Great to see you Alec keeping up,COVID be damned

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Paul. We take reasonable precautions when shooting as both Kevin and myself are older and at risk. That's why I'm only getting videos out bi-weekly during COVID instead of weekly. Hope to get weekly videos out by summer for the dive season. Appreciate your watching sir.

@paulbaratta1566

3 жыл бұрын

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Older and wiser

I bought a pair of fins when I was certified in 1993. The straps are still good. Hoping to get them busy again this year after sitting idle awhile. And maybe buy a new pair, too. Good to see another Alec Peirce video between dives.

@piotrkubiec5549

3 жыл бұрын

I always have a spare one. They may look good, but under tension they can snap pretty easily. Imagine going hundreds of km for a dive and having a ruined dive because of a strap for 5-10$. Happened to my friend last year with a few (really, maybe 5-6) years old strap. Happened also to me with bungee straps - they were quite new, maybe 3-4 months, so it must have been some factory fault, but a good old spare straps saved the day in both cases.

@rockym2931

3 жыл бұрын

@@piotrkubiec5549 Good advice. I plan to start diving again, and I will build my own save-a-dive kit with an extra strap.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing Rocky. Note that 2 of the 4 fins in this video are Kevin's and he has a set of split fins too! As better scuba products come out, divers love to upgrade (well some do), but for now I love my Sea Nova's with bungie cord straps.

Great video! Thanks Alec!! I've changed all my straps to either bungee or spring!!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

I know you will be happy with them for a long time. Thanks for watching Jay.

Keep making these videos Alec! I watched so many from you before I started diving and learned a lot more watching them since I got PADI certified, thank you, they are very entertaining and informative!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Awesome, thank you Ben. Move coming just not as frequently. Lots to learn and laugh from.

Hi Alex, I really appreciate your videos. I know you love making them, but all the same thank you for your generosity in sharing your knowledge and experience with us.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

My pleasure Peter. Appreciate you watching this stone age diver share some ideas.

I switched from spring straps to bungees a dozen years ago. Bungees are the easiest to don and doff. They remain secure and aren't as uncomfortable as some spring straps. They also cost less than a dollar to replace and last years.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Totally agree. Thanks for sharing.

@toriless

3 жыл бұрын

I only found out in 2015. Never looked back after trying them. MY wife kept struggling. I snuck a set on her fins and she loved them. You are right about ease and comfort. Using anything else is just self inflicted pain.

Excellent video as always Mr,Pierce. As a newbie i love the accurate non biased info you provide! Merci! 😉

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear that!

Thank you Alec! Great insight....

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

2 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! A

I stick to springs, but I respect bungies.

@pucioy

3 жыл бұрын

You've just made my day :))))))))))) Thanx.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

A very reasonable and mature though process. Are you really a diver? Thanks for watching and being open minded.

@toriless

3 жыл бұрын

Bungee straps are more comfortable and easier to use.

Another great tech tips

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them!

I’m so glad I started diving in the last 15 years, to miss out on all the hard stuff.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Me too! Trouble was back in the early 1960's, we thought we knew everything about diving, had the greatest gear every made and reading Skin Diver magazine was all the training anyone really needed. Today's gear is so safe, comfortable and multicoloured too. I like diving with my new gear but love our Vintage Scuba playlist and Sea Hunt reunion dives in Silver Springs Fl. Thanks Bill.

I purchased my first set of spring straps 10+ years ago and have never looked back! Bungees may be next when my current springs are finished.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

I believe you will like bungie when the old springs go sproing!!

@toriless

3 жыл бұрын

I keep my spring set as the backups if the bungees aver fail or fall off. I have one suitcase that is nothing but spare parts to recover a dive if something fails like a hose and straps, o-rings, etc. They are in it.

