Why Jet Fins? and a deal for you

Bear · 6th January 2006, 07:42

Quote: (Originally Posted by dive2dive2000)

The Creator and owner of Rebreather world, and a really nice guy

Hasn't anyone told you that no one likes a suck-up?

Cheers

Explorer · 6th January 2006, 08:11

FACT: JET FINS ROCK!!!

Although dive manufacturers release more new fin designs every year than just about any other piece of equipment, no fin is better suited for overhead or technical diving than the ScubaPro Jet Fin. Based on a design that is at least 30 years old, the Jet Fin is a perfect example of a low-tech solution to better gear design. Jet Fins are manufactured out of negatively buoyant black rubber. They are very stiff, all the better for modified flutter and frog kicks. The strap connections are molded into the fin. Unlike the "quick release" plastic connectors now in vogue, there is no leading edge groove to potentially catch cave line.

jhaaja · 6th January 2006, 08:11

I have not tested many split construction fins. The ones I have tested were JetFin II, which are split. They seemed to work OK if you use traditional flutter kick. But if you use frog kick they suck big time. Also control on helicopter turns and reversing is really bad. I was not able to reverse with the split ones.

JH
Finland

sciencediver1 · 6th January 2006, 08:23

Quote: (Originally Posted by Explorer)

FACT: JET FINS ROCK!!!

there is no leading edge groove to potentially catch cave line.

This is the most detalied reply yet. I have never had a snag of my finstrap in the cave line in several hundred cave dives so for me I don't think its a very big issue. Good line habbits should keep one out of the line. I'm giving them a go again. I hope with the new springs I just added the heel pain issue will be solved. I'm not sure the stiffness is a real advantage as fatigue may be the tradeoff. I still like my splits.

scubagrunt · 6th January 2006, 08:44

Quote: (Originally Posted by sciencediver1)

This is the most detalied reply yet. I have never had a snag of my finstrap in the cave line in several hundred cave dives so for me I don't think its a very big issue. Good line habbits should keep one out of the line. I'm giving them a go again. I hope with the new springs I just added the heel pain issue will be solved. I'm not sure the stiffness is a real advantage as fatigue may be the tradeoff. I still like my splits.

give it time craig, i too hated the jet fins when i went back to them from split fins, but i continued on anyway, and now i don't like my scubapro split fins. BTW they are for sale XL in good condition!

Mdemon · 6th January 2006, 08:58

Reasons JetFins rock!

They're cheap! Jet Fin clones are exactly the same, and plentiful. Mine cost me £10.00 GBP and that's what you'll find them on eBay for over here.
They're bullet-proof. No rusty discolouration, no scratches, no cracking. Probably the most robust bit of dive kit you will ever own - as you yourself said, dig 'em out of the cupboard after ten years and they won't have changed a bit.
They're powerful. In the divernet tests they were in the top bracket, propulsion-wise.
They're accurate. I find them very precise when frog-kicking, which all adds to the techy kudos, right?
They're heavy. Good for the floaty-footed. Weight off your belt. Admittedly, not so hot for head-floaty CCR use.
They're cheap! A subject close to my heart, so worth a second mention...

Enough for you?

On the steel springs, they can be picked up very cheaply over here. I have seen some for £20! Myself, I just use bungee and accept that the Worzel Gummidge-look is probably mine for life. (Non-UK readers - you'll have to Google for Worzel, but in a nutshell, think "scarecrow")

Are JetFins the top techy choice though? All the "cool kids" (fashion victims?) seem to be wearing Force Fins, which definitely don't conform to 1. and 6.!

abowie · 6th January 2006, 09:00

Quote: (Originally Posted by scubagrunt)

lead DM Huh!!!!
jet fins rock my friend

I'm with you.

I am astonished at how good my Jetsters are.

I recently bought (with much suspicion) a pair of OMS lightweight jets made out of some sort of plastic.

