aimrite guns?

[lilhawaiisurfa]

i am new to the spearfishing game and i am in the market for a new gun. i have decided that i wanted a railgun. i looked at the rob allens, rabitechs,etc. but when i came across the aimrite guns i wanted 1 right away. does any1 have any exprience with theses guns. i am planning to use the gun around reefs and such. does this gun suit my needs? is it too much?

here the the linkhttp://aimritehawaii.com/

 

[sickbugs]

no experience with them yet, but they are great guns, very well made, great warrenty, super accurate from all reports, contact the guys there, discuss your needs with them, and get one for me while your at it

 

[Asturven]

All the Daryl Wong's are great guns.

You will be very happy with it.

Ivan

 

[HawaiiFreediver]

Hey this is my first post so be nice....this is only MY OPINION.
I know that this post is a bit old, but in case you haven't bought a gun yet. I personally think that if you have a choice between guns (Wong vs. Yokooji)here in Hawaii, I would choose the Yokooji guns. The older Wong guns shoot AWESOME! Straight and never missing it's mark! Yokooji uses the Riffe trigger as opposed to the Aimrite (plastic, but strong) triggers. My friends have the older Wong guns and the quality was awesome. Lately it seems that the quality has fallen a bit. I went into Hanapaa to buy a gun and I could see that the lacquer finish on the Wong guns were running and they just didn't seem as good as the older guns. D. Wong used to personally make his guns but now they are mass manufactured and I don't know if this is the reason but I compared the newer guns to his older guns and I then chose to get the Yokooji gun..they're in my opinion the better gun. I actually went in to the store to buy a Wong but after comparing the two guns side to side, I couldn't buy the Wong, spent a bit more on the Yokooji (this was a few years back) I think I paid close to $500.00 on my gun, but it was worth it! Oh one thing, if you can, don't get the Yokooji gun with the plexiglass trigger. They look really cool, but whenever I lay my gun down when I hunt (ocean floor) sand gets into the trigger and I have had times in which the trigger got stuck and I had to FORCE the trigger back and scratch the plexiglass (OUCH!!). Now I'm not saying that the Wong guns are bad, just that I am reccomending the Yokooji gun over the Wong gun and that is from personal experience with both guns.

 

[icarus pacific]

I own three of Daryl's guns and the only reason that I don't own four is that they do everything I need to have them do, with no BS, no fuss and no hiccups.

I make my own big and little guns as well and I have three of his, that'll tell you something. :king

 

[spaghetti]

I would open an interesting point of discussion (at least it's interesting for me), just with the curiosity to understand and no evil intention, really. I must confess I feel the fascination of american and hawaiian spearguns, and I'm dreaming of buying one but:
why are they so expensive?
I've seen the Wong alluminium railgun 75cm sold at 336 dollars in hawaii where it's made. It's far much more than twice, or even three times the price of the finest european alluminium guns. You all say that Wongs are fantastic, and quality has its price. But in this case, what a price! How do they justify such a big difference from euroguns?

(please, believe me, it's just curiosity, don't wanna open any can of worms again).
Spago

 

[lilhawaiisurfa]

i think the main difference is in the quality of the gun itself. like you might see a cheaper picasso ( i have 1 and it shoots great) but its not modified like the hawaiian railguns form daryl wong. for example my picasso basik 100 cm would normally cost like 170, but with the set up that i bought i for it came out to be around 275. you said that the wong rail guns are 300+, but you are also paying for a better trigger mech and a LIFETIME (literally) warranty. also you have to take in cosideration the difference in the quailty of the trigger mechs. wongs and riffe trigger mechs are tested much more riggerously and can handle much heaver band pull (3-4 bands) whereas you always hear stories of european trigger mechs sometimes freezing when used with bands of greater force.

 

[Pastor]

but:
why are they so expensive?
I've seen the Wong alluminium railgun 75cm sold at 336 dollars in hawaii where it's made. It's far much more than twice, or even three times the price of the finest european alluminium guns. You all say that Wongs are fantastic, and quality has its price. But in this case, what a price! How do they justify such a big difference from euroguns?