As long as they're not closed heel fins or ratchet straps, you're good. Springs straps are more durable, but require a little more maintenance. Bungee straps are a little less durable, but pretty much maintenance free.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

9 ай бұрын

It's great to have so many choices today. Back when I started in the late 1960's fins came in 3 sizes: too big, too small and good enough! A

The one you showed in the picture first I have ones too lol short ones I use them for bodyboarding 🤙

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Oh cool!

Dive Rite XT fins. Love Them!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

If you're happy with any fins, great. Be ready for that distant day when maybe a new set look good (like new trucks do).

Great video!!! I need to get over and watch more of your ranch videos...just curious, have you ever head of Priefert ranch equipment?

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

I know of them but if you watch my "At The Ranch" channel, I'm a do-it-myself guy like for our horses training pen. Hope there are ideas to help your ranch or home out. Thanks for watching Erikk.

@Caderic

3 жыл бұрын

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter I work for Priefert, and was just wondering if you had heard of them, you know curiosity kind of thing. And YES, in the few videos I have watched, I have learned a thing or two. You make a GREAT elmer.

I remember sanding the molded foot space on my fins (so they would fit probably) when I was young.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Me too! Back then fins can in only 3 sizes: too small, too big and close enough.

Good vid as always Alex!! I love my Apeks RK3 fins which come with very good spring straps. I haven't tried the bungee straps yet, but wouldn't object to doing so for sure!! Did you make it over to the UK or did Covid put those plans on hold?

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

All my travel plans, including the local Home Depot, are on hold for now. Let's see what 2022 brings for safe travel. Thanks for asking.

Great vudeo

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 ай бұрын

Thank you very much. A

My dad got me a pair of Voit Duck Feet fins in the early days of my diving career. What a miserable experience that was! They tore up my ankles so bad I bled for a week! Next stop, US Divers Rocket Fins. Nice, but heavy. Then some Scubapro Jet Fins. Very very nice! I currently use either IDT Rockets or Cressi Pro Light, depending on where & what I'm diving. The Pro Lights are nice and long, thin & very very light. I have gone through far more straps than fins, but haven't tried the spring or bungees. I don't like the look of the spring straps, but the bungees look very appealing, especially while wearing 5 or 7 mm gloves. Yeah, that cold California Current diving at 50°F/10°C water. Right now 65°F/18°C. Meanwhile, in Montego Bay, Jamaica it's 87°F/36.5°C, in the water !! Ummm . . .

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

Жыл бұрын

We used to say fins come in 3 sizes: too small, too big and good enough! Ahh warm water diving.... A

I got three sets of useable fins... and now you show me better ones that I need to add to my ever growing collection. lol One that's like the first one you showed and two sets like 2nd one... My strap broke on the first so I ordered a replacement set, and while waiting for them I ran across two sets fins, for $10. One needed straps of course but the other was great. I ran across a new set of straps on a back shelf at a dive shop and gave the guy $5 for them so now I got three good set of swime fins, and a set that are dry rotted..

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Nothing wrong with any fin as long as your happy with them. However, a broken strap can sometimes cost a large percentage of a new model. Like buying parts for an old car get more and more expensive until a new car is cheaper. Thanks for sharing.

@hearsejr

3 жыл бұрын

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter lol I really need to find some modern gear, but back in 1989 I borrowed a set of rubber US Divers fins.. I finally found a useable pair and bought them.. lol

I have a pair of Scubapro fins with the spring straps much like the second example you showed here. Barely one season with them, one of the rubber handles broke which surprised the heck out of me. My dive shop guy said it happened to him too and we should never pull on those handles as they are more breakable than they look. Kind of defeats the purpose of the handle. So even with the newer bungee cord type like in your third example, I'm questioning just how reliable those handles really are. I'm now quite hesitant to even use the handle on my other fin as I'll just use my fingers around the entire strap to pull them over my heel or sometimes I would just rather use the buckle snap to put my fin on and off.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Almost every diver has a story of broken fin straps. Thanks for sharing Clint.

