Mares Neoprene Accessory Poll

ZOHARA · Apr 5, 2008

Dear all particularly in the U.S. We are in deliberation about which accessories we will include to the U.S. Mares Spearfishing line. I am debating what accessories we should be offering to our U.S. spearfishing / freediving consumers. I thought what better way to decide, is to include those that will be purchasing these items. If you are unfamiliar with these items you can go to Mares - Pure Instinct to download the new catalog. If you are inclined please post your vote or opinion asap, we are meeting at the end of next week to finalize our initial launch. Thanks and happy voting.

ZOHARA · Apr 6, 2008

Hello again,
30 something views of the post but not so many opinions or polls taken. I can't count how many times someone, consumer, dealer etc. has asked me why we don't have in the United States, X product that is in our Catalog. There are many answers which I will not go into. I thought I would give you all a chance to offer your opinion or input. Seemed like a good idea. I hope you will rally; or alternately perhaps these items arent that intersting?

I have my opinion about all of the items, but that certainly doesn't mean I'm right. I would like to be the voice of the people using this type of equipment especially when I go into a meeting with people who don't spearfish or freedive, and like to look at a lot of numbers. These products may be something you won't purchase but at least it gives us some feedback as to what you like and dislike. Or alternatively we can carry on like always and try to do our best internally. Just thought I'd try something different.

Thanks in advance for your interest,

C. carcharias · Apr 6, 2008

Well certainly some products are more interesting than others, so you might not get the most exciting disscutions on neoprene gloves...however the camo stuff from mares does look cool so if you're gonna offer the camo suit in north america (i hope there is not question about that) I think you should probably also offer the camo gloves and socks to match the suit.

But you've asked to vote only on a few items, does that mean that everything else from the catalogue will be offered? IMHO the most interesting things from the catalogue are the razor fins, phantom guns, the attack titan and gun bag (i think the gun bag will be very popular); when will these be available in north america and from which retailers?

ZOHARA · Apr 6, 2008

Hi,

Most everything has been confirmed already. There are just a few items still to discuss. Fins / guns / masks are good to go. Primarily it is some of the accessories we are still looking at. Interestingly enough, in the past the gun bag and titan bag didn't sell very well here in the U.S., at least that I recall off the top of my head.

I understanding gloves aren't that exciting to talk about, but through the poll I can at least get a feel for interest. Thank you very much for your comments! I appreciate it.

Best regards,

spaghetti · Apr 6, 2008

Zak I think you should include the largest number of items. USA West Coast has a long extension and, I'm told, it goes from pretty warm waters to really cold, from blue-water hunting styles to reef hunting styles, thus I think you'll have a market both for thick and thin neoprene accessories, both for camo and non-camo.
Makes sense?

Fondueset · Apr 6, 2008

I voted for all of them. I love good gloves. So far the best I've found down to about 50F are the henderson insta drys - below that I use 3 finger mitts - I don't think there is alot of competition among the more specialized spearo oriented lines in warmer gloves - quite a bit in 3 mil or less. Of course maybe not so many here in the states diving in water much below 60f. I like the 4 mil socks. more warmth than 3 mils but not so thick as 5s.

ZOHARA · May 7, 2008

FYI,

We have decided to offer the 3mm camo socks and gloves, as well as the 4mm flex sock.

Thanks for your participation.

Best regards,

Zak

Fondueset · May 7, 2008

I have an embarrassing amount of gloves and boots - but these are looking very good.

Jon · May 7, 2008

Looking for a pair of 5mm 3-finger mitts.

I see that Picasso and Immersion make them, but I would always be on the look out for another pair. Right now I'm using Elios mitts since my Picasso ones started to fray- and I won't spend $110 on a new pair.

Jon

the-submariner · Jun 3, 2008

Avanti Quattro Power Fins in Camoflage and in a size bigger than 10.5!!!

SporaScrub · Jul 2, 2008

Sorry to chime in so late, I'm a big fan of the older Mares spearfishing gear (when Pipin was sponsored) and would like to buy some new gear. I live in Miami and could say that the majority of the Cuban spearo's here also like to use Mares gear. It became the standard dive gear for spearo's in Cuba (who could afford it) back in the 80's.

As far as the glove's go, I would like to purchase a set of the Amara 2mm gloves. I've tried to buy one from my LDS and they still don't have them...? IMO the amara palm is the best for comfort(trigger feel)/protection from the elements. The reinforced palm and finger design of the Flex series of gloves break real easy.

I would also like to buy a wetsuit with a smooth exterior like the SporaSub Tsunami 1.5mm suit but made by Mares.

I currently only use Mares Pneumatic spearguns with 8mm shafts (Sten). The viz in south florida waters can be 70+' on somedays and that's where a longer pneumatic gun is appreciated. I would also like to see/buy a new 120+cm Sten, was Mares really losing that much money building a gun that big in the past....? Seac makes pneumatics up to 135cm.....
I consider myself to be lucky because I sold both of my Seacs (115 & 135) two years ago and after a year and a half I was able to buy two Sten's (120 & 150) in good condition off of Ebay. I've been checking out Ebay daily for the past year trying to find a back up gun (Sten 120cm or bigger) and it seems these guns become more and more rare....?

Sorry for all the rambling, It's just that when all the older stuff from Mares was around, I was still in School and couldn't afford to buy the dive gear I wanted. Now that I'm able to buy it, it's not around anymore.

Mares Neoprene Accessory Poll