It is all your personal preference, personally I don't like them unless I am doing alot of boondoggin. You cannot feather your oar with them, you are stuck with them in one position. You are going to find half the people like them and half don't. Depending on where you live Ted's has cattaracts or you can get them at sportco as well. what I do is I have a set in my boat so if the people I am fishing with or giving a boat demo to aren't real good at rowing or just learning I will throw them on there for them. It makes it easier for some people. But like anything it is all personal preference. Peace Superfly