@@LakeHickoryScuba Great purchase, just use them in a RIPPING current and found jet fins easier to stroke and just as powerful as my old pair of power planas. Also liked the shortness for on boat deck and on wrecks. One complaint would be I wish the heal didn't stick out as much. Overall score 9.5
Thinner, more flexible fins are more comfortable and efficient when paddling slowly and not much thrust is required but have a lower potential max thrust because beyond a certain kicking force the whole fin hinges out of the water column and become ineffective, no matter how much harder you kick. This is why I like jet fins, they don't hinge, tips are flexible but the lower half of the fin won't bend out of the way of the water you are trying to move no matter how hard you try. Power planas are definitely a more sophisticated fin but have a lower max thrust potential. For example if you lose your grip on the shot line during deco in a current and need to fin like a bat out of hell to get back to it, jet fins will allow you to put all the energy you can muster into the water you are trying to move. I dove a pair of Apeks rk3 hd's for 2 years and they are great, but at max kick they hinge at the vents (still use them for single tank dives, more comfortable). I dive Scubapro Jet Fins now and they are great. I do deep technical dives (hp steel twinset, at least two al80 stages) in Indonesia where currents are extremely changeable and sometimes brutal, so my reasoning for choosing the super stiff short rubber paddle style of fins is rather specific in nature but something to consider nevertheless. There are more comfortable and around fins for different types of diving. Don't listen to the tech fanboy badge collectors that did a few courses and consequently think they are expedition grade hardened veterans of the deep (that won't dive without a long hose on a pool dive). Differing underwater situations lend themselves better to different gear. Do some research, gain some experience, listen to experienced people, use your judgement, don't listen to the fanboys and don't become one.
This sounds like an honest comparison. I dive single tank with a 7mm suit in open water above 130'. I've got about 30 dives in the power plana and love them. Then one day someone lent me some jetfins for a leisurely dive and I was impressed with their power and precision. I was sold.....until I got a pair. Perhaps I need more time in the jetfins but, that power seems to come at a cost. On fast paced dives I find myself struggling to keep up with the jets. I feel like it takes so much more effort to maintain the same speed. The same dive in the planna is comfortable with a lower sac rate and an overall better experience. People may ask why I'd ever have a fast paced dive and the answer is because sometimes we do. There's times where we sit in one spot the entire dive and others where were exploring an area and want to cover some ground. The big BUT here is that my buddies use the jets and they're able to keep up just fine. Maybe it's my finning technique? Maybe because they're 10 years younger than me. I'm not sure at this point. I'll try them on some slower paced dives but I'll probably be sticking with the Planas. I'm more interested in sustainable power than short bursts and the plana give me the level of precision I need. Heck, I'll probably pull out my old quattros and give them another shot too.
Like you, I dove Jets for many years. When I first tried the Mares Power Planas, I was thrown off by the lack of weight but found the foot pocket much more comfortable and noticed an increase in the amount of travel while back kicking. After giving them a "chance" (a dozen or so dives), I found that I could control my pitch, turns and rolls (I'm a sidemount diver) much more accurately than I could with the Jets. In my experience, the only advantage that Jet fins have over the Planas is their weight, which may be an important consideration for divers who are using buoyant boots or in drysuits. With that said, I dive in 40-50º water in a drysuit and have no trim issues with the Power Planas.
Hello RapidMetric, when it comes to a diver's perception of new fins, most are skeptical to try something new. Then when they do, their opinions in the matter is based off one simple test. I think it was a great thing you gave them at least a dozen dives to fine tune your abilities with them. Even if the results would have been different for you, you gave them a fair chance by doing more than just one dive with them.
Bryan, I really enjoy your videos, my two sons and I will be starting our training in the spring and Ive seen hundreds of videos pertaining to diving. I/we have come down to two channels to watch which is yours and James' ( Divers Ready ). Which Ive realize this is not training but we take it as a precurser to get relaxed beforehand. Thank you for sharing !!!
As usual, a very informative video. I use SP Jetfins for both warm water single tank diving and Tech Diving in Sidemount. (Mine are white so my students can identify me easily). A couple of points to add about Jet Fins: They come out small in foot sizing, probably because of the shape of the foot pocket. They are heavy, never seen the Mares Power Plana, but I have found very few fins that have the weight of the Jet Fin. You have changed the springs on your fins, the standard Scubapro springs do not have "pulls" (I had to fit my own), also I find the Scubapro spring straps "tight" and I only wear a 3mm boot. First opportunity, I am going to borrow a pair of Mares and give them a try out.
These particular Jet Fins, have had so many new sets of straps on them over the years, I have lost count. In comparison to the sets that I have, the weight comparison is very close. I will say that the Scuba Pro Jet Fin is slightly heavier than the Power Planas, but it also depends on which size you get. The Power Plana comes in different sizes, thus more material, more weight.
Hi Bryan ,, well done on the quick response to the comments and requests , mine included :) .Next time any " we are better cos we have 3 letters to describe our uniform way of diving " will be happy to refer them to a well known and like yourself accepted, and just proven Fact , being comfortable and having Equipment that works for you , and not just , made in a specific Country ;) .. also DIVING not snearing at others on S.I. is why we love this Hobby , keep up the great , SSI / Mares and other Brands , work :D
Thanks Lenny. We have another video we are shooting tonight on the myths that come with certain types of BCD's. We have no doubt it will cause some heated discussions, but our main goal is to test the myths and see if a diver can manipulate their trim in the water, without having to change from their current dive gear.
@@LakeHickoryScuba Heck , just for the fun of it , just write Green or turquoise ? in a divers forum , and watch the chaos and civil war develope within minutes ;) , looking forward to the new clip
I understand exactly what you mean. Here in our area, we have such a huge diversity of divers, and as soon as you mention something that one group hates, the chaos begins. As far as Lake Hickory Scuba is concerned, we are simply here to tell it the way it actually is, educate people, and to simply have fun Scuba Diving.