The issue with the easy to remove kind is they can wear out. I was diving with a guy and his spring strap popped off, because the part of the fins it connected to wore out. He had to kick back to the boat with 1 fin. Lucky going back to the boat was with the current, so didn't have to kick hard. I'm now GUE. We aren't allowed to use the easy to remove kind. You can still replace them, but they are screwed on. I use atomic fins, and spring straps on vacation though.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

That's would be an interesting log book entry. For many years I in my SAD (Save A Dive) kit, I kept a basic strap and spare post connector. I bet you know divers who unbuckle the strap to remove fins then wonder where the connector went!

Bungee straps are really good. Longlasting, lightweight, firm fixation, quick on and off - what else is needed? Thanks, Alec :)

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Totally agree!

@toriless

3 жыл бұрын

Mine are only 5 years old, so far. Fastest on / off and any, no adjustment needed, no scarred ankles, etc.

Quick (challenge) question... I bought a DACOR set of fins over thirty years ago (right before MARES bought the company). Used them a lot when they were new, then they sat/hung in a bag for about 15 years! I went snorkeling last week and found the straps were dry-rotting on the edges. The original straps are post (1/2") mounted/adjustable, but not quick detachable. What replacement brand will fit?

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

2 жыл бұрын

Gosh. There's no way to tell from here. Take the fins into your local dive store. While many post straps will fit different brands, only by trying will you know which might fit yours. Good luck. Alec

I think about fin straps. Bungee or spring fin straps all the way.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

8 ай бұрын

I'm a bungie man now after decades of rubber straps and springs. A

The straps on those 30-year old jet fins can be replaced with springs. Keep them away from gas heaters. Those fins have removable clips. They also snap at the blade (2:48). If you go on a live-aboard you want good fins, otherwise your dive ends when your cheap straps break. 316 stainless steel is close to perfect. Scubapro has to give those fins away for free to Instructors. How easy is it to change the bungee?

@toriless

3 жыл бұрын

Extremely easy, the take about 1/10th the force of the stupid spring straps. Strip straps do not really stretch that much but yo can pull a bungee a full foot and it does not care. Back in 2015 I kept preaching to the Divemaster that was my instructor he should try some.

@scubaclient355

3 жыл бұрын

@@toriless I'll settle for the spring strap especially when diving deep. There is no second chance when the strap breaks. The bungee has solid rubber inside.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

I used spring straps (and Kevin too as I'm using his), for years until bungie came along. As long as your happy with your straps, great. I want divers to be educated in all options and let them decide (like you), what to pick. Thanks for sharing SC.

Thing is they're bloody expensive to replace the new bungee type.ive got them on both my reaction find and quantos cheeper it seems to get new fins

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Replacement bungie should not be that expensive. Check if they are covered by a warranty (if new) and ask your local dive shop if they can get them for you at a reasonable price.

good gob

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Steve and for watching.

I converted to bungee straps back in 2015 when I discovered then. They are so easy to use and VERY comfortable. Anything else seems like a waste of time.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

I think of bungie straps like a GPS in cars. We got along fine before they were invented (maps!), but when available, makes driving easier overall. Take care.

👏👌

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Welcome Hhh Hhhh.

if I would buy new fins then only with the bungie. A good solution when you already have fins with the normal straps is to buy universal springs. They fit the most brands and are quite inexpensive.

@toriless

3 жыл бұрын

I tried springs back in 2015 and found them a pain in the ass and replaced them with bungees. One of the best upgrades I ever did. Why do you think everyone is using them now.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Next visit to your local dive shop, bring your dive boots and try on bungie fins. Even if not buying, see how they work for you. Thanks for watching Julian.

Are the Bungie straps removable on the Scubapro fins?

@piotrkubiec5549

3 жыл бұрын

All of them are removable. They may not have the buckle for quick detach, but they must be removable in case one snaps (it does happen) for replacement

@Caderic

3 жыл бұрын

@@piotrkubiec5549 I'm not saying you are wrong about "all of them being removable", but your logic is flawed. In a disposable world like we live in there are many expensive things that don't have replaceable parts.

