mdb:
You will, most likely, get the Jet fin finatics, the others who say that split fins do not work in current etc. Same old same old. \
We were the first company to introduce the new technology to the SCUBA market. We used polyurethane, polymer compounds etc. We, finally, settled on 100% pure natural rubber. The result, a world class fin that has been rated first in multiple tests, year after year. If you like "stiff" the bio-fin XT fills the bill. The most efficient is the bio-fin pro. /www.apollosportsusa.com/Products/Fins/index.htm
The debate will continue, over and over, try them for yourself. Mother Nature seems to have figured it out eons ago.
Yep, same old same old. The tests always measure the same thing...max sustainable speed. First of all, I don't know or need to know what my max sustainable speed is, though I do need to know that accurately maneuver with minimal movement and get good thrust and speed over short distances...as in one or two kicks.
Measuring max sustainable speed going backwards is really silly. That isn't how a back kick is used...we usually don't just swim around backwards.
My diving might not be like everybody elses but once I'm underwater I don't really need to go anyplace. It's like walking in the woods. The less walking you do, the more you see. I hover, maybe kick once or twice and coast, put on the brakes and stop or back up to look at something, turn this way or that. I do indeed travel into strong flow at times in caves. I generally don't rely on finning power alone to do it and when I do it's usually for fairly short distances and what I need is max power on kick number one.
For those who have never seen this, it's like rowing a boat. Row forward with one oar and backward with the other and you turn sharply with no forward motion. Going backwards is a simple matter and sticking the oars in the water with a slight backward rowing motion puts on the brakes. The result is the ability to accurately maneuver.
Simple test...put on some split fins, kick once and measure how fast you go and how far. See how far you can helo yourself around with oa single kick. Perform one reverse kick and measure how far and how fast you back up. Get moving and use a partial reverse kick to put on the brakes...see how fast you can stop.
I do remember an interesting test that was done. Some guys tested split fins in a cave and posted the report on the diverite web page. There results were pretty much in line with what I've seen from the fins.
mdb is right, mother nature figured this out a long time ago. Fish have tails which they use differently than we use are feet. They have dorsal fins, pectoral fins and fins all over the place. Ever watch a fish turn with no forward motion or backup? Which fins do they use for that accurate maneuvering and how are they using them? They're sculling with paddle shaped fins that are usually not split. So, I think if you put some paddle fins on your hands and splits on your feet you might almost do ok. LOL
People figured this out a long time ago too and you can see the results in the design of boat oars and canoe paddles.
But heck, lets do this the right way. I'm pretty sure I still have a few pairs of splits in the garage. I might even have a couple pair of the original biofins. Assuming I can find them, I'll give them to anyone who can demonstrate that they can frog, turn and back alongside me while they are using them. I don't know what they retail for now but I think they sold for about $180 when I got them. I'll give them to anyone who can show me that they can use them. We'll post a detailed report fn the dive on the board.