Every diver should test Aqualung Rocket 2 - to walk on deck, in strong current, frog in silty caves, long distance swimming on the surface with gear on. Even if you drop the fin - it floats. Love it for many years, original straps are still alive : )
As usual, another informative video Bryan. My local dive shop is SSI Mares too. I still use the Jetfins anyway. I frog kick and so based on your test I may save over 8% on kicks with the SP over the Power Plana fins. This can amount to quite a few saved kicks during a 1 hour, or longer, dive. Lots of my dive buddies use the Planas though and they really like them a lot. Thanks for giving me a video to show them that my fins are better. Lol, kidding. Cheers!
Hello Paul, glad you liked our video. These two sets of fins have been heavily debated for years on which one was the best. Unfortunately, it still comes down to personal preference of the diver himself, and the practical purpose he has for the fins. I personally like both sets, I just sway more on the Mares side. If a situation occurred to where I needed to grab a set of fins, regardless of what type of diving I was doing, and the ScubaPro Jet Fins is all that I had, I would be perfectly happy diving them as well. Just the fact that I was breathing underwater makes me happy, and the type of fin doesn't really have a big role in my happiness.
I always used jet fins but the issue is the foot pocket (too short, odd shape) and the weight for traveling - so efficiency is not the deciding factor for me as long as they are somewhat similar. I use jet fins when there is current or surge, otherwise something with a more comfortable foot pocket. Power Planas might have both.
Hello cbegley1937, the Mares Power Plana's have been around for many many years, but the latest version comes in 3 different sizes. The rubber itself is very durable but pliable at the same time, making it very comfortable to wear. The foot pockets tend to slightly taper at the top, almost form fitting to your foot. If you get a chance to try them out, I would definitely give them a try.
We would love to test them for you, unfortunately, we don't have any to test. We have been wanting to do a comparison between them and the Mares X-Streams.
i own several pairs of fins Tusa imprex pro = drift diving Sherwood split = caribbean / pool Cressi rondine = wet suit / all around UTD Precision Fins = drysuit but all that maters is just getting to dive
Like you, I have more fins than I will ever know what to do with. They all have a specific purpose, and some have multiple purposes. One particular set, which I have not wore in many years is the Sherwood Trek Split Fins. A previous shop that I have worked for was an exclusive Sherwood Dealer, very similar to how we are exclusive with Mares, as our main line. I have also owned a set of Tusa Xpert Zoom Split Fins as well. These were probably my least favorite over the years. I just counted all of the sets of fins I personally own, it is a whoppen 36 pairs. Some are ancient in regards to style, and some were hand me downs from my parents. Maybe one day I will find a reason to get rid of them, but currently they serve the purpose of being a conversational piece in our rental room.
After 10 years I wore out my Quattro Pros and switched to Jet Fins (and drysuit!), the only advantage the Quattro Pros have on the Jet Fins is in weight, when travelling to Q Pros win, when diving drysuit the Jet Fins win, no ankle weights for me :-) So the worn out Q Pros might still make the next Red Sea trip (wet suit diving), nice review. BTW, frog kicking the Jet Fins feels 'natural', flutter kicking the Q Pros feels 'natural' too, preferring the frogkick the Jet Fins win for me hands down every time. Haven't tried the Q Pros in SM yet, maybe I will. Both pairs seem indistructable!
Like you I have wore both for many years, and enjoy both. Shorter style fins, such as the Jet Fins or the Power Planas really help me out during Investigation Dives for Public Safety, or when I do Salvage Work, but my favorites are still the Avanti Quattros. The last shop that I worked at prior to opening up mine, sold Scuba Pro and Hollis, and the Jet Fins and the F1's were always the top choice of most of the pros. The biggest reason was the weight they provided while diving in a Drysuit. For me, I have never had an issue with my feet being too heavy, regardless of the fins I wear, I just feel like I get more power for less effort with the Avanti Quattros. It is most likely the extra length being the biggest reason why. More length given more output. At the end of the day, I would be perfectly happy no matter what fin I wore, simply because I would be diving. The more I dive, the happier I am.
Hello Sous la Surface, I typically always dive a balanced rig, with no ditch-able weights. The steel plate tends to give me the right amount in most situations.
Hello Sir, I grew up on a lake so I’m no stranger to snorkeling. But I’ve always gotten hand me down fins and never had good ones. It’s been 10 years or more since I’ve snorkeled and I’m just now getting back into my passion for it. I’ve just ordered a scubapro mask, wetsuit, dive flashlight and still waiting on my scubapro jet fins that should be delivered today. Do you think I made the right choice ordering them? I’ve always wanted a pair and did a lot of research before my purchase and thought I was making a good decision. Now I’m wondering after watching your video. I did 10 years in the army and 3 deployments so I know all about leg fatigue and can pretty much block it out. My wife loves to walk the shoreline searching for rocks and sea glass. We live in Michigan so I will be in the Great Lakes searching for Petoskey stones. Can you give me any advice on safety and I’ll be doing most of my exploring at night. One more question. Do you think I’ll need to get a weight belt that I will be using a 3mm wetsuit? Thanks
Hello Erik Edwards. Snorkeling Fins and Diving Fins are two different things. Diving fins are designed to move you through the water with heavy gear on. Snorkeling fins are designed to be used without that heavy gear. Some diving fins can be used for Snorkeling. The best option is to try them and see if they work for you. Hope this helps.
Thanks man, great information, i have tried many fins from my buddies, personally i think scuba pro jet fins are quite heavy! But when i tried the apex RK3 i just fall in love with them instantly, thay are way litter, more durable, yet slightly over Flexible for over sized diver like myself, specially when i am Diving in twins or more, so i invested on a new RK3 HD, which are slightly stiffer than the regular ones.. it's just unfortunate that i still didn't try them yet because everything is locked off until this COVID19 leave humanity in peace.. and i can't wait to do so!!! I am big fan of yours, and dedicated follower to your good channel, i hope that if you had a chance to have the RK3 HD on your hands, please make a subject about them, i am almost sure that you may tried them.. Once again, thank you very much..
Hello EL AMIN Hamid, I hope you are staying safe during these troubling times. I haven't had a chance to use the RK3's yet, but, Apex makes great gear, so I am sure they are great fins. If I ever get my hand on a set, I would be happy to review them.
