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It has four main design details that separate it from all other fins: blade size, side wings, gills and scoop. The shorter blade design is reef-friendly and travels easy. It also improves agility and mobility in tight areas. This also makes it excellent for both beach and boat entries and exits. The small size fin comes in an overall length of about 19" with the medium-large and extra large coming in at about 19.75" and with an overall weight of 1.5 to 1.7 pounds depending on size.
The wings of the MANTARAY are designed to add blade surface on the downstroke and reduce resistance on the upstroke. They also improve blade stabilization. This patented design provides increased efficiency for varying styles of kicks. It has been proven to efficiently perform different styles of kicks such as the scissor, flutter, dolphin, forward frog kicks, reverse frog kicks, and bent-leg frog kicks. All with minimum to no silt stir up.
The gills work together with the scoop on the top of the fin to form our patented dual water channeling system. This system delivers more thrust with less effort.
The scoop expands and contracts during the kick cycles to create a pump action and channels and focuses the thrust off of the blade tip at the same time.
This channeling system also works to stabilize the fin blade so you get the full potential from the blade and there is no wobbling or slicing of the fin blade in the water during the kick cycle giving the MANTARAY big fin power without the big fin workout. The foot pocket is designed for maximum comfort and energy transfer to the blade. With this dual water channeling system and the right amount of blade flexibility, this improved system saves energy and ultimately air, which helps to extend your bottom time.
The MANTARAY fin also comes with APS universal fin strap which is more streamlined. By eliminating the buckle system, we have reduced drag and still allow for easy adjustability. The strap can literally change out in seconds without the use of any tools, even while wearing five to seven millimeter gloves. With it's easy to grab pull tab on the back it is easier to put on and take off.
Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from Las Vegas, NV on 9/22/2009
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
The product is really good. It does all right in scuba, great on recreation, snorkeling, one of the lightest in the market, one piece design, quite easy to walk on, straps are easy to use even with the thickest gloves, easy kicker. Feels like a conventional blade but just a tad harder to kick than a split. A different feeling.
The bad well it is flimsy, especially make sure to take real good care of them. Don't expect to put these on the bottom of the bag, they take form quite easily. they don't take heat in a back of the trunk easily, either. Don't expect divers with lots of weight to like this. Thrust would be lacking. It has a feeling as if it only has one speed.
As overall, I still have to toss if I would use my force fin pro or these. The APS is nice to have around, really.
from San Francisco Bay Area on 9/10/2009
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
Just completed a four day boat dive trip w/ my new Mantaray fins. They are light which resulted in my feet floating upward. They are very flexible resulting in less power. I purchased them from a local dive shop that will not accept them back because they don't deal with used dive equipment ,,, of course they sell their used rental gear. I would only recommend these fins if travel weight is an issue. Otherwise, a heavier, stiffer fin would be my preference.
from Virginia Beach on 9/5/2009
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
Travel overseas for diving 3-4 times a year and just ordered this fin. Light weight and excellent for all types of recreational diving. Some loss in strong current but great for tight spaces and protecting the reef. My wife tried mine in Dominica for diving and snokeling and set to order her own.
from Lake Havasu City, AZ on 7/14/2009
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
I forgot I was wearing fins. They are very comfortable and lightweight.
from North Coast, CA. on 7/10/2009
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
Bought these to replace my power plana fins. Mostly Abalone dive and spear fish in kelp and around rocks and these work well in tight spaces. I also use different kicks and these qive quick response no matter what kick I use. As far as fit and feel go these fins are very comfortable and with spring straps easy on and off too.
from Jacksonville, FL on 5/28/2009
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
Love how light and small they are. They really stand out in the water. No foot cramps like my old ones and great speed for such a small fin.
from Madison, WI on 5/8/2009
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
I just used these fins for a week's worth of diving, and I'm convinced. They are very light weight and compact for packing. That also makes them great for walking on the boat or dock. Finally, they are my new favorites in the water. They are quick, efficient, powerful and precise. I actually think they helped with buoyancy control, too.
