2]

What do you folks feel about the 2 types?

[ccarter]

Never used split but I always heard you have an easier time kicking since you're not putting out as much power..? Not sure if that's true or not..

I've found I like ScubaPro Jets the best.. but I haven't really tried that many different fins..

[Venio]

Both split and non split fins have their benefits. So first you should ask yourself what type of diving you are interested in and that will determine the type of fins you need.

If you are going to dive purely recreational and have no intention of doing Tech, Cave or Wreck you want the splits. They are easy to do fluter kick with and reduce the fatigue on your legs. They will also give you a lot of speed. My first fins were Apollo Bio Fins which I really love but they are not good for what I want to do now, which leads to the second option of your diving interest.

Tech, Wreck or Cave diving utilize different type of finning like frog, helicopter, backwards and their modifications. Those finning techniques are if not impossible then very hard to be performed with splits. Here a good old solid fin comes in action. I'm now using Scubapro Jet fins which has been around for the last 40 year. They are all one needs if tech diving is your goal.

Regards.

[CompuDude]

Venio pretty much nailed it, but I'll add this:

Splits are good if you have knee or ankle problems. They're great for moving fast in a straight line.

HOWEVER: If you have needs for precision positioning, such as photography, however, those alternate finning techniques used by tech divers will come in handy while you try to maintain position to take your shot.

Additionally, there are other kicks that are more efficient and use less energy (and thus, air) than the flutter kick you use with splits.

I have both splits (apollo bio-fins) and Jet fins, and I like both. I think the Jet fins are more versatile, however. They're also better for pushing a drysuit and doubles through the water, whereas splits are happier with a simpler wetsuit and singles setup.

Oh, and either way... consider spring straps.

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by mkenyon2

What do you folks feel about the 2 types?

It is very much like gears on a bicycle. I've used both some split fins and the heavy "blade" types like Turtles and Jets.

With a the split fins you will go cruise with less effort but you have less power available. Split fins have a range where they are very effisent in terms of effort used over speed. but if you move out of this range to say tow a driver or swimm into a very strong current the spit fins just don't work. They just bend and provide little power. But at the low-effort end of the range they are very good at converting a low-effort fluter kick into forward speed. Another say to say this is that you can't put a large amount of force into split fins if you do it is like driving on ice, the wheels just spin. Nothing wrong with any of this.

I dive twice a week with "turtles" and tried some tusa split fins that I bought (from ST) for my 14 year old son who was complaining about sore legs. I put these on and it felt like I had forgotten my fins, no resistance in the water. But then I look down and yes I was moving over the sand bottom. They solved my son's problem.

The big stiff blades give better control for things I do like photography and lobster hunting or for a tech diver who needs to push a drysuit, doubles and a few stage bottles through the water. I can swim backwards and do frog kicks and they do offer a lot of power the few times I've had to tow a diver.

But I have to admit the real reason I moved from Mares Quato to Turtles was that I needed a larger fin to fit over my DUI rock boots. Those boots are huge and I do need them to climb over rocks at the beach.

[ccarter]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

HOWEVER: If you have needs for precision positioning, such as photography, however, those alternate finning techniques used by tech divers will come in handy while you try to maintain position to take your shot.

Not that I'm a serious/good photographer or anything.. I just use a Point & Shoot.. but I dove a week in Bonaire using Jets and loved it.. I didn't notice it at the time since I had been using Jets on a few other dives as well.. but I recently lost one and had to go back to some old school aqua lung fins (very long.. flappy fins). They definitely lack the precision and power that jets have. It was very easy to use a variety of kicks and stay hovering which made taking photos easier.

I don't do any tech stuff at all but I'm really impressed with the Jets.. just haven't got around to re-purchasing after I lost one. Plan to before my trip to the Caymans.

[Clanggedin]

According to the lastest 2007 ScubaLab Fin review, the Atomic "Smoke on the Water" fins produce 41 lbs of thrust. I can't find any info on how much thrust the ScubaPro Jets produce, so I can't say if they are significantly better than the new Atomics in thrust, but comparing it to the blades that they tested it, had just as much or more thrust than those tested.

Don't discount splits as being a weaker fin, I'm sure they can push a dry suit quite well.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by Clanggedin

According to the lastest 2007 ScubaLab Fin review, the Atomic "Smoke on the Water" fins produce 41 lbs of thrust. I can't find any info on how much thrust the ScubaPro Jets produce, so I can't say if they are significantly better than the new Atomics in thrust, but comparing it to the blades that they tested it, had just as much or more thrust than those tested.

Don't discount splits as being a weaker fin, I'm sure they can push a dry suit quite well.

What ScubaLabs doesn't test is a fully loaded diver pushing into a current.

Splits do indeed produce an incredible amount of thrust, but the way they test is is they put someone into an ideal situation with a minimum of gear. Add a drysuit and doubles to the mix, and you have to push harder than the splits like, and then they start to lose power compared to the paddle fins.

Look at it like this: Splits have a "power band". Stay within that band, and in a straight line, you'll do VERY well with splits (as long as you only want to make speed in a straight line). Move beyond that band, and there's no way to get more power out of the splits by applying more power from your legs... there's not room in the kick, you can only kick so fast in a small flutter, and kicking too big results in LESS power being delivered.

[floater]

Originally Posted by Clanggedin

According to the lastest 2007 ScubaLab Fin review, the Atomic "Smoke on the Water" fins produce 41 lbs of thrust. I can't find any info on how much thrust the ScubaPro Jets produce, so I can't say if they are significantly better than the new Atomics in thrust, but comparing it to the blades that they tested it, had just as much or more thrust than those tested.

That's the wrong metric to use.

What you want to know, or what I at least want to know, is how efficient is the fin as measured by diver's air consumption when finning to cover distance at normal rates but conserving air and using (a) flutter or scissor kick, and (b) frogkick or modified frogkick, which ever is most efficient. In addition you'll want to know how the fin performs in currents, how they work for the back kick and other alternative kicks, how comfortable the foot pockets are and so forth.

Even then it would be difficult to get proper results since testers will likely perform better on the types of fins they are used to and normally wear for fun.

[somewhereinla]

I use the Apollo bio fins and frog kicks or doing photography with them has not been a problem, I have also been caught in very strong current and found them to be good as well. Do remember that all split fins are created equal and you usually get what you pay for... The only major disadvantage with split fins is torque which means that getting to speed take longer and they are not as responsive, but once you get them going they are really great. You will also require much less energy and strenght, which mean you air consumption will be better. I do agree that split fins are not adequate for technical diving.