(please, believe me, it's just curiosity, don't wanna open any can of worms again).
Spago

I dont think they are that expensive, well not in comparrison with Rod Allens and Rabitechs which at least by the GBP/USD exchange rate are about identically priced. I think that the price of obtaining spare shafts will be a touch pricey, as far as I'm aware there is no one selling american shafts here in europe.
Just as it happens, I got to shoot one of the wong hybrid guns a few weeks ago :inlove quite outstanding! All the finesse you could want combined with a sensible amount of power and very little recoil. Looking at current euro woody trends such as the Dapiran and Abellan type guns some of these guns just arent that different anymore; perhaps we might be entering an age of happy convergence

 

[Daryl Wong]

Aloha All,

I don't normally reply to posts and instead let my products and customer service do my talking. I am sorry to hear that a Hawaiian customer feels that my guns are mass produced. The fact is that every gun is hand made by me. I guess my website doesn't explain it enough or some customers don't know to check it out.
Another thing is that I have seen this post before but in another forum. I don't recall where, but it is almost to the letter, and has been posted in the past.
I respect criticism and every one is entitled to their opinion. But to clear things up, Wong guns are NOT massed produced.
Up to now they have been used by spearos to win a total of six national individual championships, two team championships, and have set over twenty World records. If anyone is unhappy with the finish on their gun after purchase, I would be glad to have them contact me and let me know.
No one is perfect and I hope and try to make the best product available to spearos who want a custom gun. I believe Wong guns and Aimrite products and guns were the first to offer a lifetime warranty on thier guns.
We are comitted to making the best product and having great customer service to all who wish to use our products.

Aloha, Daryl

 

[HawaiiFreediver]

When I first posted on this forum, it was not to spark a debate, nor to offend anyone, especially not someone that I have talked to and respect. I responded because, like any other consumer, I would like an honest opinion from a regular person, not a spokesman, not a company man, nor a salesman...I often check forums before making a purchase just so that I can make a good decision based on an unbiased opinion from people that have actually used the product for it's intended purpose, not someone who has the item on a deck and has never actually used the product but is making a review. Mr. Wong, you have my respect both as a diver and as gun maker. I meant no offense to your product and you would dive rings around me in the water. I was just giving an honest opinion of my use of all three guns (your older guns with the metal Riffe triggers, the new guns with the Aimrite trigger and the Yokooji gun). Two of my friends have one of your guns each and I am just stating an opinion. I found your older guns shot REMARKABLY accurately....I never missed the fish I was shooting at with your gun...in fact your gun shot so straight, I went in to buy one of your hybrid guns from Hanapaa, but as I stated in my previous post, I chose the Yokooji. I also had an opportunity to shoot one of your newer aimrite guns on the big island and it also shot well. But in my Honest opinion (THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION SIR, others may feel VERY strongly about this) I just like my Yokooji better. My friends even liked the Yokooji's build quallity. I only responded to this post to give lilhawaiisurfa an honest opinion, that's all, not to bash you nor your product. I have personally talked to you on occassion and I know that you don't remember me from the next guy but I would hate to have upset you. All I can say is what I saw when I went into Hanapaa...but that was 3 years ago, it may have been a bad batch, so all I can say to everyone is that they should go in and check on the guns and make their own decisions. I can say with certainty is that the staff at Hanapaa are awesome...if there was a problem with my gun they immediately fixed it without argument. My Yokooji guns muzzle had a piece fall off and they took it and fixed it asap with no extra charge. Once again, I meant no harm Mr. Wong.

 

[Daryl Wong]

Aloha,

I respect opinions as everyone should be entitled to one. Why I reponded is to make sure that things stated are facts and yours were not.. You mentioned that my spearguns are mass produced and I wanted to clarify that. No offense taken with your opinion. Just wanted to make sure you know that my spearguns are all custom made and not mass produced. I'm sorry if you thought a run in the finish would make the gun inaccurate as compared to the older guns. No ones perfect. Criticism or opinions are valuble to me. It tells me where my weakness maybe and where I may need to improve on customer care and products. Thanks for your opinion. I will use it constuctively. As you can see, I am the only elf in the shop. Ask anyone who had visited me wh is on the forum or others in Hawaii who know me. In the December isuue of Honolulu magazine it stated the same thing about all my guns being custom made. In fact feel free to call me and I'd be happy to give you a tour. Its a small shop so it will be fast.

