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S-POWER SLINGS
Our spearguns are furnished with slings made of pure latex. Thanks
to the material and the special production process, these slings retain
their elasticity up to the breaking point (machine elongation test) and
deteriorate (splitting or drying) 3 to 4 times slower under equal usage
conditions; furthermore, S-Power slings provide unparalleled progressive
thrust, and retain their power better over time. On the Viper Pro, 19-mm
S-Power Speed slings are used, which feature an interchangeable
Dyneema wishbone. This innovative system reduces friction to a minimum
when shooting. The S-Power Speed slings can only be used on shafts
with pins.
INSERTING THE CIRCULAR SLING AND THE OPTIONAL
SECOND SLING
Insert the circular sling in its seat after wetting it. To make the sling
easier to insert, pull toward either end, stretching it thin in the middle,
and then insert it in place (Fig. 9B).
If you want to use two circular slings at the same time, they must be of
the same diameter, but should not exceed 18 mm in diameter. The high
load can make the weapon difficult for users to manage and can create
dangerous situations.
If you want you can purchase different slings from an AUTHORIZED
MARES DEALER.
TAHITIAN SHAFT
The single-tip 17-4 ph hardened stainless steel Tahitian shaft is provided
in a 6.25 mm diameter for the Viper version. The Viper Pro features a
6.5 mm Speed Tahitian shaft with three highly resistant pins and flap
located at the bottom.
WISHBONE
Mares articulated wishbones are highly resistant thanks to the 4 mm
arms that are tested under the toughest conditions. They can be adapted
for use on all Mares slings and feature a special angle to make loading
easier.
The Viper Pro was designed to be used exclusively with Dyneema
wishbones. Using wishbones other than those indicated may damage
certain components of the weapon.
VERTICAL SPIRO REEL FITTINGS
(Fig. 1H)
All the spearguns in the Viper series can accommodate Spiro Vertical
reels. Assembling the reel is quick and easy: simply insert the reel
support until the screw fixing holes are aligned. For specific assembly
instructions, consult the Vertical Spiro reel manual.
The reel line is protected by the guide that runs along the bottom of
the barrel, preventing possible vibrations and the risk of snagging the
line among the rocks. To guarantee that the line stays aligned with
the speargun and reel, it passes under the pin positioned on the reel
connection before it is connected to the handle (Fig. 10).
LANYARD ATTACHMENT
To favor unrestricted movements, a line can be connected to the sturdy
ring under the handle to recover the speargun (Fig. 1L).
PRECAUTIONS
Before loading the speargun, always check the following items:
• Check the correct operation of the firing system, including the safety
catch.
• Check that the muzzle is mounted correctly.
• Check that the sling is correctly screwed onto the wishbone or onto
the fork adapter if using double slings.
• Check the correct insertion of the circular sling or of the fork adapter
on the muzzle.
• Check that slings are in good condition, and in particular check for
signs of cracking, damage, holes, or splitting, and make sure they are
not coming away from the ends. If any such defects are found, replace
the slings immediately.
• Check that the wishbone pins are firmly secured, and that the
wishbone itself does not show signs of wear.
• When using S-Power Speed slings, check that all the Dyneema
®
parts are whole and that all the fastenings and junction points hold
properly.
• Check that the monoline is whole and that it is firmly fastened to the
end of the gun and the shaft (Fig. 11).
• If using spearguns in sandy areas, avoid contact with the sand or small
stones that could create malfunctions and damage, especially inside
the release mechanism.
• After use, and before putting the speargun away, always fit the flap
protector on the spearshaft.
• In the event of a malfunction, do not attempt to repair the speargun
yourself, but immediately consult an AUTHORIZED MARES LAB
SERVICE CENTER or send it directly to MARES.
WARNING
Never load or fire when out of the water. Never fire in situations
in which you cannot see or when visibility is poor, and never in the
direction of other people or objects. Otherwise you risk injuring
yourself or other people, with the chance of causing serious
harm. Keep in mind that the speargun must be used exclusively
for spearfishing, and that in accordance with Art. 131 of Italian
Presidential Decree 1369/1968, the weapon must not be kept in
the armed position when not diving.
LOADING THE SPEARGUN
PRE-DIVE PROCEDURE
• Release the safety catch (Fig. 4B).
• Slide the spearshaft (with the line attached) along the track, inserting
it into the handle with the notches facing upward. Push the spear shaft
toward the handle until it clicks into place.
• Check that the shaft is hooked correctly with the monoline slot on top
(Fig. 7). If not, reinsert the shaft in the housing in the grip and rehook
it.
• Engage the safety catch (Fig. 4A).
• Thread the monoline on the muzzle and then onto the side line release
as shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 7.
WARNING
To prevent any possible physical damage, when loading the
speargun you should always wear gloves and padding/chest
protection.
LOADING IN THE WATER
• With the shaft already inserted in the firing mechanism, check that the
safety catch is engaged (Fig. 4A).
• Position the butt of the gun as shown in Fig. 12A.
• Pull the sling toward you until you can hook the "V" of the wishbone
into the first notch on the shaft. If you want more power, move the gun
into the position shown in Fig. 12B and then pull the sling until you can
hook the "V" of the wishbone into the second notch on the shaft.
UNLOADING THE SPEARGUN
(WITHOUT FIRING)
WARNING
In order to safely unload the speargun without firing, you must
be technically trained. We recommend unloading the weapon by
firing while you are still in the water, paying close attention to the
instructions provided in this manual.
• Always unload the speargun while you are still in the water.
• Make sure there are no other people around within range of the
speargun.
• Check that the safety catch is engaged (Fig. 4A).
• Rest the butt of the weapon against the middle of your chest.
• Pull the sling toward you and remove the "V" of the wishbone from the
notch in the shaft and return the sling to the rest position.
• If the speargun is equipped with a second sling, repeat the above
procedure.
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