Would love to host those gloves for sale on my new online store.. check out www.ScubaLessonsInc.com/ScubaStore to see it. If your interested shoot me an email: tina@scubalessonsinc.com
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The cupped position is probably not the most efficient method of propulsion with bare hands. As a competitive swimmer I was taught to spread my fingers. Here's an abstract from the Journal of Biomechanics that supports the notion:The most interesting thing I found was that every time someone used their hands, their fingers were in a relaxed OPEN position, not cupped for efficiency. This could, with little stretch of the imagination, imply that at one time in our evolution we may have had "natural finger webbing". By becoming land creatures the finger webbing dissapeared.
Therefore, we hypothesize that, because of the complex hydro- dynamics related to the 3D shape of the hand, an intermediate finger spacing (between the closed and the widest ones) could be associated to an increased ‘functional’ paddling surface or a higher coefficient of drag, providing swimmers with additional thrust and greater overall efficiency
OK, just used them on a quick trip to Key Largo, and here are my thoughts:
1) While not a huge effect, they definitely help with fine positioning for photography, especially when shooting macro in any sort of surge or current. Certainly worth the price.
2) Easier to work with than I though, the back webbing really keeps the gloves from interfering with your access to camera controls, etc...
3) Nice to have some hand protection for stabilization - yes, I know, no-touch reefs, etc... but most photographers who get close to subjects have been in situations where a little push with a single finger on a piece of dead coral or rock will keep you from having your whole body pushed against the reef, preventing even more damage.
4) Drying out is less difficult than I would have thought, given the fact that they are waterproof. They tend to stay open when off your hands, and the manufacturer recommends storing them with some paper towels in the cuff to keep them from getting mildewed. Seems to work OK.
5) Main downside is that they interfere with hand signals. Not so much for my buddy who was used to them, but I gave an OK sign response to another diver who happened by and I could see that he didn't quite get it..!
I say this was $25 well spent..
Mike
That's great Mike! Glad you like them. Your spot on about the hand signals, have yet to solve that one./QUOTE]
I think that I just solved it... Make the fingers a different color than the webbing!
Send me a couple of good quality pics of you wearing your gloves while diving and I'll trade you a really nice Darkfin T-shirt.
It's a deal! The thing is, I'm usually the one behind the camera, it's pretty rare for me to have pics of me diving. However, I do have one that isn't too bad. PM me an email address and I'll send it to you...
Yes, undoubtedly the endorsment of your product is the ultimate test of one's intelligence. :doh:
Hey if you really want to sell a buch of them you should put an ad in the back of Popular Mechanics - right next to the lawnmower powered helicopters and the sea monkeys.