Opinions and Help welcome

[Lenny]

Hey, one thing I'm not very clued up on in fins, so I need some advise.
I am a spearo, I dive around Cape town, South Africa. I was just looking at some new fins on e-bay. What do you guys think about these:
OmerSub Millennium

Cressi-Sub Gara 2000 HF

Cressi-Sub Gara 3000

Sporasub Pure Grafiber Fins

Which is the best? Does anyone know the difference between Gara 2000 and Gara 3000? Sorry these are probally really stupid questions.

[sanso]

Hey Lenny,
try searching for those models. There must be about 2'526 threads around disecting and comparing the different bi-fins.

Merry Christmas and good luck with finding a pair under the tree!

[monkeyhatfork]

it would be ideal if you could try any of them on, if you can find a shop that has them-then go find the online bargain- footpockets can vary greatly from fin to fin, another consideration is how stiff you want the fin, for example the 2000hf will be much stiffer than a 3000ld, you might also look for some discount websites-ebay isn't allways the cheapest option, leisurepro.com for example has some of these fins on sale in the $80 range

[monkeyhatfork]

my bad, the prices whent up a little, christmas sales must be over

[Lenny]

What is 'hf' and 'Id'. Are there any that I should just steer clear of in the first place?

[Pastor]

I think hf stands for something silly like hard fin and ld for light duty. Either way the hf's are much stiffer than the ld's and are better suited to up and down type diving whereas the ld's are softer and are ideal if you do a lot of surface swimming. I use hf's for recreational freediving in the Red Sea and they are awesome but I use Omer Millenniums for hunting with at home.

[armandozx]

I agree with pastor. I have the garas 2000hf and let me tell you from personal experience the fins are only good for going ^ and down like stated above. Surface swimming with them is terrible on you feet, specially your ankles in my case. The fins are plastic so they can take a beating. However, if left for a long time in a position that will alter their body the fins may twist bend and change shape. Mines where stuff in a tight bag and I notice a slight bends on the blade. I would recommend the 3000 ld's. I would also recommend a fiberglass blades. that's just a personal opinion though.

[Lenny]

hmm, ok I see the difference (after going through some other threads) How do the Omer Millenniums compare to Gara's? And where would you place Picasso's ? I'm I correct in assuming that that any carbon or fibreglass fins are better than plastic ones?

[armandozx]

Originally Posted by Lenny

hmm, ok I see the difference (after going through some other threads) How do the Omer Millenniums compare to Gara's? And where would you place Picasso's ? I'm I correct in assuming that that any carbon or fibreglass fins are better than plastic ones?

Well the new garas professionals are coming out you may want to give those a try they are plastic. I don't think plastic is better than carbon nor fiberglass it's a matter of choice if you ask me. Most of the guys will tell you that they prefer to use carbon or fiberglass. Picasso black teams are said to be very good + you get a removable blades so there is room for upgrade. 1st thing you should do is consider something worth investing on. Gara 3000 LD's or Omer Milleniums are said to be good choices. Go with omer and later on upgrade if you feel you need to.

[monkeyhatfork]

I have a pair of picasso black teams, they are a very sturdy fin and have a lifetime waranty, picasso has a softer green colored fin as well if the black is to stiff. depends on what kind of diving your doing and your leg strenth, if your only getting in the water once in a while go with the soft, if you can put in lots of time you might enjoy a stiffer fin, I use the black teams in any conditions in which I'm scarred of damaging my monofin(rocky,choppy shoredives, etc.

[sanso]

Very important, but still too rarely posted:
Choose a footpocket that fits You comfortably. - Omer's footpockets don't work with my feet, so I went for the Garas (3000) and am very happy with them. Nice'n'cozy for hours and hours.