When it comes to spearfishing, few debates run deeper than that between pneumatic and banded spearguns. Having spent years navigating the waters off the coast of Wales, I’ve formed a fair appreciation for the tried-and-true banded spearguns. They’re reliable, straightforward, and effective for most spearfishing situations. However, the landscape is shifting as new advancements in pneumatic spearguns—especially the cutting-edge models from Salvimar—challenge long-held assumptions about this technology. In this “quick” post, I’ll discuss what I think are the benefits, drawbacks, and practical applications of both types, highlighting when each might be your best bet out on the water.
History of pneumatic spearguns
Originally developed more than half a century ago, pneumatic spearguns have been around for a good while, but they fell out of favour over time due to some inherent drawbacks. Powered by compressed air rather than elastic bands, early pneumatic models were often considered unreliable, complicated, and noisy—qualities that can scare off both fish and spearfishers alike. Back then, the banded speargun took the lead in popularity due to its simplicity and durability.
Today, however, pneumatic spearguns have seen a remarkable transformation. Modern innovations have tackled many of the traditional weaknesses, making these spearguns quieter and more dependable than ever. Salvimar, a well-known Italian company in spearfishing circles, has been pioneering a line of silent pneumatic spearguns, like the new Predathor Vuoto, which is completely noiseless. This development might mark a turning point for pneumatic spearguns, giving spearfishers a genuine reason to reconsider them.
How do pneumatic and banded spearguns work?
Understanding how each type of speargun operates is key to appreciating their unique benefits and drawbacks.
- Pneumatic Spearguns: Powered by compressed air, pneumatic spearguns are charged before you head out. Each time you shoot, compressed air propels the spear forward with substantial force. Modern pneumatic spearguns, like the Predathor Vuoto, feature a vacuum muzzle that creates a watertight seal, keeping water out and ensuring consistent performance. With improvements in design, pneumatic spearguns can now offer smoother, quieter shots and even better accuracy, thanks to reduced recoil.
- Banded Spearguns: As the name suggests, banded spearguns use elastic bands to create propulsion. You simply pull the bands back onto a notch on the spear, building tension, which is then released to launch the spear. This mechanism is incredibly straightforward, requiring minimal maintenance and fewer parts that could malfunction. They’re widely regarded as a durable and practical choice, especially in rugged conditions where simplicity can make all the difference.
Advantages of pneumatic spearguns
While pneumatic spearguns have a mixed reputation, recent advancements have made them more competitive with banded models. Here’s what they offer:
- Compact and Lightweight: Pneumatic spearguns tend to be lighter and more compact than their banded counterparts. This can make them easier to manoeuvre underwater, particularly in tighter spaces or when targeting smaller, agile fish.
- Improved Performance with Salvimar’s Predathor Vuoto: Salvimar’s Predathor Vuoto model, for instance, includes a 30% fibreglass-loaded nylon handle, making it ergonomically designed for a secure grip, even with thick neoprene gloves. The internal recharge valve placement also ensures the hand adapts comfortably to the handle, which improves control and precision during shots.
- Silent Firing: The Predathor Vuoto’s vacuum muzzle allows for silent operation, a significant improvement over older pneumatic models. This feature greatly enhances stealth during hunting, keeping fish unaware of your presence after the first shot.
- Less Recoil, Greater Accuracy: By using a vacuum seal to prevent water from entering the inner barrel, pneumatic spearguns like the Predathor Vuoto achieve better balance and precision. The air-only barrel reduces recoil, helping maintain stability and accuracy.
- Line Management: With features like the helical line release, which keeps the line adherent to the barrel, manoeuvrability and line preparation are simplified. This is especially useful when dealing with monofilament lines, as it ensures a smooth, hassle-free experience.
Despite these perks, pneumatic spearguns still come with some limitations. They require pre-charging and careful maintenance to ensure the compressed air mechanism functions smoothly, which adds an extra step to preparation compared to the straightforward banded models.
The Mares Force has made waves in the spearfishing community, clinching the Best Choice 2024 title by Apneapassion. With its offset barrel, integrated Vuoto system, and innovative dual-sight design, it’s easy to see why this model caught attention. Mares has certainly created an impressive pneumatic speargun that meets the desires of spearfishers who favour high performance without the hassle of modifications. Yet, while it’s grabbed accolades, it may not be the go-to choice for everyone—especially those who favour reliability and familiarity in their equipment (um, me).
