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All About Guns What's your weapon of choice, and why? Discuss the beloved speargun here! |
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09-14-2003, 10:03 PM | #1 |
So Little Time
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Boca Raton
Posts: 949
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speargun repair/powerheads
There's a guy named Tito in Miami (he's Hawaiian, spearfisher, very nice, VERY skilled) who makes spearguns, repairs them, restores them, mounts reels, etc. I first heard of him through one of my freediving friends in Palm Beach, and a lot of people in South Florida use him. He can take a damaged gun and fix the flaw so that you can't even see it. If you need any work done on your guns, he is "the man".
He also makes great disposable powerheads. They are made from aluminum, available in 6.5mm, 7mm (for Euroguns), and 9/32", 5/16", and 3/8" diam. They come in .223, 44 Magnum, and .308 rounds. They are sealed in the cartridge so that the bullet remains dry and will detonate, even after repeated times in the water. They are simple, easy to use, and reliable. I use a couple elastic pony tail holders to strap them to the butt of my gun, so it's real easy to grab and mount quickly. You just slip it on the tip of your shaft, and it has an internal O-ring that keeps it on the shaft, and the tip of the shaft breaks through the seal and acts as the firing pin. I walked into one of the most popular spearfishing stores in Hawaii recently, and Tito's PH's were under the glass counter. He also gets orders from Australia, Fiji, etc. His PH's are $15 each, cheaper if you're buying in quantity. No, I'm not getting a commission, just sharing a great contact. His e-mail is "titotigershark@hotmail.com". This PH has been around awhile, so it's not very new looking, but so you get the idea..... |
09-14-2003, 10:52 PM | #2 |
Spearboard Historian
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Boca Raton
Age: 62
Posts: 4,391
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Sheri: Have you or anyone you know used them?
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09-14-2003, 11:04 PM | #3 |
So Little Time
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Boca Raton
Posts: 949
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I've used them, Diligaf has used them, several guys in the South Florida Spearfishing Club, several guys in the Broward Longfins, couple friends up in Palm Beach buy them regularly. Tito is definitely the main supplier around here, and as I said, he ships around the world. They are the most simple and reliable powerhead that we've found. One tip....if you've never used them before, you need to aim a bit higher to make up for some added weight/resistance. We've seen an increase in sharks around here lately. I know Paul has too. Have you?
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09-14-2003, 11:13 PM | #4 |
Spearboard Historian
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Boca Raton
Age: 62
Posts: 4,391
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Sheri:
No I haven't and I don't think that Paul has ever fired a powerhead in his life (although he and Bryan are asking me about getting them now). Regardless, your opinion and the apparent weight of approval from people such as diligaf gives me more than enough confidence in the product. Do they come preloaded or do you have to assemble them? |
09-14-2003, 11:33 PM | #5 |
So Little Time
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Boca Raton
Posts: 949
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Me, nor any of my close spearfishing friends, use them unless it's a real life threatening situation. Out of many, many shark sightings, I've only shot a powerhead once, and most guys I know have shot between zero and three (in several years of diving)...something like that. It's not a common occurrence, but when you need it, you REALLY need it. It seems like bullsharks on this coast are the worst. They can turn on YOU instead of the fish you speared. The hammerheads, in our experience, are just after your fish, and once you make eye contact, they usually go away. Anyway, it doesn't hurt to have it handy....just in case.
These powerheads are ready to go....no assembly, nothing. |
09-15-2003, 12:02 AM | #6 |
Spearboard Historian
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Boca Raton
Age: 62
Posts: 4,391
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Thanks. That's exactly what I meant by my question. I would only use them for self defense. I just want them to fire when I shoot them because (over here), it’s often on a line gun, and I will only have one spear before I cut it off if the shaft doesn’t pull out. More arguments for freeshafting? I love it in the Middlegrounds, but I like the Riffe lineshaft if a big cobia surprises me here (diving with tanks as you used to do more often - as I understand it). Even if freeshafting, it's nice to have more than one shaft so that I have something to protect myself with if the PH doesn't detonate or my shaft is in a fish at the time.
