Scubapro Seawing Nova

[Mark Lamont]

Force terrible..........Lack there of........No power.........definately the worst tested and far and away the loser of all test results.........Force Fin

 

[Mark Lamont]

Since I committed to your comment, I wonder where you find the connection behind the new Nova being a design rip off of the force fin Bob and what imperical tests did you run with the force or as I think of.....lack of force.
I think that they are easy to mold and good for walking around the deck of a boat. It may be that the material has changed since our test were first conducted. We had the yellow version.
The test I refer to are old test and were run with a group of divers of different deversities. A speed test was run. A force test which I think anyone in your engineering department can figure out. A efficiency test with the number of continuous cycles to cover a measured distance.
If you want the full test you should contact Scubapro directly or just diligently run your own testing with today's current designs.
It's time to move to the next step beyond the Nova. Anything further is not free advice.
Best regards

 

[BDSC]

It's time to move to the next step beyond the Nova.

Being that the Nova is a fairly new design, it seems you are saying that it is already outdated and there is something better. So which fin/fins have proven to be better?

 

[taurean]

Mark, please share with us the details of your Force Fin test, fin models,, the people who tested them....and anything else you can contribute. Thanks, Bob

BDSC, the negative comments from Mark are obviously because he works for, or is friends with Bob Evans (see Bob's comment below), who downplays everything that is not his precious little force fins. I'm not saying the FF is bad, I'm just saying Bob's attitude toward everything that is not FF is what makes me NEVER want to spend my money on a pair.

I have a pair of Nova's. I bought them because I wanted an open water fin. I love them. They took some getting used to, and they are not for everybody. If you cave dive, and are used to controlled movements, they are easy to get accustomed to. If you're new, and you kick like you're riding a bike, these won't work well for you until you learn control.

 

[BDSC]

BDSC, the negative comments from Mark are obviously because he works for, or is friends with Bob Evans (see Bob's comment below), who downplays everything that is not his precious little force fins. I'm not saying the FF is bad, I'm just saying Bob's attitude toward everything that is not FF is what makes me NEVER want to spend my money on a pair.

I have a pair of Nova's. I bought them because I wanted an open water fin. I love them. They took some getting used to, and they are not for everybody. If you cave dive, and are used to controlled movements, they are easy to get accustomed to. If you're new, and you kick like you're riding a bike, these won't work well for you until you learn control.

I guess I read it wrong. I thought Mark was slamming Bob's fins.

 

[taurean]

Yeah, it's a little vague. But it sounds like Bob's trying to get Mark to talk up the FF. Who knows. All I know is 2 things:
1. I like my Nova's. Even in the ripping current off Jupiter (Fl).
2. I'm sick of Bob talking up his FF

 

[buddhasummer]

Force terrible..........Lack there of........No power.........definately the worst tested and far and away the loser of all test results.........Force Fin

I dont mean to be rude and sorry if this is an obvious question but are you affiliated with Scubapro?

 

[BDSC]

I dont mean to be rude and sorry if this is an obvious question but are you affiliated with Scubapro?

A little research will show that a Mark D. Lamont and a Peter A. Chopelas hold a patent for what appears to be the original design of the first "seawing" fins. The patent was issues back on October 4th, 1988. I know that Scubapro sold this fin because I bought a pair back in 1991 when I was certified.

 

[watboy]

So whats the word on frog kicking with these? I've read as many threads on the subject I can find with search and I've summarized them as

Not so good frog kick - From people who admit they are not frog kickers
Modification of technique required - from frog kickers who have demoed them briefly
Near useless to frog kick - from people who don't state their frog kicking affinity

I am a frog kicker 80% plus of the time, I only flutter when i'm heading into current. I like these fins since they are positively buoyant and jetfins make me too feet heavy (I dive tropics in shorts and a rash guard, no wrecks or caves). They also fit my booties better than the jets. And they are white, which i like for style and visibility reasons. Currently using mares aventis, but they are on their last legs.

 

[Divor]

So whats the word on frog kicking with these?

If you frog kick that much, look for another fin. I had the Seawing Nova's until I started frog kicking most of the time (90 pct or so). With a single tank setup it is doable but not ideal. With doubles you start to have problems.

I bought some Hollis F1's after the doubles experience, and use them as my main fins now. I keep the Nova's as travel fins, as they are really light.

The Seawing Nova's are very good but specialised fins, narrowly optimised for a single tank flutter kick.

Bottom line: Seawing Nova is not ideal for frog kicking, even with a modified kick. If you frog kick 80 percent of the time, get other fins.

Hope this helps.