Spark out, Sten 11 in for 2011

[popgun pete]

It looks like Mares are revising their pneumatic models for 2011. The "Spark" has now been replaced by a "Sten 11", although the "Spark Mimetic" remains. The "Jet" receives a new color scheme (black with orange highlights) and is yet another revamp of the "Sten Competition Line" speargun from the eighties. So the 13 mm inner barrel diameter Mares guns are the "Sten" and the "Jet" and the 11 mm inner barrel diameter Mares guns are the "Sten 11", the "Cyrano" and the "Spark Mimetic". No sign of any new "Mirage" (those old production moulds must be sitting around somewhere) and I guess that a "Cyrano 13" is not on the cards for obvious reasons.

All the current Mares speargun manuals are now available as pdf files from http://pureinstinct.mares.com, however they are only the manuals supplied with each gun and do not have any parts lists or exploded diagrams. Interestingly the speargun cross-section profile being used in all the manuals is the old "Sten Competition Line" diagram, I am surprised that Mares have never updated it.

 

[BocaRape]

It looks like Mares are revising their pneumatic models for 2011. The "Spark" has now been replaced by a "Sten 11", although the "Spark Mimetic" remains. The "Jet" receives a new color scheme (black with orange highlights) and is yet another revamp of the "Sten Competition Line" speargun from the eighties. So the 13 mm inner barrel diameter Mares guns are the "Sten" and the "Jet" and the 11 mm inner barrel diameter Mares guns are the "Sten 11", the "Cyrano" and the "Spark Mimetic". No sign of any new "Mirage" (those old production moulds must be sitting around somewhere) and I guess that a "Cyrano 13" is not on the cards for obvious reasons.

All the current Mares speargun manuals are now available as pdf files from http://pureinstinct.mares.com, however they are only the manuals supplied with each gun and do not have any parts lists or exploded diagrams. Interestingly the speargun cross-section profile being used in all the manuals is the old "Sten Competition Line" diagram, I am surprised that Mares have never updated it.

Look at the file you attached.
I think that is what you want.
A greeting.

 

[popgun pete]

Thanks, that is a good reference, I already had some of those diagrams and parts lists from a different source, but not the Mares repair tools page. My original comment was a reference to the fact that Mares no longer include this component information in the user manual supplied with each gun. Starting with the "Cyrano" and then the later "Sten 2001" speargun Mares stopped doing this, but up until the "Sten 87" (Competition Line) this information was always supplied with Mares pneumatic spearguns as a matter of course. I think that this omission was due to a change in policy by Mares where they wanted users to return guns to Mares agents for servicing and repair whereas previously it was a do-it-yourself exercise, unless it was a warranty claim. I always service my own guns, in the old days it was always worthwhile to remove the pieces of metal swarf (spring-like thin metal turnings and metal chips) that could be found in most guns even though they seldom caused a problem, well initially anyway. They just drifted around in the oil and were in the pressure tank or pre-chamber rather than in the inner barrel.

 

[spaghetti]

There are voices of a totally new Mares airgun forthcoming in the next weeks. And it'd be about frigging time, as the Sten 11 is obvioulsy nothing really new.

This new airgun is said to come with an in-built dry kit (derivation of the Stc X-power), new handle, new barrel, new everything.

This is just a rumor (but it's said to be from business insiders) and there is a big expectation for the new gun to be unveiled later this month at the EUDI Show in Rome (major dive industry exibit, italian equivalent for DEMA show).

Let's live to see................

 

[foxfish]

This is exciting news!!
Please tell us more when you can...

 

[mucous]

oh man! i am practically foaming at the mouth hearing news of a mares dry barrel gun! i like mares stuff. i think they would totally smash the competition with a dry barrel gun. and to think i was kinda thinking about an omer airbalete because they might be a little more powerfull........

 

[Gazz]

The Mares Sten 11 looks the goods, the Race line slider and SS 7.0mm spear look much better than the current cyrano Spears. I am yet to see this gun in any shops.

