still using jet fins?

[NitroxWarrior]

I learned most of what I know of diving and cave diving from cave diving manules writen in the 70's. some of the things in there i know are outaded but other i follow, but I'm not sure if there considered outdated also.
The one thing I'm looking at in particular is fin design. In the books I've read they suggest a big but short fin(I'm currently using ScubaPro jet fins). This seems logical to cut down on silt outs and alow for ceiling pushoffs and such. But is there a better design currently?
I just want some opinions since I'm a bit of a n00b to caving.

p.s. please no jokes about split fins

[Kelly Jessop]

I learned most of what I know of diving and cave diving from cave diving manules writen in the 70's. some of the things in there i know are outaded but other i follow, but I'm not sure if there considered outdated also.
The one thing I'm looking at in particular is fin design. In the books I've read they suggest a big but short fin(I'm currently using ScubaPro jet fins). This seems logical to cut down on silt outs and alow for ceiling pushoffs and such. But is there a better design currently?
I just want some opinions since I'm a bit of a n00b to caving.

p.s. please no jokes about split fins

From my experience I've become partial to the scubapro jet fin and have used them for quite a few years. When I first entered cave diving I used everything from a narrow blade fin to a power fin with adequate results. The thing that I have found great about the jetfin is its versatility. It will give you a strong frog kick,but without the length that can strike side walls. To me the true genius of the fin is during modified flutter and shuffle kicks. Since the distal tip of the fin is flexible,ankle motion will allow you to develop thrust in short kick cycles ie small cave. With these fins I can change among all three major kick techniques in a short distance and never have to slow significantly.

[NitroxWarrior]

I always liked them for the same reasons but because they have been used for so long one must wonder if there in something better.

I'm living in the past through most of my equipment, I go out to the springs and se guy with jetstream odin regulators and I'm sitting there with my ancient aqua lung regulator (you know the one with the fake crhome finish)

[ARY]

To NitroxWarrior: i know one cave diving instructor who uses split fins and he is faster than others and leaves no silt behind, he even manages to swim backwards with it. I guess it is more the art of finning rather than gear type. Also partially disabled people use Splits successfully in caves w. high ceiling.

I would ask another fin question: in one high flow restriction i took off my fins and clipped it on line using climbing carabine because it was too much drug (DR fins) and i used extra help of my feet to "climb" through. Is it reasonable way of going through high flows?

[NitroxWarrior]

I dont see why not, you just have to be careful to not stir up too much silt or use up too much air taking your fins on and off.

[JDostal]

I was (and still am actually...) a huge fan of the Mares Avanti Quatro's - they are a GREAT fin for doing all sorts of kicks - frog, flutter (on the rare occasion I use it...) modified frog...I could even do my pitiful rendition of backwards finning with them.

I eventually got rid of them though, but only for one reason - I have huge feet (size 15). I've got XXXL boots on my Bare drysuit, and the Mares fins would make my toes go numb after awhile because they were so tight. ScubaPro came out with the big ol' XXL JetFins and I had found salvation at last. I switched to the Jet's - but I was a little bit reluctant about giving up my faithful Quatro's.

When I first started using them, I didn't really like them. It felt like I was getting less "oomph" out of each kick. They seemed to have less resistance...they didn't push back as much as my Mares, so I felt like I was getting less power out of them.

Turns out it's just the way they work...you can really motor with the JetFins. And the fin pocket is huge...I'm a big fan of them now.

Feels kind of weird though...here I am, on the cavediving kick, using some of the best gear on the face of the planet...and I'm using the same fins that my dad did when he did his Open Water stuff in the early 80's :)

[Jordan]

Well, I just heard from over at Cave Ex East that Bill Main has switched from the Jets over to the Dive Rite fins because of better propulsion. Ask the boys over at Cave Ex to try a pair out. There is an XL version now too with a big foot pocket (will fit size 14 shoe or a rock boot). S/S spring heels are available as well, and now they come with a better rubber pad that is more preferred by tech divers which doesn't slide from one side to the other.

[Genesis]

Well, if they work better, I'll switch.

But I'd have to see if they fit my drysuit boots first. That's the "big deal" that drove me to the XXL Jets - I got tired of my toes getting smashed and them cramping on me when diving in wetsuit booties over my drysuit's socks.

The BARE Trekboots (with bungie replacing the laces to avoid entanglement risk) fixed that, but mandated the XXL Jets - or so I thought.

[BillGraham]

I use the Mares quattro ones in caves as well, mostly because they are a little lighter. I also have Jetfins and I like them on boats because they're less slippery on diamond plate and ladders.

[Genesis]

Hmmm... that's a negative for me.

I want the negative characteristic of the Jets - especially when diving dry.

It allows me to trim out using leg position; if the DRs are too light I'd lose that, and IMHO that would truly be a loss.

[Puttzer]

Are the Dive Rite fins negative in the water? I seem to recall using them a couple of years ago and found them too buoyant for me in my dry suit.

[JDostal]

The Dive Rite fins do seem popular. I know my instructor swore by them. A nice bonus is that they come with spring straps by default - saves you the work/cost of building/buying your own.

[BillGraham]

Genesis, I think what I was trying to say is that the Jetfins are heavy in terms of weight, not bouyancy. My ankles get tired faster.

[Genesis]

Genesis, I think what I was trying to say is that the Jetfins are heavy in terms of weight, not bouyancy. My ankles get tired faster.

Yeah, I can see that. But if they're not negative I'd probably hate 'em, just because I've gotten so used to being able to make fine adjustments in trim with leg position - its an "automatic" thing now.

[NitroxWarrior]

I usully prefer a semi-positive fin so you can keep your feet off the ground. The proper frog kick has your feet above your body, so being semi-positive seems logical.
My jetfins usually feel positive when I'm wearing a dive skin (dry or wet)

[Genesis]

I usully prefer a semi-positive fin so you can keep your feet off the ground. The proper frog kick has your feet above your body, so being semi-positive seems logical.
My jetfins usually feel positive when I'm wearing a dive skin (dry or wet)

Jetfins are significantly negative.

[jammer]

Jet fins here all the way round the best I have used.

[normblitch]

Jet fins here all the way round the best I have used.

...AND have had that status for QUITE a while...

I scored a near-mint pair of Farralon Fara II's on eBay recently...AFAIR, they were the first spring-heel manufactured (early '80's) Many of us used them happily in lieu of the SP jets...

Lamar's fins seen somewhat reminiscent of them (the Fara's) in dimension and shape...I haven't tested the new (used) pair as yet, but intend to test ASAP...look for me in a Cavern soon, swimming in circles, with different fins on each foot...<g>

Norm
(still re-aquirring my original '80's gear set)

[NitroxWarrior]

I usully prefer a semi-positive fin so you can keep your feet off the ground. The proper frog kick has your feet above your body, so being semi-positive seems logical.
My jetfins usually feel positive when I'm wearing a dive skin (dry or wet)

Jetfins are significantly negative.

LOL, must just be in my mind, I've never had them off in the water...