Underwater they seem to fin just the same, but weigh about 1/3 as much as my Scubapro rubber ones; nice for travelling.

abowie · 6th January 2006, 09:13

Quote: (Originally Posted by sciencediver1)

Hi List!

Just curious....if you've gone back to the Jets or clones of same please tell us why? I'm doing it because everyone else I respect is, I have no other reason as to why I would drag out the stiff old buggers I learned with and put them back in use. Please tell me why I'm doing this? Craig

Being tallish*, oldish** and fattish***, my knees are rooted (Australian vernacular for disappointingly unservicable).

I used to use Mares Quattros but my knees hurt too much, so when the Volo made its appearance I bought a set. This stopped my knees hurting but it was like finning in custard....and by God they look nancy!

So 3 or 4 years ago when I started caving I got a pair of Jets, predominately because they were dirt cheap and because I wanted to be able to be rude about them to DIR types on internet forums. Regrettably, George et al were right about that one.

God this sounds like a Scubaboard post doesn't it?

* not as tall as Steve
** not as old as Bear
*** not as fat as.... hang on I've got that wrong somewhere haven't I..

Ant Slegg · 6th January 2006, 10:06

I dived with my original set of "jet" fins, purchased when I was was first learning to dive in 1990 until I bought a pair of Scubapro "Twin Jet" fins a couple of years ago. My originals weren't in trendy tekkie black but blue and yellow (the name wore off ages ago - so don't ask) and were showing signs of more than a decade of (mainly) wreck diving around the British Isles.

The difference in performance was astounding especially when trimix diving. I'd put down the fact that I couldn't keep up with other divers down to my age (40+) OR the relative drag of all the kit compared to taller divers (I'm 5ft 6in) OR bad technique OR the fact that my buddy liked to rush around like a lunatic (OR was in a semi-dry and feeling the cold) but it appeared it was just diving with people who were using equipment that worked much better than mine! Not only that but my gas consumption improved, I felt less tired, they took up less space in the bag and on the boat, they were easier to don/doff and despite the split in the fin I found getting across the deck of a hardboat was made so much easier (they are shorter and more flexible).

The jet fins are now consigned to pool training use and I wouldn't go back - especially not just to follow fashion ("do what works for you" is one of the best pieces of kit advice I've ever had).

The new fins have only one drawback as far as I can tell the hole at the front end of the boot is large and my toes seem to get cold! The solution - Weasel Extreme bootees - diving's great you buy new toys and it gives you an excuse to spend more money.

Ant S

Gibbon · 6th January 2006, 10:10

Backward frog kick... no other fins make this so easy ;-) oh the misery I remember of not being able to frog kick backwards.

Saying that I have 1ST copies of Jet Fins and a pair of Turtles for drysuit use.

I have seen people manage a satisfactory reverse motion with force fins... but each to their own.

How do you fin backwards with split fins?

6th January 2006, 07:42	#11 (permalink)
Bear Smelling Dairy Air Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Not Bought Yet Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 101	Re: Why Jet Fins? and a deal for you Quote: (Originally Posted by dive2dive2000) The Creator and owner of Rebreather world, and a really nice guy Hasn't anyone told you that no one likes a suck-up? Cheers __________________ http://www.victech.org VICTECH.ORG: A web resource for Technical Divers in Victoria
(Offline)

6th January 2006, 08:11	#12 (permalink)
Explorer I will teach you a..... Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 773	Re: Why Jet Fins? and a deal for you FACT: JET FINS ROCK!!! Although dive manufacturers release more new fin designs every year than just about any other piece of equipment, no fin is better suited for overhead or technical diving than the ScubaPro Jet Fin. Based on a design that is at least 30 years old, the Jet Fin is a perfect example of a low-tech solution to better gear design. Jet Fins are manufactured out of negatively buoyant black rubber. They are very stiff, all the better for modified flutter and frog kicks. The strap connections are molded into the fin. Unlike the "quick release" plastic connectors now in vogue, there is no leading edge groove to potentially catch cave line. __________________ 20 dwarves, 20 dwarves, 20 dwarves took turns doing handstands on the carpet Last edited by Explorer : 6th January 2006 at 08:18.
(Offline)