Despite the accolades, the Mares Force has its limitations. Unlike the straightforward simplicity of the Salvimar Predathor Vuoto, which held the Best Choice title in 2023, the Mares Force leans toward a more complex design with features that, while innovative, may not appeal to everyone. The new, straighter handle design may suit some but can feel slightly rigid and may take some getting used to. Additionally, though the line release and trigger are durable stainless steel, they aren’t adjustable, which could limit flexibility for those who like to tweak their equipment.
Then there’s the question of brand preference. Salvimar’s Predathor Vuoto has remained a popular choice for its silent, reliable performance and practical design. It may not have the bells and whistles of the Mares Force, but sometimes less is more, especially when dealing with equipment under unpredictable underwater conditions. Salvimar’s longstanding reliability keeps it in favour for many of us who value durability and a more traditional approach to speargun design over new, untested enhancements.
Ultimately, while the Mares Force is an exciting development in pneumatic technology, for those of us who appreciate tried-and-true gear, it’s still hard to beat the rugged, no-nonsense appeal of a classic like the Predathor Vuoto – if a pneumatic is your go-to.
The case for banded spearguns
Even with the innovations in pneumatic technology, banded spearguns remain the tool of choice for many, myself included. Here’s why:
- Reliability and Durability: Banded spearguns have few moving parts and are less likely to break or malfunction. Their simple mechanism makes them ideal for harsh conditions, where less can go wrong, and repairs can be done easily if needed.
- Ease of Use: Operating a banded speargun is straightforward, and there’s minimal learning curve involved. You simply load the spear by pulling back the bands, making it an accessible choice for both beginners and seasoned spearfishers.
- Quiet and Natural Operation: While the new pneumatic models are now quiet, banded spearguns have always offered near-silent operation without the need for complex technology. This makes them inherently reliable for stealth hunting and gives you one less thing to worry about.
- Less Maintenance: Banded spearguns don’t require the same level of upkeep as pneumatic models. There’s no need to check air pressure, replace gaskets, or worry about internal mechanisms. This simplicity often translates to greater peace of mind, especially when out on longer excursions.
For these reasons, banded spearguns remain the preferred choice for spearfishers who value dependability and straightforward operation over high-tech features (and old sea dogs like me). They’re often viewed as the “workhorse” of spearguns—steady, reliable, and effective.
So, when would you use a pneumatic speargun?
With all this in mind, the question remains: when should you choose a pneumatic speargun over a banded one? The answer largely depends on your priorities and the type of hunting you’re planning to do.
- Stealth Hunting: If your aim is to get as close to your prey as possible without alerting them, a pneumatic speargun like Salvimar’s Predathor Vuoto can be a solid choice. Its silent firing mechanism makes it ideal for situations where you want to avoid scaring off fish after your first shot.
- Targeting Smaller, Faster Fish: Pneumatic spearguns are often more compact and manoeuvrable, which can be beneficial when hunting smaller, faster fish that require quick reaction times and precision. The reduced recoil and enhanced accuracy of pneumatic models can give you a slight edge in these scenarios.
- Adventurous Spearfishers Who Appreciate New Tech: For those open to trying new technology, modern pneumatic spearguns offer an exciting blend of innovation and performance. Spearfishers interested in gadgets and precision engineering may find the advancements in pneumatic models intriguing and well worth the investment.
Final weigh in …
I’m often down in Cornwall and I get all of my gear from Spearfishing UK who have a LOT of spearguns for sale and a really excellent speargun guide on their website if you’re still debating. As someone who’s been spearfishing on the Welsh coast for years, I’m inclined to stick with my banded speargun for most outings. The reliability, simplicity, and no-fuss operation make it a trusted tool in my kit (read my guide to choosing a speargun here). Maybe I’m just stuck in my ways. It’s hard to argue against the advancements in pneumatic spearguns. Salvimar’s Predathor Vuoto has taken a huge step in improving stealth and usability, possibly heralding a comeback for the pneumatic design. The vacuum muzzle, silent operation, and ergonomic improvements offer legitimate benefits, and for those willing to invest in modern gear, the performance speaks for itself.
But for me, in the end, it’s about knowing your priorities as a spearfisher. If you value simplicity and tried-and-true reliability, banded spearguns remain the champion.