The Meandros Argo 85 is a premium double-band speargun featuring an elliptical aluminum barrel, high-quality components and a design focused on efficient shooting and practical handling. All details have been analyzed in our x-rays article. We tested it at sea on different species, from a 6 kg amberjack to smaller red mullets, to evaluate its performance in real spearfishing conditions.
Elliptical Barrel and Construction Quality
The Meandros Argo 85 features a large elliptical aluminum barrel, 40 mm wide and 32 mm high. Its generous internal air volume provides excellent buoyancy, even with 7 mm shafts and potentially more.
The elliptical profile supports smooth lateral maneuverability, while elliptical O-rings seal the connections between the barrel, handle and muzzle without reducing internal volume as plugs do.
Construction quality is particularly high, with durable anodizing, a compact muzzle and a 100% stainless steel trigger mechanism.
The inverted trigger position maximizes the available shaft propulsion length, while the short distance between the index finger and shaft axis helps precision and maintain control of recoil during firing.
Double bands and practical handling
The Meandros Argo 85 uses two circular 16 mm diameter bands, providing substantial propulsion while retaining the straightforward loading process of a conventional speargun.
The integrated open shaft guide facilitates shaft positioning, and the generously sized stainless steel lateral line-release lever makes securing the monofilament quick and intuitive.
During the test, reloading proved comfortable and uncomplicated, an important advantage during extended spearfishing sessions.
Sea Test: Amberjack and red mullets
Our sea test included a 6 kg amberjack, successfully captured with the Meandros Argo 85, confirming its ability to handle substantial prey despite its relatively compact dimensions.
We also tested it on red mullets, including a particularly challenging shot at a fish swimming away at considerable distance. The shot was accurate, demonstrating good control when targeting smaller, moving fish.
The most notable aspect was the natural handling of the speargun across these different situations.
Dimensions and Effective Range
The 85 cm designation refers to the barrel length, excluding the handle and muzzle. This is an important distinction when comparing the Argo with other spearguns.
The inverted trigger mechanism makes efficient use of the available length, contributing to its effective shooting range.
Of course an 85 cm model has some limitations at longer distances compared with larger spearguns or advanced Vela systems. However, the power output in the shot, visible on the video of the catch, was far beyond expectations for an 85 cm double circular band speargun, passing completely the fish.
The Meandros Argo range extends from 85 to 130 cm, and we will soon test the Meandros Argo 115 to evaluate the advantages of a longer configuration.
Pros and Considerations
Main advantages:
- Elliptical aluminum barrel with generous internal volume.
- High-quality construction and durable anodizing.
- 100% stainless steel trigger mechanism.
- Two circular 16 mm bands for substantial propulsion.
- Comfortable handling and straightforward reloading.
- Effective on different prey sizes and in varied shooting situations.
- Exceptional power output versus length.
Conclusions: Is the Meandros Argo 85 worth considering?
The Meandros Argo 85 stands out for its carefully engineered elliptical barrel, quality components and straightforward handling, putting together unexpected power and shot range with extremely high precision.
Our sea test highlighted a well-balanced speargun capable of handling different prey sizes while remaining comfortable to maneuver and reload. The successful capture of a 6 kg amberjack and the accurate shot on a red mullet demonstrated its versatility in different shooting situations, with and excellent mix of power and precision.
