I have GOT to try these fins...

[MSilvia]

I'd like to try them out too. It looks reasonable that they'd be good flutter kick fins, but I wonder how they respond to frog kicks, which is primarily what I use. My "Power Stroke" is in the opposite direction shown in the marketing slides.

[kenmendes]

Those look pretty cool. I am curious to read some reviews on them

[floater]

I don't really see the advantage over a normal fin of desired flexibility, except that you have 3 "gears" on these - assuming the flex system works, it should, in theory, be like having very flexible, medium and very stiff fins in one. But can you change "gear" in mid-water? Or do you have to choose what "gear" to use by changing the flexible bands between dives?

But I'm with MSilva one this one, I too use the frog kick, which is to say the bottom of the fin blade does the work, so the bands wouldn't work. And if I did want a flutter kick fin, I'd go with split fins or force fins instead. Can this design compete with split fins on the flutter kick?

[CC1020]

Originally Posted by floater

I don't really see the advantage over a normal fin of desired flexibility, except that you have 3 "gears" on these - assuming the flex system works, it should, in theory, be like having very flexible, medium and very stiff fins in one. But can you change "gear" in mid-water? Or do you have to choose what "gear" to use by changing the flexible bands between dives?

But I'm with MSilva one this one, I too use the frog kick, which is to say the bottom of the fin blade does the work, so the bands wouldn't work. And if I did want a flutter kick fin, I'd go with split fins or force fins instead. Can this design compete with split fins on the flutter kick?

I tried them when I was at a Thanksgiving get-together at my LDS. To answer your question, yes, you can change gears in mid-water. Also, the different settings DO make a big difference in the response of the fin. I use Atomic splits myself, and the most flexible setting felt rather similar to what I use. The stiffer setting felt like a paddle fin, and yes, they frog-kick just fine. They do have a very wide blade, especially on the larger size fin, that felt a bit awkward to me, but probably wouldn't feel that different to someone who uses JetFins already. I, too, was somewhat skeptical about the "gimmicky" bands, but I think these fins show some real promise. Granted, I was using them in a pool, so I couldn't really get going fast for very long, but they seemed to have very good propulsion, and would like to try them in open water.

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by CC1020

I tried them when I was at a Thanksgiving get-together at my LDS. To answer your question, yes, you can change gears in mid-water. Also, the different settings DO make a big difference in the response of the fin. I use Atomic splits myself, and the most flexible setting felt rather similar to what I use. The stiffer setting felt like a paddle fin, and yes, they frog-kick just fine. They do have a very wide blade, especially on the larger size fin, that felt a bit awkward to me, but probably wouldn't feel that different to someone who uses JetFins already. I, too, was somewhat skeptical about the "gimmicky" bands, but I think these fins show some real promise. Granted, I was using them in a pool, so I couldn't really get going fast for very long, but they seemed to have very good propulsion, and would like to try them in open water.

love it... too bad they are kinda pricey... that review is actually about what I expected after reading and seeing how they worked...

[Chad]

I just don't see how you can get more energy with the rubber bands. Looks to me like the rubber bands would decrease the efficiency of your kick. I would like to try them but I just don't see them working as advertised.

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by Chad

I just don't see how you can get more energy with the rubber bands. Looks to me like the rubber bands would decrease the efficiency of your kick. I would like to try them but I just don't see them working as advertised.

all fins have some flexibility... some moreso than others... I don't know what kind of fin you have but it probably flexes a little... flex isn't a bad thing - flex determines how the water is pushed around and how much muscle strength is needed to push that water around...

if you were to compare two identical shaped paddles that had different flexibilities, you would find the stiffer ones more suited to someone who is stronger, and the more flexible ones suited to someone who may not be as strong, but have more aerobic fitness... of course, there could be a middle ground as well...

it seems this fin would allow for a choice to suit different diving conditions or maybe even how you feel right then (muscles a little sore, try the softer setting)

[floater]

Originally Posted by Chad

I just don't see how you can get more energy with the rubber bands. Looks to me like the rubber bands would decrease the efficiency of your kick. I would like to try them but I just don't see them working as advertised.

I don't think the rubber(?) bands give you more efficiency over a fin of similar size and flexibility. But they do give you 3 different flexibility settings. For example, I find flexible fins easier to kick in some circumstances, but when fighting a current I prefer stiffer blades.

For each given person and dive conditions/equipment, there should exist some ideal theoretical fin. If you assume the flexibility of that ideal fin depends on the dive conditions, then this new aqualung fin with 3 gears should be a little closer to that ideal, all else equal, and could lead to efficiency gains, especially on dives or dive trips that cover a multitude of dive conditions.

[tarheeldiver]

Originally Posted by CC1020

I tried them when I was at a Thanksgiving get-together at my LDS. To answer your question, yes, you can change gears in mid-water. Also, the different settings DO make a big difference in the response of the fin. I use Atomic splits myself, and the most flexible setting felt rather similar to what I use. The stiffer setting felt like a paddle fin, and yes, they frog-kick just fine. They do have a very wide blade, especially on the larger size fin, that felt a bit awkward to me, but probably wouldn't feel that different to someone who uses JetFins already. I, too, was somewhat skeptical about the "gimmicky" bands, but I think these fins show some real promise. Granted, I was using them in a pool, so I couldn't really get going fast for very long, but they seemed to have very good propulsion, and would like to try them in open water.

I would like to try these my lds is a Aqualung dealer may have to check these out

[WV Diver]

I have only seen the ads for these. They seem a little too good to be true. Let me know what you think.