ok. sounds like you would prefer the rob allen??
Not necessarily, it's just the one I am familiar with. So it would be the safer choice for me. I would be happy with either, or both
. Pretty neutral really. I like the whole bulk rubber/dyneema wishbone approach (but I think the snake uses bulk rubber not sure about the wishbone, Mundial uses dyneema on his I believe) but if you are used to screw-in rubbers and wishbones you might feel more at home with the Seatec. Seatecs are often foam covered which should make them quiet than usual (I think Imersion do this on some models too). Price/budget including shipping would also be a consideration for me. The availability of parts and after sales service is often under valued though. Rob Allen parts can be hard to find locally, which could be a problem when time is of the essence, but the dive factory in South Africa offer first class support and advice. I'd be surprised if Seatec doesn't too but if they don't have good English you might have to use on-line translation (or Spaghetti
).
The Vecta handle on the RA is quite chunky (compared to say a Cressi Commanche or Omer XXV T10 handle), so I would not recommend it for someone with particularly small hands. It has a high quality rubber feel though, with a honking great big game orcas clip & swivel attached - feel the quality
. Seatec has a reputation for tough, heavy, accurate guns too.
I see DivingDane has used both, so he is in a much better position than most to make the comparison that you are looking for. He says the RAs are
less refined -- I would say their design is very refined
for South Africa, changes now tend to be small (a new handle once a decade, a tweak to the trigger mech occasionally, a new spear tip or notch option occasionally, a new stainless steel alloy for the trigger seer); many other companies are now partly or completely following their formula of euro-handle, rail, bulk rubber, dyneema wishbone, heavy duty fittings (Rabitech/Mako/Freedivers/Hammerhead/Orcas/Pelaj); even the european makers are starting to adopt elements of it. However,
I think I understand what he means - they are not obviously making big, daring new innovations or trying advanced new manufacturing techniques, like Omer for example with their pressure-formed alumium HF2 barrels. Nor are they particularly optimized for UK/Med. fish/conditions. He says the RA is loud but honestly I haven't noticed any difference compared to my carbon Omer XXVs -- perhaps I am just oblivious to it, because when you shoot a fish there are many other things to think about. The spear is supposed to run on a film of water so it is really only metal on metal if you bash the spear on the barrel while reloading -- the bungee rattling against the barrel occasionally was far more noticeable to me and that is easily fixed with plastic pipe over the clip or replacing the bungee with 4mm bungee rubber.
Local knowledge is priceless so C-X's post puts things in context. What length are you planning to buy?
