Finclip Vs Straps

[Stefan Spada]

Ok, thanks for all the advice. I did feel a bit silly when I almost fell on top of a lady as I fiddled to get my fins on the last time and figured this would be a great idea. Of course I'd never get them in time for this summer but they do look really comfortable as opposed to the elastic digging in to my tendons. 36 euro is not that much so I do feel tempted.

 

[extremetito]

extremetito, you seem extremely supportive, you're not affiliated are you?

I am not affiliated in any way except as a Kickstarter supporter.
The inventor is an individual trying to address an issue-albeit, a minor issue-that I have on dive boats. His idea seems well thought out and practicable. He's not asking for too much. I think he deserves support, and he's garnered mine.

Besides the additional risk for a snag, I wondered it the clip would put additional pressure on your Achilles or calf. as it extends further than the cord itself.

I did not mean to sound like a cheerleader, and I do have some apprehensions about the product, but they are not the ones brought up earlier in this thread. My concerns are mostly for discomfort (as you alluded to), durability, and reliability/inconvenience.

Who knows what the Finclip will ultimately cost, requires $40 contribution to Kickstarter to "reserve" your 1st pair.

If the project gets funded according to the Kickstarter rules, I expect the the Finclip will cost me $41 + $13 shipping from Italy. I have not had the experience on Kickstarter where more money was solicited for the initial pledge, or where the project failed outright after initial funding. But, I acknowledge there is that small risk.

 

[JamesBon92007]

I've been using bungees for several years. I've never lost a fin since I began using them and find them to be much easier to use than any spring straps I've had before. If anyone would like to donate funds to help me start my bungee fin business I take Paypal, VISA or cash.

How long to the bungees last? My experiences with them is that they tend to deteriorate and come unraveled after a short time (short compared to the usual rubber straps).

Anyone who wears ScubaPro Lightning Jet Fins is a good business risk. I'll send you a donation just as soon as I earn a return on my sea-water-powered electrolytic rebreather.

 

[KeithG]

am i missing something? I am using plain old rubber straps on my 30 year old fins.

So far I am unaware of any problem that needs solving.

 

[JamesBon92007]

Part of the problem is that there is no money in selling rubber fins straps that last at least 10-15 years.

 

[PiumattiPaolo]

Hello to all the divers in this forum
Allow me to introduce myself:
My name is Paolo Piumatti and I’m the inventor of FINCLIP.
I’m 59 years old and have been diving since I was 14.
Until 1998 I successfully owned and ran a motor spares distribution company, which I then decided to sell in order to dedicate my time and energy to what has always been my true passion: the sea.
Since then I have been the proud owner of a diving resort where I train and accompany divers on dives throughout most of the year.
Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) I have always been a great observer and have never ceased to enjoy researching solutions which could improve the quality of life.

I felt that this introduction was necessary to reassure fellow divers that I am not just an occasional ‘Sunday diver’ that has had an idea and wants to palm it off at all costs.

Quite simply, having observed divers on my boat, I came up with this idea and would like to present it to the world, get it into production and be able to sell it to all those divers that would prefer an easier life when it comes to getting fins on and off.
FINCLIP is in fact aimed at recreational divers who prefer less effort and more fun.
Probably Salomon had the same thoughts when he invented the precursor to modern ski bindings.

I would be the first to advice against using FINCLIP if you are a tech diver, extreme diving enthusiast or you dive in muddy, murky waters where the risk of getting hooked on something is very high.
In these cases even a normal spring could cause problems.
Now, without wishing to be argumentative, I’d like to clarify some of the observations that have been posted here:


1. Those who have said that the problem doesn’t exist: 20 years ago and 45 lbs lighter, I would have said the same!

2. Those who have said “just sit down and put your fins on”: On a dinghy of course you have no need for FINCLIP but on a boat it’s not so easy to walk to the edge before jumping into the water with fins on. And if you gear up first, then put your fins on we are back to point 1 above.

3. Those who have said that there is no need for FINCLIP when shore diving: if you can put your fins on in the water, of course not. But if you are diving off a pier or from the rocks without anything to hang on to to keep your balance, again we are back to point 1.

4. Those of you who have said that it’s not so much getting your fins on, but taking them off in water: part of the idea of FINCLIP is being able to get your fins both on and off easily. The heelpiece can be used as a handle in the water that you can push to slide off your fins. Isn’t that easier than grabbing the side of your fin and trying to overcome the suction that forms between fin and foot?

5. Those who have said that there might be more pressure on your Achilles tendon with FINCLIP: quite the contrary! The force exerted by the elastic on your Achilles tendon with FINCLIP is distributed all the way along the heelpiece, and not just concentrated at one point; which is what happens with a normal strap, spring or bungee.

6. Those of you who have expressed concern than your fins could slide off in the water with FINCLIP: once you have raised the heelpiece, the elastic works in exactly the same way as always.