6th January 2006, 08:11	#13 (permalink)
jhaaja Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 884	Re: Why Jet Fins? and a deal for you I have not tested many split construction fins. The ones I have tested were JetFin II, which are split. They seemed to work OK if you use traditional flutter kick. But if you use frog kick they suck big time. Also control on helicopter turns and reversing is really bad. I was not able to reverse with the split ones. JH Finland
(Offline)

6th January 2006, 08:23	#14 (permalink)
sciencediver1 Craig Miller Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Classic Kiss Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle, Washington USA Posts: 21	Re: Why Jet Fins? and a deal for you Quote: (Originally Posted by Explorer) FACT: JET FINS ROCK!!! there is no leading edge groove to potentially catch cave line. This is the most detalied reply yet. I have never had a snag of my finstrap in the cave line in several hundred cave dives so for me I don't think its a very big issue. Good line habbits should keep one out of the line. I'm giving them a go again. I hope with the new springs I just added the heel pain issue will be solved. I'm not sure the stiffness is a real advantage as fatigue may be the tradeoff. I still like my splits. __________________ *Craig Miller* *Technical Diving and Supply* *"Puget Sound Diving at it's Best"* *www.techdivingsupplies.com* *USCG Master #1213121*
(Offline)

6th January 2006, 08:44	#15 (permalink)
scubagrunt CCR Diva Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Classic Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Other SCR Join Date: May 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 432	Re: Why Jet Fins? and a deal for you Quote: (Originally Posted by sciencediver1) This is the most detalied reply yet. I have never had a snag of my finstrap in the cave line in several hundred cave dives so for me I don't think its a very big issue. Good line habbits should keep one out of the line. I'm giving them a go again. I hope with the new springs I just added the heel pain issue will be solved. I'm not sure the stiffness is a real advantage as fatigue may be the tradeoff. I still like my splits. give it time craig, i too hated the jet fins when i went back to them from split fins, but i continued on anyway, and now i don't like my scubapro split fins. BTW they are for sale XL in good condition! __________________ "No good deed goes unpunished!" www.silentscuba.com
(Offline)

6th January 2006, 08:58	#16 (permalink)
Mdemon SiegeEngine II Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SWUK Posts: 1,927	Re: Why Jet Fins? and a deal for you Reasons JetFins rock! They're cheap! Jet Fin clones are exactly the same, and plentiful. Mine cost me £10.00 GBP and that's what you'll find them on eBay for over here. They're bullet-proof. No rusty discolouration, no scratches, no cracking. Probably the most robust bit of dive kit you will ever own - as you yourself said, dig 'em out of the cupboard after ten years and they won't have changed a bit. They're powerful. In the divernet tests they were in the top bracket, propulsion-wise. They're accurate. I find them very precise when frog-kicking, which all adds to the techy kudos, right? They're heavy. Good for the floaty-footed. Weight off your belt. Admittedly, not so hot for head-floaty CCR use. They're cheap! A subject close to my heart, so worth a second mention... Enough for you? On the steel springs, they can be picked up very cheaply over here. I have seen some for £20! Myself, I just use bungee and accept that the Worzel Gummidge-look is probably mine for life. (Non-UK readers - you'll have to Google for Worzel, but in a nutshell, think "scarecrow") Are JetFins the top techy choice though? All the "cool kids" (fashion victims?) seem to be wearing Force Fins, which definitely don't conform to 1. and 6.! __________________ www.southwestmafia.com "small minds talk about people, Average Minds Talk About Events, GREAT MINDS TALK ABOUT IDEAS!" The WRONG Attitude will get you killed. "Once the agenda-monkeys and perfect-worlders have moved on, perhaps we can do some diving?"
(Offline)