You are not really letting your back finning technique ride between cycles, I would be curious to see the performance comparison where you allow the momentum of the back finning technique judge the efficiency of the backdown stroke
I've been told the Power Planas are too heavy for a single tank wet suit dive and will throw off my trim. I've got a chance to get the XRs for a good price so thinking about picking them up. Would you dive them single tank with a 7mm suit without trim issues? Your look good in the video so they seem fine.
Hello Dan, I have never had any issues with the Power Plana's and trim. One of the things I teach all my students, whether they are taking the Open Water Course or a Buoyancy Course, is that trim is more in your mind, and divers should not let the equipment manipulate their body underwater. The more you dive, the more control you will have over your body, and you will be able to hold your form underwater, regardless of the fins you use, or exposure suit you wear. Hope this helps.
@@LakeHickoryScuba I picked up the Power Plana and love them. Great trim in my 7mm semi dry (actually I think it's an 8/7) and I'm finally getting pretty good with the back kick. Maybe I'll try the jets, just for fun, but it looks like the plana is going to be my go to fin.
You forgot to mention one small but important detail... Which is heavier and how they compare underwater in terms of buoyancy? I know that the scubapro are very heavy fins and they are negative buoyant all the way from the strap to the tip of the blade... but what about the mares, are they equally heavy along their length?
Hello Γεώργιος Μπρίνταλος, they both weigh roughly the same. One of things we teach our students is to manipulate the equipment, and not to let the equipment manipulate them. In short, our pro's and students understand they can use either fin and efficiently kick while diving, without letting the fins drag their feet down.
Which is more better for recreation dive with wet suit ...scubaoro go sport fins or jet fins..iam on my way for dm course..need your recommendations..thnx
The kick ## are very close, I am brand new to snorkeling and freediving, so I have a lot to learn. Excellent videos and information, I appreciate the no music ( my opinion it distracts the whole learning process) I need information,not music. Thanks Bearhunter5
My situation was having to work my way through a moderate current with split fins., felt like l was getting nowhere. Local dive shop pointed me in the direction of the heavy bent fins. With following the safety tip of handling water currents, how do the different fin styles stack up?
Hello warren austin, I am of the belief that it is Ok to have multiple sets of fins, designed for different purposes. For all general purpose, I use the Mares Avanti Quattro's. For salvage and PSD work, I use the Mares Power Plana's. For travel and spearfishing I switch between the Mares X-Streams and a pair of Mares Razor Apnea's. It all comes down to what type of diving I am doing.
Hello mauro francisco, we haven't used them as far as testing goes. I have however, used them in the past when I worked for another Scuba Center. They are very well built and they get my seal of approval.
One thing is for sure, they were definitely built to be bullet proof. I still have a set that I have had for many years, and other than some minor cosmetic scratches, they have held up nicely.
I notice your frog kick is much more relaxed and slower with Jets than with Plana's and especially on the end of the kick cycles. I believe it is hard to be objective when you are a Mares dealer! I can be so objective to tell you the difference in Scubapro Jets made in USA vs Taiwan and Mares Quattro made in Italy/Bulgaria or Vietnam(if I remember correctly). Based on this info you should provide as well where each fin was manufactured and what year since materials are changing and making the fin respond in a different way! Have fun
You are correct, it is very difficult to be objective when you work in the Industry. This is why I state this in our videos. You make a great point, fins have changed so much over the years, better material being used, thus changing how easy it is to use them.
@@LakeHickoryScuba I work in the industry and i would never recommend something to a client because I sell it in-house just to earn money! Mares Quattro's are still amazing fins BUT since they changed to the softer material(ABS) and removed the bottom(3 line) reinforcement between the foot pocket and the ''blade'' under heavy use feels like kicking in thin air compared to the old model. I can tell you this because I own a pair of new and old ones and there is that little bit of a difference that can be noticed. You should do a test with pushing hard on a scale on the side of the pool to measure max thrust each fin gives you(since making a mechanical arm is to much of a job but would be dead on objective giving each time same kick force)
Its always nice meeting new people in the Industry, where do you work Scuba GiGi? If we had a way to hook a scale up in our pool, we would happily do a test. Thankfully Mares has already done the leg work for us.
@@LakeHickoryScuba at the moment I work in Maldives in private island resorts. Have been working in the Atlantic ocean for several years where cold and rough sea with barely any visibility is something normal. I dive since 96 so i have seen some equipment evolution in first hand. Mares have done the test true, but not in comparison to other fins. If they are really better it would be a perfect sales point of view to represent to our clients. I am a SP guy but still recommending Quattro's or Chanel(old Tres) to students since is a nice starter fin. And i can give negative and positive recommendations on specific SP fins. Any news on when is Mares going to change the LPI design?
I have always heard great things about the Maldives. In regards to your question about the LPI, I would have to direct you straight to Mares on that one. 1-800-874-3236 (Mares Customer Care). The issue with saying one fin is better than the next is, we all have our likes and dislikes. What works for one, doesn't always work for the next. This again is why we state in our videos our opinions are biased. We encourage all divers to try as many sets as possible before they buy. Sometimes though, a shop can only offer trials on the fins they sale. Most shops here in the states, are brand specific. Only the bigger box stores (online stores) carry multiple manufactures. The problem with the online stores, divers can't try them on before they buy. We allow all of our customers the chance to pull a fin off the wall, and then take it to the pool for a test drive, prior to purchasing. Our customer base seems to be pretty happy with this policy.
my mares avanti quattro + are still the best flutter kick fins i've ever used. i love mares. only reason i would use scubapro jetfins over mares power plana is because the jetfins come in white and i use white fins to do my camera white balance underwater
Hello C Williams, that would definitely be a great reason. Of course, you could always just carry a small 2x2 slate with you to accomplish the same goal.
I had to watch this because these are the two fins I use. I like SP jets but they are too heavy to travel with. The Mares I use are probably a different model because they are lighter than jets but they propel fine at any rate.
Hello r m smith, the Mares Avanti Quattro's are very popular for both recreational and technical divers. Would these be the model that you are currently using?