7. Those of you who have said that the system is too complicated: it’s just a shoehorn hinged to a clamp fixed to the back of a fin.

8. Those of you who have mentioned having to wait 6 months for delivery: Kickstarter and the principle of crowdfunding is not the same as ordering from Ebay. Furthermore, if the project is not supported now, in six months’ time you won’t be able to order FINCLIP from anywhere.


Sorry to have kept you so long but there were quite a few points to clarify.
Just one more thing:

FINCLIP is the result of:
- Almost 2 years of research into finding a practical and reliable solution.
- Over € 20.000 (about $18.000) invested in research, development and the creation of prototypes.


Warm regards from Italy

Paolo

 

[Colliam7]

This is an interesting idea. I am not ready to invest, and I have no problems with my spring straps (my rubber fin straps seldom lasted 10-15 years ) that I think would be addressed by the Finclip. But, this is innovation, I am delighted that the inventor has pursued the idea, that a poster has brought it to the attention of SB users, and I am happy to let the marketplace decide on the value of the product (I am not an 'early adopter' on this one).

Scubadada made an interesting observation - the product does remind me just a bit of the folding fins, I must admit (I wonder what ever happened to those). And, who knows, maybe spring straps were greeted with the same skepticism when they were introduced. I hope that extremetito will post a review in the future.

 

[jonhall]

Will be interested to see reviews in the future of the FINCLIP.

I did come up with several thoughts after viewing the Kickstarter page, some responded to by the inventor himself in the previous post.

1. Watching (in the kickstarter video) how easily the foot slid into the pocket of the fin doesn't look like my foot going into the pocket. The video showed an example of one diver standing on the ends of fins as another diver pushes their foot in. I put one foot on top of my other (fin) for support as I push a foot into the fin. Does the FINCLIP change the size of the pocket making your foot magically slide in?

2. I was concerned with the heel plate also. Was supposed to wear a boot for several tears I had in my Achilles tendon when I injured leg - felt pressure and pain from heel to mid-calf - maybe because I have skinny legs. Needless to say I didn't use the boot. The strap I use feels no different than wearing a shoe. As force is distributed along the heel plate of the FINCLIP, I would be worried that I would feel it more along the tendon of my leg.

3. Different dive boat operators, different rules. Have been on boats where they want you completely suited up with fins on and shuffling to entry point and also where they want you to put fins on last. Divers have found ways to accomplish the task. Have been overweight, had back pain, and had knee pain that limited range of motion, but have been able to bend enough pull strap over heel and to tug on the strap to snug it against my heel.

4. Currently use the quick release buckle when taking fins off. Grab the blade of the fin and pull. Paolo explains that the FINCLIP, by pushing on the heel plate, will allow your foot to slide out and indicates the suction between the foot and fin is no longer a factor. Does the FINCLIP break the suction when the heel plate is folded down?

With those comments out of the way, congratulations to Paolo on the new technology. Although many divers have become set in their ways and are satisfied, this very well may solve an issue that other divers have. Would definitely try these if I had the opportunity (try before you buy) although I have no issue with either quick adjust/quick release buckles or full foot fins, both of which I use depending where I dive. But if my foot did just slide in and out and I felt no pressure on my leg, I'm probably a user of something like this.

 

[Storker]

That's why I prefer the bungees over springs. They hold the fins on securely but are easier to slide a finger underneath to remove the fin even in a rough sea.

I prefer springs since they're stiffer than bungee, so it feels better for me with stiff Jets. I have a better feeling for the fins with springs than with standard rubber straps. I was also struggling a little with slipping my finger under the strap, but I've tied a small loop of braided rope to the center of the springs, just big enough for my gloved finger. Taking off the straps is a breeze with those in place.

They also only cost about a quarter to replace every few years.

What is this "replace" you're talking of, kemosabe? Although I have to admit I've had my fins only a couple of years, my springstraps still look like new.

 

[cbm32]

I am always a little amazed when I see someone that is very vehement that there is no real reason to change XX (whatever XX is).

The argument that YOU have no use for something, and so there is no good reason for it to be introduced to the marketplace, is often very self-centered and short sighted. Not everyone is YOU and not everyone has the same physical abilities that you do. In this case, I have a spinal cord injury and so putting fins on and taking them off CAN be a problem for me at times. This invention looks like it might be a real benefit to me and make my diving easier, safer, and therefor even more enjoyable. I won't know for sure until when/if I get a chance to try Finclips, but the idea certainly appears to me to have merit for someone with my disability.

I have over 650 dives using regular fin straps and flat bungee straps that I make myself, so I can live without Finclips (or anything like them) but that doesn't mean that they would not be of benefit to me if they became available.

Am I sold on Finclips to the point of investing money in them pre-production? NO.
Will I buy and try them the minute they are available? You better believe it.

And NO, I am not affiliated with Finclips and do not know anyone personally that is. My only exposure to them or to Finclips has been right here in this thread.