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Omer XXV Speargun + Other Fast tracking guns?
- Thread starterPav
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
, There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
I currently have the sporasub reel, looks to be almost the same as the phantom reel. It works really well does not lock and has plenty of capacity. I had a little hard time getting use to the drag control on the top of the reel instead of bottom.
Pretty...
Mares - Pure Instinct
Re. the flex thing, I personally wouldn't worry about it if the accuracy is good. I have a couple of bikes with super-stiff "over-size" aluminium frames -- it is overrated IMO. My mountain bike has extra wide tyres to compensate for frame stiffness, which increases undesirable rotating mass. I read somewhere that Gary Fischer carefully builds flex into his frames, which seems like a better approach to me. [I was careful not to say "stiffness is overrated" in case Island Sands happened upon the thread
].
Mares - Pure Instinct
I just bought some more pricey cobalt-steel drill bits for drilling s/steel this weekend but they have done little more than make a shallow indentation on the thin cutlery I tried drilling. Am I using the wrong drill bits? Also, what is "cooling flux". I've used water & I tried oil but it doesn't seem that good. I can't recall what we used at school - oil/water mix maybe? I bet OMD would know.
Re. the flex thing, I personally wouldn't worry about it if the accuracy is good. I have a couple of bikes with super-stiff "over-size" aluminium frames -- it is overrated IMO. My mountain bike has extra wide tyres to compensate for frame stiffness, which increases undesirable rotating mass. I read somewhere that Gary Fischer carefully builds flex into his frames, which seems like a better approach to me. [I was careful not to say "stiffness is overrated" in case Island Sands happened upon the thread
].
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i've missed something here so not sure why you are drilling holes.
Anyway! Stainless steel is a bitch to drill (amuse your self with that!). Cooling flux is used in most workshops. Know anyone with a metal lathe? as they will be using it.
Is your drill (machine) upto the job? I assume you are using a Pillar Drill. Also have you center punched or otherwise your drill bit will be skidding around on the surface.
Anyway! Stainless steel is a bitch to drill (amuse your self with that!). Cooling flux is used in most workshops. Know anyone with a metal lathe? as they will be using it.
Is your drill (machine) upto the job? I assume you are using a Pillar Drill. Also have you center punched or otherwise your drill bit will be skidding around on the surface.
it's not that hard, depending I would say on the grade of the stainless.
http://forums.deeperblue.com/spearguns-accessories/78010-flopper-change-spear-shorten-diy.html
HSS drills do for a few holes, depending on how careful you are, they only break when:
- you go through all of a sudden and twist your drill to one side
- you go too slow and snag/chuck is too loose
http://forums.deeperblue.com/spearguns-accessories/78010-flopper-change-spear-shorten-diy.html
HSS drills do for a few holes, depending on how careful you are, they only break when:
- you go through all of a sudden and twist your drill to one side
- you go too slow and snag/chuck is too loose
Re. drilling, I'm drilling old spoons & knife blades to make bar-spoons for flatties, flashers, tobies. Would like to be able to make stringer pins too. I'm using a heavy duty hand drill. I have a stand for it but it doesn't help. I noticed that the pricey cobalt-steel drill tips are "warranteed forever". So shouldn't have to buy anymore - although I suspect they'll go blunt rather than break (there has to be a catch).
I received my new XXV 90 last night. Initial impressions:
When it arrived, the box was very light ("it might be empty" somebody suggested). It definitely looks like a 90 (looong) and, to my surprise, feels like a 90. I was hoping this would seem more like an 80, being slim & carbon, but the leverage of that long barrel on dry land leaves no doubt that this is a long gun. Perhaps just as well that I didn't opt for the 100cm version, which I also considered. I would be concerned that the XXV90 feels much the same as my RA 90 but remembering back to my post on initial impressions of the XXV 75, I had similar concerns when that arrived, which proved to be totally unfounded in the water (it handles like a pistol). However, I think StuckInSurrey did well to choose the 80cm version for our local waters - it probably is the best compromise for most days and for dealing with mixed visibility conditions that we often encounter.