@@LakeHickoryScuba No, they are Plana Avantix-3. They came with some fancy straps, which I switched for springs right away. I got them because my rock boots wouldn't fit in my jetfins. Now I hardly use them because I'm getting too old to dive cold water.
As you had stated you like the Marez because of the technology and their flexibility however I believe if you take these quote technical fins and actually ask them to perform by wearing a set of doubles back Mount or side mount where these fans would be used for all practical purposes you would totally change the outcome of your results as you have stated just my personal opinion PS I can send you some a tech tech 3 to show to let you see the technological advances in a technical designed fin just saying great video
I have to admit, I agree with you 100%, and that is why doing these types of videos is so difficult. There are so many different variables that a diver has to take into consideration when choosing fins. And as I stated in the video, it based off a diver's biased opinion. One thing that I will disagree with you on is in regards to Sidemount. You know me personally, and for Sidemount, I really love my Avanti Quattro's. This too, is why I am a firm believer that divers need several different types of fins, based off what type of diving they will be doing.
Have the tusa hyflex now, but with my drysuit they feel to light now😩 quite a shame cause they fin great. Looking for teclines or scubapro now. Could you review the tecline powerjet?
I believe divers should spend more time trying out fins to find out what they like. You wouldn't find a runner only try one or two types of trainers! I own Jet Fins, Power Planas, Mares Avanti Quattros, and Apeks RK3s. The Avanti Quattros are the fins that I reccomend most people to start off with, they are long but are more than acceptable at all fin kicks and they are comfortable. The RK3s are too flexible for me so I mostly keep them for the pool or inland dive sites where there's no current (I'd like to try the RK3 HD version to see if they suit me better, as they are stiffer). My jet fins are much less comfortable than my power plana fins so I use them much less often. I agree that the power planas are better than jet fins for flutter kicking. I feel the jet fins are better for helicopter turns and back fining, and possibly a little better at frog kicking but the biggest difference for me is comfort, where the jet fins are by far in last place.
Comfort is a big concern with a lot of divers. At the end of the day, any experienced diver is going to be comfortable no matter what fin they wear. But newer divers have to make there on judgement call, and like you said, the only way to do that is trial and error.
I really enjoy the bungee straps as well, but unfortunately they get brittle in the cold waters that I dive a lot and they end up breaking. When I travel to warmer areas, I will swap my spring straps out for the bungees to help eliminate extra weight while flying.
Hello Matt Jarmont, many moons ago, I worked for a shop that was a Scuba Pro dealer. I have to admit, Scuba Pro makes some great equipment, although a little pricy. I personally like their Hydros Pro system for travel. I'm a sucker for compact systems like the Hydros Pro, and even the Aeris and Oceanic Jet Pack.
I hate at Scubapro jetfins the foot pocket, it's to short on the lower side (it does not suport all my foot till the heel) and it hurts when the foot tries to bend in an abnormal way
YO at 3:31, There's some marine wildlife swimming in your pool ! LOLOLOL Thats so funny, what is that? a piece of a pool noodle? arent those jetfins too heavy? it would hv been cool if you included the weight of each fin. affects preferences, some like heavier fin, some like lighter. Thanks for the video! FYI, most of my gear is Mares, Ima big fan too.
I'm not sure what that was floating in the water. We thought about listing the weight of each fin, however, Jet Fins come in all different weights and sizes. So we decide to base our test simply off of design alone.
From what I'm seeing, they're just about equal, The Mares are actually cheaper in price. I would guess that its basically the preference in Name and what the diver is willing to shell out...LOL
Hello snakeplissken3825, all of our Open Water students are taught Frog Kicking from the start, regardless of their fin choice. We also teach back finning, helicopter turns, and several other kick patterns during the snorkeling portion of the Open Water Program.
@LakeHickoryScuba yes, shoot, in the Corp they make us do all of it with laceless boots. So yes. Love it. That I'm harder than almost any man I come across, semper.
What's the point of going head-to-head and seeing the data when your just gonna choose "technology" over result. It's like saying, "Yes, he won the race, but his technique wasn't as good as the runner-up, so we'll give the win to the runner-up." Laughable.
It’s actually about the feel & not so much TECHNOLOGY in the pure sense ..... I think if the diver is uncomfortable but wins but a thin margin over the other one who is happier with his comfort.
Long time Power Plana lover(have the same pair for 24 years, but just bought the Jet fins and so excited to try them out.
Hello Socrates M. If you love the Power Plana's, you will love the Jet Fins as well.
@@LakeHickoryScuba Great purchase, just use them in a RIPPING current and found jet fins easier to stroke and just as powerful as my old pair of power planas. Also liked the shortness for on boat deck and on wrecks. One complaint would be I wish the heal didn't stick out as much. Overall score 9.5
Thinner, more flexible fins are more comfortable and efficient when paddling slowly and not much thrust is required but have a lower potential max thrust because beyond a certain kicking force the whole fin hinges out of the water column and become ineffective, no matter how much harder you kick. This is why I like jet fins, they don't hinge, tips are flexible but the lower half of the fin won't bend out of the way of the water you are trying to move no matter how hard you try. Power planas are definitely a more sophisticated fin but have a lower max thrust potential. For example if you lose your grip on the shot line during deco in a current and need to fin like a bat out of hell to get back to it, jet fins will allow you to put all the energy you can muster into the water you are trying to move. I dove a pair of Apeks rk3 hd's for 2 years and they are great, but at max kick they hinge at the vents (still use them for single tank dives, more comfortable). I dive Scubapro Jet Fins now and they are great. I do deep technical dives (hp steel twinset, at least two al80 stages) in Indonesia where currents are extremely changeable and sometimes brutal, so my reasoning for choosing the super stiff short rubber paddle style of fins is rather specific in nature but something to consider nevertheless. There are more comfortable and around fins for different types of diving. Don't listen to the tech fanboy badge collectors that did a few courses and consequently think they are expedition grade hardened veterans of the deep (that won't dive without a long hose on a pool dive). Differing underwater situations lend themselves better to different gear. Do some research, gain some experience, listen to experienced people, use your judgement, don't listen to the fanboys and don't become one.
