Best fin I've ever used (update)

(This review is an update of an earlier one. Sorry to be so long winded but I have been able to try some other brands of "Natures Wing" split fins in th...Read complete review

(This review is an update of an earlier one. Sorry to be so long winded but I have been able to try some other brands of "Natures Wing" split fins in the interim. I'm still 100% sold on my Apollos but others might find a different brand more to their liking.)I'll preface this by saying that the split fin technology used in these fins is licensed by Nature's Wing to Apollo, ScubaPro, Atomic, TUSA, Oceanic, Dacor, Sherwood, Beuchat and Genesis. Any of these manufacturers that claims to have a "secret" design that the other don't, is referring only to details such as materials, fin strap design, batten and rib design. The basic principles and operation of these fins is identical for all of them. Potentially each of these fins will work about the same for you. The key is to determine which manufacturer's products fits your foot and swimming style the best.My reasons for picking Apollo fins was simple: - They are 100% rubber and as such weigh about twice as much as most fins. They keep my legs down and help stop my tendency toward bicycling when I'm tired. I also was able to shed a few pounds from my BC and I'd rather have the weight on my feet than my waist while standing on a dive boat.- Being rubber they are VERY comfortable and feel like bedroom slippers.- Apollo gives you a choice of stiffness (see their website for recommendations on selection). Stiffer is NOT always the best choice. I chose an intermediate stiffness.- Price: The price for Apollos has tumbled about $45 recently to [$]Atomics are considerably more expensive.- I'm not convinced that for the average diver, a small change in rib or batten design means that much...sort of along the line of the average golfer paying $350 or $1200 for a putter. It might might a difference for Tiger Woods but not for me.- The option for factory installed spring straps. I've always installed these as an after market item on my fins. The factory installed Apollo straps are literally bonded into the fin. If you go for a regular adjustable fin strap the Atomic strap is about the best I've ever seen, but once you've tried spring straps you'll never go back.Next, you must change your kick style to use any split fin effectively. You need a high frequency, low amplitude kick that stays within the slipstream of your body and tank. At first the decreased effort will make you feel as if your not going to be going very fast but you'll soon realize that increased effort with your old slab fins doesn't always mean more speed. The first time I used them I was able to keep up with my old instructor and his ScubaPro splits w/o any problem for the first time. For short all-out sprints, you feel as if you're flying over the reef. I also found that my air consumption and fatigue decreased, while my speed and comfort increased with split fins. Remember, don't get pre-sold on any one brand before trying them on. I love my Apollos and wouldn't give you 2 cents for my dive buddy's Atomics, but she feels the same way about her Atomics and my Apollos.Finally, by their very nature split fins are a bit less maneuverable than slab sided fins. However the different kick style means that you disturb the bottom a lot less so I personally fell that it's an excellent trade off.