Cressi Comanche or Venom Apnea

[Oowop666]

I'm about to buy my first gun and I can't decide between the Cressi Comanche and the Venom Apnea, both 75's. They're about the same price and I don't really know enough to split them on spec's. I'm leaning towards the Comanche as a local shop (Paignton) stocks them so I wouldn't have to buy online. Also, lots of people are saying good things about it on here. Anyone got strong opinions on either?

Cheers
Rich

 

[Old Man Dave]

Sorry don't really know the venom but the comanche 75 is the perfect starter gun for the south coast UK. I use a 75cm Beuchat for night diving and very occasional day dives and it is a joy to use. You need 28mm ali barrel, 6.5mm diameter spear and screw in 16mm (or 18mm) bands with a stainless articulated wishbone. All these are standard on the comanche (and Beuchat). Personally while you could use it as standard I would change the nylon shooting line for mono as it's a bit better and even a bit easier to use.

Oh! and welcome to DB.

Dave.

 

[spaghetti]

Welcome Rich.
You're asking for strong opinions and I happen to have one: Buy The Comanche.

 

[devondave]

Welcome , that'll be three votes for a Comanche then . ( Although when you know a bit more about spaghetti and OMD you will realise their votes are worth at least ten others ! )

 

[Dave L]

Hi Rich

I have both guns in 90cm. I use them both depending on where I am fishing
The Cressi's build quality is much higher and it is also considerably lighter than the Venom. Also The plastic coating on the rail has started to come off and I lost the loading pad the second time I used it.

However Despite this I find the Venom to be an extremely accurate gun and due to the plastic coating on the rail it is very quiet too.

I tend to use the Cressi for shore dives and the Venom for boat dives

The Cressi is a little louder but much more comfortable and manouverable in the water. I have never had a problem getting replacement bits for the Cressi either.

So I recon for your first gun it's gotta be the Comanche. A few of the local spearo's use them where I live and they have many other guns aswell. But I always see them going back to the good old comanche

 

[spaghetti]

I must confess I've never shot the Venom and I know very little about it. But if you have a logistic advantage in just walking to the shop for the Comanche, then I say walk and buy the Comanche, simple as that.

There are many guns that are more "technical", more sophisticated than the Comanche, but as your first gun I think you need something that's simple, handy, idiot-proof and adequate to the task of inshore hunting for bass, mullet, wrasse: that is a light, maneuverable gun with 16'ish millimeters bands and 6'ish millimeters spear shaft, easy to aim, just point and shoot without any extra hassle.

Me I'm one who enjoys to toy about sophisticated guns, I've bought (and then sold) an embarassing amount of sophisticated guns....but yet, with my little Comanche I still stone breams with killer shots between their eyes. Adequate to the task

 

[Pav]

Comanche. Thumbs up from me
Used 75 and 90, both fast to load and accurate.

 

[Oowop666]

Guess that settles it. Cheers guys, I'll let you know how I get on

Rich

 

[bluejuiceaddict]

ive never used the venom but a def thumbs up for the commanche easy to load and use. plus does the job accuratly i find. prices is good too!

 

[apneaboy]

I've got a Comanche in the hallway still in its plastic rapping.

looks good to me

Can't wait to get out with it!