I'm planning to rig the XXV90 will a single wrap of mono but with an extra long 3mm bungie cord muzzle bungie, just shy of a barrel length. 3mm bungee stretches to double its length, so it would potentially add another 85cm of range w/o resorting to a double wrap. (Missed several v. large fish because of range issues this season).
When it arrived, the box was very light ("it might be empty" somebody suggested). It definitely looks like a 90 (looong) and, to my surprise, feels like a 90. I was hoping this would seem more like an 80, being slim & carbon, but the leverage of that long barrel on dry land leaves no doubt that this is a long gun. Perhaps just as well that I didn't opt for the 100cm version, which I also considered. I would be concerned that the XXV90 feels much the same as my RA 90 but remembering back to my post on initial impressions of the XXV 75, I had similar concerns when that arrived, which proved to be totally unfounded in the water (it handles like a pistol
). However, I think StuckInSurrey did well to choose the 80cm version for our local waters - it probably is the best compromise for most days and for dealing with mixed visibility conditions that we often encounter.I'm planning to rig the XXV90 will a single wrap of mono but with an extra long 3mm bungie cord muzzle bungie, just shy of a barrel length. 3mm bungee stretches to double its length, so it would potentially add another 85cm of range w/o resorting to a double wrap. (Missed several v. large fish because of range issues this season).
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MR X would you not consider a reel?, my new omer hf 90 came with one already installed. Ive got a reel on my comanche 90 which is great for bass that have holed up in 10 meters + water.
I love reels too, all my guns have it, but they do make the a little be harder to move around, perharps the reason he is not using it.
reels, hmm a habit i'm trying to break...
i agree they are perfect for deep shooting on tricky fish, but.... I feel it's a little bit like cheating? dumb me, I have already lost (later recovered) a gun due to not having a reel.
I now have one gun (caver) with reel, and one (openish water) without on my float.
It just feels purer and lighter gun in hand, no reel, no line dragging buoy..
i agree they are perfect for deep shooting on tricky fish, but.... I feel it's a little bit like cheating? dumb me, I have already lost (later recovered) a gun due to not having a reel.
I now have one gun (caver) with reel, and one (openish water) without on my float.
It just feels purer and lighter gun in hand, no reel, no line dragging buoy..
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Yes, I think it would. It is strong enough to hold my 22lb weight belt. I don't think fish can pull with their full weight(?). If you regularly get big fish though 4mm would probably be more appropriate. StainlessSteel will probably be able to give you "the inside track" on bigger fish. The overhand stopper knot is probably the weak spot, I doubled the overhand knot, surgeon-style for the 90. A fixed loop bowline/double figure-8) might be more secure but bulkier.
Yes, I would quite like to try a reel -- anybody selling their Omer Match 30? However, I attach my spearguns to my float line, so speared fish & my speargun are always attached to my dive float, SA-style. I was going to say that I never dive to 10m, although this season I did a few times but usually less & holed up fish have not been an issue for me - free swimming bass, mullet & mackeral are my usual prey.
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I don't tend to use a Bouy locally so like the Reel option!
However when further West I use a Bouy due to more boat trafic and I don't really see the need for a Reel if your towing a bouy with you.
Problem is they are not quick / easy to remove and re-rig so it tends to stay on if using the Bouy.
The one time I went out with no Reel and no Bouy on my spare gun this year I came by my PB Bass! I did land it but I was cursing as I finned like a jetski to try and keep the line slack. Thankfully the shot passed through the Gill plate so was secure. I was wishing for a Bouy or Reel!
Not sure how effective the shot would be once it is pulling line from the reel. Do you reckon the spear at that range pulling line still has power to secure in a fish? I am not sure it benifits me re. range.
However when further West I use a Bouy due to more boat trafic and I don't really see the need for a Reel if your towing a bouy with you.
Problem is they are not quick / easy to remove and re-rig so it tends to stay on if using the Bouy.
The one time I went out with no Reel and no Bouy on my spare gun this year I came by my PB Bass! I did land it but I was cursing as I finned like a jetski to try and keep the line slack. Thankfully the shot passed through the Gill plate so was secure. I was wishing for a Bouy or Reel!