6th January 2006, 09:00	#17 (permalink)
abowie Fighting Girl Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Land of Oz Posts: 574	Re: Why Jet Fins? and a deal for you Quote: (Originally Posted by scubagrunt) lead DM Huh!!!! jet fins rock my friend I'm with you. I am astonished at how good my Jetsters are. I recently bought (with much suspicion) a pair of OMS lightweight jets made out of some sort of plastic. Underwater they seem to fin just the same, but weigh about 1/3 as much as my Scubapro rubber ones; nice for travelling. __________________ Andrew Bowie Rebreather-friendly Buddy
(Offline)

6th January 2006, 09:13	#18 (permalink)
abowie Fighting Girl Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Land of Oz Posts: 574	Re: Why Jet Fins? and a deal for you Quote: (Originally Posted by sciencediver1) Hi List! Just curious....if you've gone back to the Jets or clones of same please tell us why? I'm doing it because everyone else I respect is, I have no other reason as to why I would drag out the stiff old buggers I learned with and put them back in use. Please tell me why I'm doing this? Craig Being tallish, oldish* and fattish**, my knees are rooted (Australian vernacular for disappointingly unservicable). I used to use Mares Quattros but my knees hurt too much, so when the Volo made its appearance I bought a set. This stopped my knees hurting but it was like finning in custard....and by God they look nancy! So 3 or 4 years ago when I started caving I got a pair of Jets, predominately because they were dirt cheap and because I wanted to be able to be rude about them to DIR types on internet forums. Regrettably, George et al were right about that one. God this sounds like a Scubaboard post doesn't it? not as tall as Steve not as old as Bear * not as fat as.... hang on I've got that wrong somewhere haven't I.. __________________ Andrew Bowie Rebreather-friendly Buddy
(Offline)

6th January 2006, 10:06	#19 (permalink)
Ant Slegg Still Learning.... Current Rebreather/s: Ouroboros Other Rebreather/s: Ouroboros Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Grevenmacher, Luxembourg Posts: 165	Re: Why Jet Fins? and a deal for you I dived with my original set of "jet" fins, purchased when I was was first learning to dive in 1990 until I bought a pair of Scubapro "Twin Jet" fins a couple of years ago. My originals weren't in trendy tekkie black but blue and yellow (the name wore off ages ago - so don't ask) and were showing signs of more than a decade of (mainly) wreck diving around the British Isles. The difference in performance was astounding especially when trimix diving. I'd put down the fact that I couldn't keep up with other divers down to my age (40+) OR the relative drag of all the kit compared to taller divers (I'm 5ft 6in) OR bad technique OR the fact that my buddy liked to rush around like a lunatic (OR was in a semi-dry and feeling the cold) but it appeared it was just diving with people who were using equipment that worked much better than mine! Not only that but my gas consumption improved, I felt less tired, they took up less space in the bag and on the boat, they were easier to don/doff and despite the split in the fin I found getting across the deck of a hardboat was made so much easier (they are shorter and more flexible). The jet fins are now consigned to pool training use and I wouldn't go back - especially not just to follow fashion ("do what works for you" is one of the best pieces of kit advice I've ever had). The new fins have only one drawback as far as I can tell the hole at the front end of the boot is large and my toes seem to get cold! The solution - Weasel Extreme bootees - diving's great you buy new toys and it gives you an excuse to spend more money. Ant S
(Offline)

6th January 2006, 10:10	#20 (permalink)
Gibbon Southern Monkey Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: East Devon Posts: 224	Re: Why Jet Fins? and a deal for you Backward frog kick... no other fins make this so easy ;-) oh the misery I remember of not being able to frog kick backwards. Saying that I have 1ST copies of Jet Fins and a pair of Turtles for drysuit use. I have seen people manage a satisfactory reverse motion with force fins... but each to their own. How do you fin backwards with split fins?
(Offline)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode