Meandros Sub is one of the strongest spearguns, but not only, designers and manufacturers in the world. When we came across the spearguns line of the Greek Company we were stunned by the quality and the clever design solutions, which give un unbeatable efficiency, power and precision of the shot.
Meandros b28
Even though we cannot really say Meandros has a base model for spearguns, as all the line is amazingly high quality and performance, the b28 is definitely the “smallest” of the line. In fact, the other models are the extraordinary b32 where, as the name says, the barrel grows from 28 mm diameter of the b28, to 32 mm. The Argo, with cuttlefish bone shapes section, and the Blue Water, with 32 mm barrel and triple circular elastic bands, complete the amazing offer by Meandros. But we will analyze them later on, let’s now look at the b28 we have received.
4 key top quality elements: barrel, handle, muzzle and release mechanism
Any details of the Meandros b28 is such high quality, that it is hard to select the key assets:: barrel, handle, muzzle and release mechanism are small pieces of art, and each one is among the absolute best solutions on the market. Let’s see why.
Barrel, not a simple 28 mm
Lateral stiffening walls
The 28 mm barrel of the Meandros b28 has a key element that makes it much stiffer than traditional circular section barrels of the same diameter. On the two sides, in fact, the barrel has vertical walls of 1.45 mm thickness, which determine an unbeatable stiffness in the vertical direction. This is the axis where mostly the spearguns are mostly subject to stress. If, in fact, the circular bands are symmetrical on the horizontal axis, so the barrel is loaded but has limited lateral deformation, on the vertical axis there is a torque generated by the fact that, as good as the design of the speargun can be, the bands act forcing the barrel to bend. With the clever design by Meandros, such negative effect is almost cancelled.
Integrated shaft guide and double O-rings connection
The barrel has a high end integrated open track shaft guide, with a V section. This improves the precision of the shot, additionally stiffening the barrel. The connection of the barrel to the handle and the muzzle is obtained with two O-Rings per side. This solution permits to have greater buoyancy compared to plugs, as more air volume is left free inside the barrel.
Great anodization
All the Meandros spearguns line stands out for the great perceived quality, and the barrel anodization is among the elements who underline such aspect. Even though the names Meandros and b28 are obtained with stickers, which is not the highest quality solution, the anodization is perfect! The b28 has a simple matt black colour, while the camo version is astonishing, but we will see it in another article. What is key is not only the quality of the anodization, but also the fact that each tube is anodized singularly, so the covering is complete, and not partial as it would be in a more economic processing where a long tube is anodized and then cut in smaller parts.
Handle
Hand to shaft alignment
The handle of the Meandros b28 is another piece of art. The design of such component is so well thought, that the hand is almost aligned with the shaft. This aspect is looked after by all the best spearfishing companies designing spearguns, but in the case of Meandros the result is simply spectacular.
The effect of this alignment is that any recoil present (traditional propulsion systems are always subject to some) is perfectly controlled by the hand and arm of the spearo. The final backward movement is so totally limited and the reach of the shot can increase by 1 or even 2 meters! Try shooting with your speargun having the butt positioned on a rigid wall and see how much further the shaft goes compared to holding the gun simply with the hand. Not only, evidently such alignment permits a much better control and final precision of the shot, as the speargun will not change direction due to the recoil, due tot he fact that the muzzle will not move vertically.
One piece design
The quality of the handle by Meandros does not end with the hand to shaft alignment. A key element is also the fact that the component is one single piece, generating an unbeatable rigidity. Un such a way, once more the precision of the shot is optimized. Also, the 100% stainless steel release mechanism will be perfectly blocked in the handle, improving shaft release. Even the rear speargun butt is one piece with the handle, and is greatly designed: wide for a great support surface covered with softer rubber for anti skid effect, and with a well open concave upper profile which frees perfectly all the line of aim.
Frontally, the handle has two well designed “wings” to position the monofilament out of the line of aim and well held in position at any time. The on/off system is a sliding button inside the trigger guard, which acts directly on the trigger to block it. You cannot feel if it is on or off with the hand, but can easily check that visually. If the button is coming out of the trigger guard, the system is blocked.
Rubber cover
The grip has a special rubber cover to to prevent the handle from slipping. The design is slightly anatomical, but symmetrical. There is also the option of a more anatomical left or right rubber cover grip. The 5 different colour options are nice.
Release mechanism
The release mechanism of the Meandros b28 is 100% stainless steel. All the components are perfectly designed. The lateral line release lever is quite small, but with an excellent V profile to avoid the monofilament to be lost. The lever can be easily moved left or right acting on an Allen screw. The mechanism is blocked to the handle with 3 well dimensioned steel pins. What is key also, the the inverted system of the release mechanism. The shaft is brought to much backward that the efficiency of the shot is maximum. The elastic bands are in fact used in all their length. Looking laterally at the handle you can see that the rear of the shaft is practically aligned with the curve between the thumb and the index finger. This is actually an almost unbeatable value.
Muzzles, Open and Dragon
The Meandros b28 is offered with the Dragon head, a closed solution, and the Open head, with double circular possibility.
Dragon
The Dragon closed muzzle is quite traditional. It has a nice central sight coming up to be well visible. There is the traditional option of adding a circular band under the main two bands. The Dragon muzzle has, and this is not present in all closed muzzles, a nice guide to position correctly also the additional circular band. In the inferior part a strong steel axle is present for the passage of the line.
Open
The Open muzzle of the Meandros b28 is another key element of this speargun. Extremely compact and perfectly smooth for a great perceived quality, the Open muzzle hosts up to two circular bands of 17.5 mm diameter. The design of the muzzle permits to position the bands perfectly parallel to the shaft, optimizing the power and precision of the shot. In the same way as the Dragon, in the inferior part a strong steel axle is present for the passage of the line.
Setup
Meandros b28 Cobra 75
The Meandros b28 Cobra 75 is set standard with a pair of 17.5 mm screw system Demka rubbers. The shaft is a 6.25 mm 2 notches Demka solution, with single upper barb. The wishbone is a screwed steel articulated spring. Available lengths of this speargun are 65, 75, 85, 95 and 105 cm.
Meandros b28 Open 75
The Meandros b28 Open 75 mounts a single 17.5 mm diameter circular rubber. The shaft is a Meandros 6.25 mm single upper barb solution with 3 shark fins. We like the barb having a slight friction at the end of its opening to avoid it closing by accidently when pulling the shaft after having shot a fish. The wishbone is a dyneema solution with two steel connections ad a very high quality steel ring blocking system. Available lengths of this speargun are 75, 85, 95 and 105 cm.