Not sure how effective the shot would be once it is pulling line from the reel. Do you reckon the spear at that range pulling line still has power to secure in a fish? I am not sure it benifits me re. range.
The new gun inspired me to take a dive today. The weather was not as good as forecast, so I ended up kitting up & diving in light drizzle. It was obvious as we neared the coast that the shorter gun would be my natural choice for the day -- but not today, time to take the new gun for a spin!
The light, slim guns are easier to carry walking in with fins, lobby pot, etc.. Once in the water, loading up, the extra stretch for the 90 created the impression "hmm more power". I'd forgotten to put on my supplementary loading pad but it wasn't a problem, the loading butt made for a pain-free load. The water was very murky, I was only able to see a few inches beyond the spear point. It was going to be tough and the 75 would have been my normal choice for the conditions. To make matters worse, my mask was leaking badly (perhaps due to the lower temperature?). I saw no fish at all. So a pretty awful dive on the way out.
At my chosen turn around point, the water deepened, the tide ripped & it boiled but the water cleared too. As I dived below the surface bubbles I was able to see the bottom as I dived down, near a spot where I had seen 3 large bass & several other good size bass early in the season. The bass had been out of range, over head, which was part of the inspiration for getting the 90. No sign today. Just a handful of 16cm mini pollock, a few slightly bigger & a couple of wrasse. After a few invigorating dives in surprisingly clear water, the water clouded up and out of the corner of my eye I saw a shoal of fast moving mullet of around 2lb. I dithered a little in poor vis., finally picked one near the back & fired. Missed, it was a long shot in poor vis. with a new gun, didn't expect to hit it. Circled round once & then headed in against a strong current - I'd forgotten the incoming tide at this spot pushes you out to sea! After an aspetto on the way back I suddenly realised I'd lost a lot of ground & had to concentrate on getting back in. Tried a few more aspettos in the murk as entered the calmer waters close to the beach - but saw no signs of life.
Initial thoughts, the 90 seems like it will give more range & power that the 75 but, although it seemed a little easier to handle than the RA90, the difference was less than I anticipated. My opinion might well change with further use - visibility was mainly very poor today & the current particularly strong - but the 75 is definitely more fun, & less tiring in strong current. If you are only going to get one XXV for the south coast/Dorset, consider the 80cm version - a good comprise between ease of use/fun & range/power.
The light, slim guns are easier to carry walking in with fins, lobby pot, etc.. Once in the water, loading up, the extra stretch for the 90 created the impression "hmm more power". I'd forgotten to put on my supplementary loading pad but it wasn't a problem, the loading butt made for a pain-free load. The water was very murky, I was only able to see a few inches beyond the spear point. It was going to be tough and the 75 would have been my normal choice for the conditions. To make matters worse, my mask was leaking badly (perhaps due to the lower temperature?). I saw no fish at all. So a pretty awful dive on the way out.
At my chosen turn around point, the water deepened, the tide ripped & it boiled but the water cleared too. As I dived below the surface bubbles I was able to see the bottom as I dived down, near a spot where I had seen 3 large bass & several other good size bass early in the season. The bass had been out of range, over head, which was part of the inspiration for getting the 90. No sign today. Just a handful of 16cm mini pollock, a few slightly bigger & a couple of wrasse. After a few invigorating dives in surprisingly clear water, the water clouded up and out of the corner of my eye I saw a shoal of fast moving mullet of around 2lb. I dithered a little in poor vis., finally picked one near the back & fired. Missed, it was a long shot in poor vis. with a new gun, didn't expect to hit it. Circled round once & then headed in against a strong current - I'd forgotten the incoming tide at this spot pushes you out to sea! After an aspetto on the way back I suddenly realised I'd lost a lot of ground & had to concentrate on getting back in. Tried a few more aspettos in the murk as entered the calmer waters close to the beach - but saw no signs of life.
Initial thoughts, the 90 seems like it will give more range & power that the 75 but, although it seemed a little easier to handle than the RA90, the difference was less than I anticipated. My opinion might well change with further use - visibility was mainly very poor today & the current particularly strong - but the 75 is definitely more fun, & less tiring in strong current. If you are only going to get one XXV for the south coast/Dorset, consider the 80cm version - a good comprise between ease of use/fun & range/power.