 

[mucous]

yeah i was wondering about that. sure would like to know if they are gonna make it to the USA soon. do you guys think it will be comparable or even out perform the cyrano in any significant manner? i also hope the put a sight on the gun like the cyranos have.

 

[spaghetti]

oh man! i am practically foaming at the mouth hearing news of a mares dry barrel gun! i like mares stuff. i think they would totally smash the competition with a dry barrel gun. and to think i was kinda thinking about an omer airbalete because they might be a little more powerfull........

Keep foaming buddy. :t
The unveiling the new gun has been postponed (still under testing and the secrets are being kept safe so far).
Just a matter of time, insiders say.

 

[mucous]

ha! it looks like the sten 11 is already making some appearances in the european market. one place called aguazul.com lists it as being for sale. hmmm. i would still like to hear about its performance on here before i get too excited about it though.

 

[Carlos Candel]

Hello Guys... I am new around here... from El Salvador, sunny little piece of beach in Central America. I just got a old MiniminiSten from a friend, no manual, no knowhow.... its my first pneumatic... hopefully. But I am looking for manuals and mores specifically diagrams and parts lists. I want to take it appart, clean it, change any worn parts. Dont want it to fall appart on the first shot. It hasnt been used for an odd 15 years... and perahps was purchased some 25 years ago... I allready looked at the manual posted, but its fairly fuzzy and not really indept. Would appreciate your advice.

 

[spaghetti]

Welcome Carlos. A miniministen is a short gun (40 centimeters overall). It's got a pretty strong punch, as it shoots an 8 millimeters spear from a pressure or 20/30 BAR. But it's....so short that you can't expect any use other than stoning a holed up fish at a very short range, or to give a second shot to finish a previously wounded prey.

Check if it's pressurized, and place it in a tank of water to see if it's there any leakage of air. Than try it at sea (very carefully) just to see if it's working.

 

[Carlos Candel]

Spaghetti.. thanks for your advice.. it IS leaking oil... I do plan to use it in the lake.. I usually go to the crater lake of ilopango in San Salvador with some buddies... and just as you describe it... we normally, during nite dives stone up holed up fish at very short range... visibility has been real crappy all throughout this rainy season which is just about to change... hopefully mid november it will clear up.. (which will also clear up the Los Cobanos coral reef zone... so come end of month i will be coral reefing... and hope to carry the minimini but not sure what I´ll find.)--- anyways, I do need to take it appart and make sure all the orings and whatnots are in good working condition... as well as figure out where that oil leak is. thanks again for any and every tip !!
Carlos

 

[popgun pete]

Spaghetti.. thanks for your advice.. it IS leaking oil... I do plan to use it in the lake.. I usually go to the crater lake of ilopango in San Salvador with some buddies... and just as you describe it... we normally, during nite dives stone up holed up fish at very short range... visibility has been real crappy all throughout this rainy season which is just about to change... hopefully mid november it will clear up.. (which will also clear up the Los Cobanos coral reef zone... so come end of month i will be coral reefing... and hope to carry the minimini but not sure what I´ll find.)--- anyways, I do need to take it appart and make sure all the orings and whatnots are in good working condition... as well as figure out where that oil leak is. thanks again for any and every tip !!
Carlos

Read this to help with dismantling your gun: http://forums.deeperblue.com/pneumatic-spearguns/90024-pneumatic-dismantling-how-get-inside.html

The "Miniministen" has no power regulator, so one less place to leak.

 

[Carlos Candel]

Hey there Mr. Popgun ! Thanks a lot for the tips. I will be taking a shot at it during the week..... though I found as a backup that there is a guy in one of the local PADI shops that knows the mini Mares inside out... I will visit him... to make sure I don't take it appart the wrong way.. or put it back together the wrong way , but first I WILL memorize your advice. thanks again, wish you clear waters and big fish !!
:wave
regards
Carlos