Omer speargun questions

[vjanda]

Hi all,
been spearfishing all summer in Croatia with a 65cm band speargun.
Had loads of fun (good meals too) and am truly hooked on the sport.
Now the time has come to get something with greater range so I have a few questions about the omer range which I've decided to go for :

1) can omer spearguns which come with Omer TOP ENERGY 16mm bands like the Excalibur 2000 take 18mm or 20mm bands? Are the barrels stong enough?

2) do I go with circular or standards bands? Someone in a shop told me circulars give 15% more power? How to the 2 compare in accuracy?

3) What's the longest gun that can still be shot with a multiprong and stay reasonably accurate? I was told 75cm only. I was planning on getting a 90cm or 100.

4) I know I won't need a reel (not yet anyhow) so here's the $64000 question. What's best value : Excalibur 2000, 3000, XXV or do I wait for the new fine looking cayman?

Any comments are much appreciated 8)

- - ------------------------->
Shoot straight - Kill clean

 

[Spaniard]

In reply to Q3; don't bother with ANY longshot with a trident or similar attached as the accuracy disappears. These attachments are usually only used for fishing in holes/cracks/wrecks etc. That's why you only usually see them attached to short guns. To catch fish in 'open' water you will be much more successful with a 90cm gun with a single point spear (based on your current scenario)

 

[Old Man Dave]

Speargun size and power is related to a) underwater visibility and b) size of fish. For vis of 10 to 20 feet a 90cm gun with a single 16 or 18mm rubber and 6.5mm spear with a single flopper rigged with a couple of wraps of mono is the norm. This will take fish up to 15lbs at ranges up to 8 feet. Bigger fish or better vis then you're into bigger guns and more rubbers. Less vis and fishing in holes and you need a shorter gun. Big fish at short range (ie grouper in caves/holes) then personally I would go for a pneumatic gun. Trident heads have their uses but 99% of spearo's don't use them.

Doubtless someone will write in and say yes but I once shot a XXXlb fish in X vis using a XXX gun. Well that's the beauty of this game. There is no absolute right answer.

Hope that's helped.

Dave

 

[Fondueset]

Personally I like the looks of the Excalibur 3000 - good bang for the buck. I think a t20 memetic/carbon will hold more power but I'm not that familiar with the 3000. Based on what I've read the Cayman series offers an incredibly light trigger pull. If I were in your shoes I'd wait.

 

[spearheads]

The only problem i have had with my omer excalibur is that the trigger sticks and i have to use a knife to pull it out. But im still very happy with it. Enough power for the size of fish i shot and accurate. Im thinking about getting and xxv next summer.

 

[spaghetti]

Everything said before by Spaniard and OMD, plus:
1-yes, don't worry. Every Omer speargun can hold every Omer rubber without bending. For instance I have used the Power 18 bands on my Excaliburs for years and they worked great. (Power 18 are really good, while the other Omer bands are nothing special IMHO).
2-very complicated, too complicated to answer. But basically the difference in power is minimal, while for accuracy it depends on the structure of the gun.
3-maximum 75 for multiprong.
4-when you find the answer, tell me: I still can't make up my mind myself!

 

[Murat]

Hi all,
been spearfishing all summer in Croatia with a 65cm band speargun.
Had loads of fun (good meals too) and am truly hooked on the sport.
Now the time has come to get something with greater range so I have a few questions about the omer range which I've decided to go for :

1) can omer spearguns which come with Omer TOP ENERGY 16mm bands like the Excalibur 2000 take 18mm or 20mm bands? Are the barrels stong enough?

2) do I go with circular or standards bands? Someone in a shop told me circulars give 15% more power? How to the 2 compare in accuracy?

3) What's the longest gun that can still be shot with a multiprong and stay reasonably accurate? I was told 75cm only. I was planning on getting a 90cm or 100.

4) I know I won't need a reel (not yet anyhow) so here's the $64000 question. What's best value : Excalibur 2000, 3000, XXV or do I wait for the new fine looking cayman?

Any comments are much appreciated 8)

- - ------------------------->
Shoot straight - Kill clean

1- Yes they take power 18mm bands and power 20mm bands, for the old TOP energy 20mm bands no they can't. Old top energy 20mm bands has thread diameter of 20mm while power series has 16mm threads.

2- Yes circular bands will give you better range since they pull the shaft longer and better than threaded bands

3 - Tridient is not accurate and good, by the way you can hit everything with normal shaft

4 - Yes buy the reel you may need it one day. You spear crotia and fishes are smaller and faster, i like the excalibur 3000 better than XXV but if we consider your situation XXV will be better for you coz they are lighter tracks better, best option for your needs. Get the 100cm its not that long... you can do pretty much everything with 100cm gun.

 

[vjanda]

just one more question... I think

what's the deal with this "integral shaft guide" ?

Thanks to all who replied so far

 

[Fondueset]

You'll have to ask island sands about that one.

 

[spriggan]

Does anyone have any info on the cayman series, can't seem to find any.

 

[vjanda]

I asked Neil at apnea.co.uk and the Cayman should be available some time dec-jan 07

 

[spriggan]

sweet, at what price and what about the xxv?

 

[vjanda]

No details on cayman prices yet

XXV is available
82cm - £110.00
90cm - £115.00

 

[jimdoe2you]

You'll have to ask island sands about that one.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, ........Chris!!!!!!!

You beat me to it! You are officially my new hero!

On a different tone: I think Diane has one, ...... from what I recall. :waterwork

 

[spriggan]

I live in US where to get one? XXV I mean. Cayman looks sweet, I can't wait for it!

 

[Fondueset]

JD2U - I humbly accept acknowlegement from the maestro.:thankyou

FYI - I feel certain that with these Cayaman hyrdroformed guns we shall be one step closer to global conquest.
Moreover the new brown mask line will be absolutely stunning with a black wet suit.

 

[vjanda]

Not many mentions of the Seacsub X-Fire gun

The retailers in Croatia spoke very highly of it.

PS
What about the integral shaft guides on some omer barrels ?
Does it help with accuracy ?

 

[spriggan]

Yeah I would assume it would.

 

[spaghetti]

The shaft guide helps on the T20 carbon with circular bands, while it's not necessary art all on the other Omer models.
There have been recently some discussions on Omer spearguns, where you can find some interesting ideas:
http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?t=67540&highlight=excalibur

http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?t=67869&highlight=excalibur

PS- hey Chris: oooooooohhh!!!

 

[vjanda]

So much info to consider. (In a strange-sad way I'm glad next summer is so far away)

All I know is it's going to be an 90cm or 100cm Omer for sure.
Which one... I'll wait for the Cayman prices to come out.

Till then I can think circular band or not, carbon or not, guide rail or not

Or I could do what my bro did and just order a cheap Dragon 100