I do have to change the strap, though. My toes are a little too tight into the end of the rigid boot, but I can't loosen the rubber strap any further. I'll fix that before the next dive trip.
from Murfreesboro, TN on 1/14/2009
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
Great fins for travel or in the pool. You dive streight and fast
from San Diego, CA on 12/30/2008
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
These are fantastic fins. I met one of the people involved in the company at a dive club meeting in San Diego just over a year ago. After trying them out I was sold. These are fantastic fins. You might think by looking at them that they wouldn't hold up against some of the latest 'whiz-bang' fins, but I have found these to be as good as any fin/split-fin that I have used - easy kicking, good power, light weight, perfect size for travel. It doesn't get any better. The straps are perfect and the white fins actually are slightly positive so they float!
from Bahrain on 12/27/2008
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
Ok, I don't know why fins aren't designed like this! After going through 2 pairs of fins and nightmares with buckles I decided to give this a try. It was the right choice. Simple, effective and built to last. Get this fin if you want to have a fin that won't break!
excellent as usual
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from San Diego,CA on 8/27/2008
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
This is a very compact fin, but has all if not more power than my Blade 2's. These are hands down the best boot fin for travel due to there compact size. Also if you shoot underwater pics buy the white fins and then you can white balance off your fins!
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
from San Diego on 8/11/2008
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
Wow. I was a little suspicious at first - these fins are very light and compact. They kind of seemed like "Barbie" fins, to quote a friend of mine.
However! They perform very well. I tried side by side comparisons with my Apollo Bio Fins and also my Atomic Aquatics Split Fins. I tested by putting an APS Mantaray fin on one foot and one of these other fins on the other foot. Performance seemed comparable to the Bio Fin. But it sure felt like I got more power from the Mantaray for effort exerted. The Atomic Aquatic fin just felt really heavy compared to the Mantaray. You could probably get more absolute power from the Atomics (good for punching through waves) but at a cost of increased exertion.
The fin strap though!!! The Mantaray wins hands down. The strap itself feels pretty indestructible. It just works too. No need to pull tight to adjust on the fly. No need to unclip when taking them off. This is a huge advantage for shore diving. Unclipped fin strips make it easy to lose your fins in the surf. I know. Also replacement straps are ridiculously expensive. My Atomics blew a strap and GASP it was expensive to replace. You just feel taken coughing up money for that.
I love my Bio Fins. I like my Atomic Aquatics. However, the Mantarays are my new favorite. I thought they would be perfect for travel but after side by side testing, these are my new "go to" fins.
[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Houston, Tx on 5/8/2008
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
Have only hd an opportunity to use in the pool for short distances. Seem very comfortable. Will get to use for real in a few weeks.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Annapolis, MD on 3/5/2008
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
These are great... I replaced my Atomic Split Fins. The shorter blade is excellent, and the one-chunk-of-rubber construction makes me feel like these will last forever.
The strap: Love it! I initially thought I may end up putting spring straps on these, but these straps work just as well. I'll be getting an extra pair or two just in case, but they are made of thick rubber that seems like it will last.
Excellent price, excellent service. UPS ground delivered the next day! Thanks LeisurePro!
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Washington State on 2/1/2008
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
I bought a pair for an upcoming trip to save weight and space. I was expecting that they would be a bit of a compromise in the water, but they really are not. My girlfriend was getting tired of me saying how much I liked the Mantas and we switched fins on a dive, she has Bio-Fins. I thought the Mantas compared favorably, so did she. She just bought a pair. The Mantas are great travel fins.
from Sacramento, CA on 11/29/2007
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
Super light but very efficient. I love the straps. I've quit using my TwinJets altogether I like these so much better. My husband ended up buying a pair, too. For me these fit best with hard sole boots.[...]
from Seattle, Wa on 11/8/2007
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
I got these fins to travel with. They have smaller dimensions than most other fins so they allow me a little extra space in my duffel. I've used them on about 50 dives now and I would say that they do "ok". I still prefer my Scubabpro Twin Jets, but it's worth it to me to save space and weight in my bags, so I will probably continue to use the Manta Rays when I travel.
from Redondo Beach CA on 11/8/2007
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
Verry Camfotabul.
from San Luis Obispo on 11/8/2007
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
Short length and light weight is a plus for packing a bag for airline travel. Refined maneuvering in tight spaces. More stable than my split fins. Had to put more effort into finning compared to my apollo bio fins though.
from Vacaville, CA on 10/2/2007
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
I couldn't find many reviews on these fins before I bought them. But I need not have worried. They work great, small, lightweight, great for traveling. Yet they are efficient and propel you through the water with ease.
from Louisiana on 9/22/2007
Comments about APS Mantaray APS Mantaray Dive Fins:
I loved these fins in the respect of how well they were in a current! There was little to no effort in getting back to the boat in or out of a current. They are lightweight and easy to use in the traditional style of kicking u/w and also the frog kick. The only thing that I didn't like was the lack of control I had over my staying still when trying to take pics. But overall I loved them. These would be awesome fins for anywhere I was taking pictures.