The History of Force Fin

[thesmoothdome]

Tried a pair in the early 90s and hated them. They have a following though, so who am I to say what's good and what's not? It seems like they're beginning to look a bit more like traditional fins though, so that might be saying something about the original design. The only slam I've got is those oscilating fins looked like a joke, especially when they reversed the video and showed the guy swimming towards the camera and the bubbles going into his regulator.

[castanagajt]

Originally Posted by Shortyman801

Okay i would like to know, whats better:
Apollo Bio fin
or
A good force fin?

Apollo Bio fin is a split fin so my guess you want an easy kicker yet cover great distance. I will suggest the Force Fin Foil Force. If you want travel friendly and still an easy kicker I will suggest the Force Fin Pro or the original. I would pick up the Force Fin Pro, though.

700.00 for a pair of fins is the Tan Delta material. Trust me most people, including myself, cannot use the Tan Delta material to begin with. They are way too stiff. Just look at the prime line Force fin Pro, force fin (should be on the float tube section these are the original material compound) and the Foil Force. These are less than 300.00. Look up discountdivers.com. , Leisurepro.com , scuba.com

As for the tech diver I would suggest the Force Fin Extra Force or any force fin that is made of the tan delta material. In my opinion the Force Fin Extra Force with whiskers is the closest to a traditional paddle fin (scubapro jet fins) on the force fin line yet still reacts like a traditional fin except without the usual cramps. OPS fin can't go backwards, as for a gimmick I can't say because it isn't out to public just yet. I want that fin, though because it would enable to change out the blades on the launch pad.

[scootermcfly]

Intersting video...I guess they would be worth a try.

[nanmetlia]

I may not have any idea how your supposed to use these fins but I have seen all the videos. I was a total believer that is until I got in the water. It was like I just bought this expensive sports car with the biggest engine in the world but when I got in the water and wanted to start moving well where is the power? where is the efficency? absolutly nothing. I tried to kick everyway possible. I asked everyone I knew. My dive instructor just kinda of laughed at me. He was nice about it but really that was how he felt. I snorkeled everywhere mexico, hawaii and finally got my open water in maui and thinking all this time maybe it was just because these were more for scuba than snorkeling. I thought they would really speed up once I got below the water. I was slower than ever. I kept having to play catch up with the rest of the group. Well that trip was my last using force fins. I have the whole setup with bungie cords and two sets of the insoles sitting in my garage awaiting some other poor smuck to give them a try and never get anywhere fast. I wrote the company and complained asked for any special instruction or any advice they just said to bad so sad. They just don't work and those who think they do should really try a good pair of fins and they will imeadiatly notice that thier is a big difference. With real fins on when you kick you move and depending on how hard you kick the faster you move. What a concept! Don't waste your time and your money and if you really want some I have a set of blue xxl for sale to anyone who wants them.

[Znaught]

Of course, I could have done without the 80s guitar soundtrack...

Ditto...as if every product demonstration video needs a Top Gun soundtrack. Yeesh!

[csterling95]

lots of fish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GIFFMANN]

I'll have to watch the video here, shortly, but my instructor of 20+ years ago has been an avid fan of FFs for years. Talked me into buying my first pair, and took those in as trade for my new pair last year. Every other fin I've ever used just hurts my ankles. Granted, they've both been blown out more times than I care to admit. Power has always been good with them as well. I've not tried them tech diving, but my old instructor uses them for tech and cave with no problems.

[mrbheagney]

I owned the Foil Force Split Fin and I was very dissapointed with it. My main discontent lay in the fact that the fin provided very little propulsion in relation to effort. It was virtually useless in current. I have used Jet fins for the last few years and have never looked back, awesome power, roomy foot pocket, compact and heavy (take a kilo of your belt).

[mrbheagney]

I don't want them thank, I feel the same about these fins as you do.

[scubadiver888]

Originally Posted by Shortyman801

Okay i would like to know, whats better:
Apollo Bio fin
or
A good force fin?

I was initially considering the ForceFin. After a lot of research I found some people loved them but a lot of people did not like them. The type of kick you have will determine if you like them or not. For me, I didn't like them. Talking to some ForceFin fanatics, they tried to convince me, if I changed I would learn to love them. I'm a rec diver. I'm not going to spend weeks (possibly months) trying to adapt to a set of fins.

In the end I purchased the Apollo Bio-fin. They are everything the advertising says. During AOW training I was just fluttering along with no effort at all. When I got on the boat my instructor took me aside and told me it was not a race and I should slow down. I was totally blown away and very pleased.