This sounds like an honest comparison. I dive single tank with a 7mm suit in open water above 130'. I've got about 30 dives in the power plana and love them. Then one day someone lent me some jetfins for a leisurely dive and I was impressed with their power and precision. I was sold.....until I got a pair.
Perhaps I need more time in the jetfins but, that power seems to come at a cost. On fast paced dives I find myself struggling to keep up with the jets. I feel like it takes so much more effort to maintain the same speed. The same dive in the planna is comfortable with a lower sac rate and an overall better experience.
People may ask why I'd ever have a fast paced dive and the answer is because sometimes we do. There's times where we sit in one spot the entire dive and others where were exploring an area and want to cover some ground.
The big BUT here is that my buddies use the jets and they're able to keep up just fine. Maybe it's my finning technique? Maybe because they're 10 years younger than me. I'm not sure at this point. I'll try them on some slower paced dives but I'll probably be sticking with the Planas. I'm more interested in sustainable power than short bursts and the plana give me the level of precision I need.
Heck, I'll probably pull out my old quattros and give them another shot too.
Hello Michelle Louise, thanks for your knowledge in the matter. We enjoy hearing about other divers experience.
Like you, I dove Jets for many years. When I first tried the Mares Power Planas, I was thrown off by the lack of weight but found the foot pocket much more comfortable and noticed an increase in the amount of travel while back kicking. After giving them a "chance" (a dozen or so dives), I found that I could control my pitch, turns and rolls (I'm a sidemount diver) much more accurately than I could with the Jets. In my experience, the only advantage that Jet fins have over the Planas is their weight, which may be an important consideration for divers who are using buoyant boots or in drysuits. With that said, I dive in 40-50º water in a drysuit and have no trim issues with the Power Planas.
Hello RapidMetric, when it comes to a diver's perception of new fins, most are skeptical to try something new. Then when they do, their opinions in the matter is based off one simple test. I think it was a great thing you gave them at least a dozen dives to fine tune your abilities with them. Even if the results would have been different for you, you gave them a fair chance by doing more than just one dive with them.
Bryan,
I really enjoy your videos, my two sons and I will be starting our training in the spring and Ive seen hundreds of videos pertaining to diving. I/we have come down to two channels to watch which is yours and James' ( Divers Ready ). Which Ive realize this is not training but we take it as a precurser to get relaxed beforehand. Thank you for sharing !!!
Hello jackjackattack, glad you have found our channel helpful. We too are huge fans of James over at Divers Ready.
As usual, a very informative video.
I use SP Jetfins for both warm water single tank diving and Tech Diving in Sidemount. (Mine are white so my students can identify me easily).
A couple of points to add about Jet Fins:
They come out small in foot sizing, probably because of the shape of the foot pocket.
They are heavy, never seen the Mares Power Plana, but I have found very few fins that have the weight of the Jet Fin.
You have changed the springs on your fins, the standard Scubapro springs do not have "pulls" (I had to fit my own), also I find the Scubapro spring straps "tight" and I only wear a 3mm boot.
First opportunity, I am going to borrow a pair of Mares and give them a try out.
These particular Jet Fins, have had so many new sets of straps on them over the years, I have lost count. In comparison to the sets that I have, the weight comparison is very close. I will say that the Scuba Pro Jet Fin is slightly heavier than the Power Planas, but it also depends on which size you get. The Power Plana comes in different sizes, thus more material, more weight.
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Hi Bryan ,, well done on the quick response to the comments and requests , mine included :) .Next time any " we are better cos we have 3 letters to describe our uniform way of diving " will be happy to refer them to a well known and like yourself accepted, and just proven Fact , being comfortable and having Equipment that works for you , and not just , made in a specific Country ;) .. also DIVING not snearing at others on S.I. is why we love this Hobby , keep up the great , SSI / Mares and other Brands , work :D
Thanks Lenny. We have another video we are shooting tonight on the myths that come with certain types of BCD's. We have no doubt it will cause some heated discussions, but our main goal is to test the myths and see if a diver can manipulate their trim in the water, without having to change from their current dive gear.
@@LakeHickoryScuba Heck , just for the fun of it , just write Green or turquoise ? in a divers forum , and watch the chaos and civil war develope within minutes ;) , looking forward to the new clip
I understand exactly what you mean. Here in our area, we have such a huge diversity of divers, and as soon as you mention something that one group hates, the chaos begins. As far as Lake Hickory Scuba is concerned, we are simply here to tell it the way it actually is, educate people, and to simply have fun Scuba Diving.
Every diver should test Aqualung Rocket 2 - to walk on deck, in strong current, frog in silty caves, long distance swimming on the surface with gear on. Even if you drop the fin - it floats. Love it for many years, original straps are still alive : )
We would be happy to test them for you. Please feel free to send us a set for testing.
As usual, another informative video Bryan. My local dive shop is SSI Mares too. I still use the Jetfins anyway. I frog kick and so based on your test I may save over 8% on kicks with the SP over the Power Plana fins. This can amount to quite a few saved kicks during a 1 hour, or longer, dive. Lots of my dive buddies use the Planas though and they really like them a lot. Thanks for giving me a video to show them that my fins are better. Lol, kidding. Cheers!
Hello Paul, glad you liked our video. These two sets of fins have been heavily debated for years on which one was the best. Unfortunately, it still comes down to personal preference of the diver himself, and the practical purpose he has for the fins. I personally like both sets, I just sway more on the Mares side. If a situation occurred to where I needed to grab a set of fins, regardless of what type of diving I was doing, and the ScubaPro Jet Fins is all that I had, I would be perfectly happy diving them as well. Just the fact that I was breathing underwater makes me happy, and the type of fin doesn't really have a big role in my happiness.
Nice review. And those traps aren't designed for the Jet Fins they do make another set of spring straps for them.
Glad you liked the video Rocky Hernandez.
I always used jet fins but the issue is the foot pocket (too short, odd shape) and the weight for traveling - so efficiency is not the deciding factor for me as long as they are somewhat similar. I use jet fins when there is current or surge, otherwise something with a more comfortable foot pocket. Power Planas might have both.
