buying a better gun

[scar]

I've just posted a similar thread in the pneumatic section and since I'm trying to compare and decide whether to get a pneumatic or a better band gun, (currently I own a beuchat cavalero - a begunner's gun) I thought I'd post here as well.
I hunt in the Mediterranean only (where I live) and don't dive the deep ocean blue so I need respectable, decent power and range till only about 20 to 30 feet depth. Visibility is usually very good and the overall general feeling over here is that fish are terribly diffident and definately fast. Most of the time a flat seabed gives no good ambushing places and so I mostly rely on chance....with a not-so-good degree of success.....obviously.
Can anyone shed some light when comparing a band gun to a pneumatic? I know pneumatics are greatly affected by pressure...but in my case, considering the realtive shallow waters, it's not a big issue I think.(?)
Are pneumatics reliable or do they give trouble in the long run? And what average range would I expect from a pneumatic when comparing to a 90cm barrel band gun using a single pair of 19mm rubbers?
Cost wouldn't be a big problem....if only I could find the perfect gun. I'm willing to put in some dosh ...but I wouldn't want to spend them on something which would prove useless or have the same or less power and range than my beuchat cavalero!
Any help on shedding some truths about the pros and cons of both type of guns would be great!!
Thanks a lot.

Otherwise, I could try out my Airarms airgun underwater....who knows? He-he. Kidding obviously!!!!!! :duh

 

[poacher]

Scar,
Pneumatics are quite popular in Europe however they are not here in australia,they are more powerfull for their length than a band gun and shorter ones are very good for caves -I have heard this no personal experience.
They can be difficult or expensive to repair wheras rubber powered guns generally only ever need rubbers or shooting line replaced whcih is a do it yourelf job.
Rubber guns are my choice for general use.
If you don't have any rocky reefs or coral or kelp for cover in your area your shots may tend to be longer if water is clear. If this is the case you should get a gun around 1.1 or 1.2m to give you a decent range
regards
peter

 

[strangelove]

Scar

I've started my spear fishing days with a pneumatic gun, they can be fun (lots of power), but also a lots of trouble. The constant maintenance and having to deal with the pump gets old very fast, second problem is you have less power is deeper you go. 15 years ago a switch over to band guns and I am not looking back.
In my opinion pneumatic guns break too much also they are too loud too much maintenance. The advantages are more range and power less string tangling, all the pneumatic guns will offer more range them a 90 cm euro. I think to match the range of a pneumatic gun you need a 3 band gun. If you want a longer range and money is not an issue I would look into the teak-sea (www.teak-sea.com), I am really impressed by those guns.
I would not try to rig your cavalero with multiple bands that can actually break the handle.
In my opinion stay with rubber band guns.

 

[Murat]

What do you hunt? Shooting in rocks or in open?