Like the slip-ons - but there has always been a question about how reliable they were in a pinch. I understand they always work better impacting at 90 degrees. Just stuff that keeps me up at night every now and then. Sure I'm not alone. Last edited by kitefisherman; 09-15-2003 at 12:13 AM. |
09-15-2003, 12:09 AM | #7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 2,517
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308 caliber? Isn't that the standard NATO battle round? Man, I'd hate to be the shark on the business end of that PH!
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09-15-2003, 09:08 AM | #8 |
So Little Time
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Boca Raton
Posts: 949
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Prod...yes, 308 could probably bring down a whale! I think 223 is enough, reliability is probably higher, and the cartridge is smaller so less drag, more distance. Kite, yes, you should shoot fairly close and at 90 degrees, but that's the only time you'd be using them anyway, right? I would shoot some before actually NEEDING them so that you can judge power/distance and to assure yourself of the reliability.
I'd feel really bad if someone bought these and shot themselves, so please be careful. I'm sure 99% of you know this, but never put your palm or fingers in front of the cartridge when loading it on your spear. I saw someone in the law enforcement field, trained in firearms, slip one onto a shaft with his palm in front of the barrel. If you don't handle these correctly, you're in more danger than from being around a shark. |
09-16-2003, 02:19 PM | #9 |
So Little Time
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Boca Raton
Posts: 949
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Tito agreed to publish his home phone as well, as there seems to be people with questions about his gun repairs/powerheads. His number is 305-642-7825, and best time to call is between 6 and 10 pm.
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09-16-2003, 03:02 PM | #10 | |
Spearboard Historian
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Boca Raton
Age: 62
Posts: 4,391
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Quote:
I was looking back at the thread and realized that I misread your question. Yes, I have seen an increase in sharks here lately. I usually go about 40 dives or so between sightings. Weekend before last, I saw one on each of 2 consecutive dives (an 8 foot bull and a 7 foot caribbean reef shark). Both were downcurrent of me and lazily swimming with the current. Neither paid any attention to me. Paul has been seeing sharks every week especially out in 120'. Evan had a cuda taken off his spear by a bull on the UC a couple of weeks ago. It has made me a little more aware of my surroundings since I usually dive alone. Sunday, a remora swam up underneath me and took a nip at the skin covering my jugular. I nearly jumped out of my wetsuit and did a quick 360 to see what it was. I didn't see anything, but later on my ascent I saw a small remora swimming back down to the bottom so I guess that was what it was. Those damn remoras can be a pain in the ass sometimes following me and nipping at my hair or fingertips - it is distracting and takes me out of the focused zone in which I like to hunt. Are you going to be at the Southern Open? |
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09-16-2003, 11:42 PM | #11 |
So Little Time
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Boca Raton
Posts: 949
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Yeah, those remoras are very annoying. Besides the fact that they're trying to attach themselves to you, you know they just came off a big bull.....lurking somewhere nearby. Not the best thing for your spearfishing concentration.
No, not going to the Southern Open, but I'm sure it'll be a blast! Have fun, take pictures, and I want to hear all about it. |
09-23-2003, 05:16 PM | #12 |
So Little Time
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Boca Raton
Posts: 949
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I have some more info on Tito's powerheads. He's gotten quite a few calls, and he appreciates the interest, but his wife would rather you call him on his cell phone....it's 786-853-9029.
And here are some answers to the more common questions: These powerheads are very light, made from aircraft aluminum. They are sealed with PVC 505 epoxy, no assembly, etc. They can last one year and will still fire (but I replace after six months). They also come in a powdercoated finish ($4 more). S&H (within U.S.): 1-4 ph's is $5, 4-10 ph's is $10 His address is: Tito Diaz 3150 NW 3rd St. Miami, FL 33125 He takes cashier's check or money order. |
09-23-2003, 05:22 PM | #13 |
So Little Time
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Boca Raton
Posts: 949
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Also, we checked out DivingPig's powerhead holders (on another thread). This one is a wrist band...works good.
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