Hello cbegley1937, the Mares Power Plana's have been around for many many years, but the latest version comes in 3 different sizes. The rubber itself is very durable but pliable at the same time, making it very comfortable to wear. The foot pockets tend to slightly taper at the top, almost form fitting to your foot. If you get a chance to try them out, I would definitely give them a try.
Would love to see how the Scubapro Nova fins compare to those you've tested. Can the performance justify the cost?
We would love to test them for you, unfortunately, we don't have any to test. We have been wanting to do a comparison between them and the Mares X-Streams.
Seconded! Would love to see the Seawing Nova (or the gorilla version) being tested against the others as it is getting pretty popular recently!
i own several pairs of fins
Tusa imprex pro = drift diving
Sherwood split = caribbean / pool
Cressi rondine = wet suit / all around
UTD Precision Fins = drysuit
but all that maters is just getting to dive
Like you, I have more fins than I will ever know what to do with. They all have a specific purpose, and some have multiple purposes. One particular set, which I have not wore in many years is the Sherwood Trek Split Fins. A previous shop that I have worked for was an exclusive Sherwood Dealer, very similar to how we are exclusive with Mares, as our main line. I have also owned a set of Tusa Xpert Zoom Split Fins as well. These were probably my least favorite over the years. I just counted all of the sets of fins I personally own, it is a whoppen 36 pairs. Some are ancient in regards to style, and some were hand me downs from my parents. Maybe one day I will find a reason to get rid of them, but currently they serve the purpose of being a conversational piece in our rental room.
After 10 years I wore out my Quattro Pros and switched to Jet Fins (and drysuit!), the only advantage the Quattro Pros have on the Jet Fins is in weight, when travelling to Q Pros win, when diving drysuit the Jet Fins win, no ankle weights for me :-) So the worn out Q Pros might still make the next Red Sea trip (wet suit diving), nice review.
BTW, frog kicking the Jet Fins feels 'natural', flutter kicking the Q Pros feels 'natural' too, preferring the frogkick the Jet Fins win for me hands down every time.
Haven't tried the Q Pros in SM yet, maybe I will. Both pairs seem indistructable!
Like you I have wore both for many years, and enjoy both. Shorter style fins, such as the Jet Fins or the Power Planas really help me out during Investigation Dives for Public Safety, or when I do Salvage Work, but my favorites are still the Avanti Quattros. The last shop that I worked at prior to opening up mine, sold Scuba Pro and Hollis, and the Jet Fins and the F1's were always the top choice of most of the pros. The biggest reason was the weight they provided while diving in a Drysuit. For me, I have never had an issue with my feet being too heavy, regardless of the fins I wear, I just feel like I get more power for less effort with the Avanti Quattros. It is most likely the extra length being the biggest reason why. More length given more output. At the end of the day, I would be perfectly happy no matter what fin I wore, simply because I would be diving. The more I dive, the happier I am.
Thx for the Great Video ...i have the Mares Power Plana an I Love it 👌👌
We love them too.
VERY educational video. Thanks Bryan
You're welcome.
Hello Bryan, I was wondering where is your weight on this configuration? just the SS backplate? thanks a lot. Great videos!
Hello Sous la Surface, I typically always dive a balanced rig, with no ditch-able weights. The steel plate tends to give me the right amount in most situations.
Hello Sir, I grew up on a lake so I’m no stranger to snorkeling. But I’ve always gotten hand me down fins and never had good ones. It’s been 10 years or more since I’ve snorkeled and I’m just now getting back into my passion for it. I’ve just ordered a scubapro mask, wetsuit, dive flashlight and still waiting on my scubapro jet fins that should be delivered today. Do you think I made the right choice ordering them? I’ve always wanted a pair and did a lot of research before my purchase and thought I was making a good decision. Now I’m wondering after watching your video. I did 10 years in the army and 3 deployments so I know all about leg fatigue and can pretty much block it out. My wife loves to walk the shoreline searching for rocks and sea glass. We live in Michigan so I will be in the Great Lakes searching for Petoskey stones. Can you give me any advice on safety and I’ll be doing most of my exploring at night. One more question. Do you think I’ll need to get a weight belt that I will be using a 3mm wetsuit? Thanks
Hello Erik Edwards. Snorkeling Fins and Diving Fins are two different things. Diving fins are designed to move you through the water with heavy gear on. Snorkeling fins are designed to be used without that heavy gear. Some diving fins can be used for Snorkeling. The best option is to try them and see if they work for you. Hope this helps.
Thanks man, great information, i have tried many fins from my buddies, personally i think scuba pro jet fins are quite heavy! But when i tried the apex RK3 i just fall in love with them instantly, thay are way litter, more durable, yet slightly over Flexible for over sized diver like myself, specially when i am Diving in twins or more, so i invested on a new RK3 HD, which are slightly stiffer than the regular ones.. it's just unfortunate that i still didn't try them yet because everything is locked off until this COVID19 leave humanity in peace.. and i can't wait to do so!!!
I am big fan of yours, and dedicated follower to your good channel, i hope that if you had a chance to have the RK3 HD on your hands, please make a subject about them, i am almost sure that you may tried them..
Once again, thank you very much..
Hello EL AMIN Hamid, I hope you are staying safe during these troubling times. I haven't had a chance to use the RK3's yet, but, Apex makes great gear, so I am sure they are great fins. If I ever get my hand on a set, I would be happy to review them.
@@LakeHickoryScuba thanks for the reply, i will be waiting for the review.. please take care
can you also compare them with Diverite XT fin.
Hello BlackPaw, we would be happy to review them. If you have a set you would like to send us, we will be happy to provide an address for you.
You are not really letting your back finning technique ride between cycles, I would be curious to see the performance comparison where you allow the momentum of the back finning technique judge the efficiency of the backdown stroke
Hello Allison Bowman, thank you for the commentary.
I've been told the Power Planas are too heavy for a single tank wet suit dive and will throw off my trim. I've got a chance to get the XRs for a good price so thinking about picking them up. Would you dive them single tank with a 7mm suit without trim issues? Your look good in the video so they seem fine.
