Apollo Bio Fin - Need help w/ options Pro/XT/Strap

[KnottyKnotter]

Very new to diving, yet, already sold on the Apollo Bio fins.

Need help with deciding straps. Appears for an additional $50 I can have the standard strap replaced with a spring "C" strap. I guess that means they keep the original strap.

Any opinions on ordering spring straps from Apollo at fin purchase, or ordering spring straps as separate purchase?

Also, have found the Pro and XT to be the same cost. As a beginner recreational diver, not sure I need the additional stiffness of the XT. Again, looking for opinions?

[ScubaToys Larry]

I'd tell you do the standard pro and not the XT. They are actually less efficient in the water, and you work harder with no real return... but some people like the "feel" of them better.

As far as the C straps... If you order them with the C straps - they are attached at the factory and there are no "buttons" to attach the normal strap to... If you do them after the fact, you have to cut off the button. So I'd say if you want springs... just order them that way - you'll save a few bucks and not have to do the cutting and drilling yourself.

[Puffer Fish]

Originally Posted by KnottyKnotter

Very new to diving, yet, already sold on the Apollo Bio fins.

Need help with deciding straps. Appears for an additional $50 I can have the standard strap replaced with a spring "C" strap. I guess that means they keep the original strap.

Any opinions on ordering spring straps from Apollo at fin purchase, or ordering spring straps as separate purchase?

Also, have found the Pro and XT to be the same cost. As a beginner recreational diver, not sure I need the additional stiffness of the XT. Again, looking for opinions?

Apollo makes great fins...and unless you are really big, would not think you would need the XT.

Regarding straps... springs are wonderful things and worth the money... but, you have to be careful to get the correct size, and it depends on the size of boot/sock and your foot. But if you get the correct size.. they are more than worth it.

[KnottyKnotter]

Thanks Scuba Toys Larry and Puffer Fish.

No I'm not real big. Sounds like the Pro's will be it.

However, "to mount" springs at factory or "not"; runs into that question, where's your "Spare" strap?

Mounting spring straps at the factory (cutting off the buttons) essentially sounds like if you have a problem, you have a problem. What would you do in the case of needing a spare? Whereas buying OMS/Manta type springs that use the buttons, and keeping the oribinal factory option, you would have a spare?

How important it is dealing with this quality fin? Is it even an issue?

[ScubaToys Larry]

The whole idea of bolted on spring straps is you will never need a spare. If you have that strap break... It's because a great white with titanium caps bit your foot... otherwise - they ain't coming off!

[KnottyKnotter]

Got it! Thanks Larry.

Don't forget, newbies sometimes have dumb questions...

I wasn't thinking spare for losing a strap, I figured spare for breaking a strap. I don't know how tough $50 fin straps are. Most fins I've owned didn't cost $50, and that included the strap. That's how I know they break; but I also know you get what you pay for.

Thanks Larry.

[CompuDude]

Agreed, go for the factory spring straps. There are a few stories where someone has managed to break a spring strap, but it's so exceeding rare it's essentially a non-issue. Once you try them you'll see.

[ScubaJW]

Just my advice if you didn't get the pro... If you get this: http://www.leisurepro.com/ProductIma...P.html?PopUp=1, then it will wear your buttons in a few dives. I did that routine with my Apollo biofins and I will never do that again. I made my own spring straps, they work like a charm! It's very easy, if you wanted to know how I did it, then PM me.

[ReefHound]

Regular fin straps are rubber, spring straps are steel. I doubt you could break it if you tried. In any event, it's becomes a very low probability failure point.

Sure there is always something that can happen - I saw a guy break the ribs on a fin - but the only way to guarantee against everything is to bring a spare set of fins. Ditto for any other piece of equipment.

[Sarah]

Stainless steel can spring material can fatigue and the heat treatment process can accelerate that.

The REAL reason why people buy the steel spring footstraps is because they want to pimp their fins and be all high tech.....guys, admit it...but don't worry, we love you for being gear heads.