Aloha, Daryl
808.256.5628 cell

 

[icarus pacific]

Here's all that needs saying.

Like I said, they work for me. :king

 

[Fondueset]

Geeze, Now I want a Wong.
I'll tell you this: Since I got back into freediving a couple of years ago I've met and/or talked with some of the coolest people. On the gear end - Mark Labocetta of Omer, Matt at Spearfishinggear.com, Jill Riffe. If I was in Wong-worthy waters ... Currently I just don't do enough spearfishing due to really restrictive laws. I defintiely need to get out more

 

[spaghetti]

I've met and/or talked with some of the coolest people. On the gear end - Mark Labocetta of Omer, Matt at Spearfishinggear.com, Jill Riffe. If I was in Wong-worthy waters ...

Persons, personality: good point. And this mass production argument is irrelevant in my opinion, non significant: it's a matter of persons, what counts is the technical excellence, the artistic perspective that only a few great designers are capable to achieve.
Mass production or not, some spearguns are real artworks jus because they're designed by geniuses, real artists: Daryl Wong and Fabrizio D'Agnano of Totem make their spearguns handmade, and of course I appreciate that. But also some mass production guns are precious artworks, designed by real geniuses: Daryl Wong, Valerio Grassi (Omer/Seatec), Marco Pisello (Master America), Hugues Dessault, Marco Bonfanti (C4), Giorgio Dapiran, Ludovico Mares and a few others are all members of the same family of great artists for me.
And when I hold one of their creations in my hand, I deeply enjoy the beauty and perfection of them, not caring if they are produced by hand or by machinery, in dozens or in thousands pieces.
Maybe it's just me. But if you ask a contemporary art crithic, he'll tell you that serial production is not considered a downisde for contemporary artworks.

 

[icarus pacific]

bravo.

 

[strangelove]

I think every one should be entitle of an opinion this is what this forum is all about, I think HawaiiFreediver did not like the way that specific Wong gun was finish and he posted.
I actually own two teak-seas, I will have that I was not too impressed about the finish on the first one, but I still bought the second one because the gun was so good (also the gun will get scratch any way), the finish on the second one was perfect, I guess this is another mark of custom build guns.
I also would like to add that I have never seeing an yokooji gun with a riffe trigger, two of my three yokoojis have Alexander triggers one have an yokooji trigger all of them have Alexander handles.
Thanks HawaiiFreediver , I think that is what this forum is all about, I would still buy a Wong gun if I could afford one, but I would recommend care on the finish !

 

[ajwaverider]

Yokooji uses the Riffe trigger as opposed to the Aimrite (plastic, but strong) triggers.

Yakooji uses his own trigger mechs that have a solid machined housing vs the riffe sheetmetal housing .It's closer to an alexander than riffe.Last I checked
they sold for the same price as the riffe but I would choose the Yakooji over the riffe because it's easier to install.

Production Manufacturing is nothing to look down on.Think of the things you own that are more important than spearguns,Car,home goods ect.It makes things available to a wider group of people at a lower cost.Quality can be above or below custom standards,it all depends on how high the manufacture
sets there standards.Even some custom speargun builders use mass produced parts in there guns and production made accessories.One reason things are massed produced is to keep up with the amount that are needed.It's really not going to make a differance to the fish either way.