Hello Dan, I have never had any issues with the Power Plana's and trim. One of the things I teach all my students, whether they are taking the Open Water Course or a Buoyancy Course, is that trim is more in your mind, and divers should not let the equipment manipulate their body underwater. The more you dive, the more control you will have over your body, and you will be able to hold your form underwater, regardless of the fins you use, or exposure suit you wear. Hope this helps.
@@LakeHickoryScuba I picked up the Power Plana and love them.
Great trim in my 7mm semi dry (actually I think it's an 8/7) and I'm finally getting pretty good with the back kick. Maybe I'll try the jets, just for fun, but it looks like the plana is going to be my go to fin.
You forgot to mention one small but important detail... Which is heavier and how they compare underwater in terms of buoyancy?
I know that the scubapro are very heavy fins and they are negative buoyant all the way from the strap to the tip of the blade... but what about the mares, are they equally heavy along their length?
Hello Γεώργιος Μπρίνταλος, they both weigh roughly the same. One of things we teach our students is to manipulate the equipment, and not to let the equipment manipulate them. In short, our pro's and students understand they can use either fin and efficiently kick while diving, without letting the fins drag their feet down.
Which is more better for recreation dive with wet suit ...scubaoro go sport fins or jet fins..iam on my way for dm course..need your recommendations..thnx
Hello Kareem, it all comes down to proper fit. I would see if your local shop would let you try each to see which one works better for you.
The kick ## are very close, I am brand new to snorkeling and freediving, so I have a lot to learn. Excellent videos and information, I appreciate the no music ( my opinion it distracts the whole learning process) I need information,not music. Thanks Bearhunter5
Glad you liked the video Hong Chang.
My situation was having to work my way through a moderate current with split fins., felt like l was getting nowhere. Local dive shop pointed me in the direction of the heavy bent fins. With following the safety tip of handling water currents, how do the different fin styles stack up?
Hello warren austin, I am of the belief that it is Ok to have multiple sets of fins, designed for different purposes. For all general purpose, I use the Mares Avanti Quattro's. For salvage and PSD work, I use the Mares Power Plana's. For travel and spearfishing I switch between the Mares X-Streams and a pair of Mares Razor Apnea's. It all comes down to what type of diving I am doing.
Hi, have you tested the scubapro seawing nova gorilla fin? what's your opinion about that?
Hello mauro francisco, we haven't used them as far as testing goes. I have however, used them in the past when I worked for another Scuba Center. They are very well built and they get my seal of approval.
I love my jet fins. They are old, but my favorite buy far.
What brand of Jet Fins are your favorite J John.
That is the great thing about there being multiple manufactures. We can always find the brand and style that works for us.
@@LakeHickoryScuba old school scuba pro 👍🏻
One thing is for sure, they were definitely built to be bullet proof. I still have a set that I have had for many years, and other than some minor cosmetic scratches, they have held up nicely.
I notice your frog kick is much more relaxed and slower with Jets than with Plana's and especially on the end of the kick cycles.
I believe it is hard to be objective when you are a Mares dealer! I can be so objective to tell you the difference in Scubapro Jets made in USA vs Taiwan and Mares Quattro made in Italy/Bulgaria or Vietnam(if I remember correctly).
Based on this info you should provide as well where each fin was manufactured and what year since materials are changing and making the fin respond in a different way!
Have fun
You are correct, it is very difficult to be objective when you work in the Industry. This is why I state this in our videos. You make a great point, fins have changed so much over the years, better material being used, thus changing how easy it is to use them.
@@LakeHickoryScuba I work in the industry and i would never recommend something to a client because I sell it in-house just to earn money! Mares Quattro's are still amazing fins BUT since they changed to the softer material(ABS) and removed the bottom(3 line) reinforcement between the foot pocket and the ''blade'' under heavy use feels like kicking in thin air compared to the old model.
I can tell you this because I own a pair of new and old ones and there is that little bit of a difference that can be noticed.
You should do a test with pushing hard on a scale on the side of the pool to measure max thrust each fin gives you(since making a mechanical arm is to much of a job but would be dead on objective giving each time same kick force)
Its always nice meeting new people in the Industry, where do you work Scuba GiGi? If we had a way to hook a scale up in our pool, we would happily do a test. Thankfully Mares has already done the leg work for us.
@@LakeHickoryScuba at the moment I work in Maldives in private island resorts. Have been working in the Atlantic ocean for several years where cold and rough sea with barely any visibility is something normal. I dive since 96 so i have seen some equipment evolution in first hand.
Mares have done the test true, but not in comparison to other fins. If they are really better it would be a perfect sales point of view to represent to our clients.
I am a SP guy but still recommending Quattro's or Chanel(old Tres) to students since is a nice starter fin. And i can give negative and positive recommendations on specific SP fins.
Any news on when is Mares going to change the LPI design?
I have always heard great things about the Maldives. In regards to your question about the LPI, I would have to direct you straight to Mares on that one. 1-800-874-3236 (Mares Customer Care). The issue with saying one fin is better than the next is, we all have our likes and dislikes. What works for one, doesn't always work for the next. This again is why we state in our videos our opinions are biased. We encourage all divers to try as many sets as possible before they buy. Sometimes though, a shop can only offer trials on the fins they sale. Most shops here in the states, are brand specific. Only the bigger box stores (online stores) carry multiple manufactures. The problem with the online stores, divers can't try them on before they buy. We allow all of our customers the chance to pull a fin off the wall, and then take it to the pool for a test drive, prior to purchasing. Our customer base seems to be pretty happy with this policy.
my mares avanti quattro + are still the best flutter kick fins i've ever used. i love mares. only reason i would use scubapro jetfins over mares power plana is because the jetfins come in white and i use white fins to do my camera white balance underwater
Hello C Williams, that would definitely be a great reason. Of course, you could always just carry a small 2x2 slate with you to accomplish the same goal.
I had to watch this because these are the two fins I use. I like SP jets but they are too heavy to travel with. The Mares I use are probably a different model because they are lighter than jets but they propel fine at any rate.
Hello r m smith, the Mares Avanti Quattro's are very popular for both recreational and technical divers. Would these be the model that you are currently using?
