Salvimar Delta-one footpockets review

Dan · 08-11-2010, 11:18 PM

In search of more footpocket options I found the new Salvimar Delta one footpockets. They looked pretty slick so I ordered them.

http://www.salvimar.com/

I'm foot size 11 and wiith conventional footpockets such as omer and H Dessault I wear size 42-44 which fits me very well without socks and with thin socks. Based on this information I was recommended the Salvimar size 43-44. I've already had experience with different footpocket manufacturers that their numbers/sizing doesn't mean much without a point of reference, and thought being European it will probably be too small, so I ordered the next one up as well which is 45-46 to make sure I'll be able to test them.

The footpockets arrived today. At first glance they appeared as slick as in the pictures. On further inspection I saw that the footpocket tendons were very soft, IMO not giving the blade enough support. Trying the 43-44 size on it was a tight fit, I don't think I could get in with a Lycra sock. At this size I also felt the top of the pocket putting significant pressure on the area 3" up the foot from the toes.

The 45-46 footpocket was too loose and felt like the back of the footpocket at the heel wasn't gripping at all and could come off in the water. The sizing not being suitable for my foot still didn't preclude the footpockets from being used by someone with a different size foot, although I felt that the back of the pocket had a shape that doesn't grab the heel very well.

Next was installing blades in the footpockets to give them a try in the pool. I made a quick initial attempt to push the blade into the footpocket to see where the rails need to start and end on the blade. It looked to me like the blade went in really shallow. I marked the depth at the back edge of the blade, pulled it back out, and proceeded to push something thin into the footpocket slot to see how deep it really goes. I was surprised to see how deep it went in. I grabbed a flashlight and shone it inside the slot to see what was obstructing the back edge of the blade. In the slot I saw a rounded tab which at first glance appeared like a post connecting the bottom of the footpocket to the sole. I thought what a PITA and decided to try and snip it out. I then realized that it runs all the way to the back of the slot.

This means that any blade that goes into the Salvimar Delta one footpocket has to have a channel cut into the back edge, f**k me if I'm going to do that to every one of my blades. Even if the footpockets were worth it, which they're not, it will probably compromise the integrity of the blade. That's it the footpockets were useless. Needless to say I was pissed. Knowing myself that I'd probably have the footpockets lying around for a year waiting to find some use for them, I decided to make sure that I'll get rid of the eye sore, and ripped them apart. What a POS.

The footpocket with the bottom cut out to expose the tab.

BTW those are the same rebranded footpockets Pipin / Persistent uses for their fins.

Don Paul · 08-11-2010, 11:33 PM

That sucks, save the recipt...destructive testing write off.
I guess they want divers to use their blade and make re-bladeing with non OEM blade a hassle.

Don

Dan · 08-11-2010, 11:38 PM

Well they could have mentioned that before I paid. I'm sure they've had the same reaction from others already. Since they didn't give me a heads up I must assume they purposefully withheld the information.

LunkerBuster · 08-11-2010, 11:43 PM

dickery....good of you to do such comprehensive testing..thanks

LOMartin · 08-11-2010, 11:59 PM

Stupid design.

Amazing the backward thinking of some companies.

Who the hell is going to cut a line down the middle of a $200-400 blades.

I really want to see what a Persistent blade looks like out of the pocket. I bet they just cut the end of the blade off where it meets the tab instead of cutting the blade to form around the tab.

Marco · 08-12-2010, 09:03 AM

Strange. I haven't heard but good things about these footpockets. In Italian forums everybody likes them and use them with different carbon blades without doing any modifications to them.

BTW, soft tendons is the new "trend" in footpockets. Rubber material avoid carbon fiber to be as reactive as it could be.

Maybe you got a bad badge? Did you contact the manufacturer? Maybe you should send these pictures to them...

Dan · 08-12-2010, 09:26 AM

Just a case of follow the crowd. I was warned about the Salvimar footpocket by my contact in Europe. I disregarded it because I didn't clearly understand why he was saying that the blades don't fit into the footpocket properly.

We've discussed this before and I'm compelled to say again that soft tendons is not a good thing and it's not a new trend. Pathos already went that way, had many blades broken, and switched to making stiff tendons. Overly stiff I might add. If anything it was an old bad trend.

I contacted Salvimar 24 hrs ago. Still no answer. Even if the tab was gone I wouldn't order any more footpockets from them, I was not impressed with the other aspects of the footpocket. I wish I could get a refund.

black1 · 08-12-2010, 10:11 AM

What a waste of time and money, nice report Dan thanks.

Don Paul · 08-12-2010, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by black1

What a waste of time and money, nice report Dan thanks.

Knowledge and facts can be costly, but not a waste of time. Many divers pay this price when they buy a mask that fits in the store but not in the sea, we give the mask to a friend or sell at a loss, but we learn something. All I know is my Pursuit stuff has been put to Dan's torturer test and evaluated and discussed
in a open forum before it is brought to the market. Knowledge is power, but it comes at a price.
Cheers, Don ,

fuzz · 08-12-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Paul

Knowledge and facts can be costly, but not a waste of time. Many divers pay this price when they buy a mask that fits in the store but not in the sea, we give the mask to a friend or sell at a loss, but we learn something. All I know is my Pursuit stuff has been put to Dan's torturer test and evaluated and discussed
in a open forum before it is brought to the market. Knowledge is power, but it comes at a price.
Cheers, Don ,

I agree to a certain extent. however, using your example, a mask that doesn't fit you... may still fit others perfect. Same as wetsuit cuts... or fin pockets. It's one of the most depressing things about diving in Norcal. Back in Hawaii, I had a bunch of well-stocked freedive shops to go in & see/feel/test gear out before buying. Here... nothing decent within an hour's drive.

I've heard good things about the delta one pockets, but from a retailer/mfgr standpoint, I can easily see how that tab would be a deal breaker with many easier alternatives available. The search for good pockets continues...