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I reckon you need to be diving on consecutive days to see the difference between 75 - 90. The difference is very obvious to me now but for ages I was only using the 90. Maybe as its been so long between dives they seem similar.
PLUS ... it really sucks not seeing past the end of the gun. You were bound to be disapointed in those conditions.
I reckon you'll love :inlove it come July!
PLUS ... it really sucks not seeing past the end of the gun. You were bound to be disapointed in those conditions.
I reckon you'll love :inlove it come July!
Roll-on Summer. I had enough of Winter a month ago!
I agree, there is a big difference between the 75 and the 90 in the water. Surprisingly large when you line them up next to each other & see how small the difference appears. So far the difference between the XXV90 & RA90 is less than I expected, so far.
What are you guy's opinons of the Pelej guns out of Austrailia?
I'm enjoying their 90 cm band gun, it is a little slow tracking to me.
But when you skewer a fish - it's dead.
Later,
Old Fat Guy
I'm enjoying their 90 cm band gun, it is a little slow tracking to me.
But when you skewer a fish - it's dead.
Later,
Old Fat Guy
Pelaj, are they Australian? I thought they were out of South Africa. Either way, our resident Bluewater expert, Miles reviewed them a few months ago, with Tommy Botha. I wouldn't expect it to be unusually fast tracking but Miles rated them as good, comparable to SA railguns by Rob Allen & Rabitech.
For big fish the SA railguns would be hard to beat. For our smaller fish (UK), I'm currently enjoying the small, light Omer XXV. Although this year, unusually, I saw a couple of "lunkers" which made me wish I had a 120cm RA railgun in my hand rather than my little 75cm XXV. There is something satisfying/reassuring about all those heavy duty fittings on the SA-style railguns.
For big fish the SA railguns would be hard to beat. For our smaller fish (UK), I'm currently enjoying the small, light Omer XXV. Although this year, unusually, I saw a couple of "lunkers" which made me wish I had a 120cm RA railgun in my hand rather than my little 75cm XXV
. There is something satisfying/reassuring about all those heavy duty fittings on the SA-style railguns.
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For lightness and fast tracking nothing beats a Rob Allen Carbon with the plastic Reel. I swear by this gun and have shot everything from 1kg bream to 30kg Kob (Jewfish, Corvina) as well as big Spanish Mackerel, Yellowtail and Amberjack.
Rob has also developed an open muzzle for his guns and I was one the fortunate guys to have a go with it. At first it takes some getting used to but once you are used to it it is awesome. Another bonus is that the gun floats with the spear in it. Some guns I have seen sink with the spear out which makes diving with reel guns awkward and cumbersome.
As for some guys cranking their guns up with several rubbers, why? Normally fish come within the 4-5m range and if your spears are sharp you shouldn't have a problem.
A mate of mine shot through a 100kg Marlin with a standard RA 1.2m single band (20mm).
(see: www.spearfishingsa.co.za/news/corry-versluis-protea-banks.htm ) so don't fall for all that propaganda that you must power up a gun. All that's is going to happen is that the force of acceleration is going to whiplash the spear and make your shots inaccurate.
Good diving
Rob has also developed an open muzzle for his guns and I was one the fortunate guys to have a go with it. At first it takes some getting used to but once you are used to it it is awesome. Another bonus is that the gun floats with the spear in it. Some guns I have seen sink with the spear out which makes diving with reel guns awkward and cumbersome.
As for some guys cranking their guns up with several rubbers, why? Normally fish come within the 4-5m range and if your spears are sharp you shouldn't have a problem.
A mate of mine shot through a 100kg Marlin with a standard RA 1.2m single band (20mm).
(see: www.spearfishingsa.co.za/news/corry-versluis-protea-banks.htm ) so don't fall for all that propaganda that you must power up a gun. All that's is going to happen is that the force of acceleration is going to whiplash the spear and make your shots inaccurate.
Good diving
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