@@LakeHickoryScuba No, they are Plana Avantix-3. They came with some fancy straps, which I switched for springs right away. I got them because my rock boots wouldn't fit in my jetfins. Now I hardly use them because I'm getting too old to dive cold water.
As you had stated you like the Marez because of the technology and their flexibility however I believe if you take these quote technical fins and actually ask them to perform by wearing a set of doubles back Mount or side mount where these fans would be used for all practical purposes you would totally change the outcome of your results as you have stated just my personal opinion PS I can send you some a tech tech 3 to show to let you see the technological advances in a technical designed fin just saying great video
I have to admit, I agree with you 100%, and that is why doing these types of videos is so difficult. There are so many different variables that a diver has to take into consideration when choosing fins. And as I stated in the video, it based off a diver's biased opinion. One thing that I will disagree with you on is in regards to Sidemount. You know me personally, and for Sidemount, I really love my Avanti Quattro's. This too, is why I am a firm believer that divers need several different types of fins, based off what type of diving they will be doing.
@@LakeHickoryScuba dive toys are not an addiction I don't care what anybody says lol buy them all
I wished I could afford to buy them all. LOL.
Have the tusa hyflex now, but with my drysuit they feel to light now😩 quite a shame cause they fin great. Looking for teclines or scubapro now. Could you review the tecline powerjet?
Hello Richard van Tricht, we would be happy to review them. Just waiting on someone to send me a pair to review.
@@LakeHickoryScuba ask tecline 😇
Typically, manufactures reach out to us, or viewers will send us their personal set to test.
How about weight? Are they both negative or is one more neutral than the other?
Hello Vincent Martinez, both of the sets of fins you seen in this video are negatively buoyant.
Nice follow-up!
Thanks Jost B
I believe divers should spend more time trying out fins to find out what they like. You wouldn't find a runner only try one or two types of trainers!
I own Jet Fins, Power Planas, Mares Avanti Quattros, and Apeks RK3s. The Avanti Quattros are the fins that I reccomend most people to start off with, they are long but are more than acceptable at all fin kicks and they are comfortable. The RK3s are too flexible for me so I mostly keep them for the pool or inland dive sites where there's no current (I'd like to try the RK3 HD version to see if they suit me better, as they are stiffer). My jet fins are much less comfortable than my power plana fins so I use them much less often. I agree that the power planas are better than jet fins for flutter kicking. I feel the jet fins are better for helicopter turns and back fining, and possibly a little better at frog kicking but the biggest difference for me is comfort, where the jet fins are by far in last place.
Comfort is a big concern with a lot of divers. At the end of the day, any experienced diver is going to be comfortable no matter what fin they wear. But newer divers have to make there on judgement call, and like you said, the only way to do that is trial and error.
I use mares Avanti Quattro fins with bungee strap.
I really enjoy the bungee straps as well, but unfortunately they get brittle in the cold waters that I dive a lot and they end up breaking. When I travel to warmer areas, I will swap my spring straps out for the bungees to help eliminate extra weight while flying.
I really miss the Mares Turbo Plana in larger sizes in EUROPE. Even in Asia it is not availible. So people go for Apeks,Scubapro.
Hello African Twin, both the Apeks and Scuba Pro fins are great as well.
Love my jets..
Glad to hear that your jet fins are working for you @OdinsCloud.
I'm not a SP fan. I do like the jets in my drysuit. Only in the drysuit.
Hello Matt Jarmont, many moons ago, I worked for a shop that was a Scuba Pro dealer. I have to admit, Scuba Pro makes some great equipment, although a little pricy. I personally like their Hydros Pro system for travel. I'm a sucker for compact systems like the Hydros Pro, and even the Aeris and Oceanic Jet Pack.
I hate at Scubapro jetfins the foot pocket, it's to short on the lower side (it does not suport all my foot till the heel) and it hurts when the foot tries to bend in an abnormal way
Hello BersekerSpirit, sorry to hear that the Scuba Pro Jet Fins didn't work out for you.
YO at 3:31, There's some marine wildlife swimming in your pool ! LOLOLOL Thats so funny, what is that? a piece of a pool noodle? arent those jetfins too heavy? it would hv been cool if you included the weight of each fin. affects preferences, some like heavier fin, some like lighter. Thanks for the video! FYI, most of my gear is Mares, Ima big fan too.
I'm not sure what that was floating in the water. We thought about listing the weight of each fin, however, Jet Fins come in all different weights and sizes. So we decide to base our test simply off of design alone.
@@LakeHickoryScuba I look forward for more pool wildlife videos in the future!! lol
The pool that we use has so much chlorine in it, I’m not sure anything would survive in it.
@@LakeHickoryScuba can you make a vid on how to clean and protect your gear after chlorine so it lasts longer
Hello b st john, we will be happy to make a video on how to clean gear after use in chlorine.
From what I'm seeing, they're just about equal, The Mares are actually cheaper in price. I would guess that its basically the preference in Name and what the diver is willing to shell out...LOL
You got that right. Its all up to the individual diver.
Exactly, if you know how to frog kick there's nothing wrong with scubapro
Hello snakeplissken3825, all of our Open Water students are taught Frog Kicking from the start, regardless of their fin choice. We also teach back finning, helicopter turns, and several other kick patterns during the snorkeling portion of the Open Water Program.
@LakeHickoryScuba yes, shoot, in the Corp they make us do all of it with laceless boots. So yes. Love it. That I'm harder than almost any man I come across, semper.
jet fins wins, but they cant win, coz sponsor is mares ))
I wished we were sponsored by Mares. Maybe I should ask them for a sponsorship. Thanks for the suggestion.
What's the point of going head-to-head and seeing the data when your just gonna choose "technology" over result. It's like saying, "Yes, he won the race, but his technique wasn't as good as the runner-up, so we'll give the win to the runner-up." Laughable.
Hello shawn bogstie, it all comes down to a diver's personal preference on which fin works best for him.
It’s actually about the feel & not so much TECHNOLOGY in the pure sense ..... I think if the diver is uncomfortable but wins but a thin margin over the other one who is happier with his comfort.
Very true. Comfort is what we stress to our students.