RIFFE Euro Style Speargun Series "MAG-TRACK"

[Fondueset]

The 'mag track' is explained on the Riffe site. There was quite a bit of talk about it when it was coming out. Strange to hear the grips are so small. That could certainly be problematic. The finned shafts can be had in a variety of sizes and fins. My Cobra has taller fins and the line goes through one of them. In fact I've thought of getting a lower profile shaft for it. While I'm at it - what's the lightest shaft you could use with an 18mm band?

Also: rumour has it the Riffe euro will also shoot 'american' square notched shafts.

[Pastor]

Originally Posted by Fondueset

The 'mag track' is explained on the Riffe site.

All I can see is this

Originally Posted by Riffe

Manufactured by RIFFE with the new MAG-TRACK (patent pending), a magnetic track for ease of loading and free-shafting.

Am I missing something?

[Fondueset]

My bad . I was familiar with the technical details from posts on Spearboard and got my sources confused - you can do a search on Riffe Euro and find quite a bit of data. One fellow there had a beta copy before they hit the stores and told about the 'mag-track' - which is, indeed, just a strong magnet at the end of the muzzle.
I like that it's a relatively affordable teak euro - but it is not as classy as the Omer cobra - or some of the other teak euro guns. Good solid trigger mech though.

[spaghetti]

Originally Posted by Fondueset

While I'm at it - what's the lightest shaft you could use with an 18mm band?

With 18mm Omer bands you can shoot a 6 millimeters shaft with good accuracy on long shots (but not on close targets), but a 6.3 is better overall.

[Old Man Dave]

Originally Posted by strangelove

In U.S. there is also these guys, they sell the enclosed track as well as the bit.

Speargun and Freediving Equipment

Hadn't seen that site before. Those tracks look great. A fraction of the price. No point in making your own if you can buy them like that. Even the dovetail cutter for fitting them is a snip at $24 (the ball cutter for 3/4 rod is $180).

However 2 issues 1. they're in the States and 2. they are relatively large size. The equivalent of 8mm and 9.5 mm shafts. Fine for tuna guns but I was looking for a more modest size more suited to euro size fish.

That said, thanks again for that site. You can always rely on people on DB to help out.

Dave

[Spaniard]

Hey Foxfish, I can't believe you went all the way to Crapaud land and didn't spend any money C'mon spill the beans mate, what DID you buy!!!! Next time you go check out First Tower watersports, they used to carry a good selection of guns.

[Pastor]

Originally Posted by Fondueset

My bad . I was familiar with the technical details from posts on Spearboard and got my sources confused -

Ah! That'll be it then Thought I was loosing it again This middle age stuff isn't good!

Dave have you seen this thread from medfish about these people, doesn't sound like wonderful service to me.

Another thing that might concern me is an accumulation of errors with doing it that way: They machine the track a tiny bit bent, we machine the dovetail slot a tiny bit bent and all of a sudden we have a bigger problem. Personally I would rather cut my own. I'm pretty keen to give this a go though, if only to come up with the opinion that they are totally unsuitable for me but hopefully not

[foxfish]

Originally Posted by Spaniard

Hey Foxfish, I can't believe you went all the way to Crapaud land and didn't spend any money C'mon spill the beans mate, what DID you buy!!!! Next time you go check out First Tower watersports, they used to carry a good selection of guns.

A omer weight vest, mini laser knife, 4gk lead shot & camo gloves. + duty frees, t shirts, a meal, & few pints!

[Spaniard]

Originally Posted by foxfish

A omer weight vest, mini laser knife, 4gk lead shot & camo gloves. + duty frees, t shirts, a meal, & few pints!

Oh well not a wasted trip then . Let me know how you get on with that vest as I am thinking of replacing my baudrier with something similar this year.

[spaghetti]

Foxfish what vest is it? Is it the camo jacket with the three clip-locks and pockets, or the smaller upper back harness?

PS_Martyn, it's all right now up here: peace and love!

[foxfish]

Yep the 3 lock design, to be honest I am a little disappointed with the design & I may need to modify the weight amounts that the pockets hold?
PS Take Dany to Venice, she is worth it.

[spaghetti]

Well the advantage of that jacket is supposed to be that you can adjust the amount and distribution of lead at your choice, while with the smaller harness you must take it as it is and can't change. I think you made a good purchase, just find your "custom" balance.
And remember Spaghetti's words: DON'T DIVE DEEP WITH THE WEIGHT JACKET. In shallow water it helps, in deep water it kills: stay in the 8 meters range while wearing it. You know I care.

PS-Venice and what comes with it would be great, but our baby daughter turned 26 months old today and she's not yet into facts of life enough to leave mummy and daddy alone for as long as it takes to fully "enjoy" Venice ;-)

[Fondueset]

I've got the earlier version of the camo vest - I like it but try to keep minimal weight in it - just enough to help keep the upper body down. I also he the mini-laser - which is a great little knife. Not crazy about leg knives.

[spearheads]

I have also got a omer weight vest. I made a stupid mistake of buying the old version, also I'm quite small so it does not fit very well, its to lose on me so its not very comfortable to wear.
Its OK but past 6 meters i dont need it ,so i might sell it.

[foxfish]

Personally I find the 1kg bags of lead shot very bulky & not particually comfortable to wear. I opened the bags & emptied the shot out then filled some smaller bags with half the shot, I made the new bags from some of my partners tights. The vest has 6 pockets in total but I will only use the back ones so I have 2kg of weight in the vest.
Overall the vest fits well but is very expensive for what it is!
Spearheads I dont quite understand what you mean, I wont be using any more weight than before just distributing it more.