 

[Killer&Griller]

Talking about price. I think you also have to remember that Darryl's guns have a lifetime warranty on them for anything. The customer service is awesome, and the way the guns shoots will speak for themselves. I have a Wong 60" Hybrid and a 110 Aimrite. I believe that this gives me the right go stand up for Daryl's product first hand and not just post an opinion that I read on another thread. (Not directed to anyone in specific) I agree that everyone has an opinion and don't have a problem with that. I guess everyone knows where I stand.:ko

 

[HawaiiFreediver]

My bad to all concerned, it's not a riffe trigger mechanism, but as all of those that responded stated, it's an Alexander trigger mechanism...like I said, I bought my gun a few years ago and I had not realized that Yokooji now uses his own trigger. As for the art aspect of the gun....I know exactly what you all are saying...man if you could see my Yokooji when I first bought it...I was so scared to scratch it, it really looked like a piece of art. If I was rich (which I'm not!!!) I would have bought one to dive with and one to mount on my wall for display! Everything down to the holes for the screws were perfectly aligned and it shot so smoothly...in fact maybe I will try and post some pics if I can figure out how to later...I'm not a spokeperson for Yokooji, but I really love the work he put into this gun, one of the best I've ever seen. I know that this gun is not as well known off the Islands as the other major brands but it's a beautiful gun nonetheless..too bad you can only get them (at least from what I could find) from Hanapaa!

 

[HawaiiFreediver]

Enough already, can't we all get along??

First of all Strangelove….DAMN you have 3 Yokes!!!!:t I’m so freaking jealous!
Okay, let me say that the ONLY reason I even posted on this topic was because Surfer was asking about the Aimrite guns and I knew that he would be going to Hanapaa (our local dive shop) to check out the guns. I also knew that when I went into Hanapaa to buy my Wong gun a few years back, I had never even heard of Yokooji before. I went in there several times to drool and I had my mind set on the largest hybrid Wong gun they had and finally only one salesperson in the staff there showed me the Yokooji because they just came in(just as I was about to plop down my hard earned dollars to buy a Wong) and I instantly fell in love with the craftsmanship and high quality of these guns. I basically wanted to do the same for surfer by letting him know that there were more choices at Hanapaa other than Aimrite. That’s all. Everyone knows of Riffe, Beauchat, Omer, Rob Allen…but not everyone knows of the Yokes!
I also want to point out that being mass produced is not a bad thing (Some of you were right about mass produced parts helping reduce cost and ensuring quality). There are many parts on the Yoke such as the ALEXANDER trigger (My bad!!!!! A major brainfart…..I can’t believe that I thought that it was a Riffe trigger..sorry everyone), rubber butt, handle..etc..etc…that are mass produced and it doesn’t detract from the gun’s performance at all…it’s just the way it’s put together and the way it performs in the water that matters.
Like I said in my prior posts..I have PERSONAL experience from shooting two different Wong guns and they are top notch, I have nothing bad to say about these guns (I didn’t in any of my posts..I just pointed out a flaw in a gun that I saw). They have a huge following and I know that the Wong guns sell very well to the mainland as well. I am just stating that I felt that the Yokes were in my opinion the better gun, but once again that’s only MY OPINION.
To be honest, they both shoot well and they both look good. Like I said, the final decision is yours no one elses, go in and look at the guns before buying…unfortunately, the Yokes aren’t as well known and not too many mainland divers have even seen one before…..sooooo I am going to post some pics of my gun to show the high level of quality these guns have.
As Seaman and others stated, these guns are a work of art. I also spent days staring at my first Yoke…in total awe at how well put together it was. I still take care of it and put a fresh coat of marine varnish on every year…I love this gun.
This debate is now dead guys, put it to rest…I only did it to help Surfer make a choice, not get criticized for stating an opinion, which I stated from the start. So let’s end the argument and just try and help Surfer choose a good gun!
If it matters Surfer, I talked to some of my friends who actually dive competitively and commercially and the advice they gave is that though the wooden/hybrid guns are great, they are heavy and harder to maneuver under water. Though most of my friends started out with the hybrid guns, most of them now use the Euro guns with the thinner lighter bodies. I guess personal choice, but something else to think about…cuz I can attest to the weight and bulkiness of these guns as opposed to my first aluminum magnum tube gun that I bought from Hanapaa. If I had the money, I would consider buying a Euro gun as well, but for now, I’ll stick to my Yoke! Surfer..after you finally buy a gun, I hope you let us know on this forum which one you chose. Hope you all enjoy the pics!!!!