@piotrkubiec5549

3 жыл бұрын

@@Caderic I have never seen open heel fins with non-replaceable straps.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

All straps are removable in case they need to be replaced. As I mentioned in the video the posts and connectors are unique to most makers. One concern is the covers over the posts can snap off if using your foot to push fins on or off. Kevin had this happen to his Sea Nova's and a email to Scubapro has replacement covers sent. Thanks for watching Toby.

@Caderic

3 жыл бұрын

​@@piotrkubiec5549 I haven't myself, but "...they must be removable in case one snaps (it does happen) for replacement..." flies in the face of modern considerations. The true logic is much more complex that "...it must...for replacement...".

I prefer bungies, but turns out that the spring straps were from other brand and they were way too tight in my fins. Anyway the stock strap failed during a trip so I bought the first one I saw, my mistake. I guess I have to give springs a second try! Anyway, keep the videos coming! Always learning

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Try all straps and fins as like a mask, there are very personal and each foot is different. Except for Kevin's pontoon feet (size 13 wide shoe). Why does he need fins?

@scmsean

3 жыл бұрын

I think most spring straps are adjustable. I know the atomics are, but you have to take them apart to do it. Something I would prefer to let the store handle.

I use spring straps they never let me down so I seek no further

@toriless

3 жыл бұрын

They are pain on the ass compared to bungee straps. Just because you are happy in your Corolla does not mean a Porsche is not better. If you could buy a Porsche for the same price as a Corolla you would be fool not too.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Glad to know it but be informed about other options, even if they are not right for you today. Someday in the future, when we dive again, may want to look at other options. Thanks for watching.

can't believe i just spent 6 minutes watching a video on fin straps

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

See how smart your are now!

@PROSTO4Tabal

3 жыл бұрын

Can't believe I read a comment that you can't believe

What really confuse me is the fact that many advanced or technical divers still use old and rubber apeks or us divers rocket fins. They look super uncomfortable and the straps are old. Why don't they switch to modern fins? I think the reason is trim... those old fins are heavier so their body and their feet stay level. plus they can take some of the weight off their weightbelt. I don't know if im right about any of this TBH. Im just confused why they stick to those old fins :) there has to be a reason why

@pacificcoast101

3 жыл бұрын

Advanced and tech divers need to make kicks that aren't necessary for open water. Backward and helicopter kicks are easier and more efficient in stiff fins than flexible and/or split fins.

@piotrkubiec5549

3 жыл бұрын

@@pacificcoast101 still, there are also modern stiff fins. In my opinion it's just a myth, maybe a few % of those having them are happy with it and/or need them. Rest of them are newbies who see that some "highly advanced ultimate pro divers" have them and they want them too to look cool and more pro. Then they feel bad to admit that they don't like it and the carousel spins.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

As with many things in life, we may not understand why they (e.g. tec divers) like/need rocket fins but I'm sure they have a logical or practical reasons. I'm not a tech diver expert but those who are, please educate us mere rec divers. Thanks for watching.

@toriless

3 жыл бұрын

@@pacificcoast101 Yeah, but you body rotates more. I use stiff fins myself.

@UKDiver

3 жыл бұрын

There are a few reasons for using older style fins (apart from style) firstly as you say, they can be heavier so aid with trim, especially when diving drysuit. Second and more important is stiffness. A floppy fin like the Scubapro ones Alex prefers in this video, or a split fin is near impossible to do a decent frog kick in and get decent propulsion. You need a stiff, wide finned blade which is why the Jetfins, Turtles, APEKS RK3 HD's are so popular. If you're a flutter kicker, then "standard fins" will be fine. But that style of finning is far from ideal for wreck penetration, diving in silty areas, or if you get close to coral as you're just gonna kick the crap out of the bottom, break something or kill the viz very quickly for your poor buddy behind you!