The EGO S2 Slider
nets fish with Innovation (continued)
When
it comes to landing fish the clear rubber mesh is great for those fish that
spook easily. In the water the mesh is hard to see and I found that fish would
swim right into the net and continue swimming forward rather than try and turn
at the sight of the net, this just made netting fish even easier. The S2
Slider's hoop is made out of extruded aluminum and feels lightweight when in
use, even when fully extended.
Net overboard!
The rubber mesh is heavier
than nylon, about .4lbs. heavier, but is much more tangle resistant. It is easy
to remove hooks of every kind quickly due to the rubber material and size of the
mesh itself. The size of the mesh also makes this net easier to move through the
water when netting fish as water drag is reduced.
Splashdown
To test the S2 Slider’s
ability to float I threw it overboard a number of times, I also waited for
extended periods and the net continued to remain buoyant. The center of the
handle did take on some water but the net remained flat right on top of the
water at all times. Once out of the water I found that the EVA handle grip would
dry very quickly and after just a quick run in the boat the entire handle was
dry as a bone once again.
Even after extended periods the S2
Slider floats flat on the surface
Durability:
Our medium sized test net weighed in at only 2.5lbs. and felt extremely solid
except when fully extended we did notice a alight bow under pressure in the
length of the handle. This didn’t affect performance of the net at all and
throughout the tests the net was able to hold up to the pressure of fish weight
and water drag. Overall the net held up very well and we didn’t notice any rust
on any of the components. The hoop is anodized to resist the elements and the
plastic components on the net resisted impact well during testing. If there is
anything that can be damaged it is the EVA grip which like rods making use of
similar material can become nicked or compressed.
Retrieving the net
Price and Applications:
The EGO S2 Slider is available in three different handle lengths with maximum
extension of 36”, 60” and 108”. All three of these nets are available with the
black or clear non-tangle lightweight rubber mesh. This net can be used in both
freshwater and saltwater environments and netting fish is not the only thing
that the S2 Slider can do. Remove the net hoop and anglers can attach a number
of different accessory attachments including a boat hook, gaff hook or knife.
The rubber mesh is heavier than
standard nylon or PVC but does move through the water reasonably well
During tests I found the
medium size hoop (17” x19”) just fine for bass fishing but the larger 19” x 21”
size would be preferable for bigger species like Steelhead and Stripers. The
medium sized net is also probably a bit overkill for bass anglers and the
smaller compact size is more than enough as the 18” handle extends to 36”, this
version also reduces weight down to 2lbs. for the rubber mesh versions. The
three size options make the new series good for everything from Trout fishing to
Salmon and Kayak anglers will also really like the 18” model which can tuck out
of the way, floats, and extend to 36” when it comes time to land a fish.
Netting the fish solo
This net should hold up
well over time and there are few areas where the net can rust, still a rinse
with freshwater if you use it in saltwater environments is recommended.
Adventure Products warrants the S2 Slider for a period of two years and covers
everything except the net mesh.
A bass presses forward even when
netted. Underwater the clear mesh is a lot harder to see
I expected the EGO S2
Slider to retail for between 70-100 dollars and was actually surprised to
discover that it was a very reasonable $59.99
(Update: 6/13/12 - The price of the net has gone up 15 dollars so retail is now
$74.99). This net is absolutely worth the
money and is as polished as it is functional. When it comes to features this net
is just about as rich as they come.
Ratings:
(We've
re-calibrated our
ratings standard for
2008 and have
included a key at
the bottom of the
following matrix as
a guide):
|
EGO
S2
Slider
Net (medium)
Ratings
(?/10)
|
|
Construction/Quality |
The S2
Slider
is built
out of
quality
materials
and the
metal
parts
are
anodized
for
improved
corrosion
resistance.
Overall
the net
feels
both
lightweight
and
solid at
the same
time |
9 |
|
Performance |
Excellent
performance!
This net
is easy
to
deploy
and
because
it can
break
down it
is also
easy to
stow
when not
in use |
9.5 |
|
Price |
A very
reasonable
price
for a
net that
can do
what
many
other
nets
cannot
(Update:
6/13/12
- The
price of
the net
has gone
up 15
dollars
so
retail
is now
$74.99) |
8 |
|
Features |
Lots of
features
including
the
extending
design,
excellent
ergonomics,
the
ability
to float
and
accessory
options.
This net
is
loaded! |
9 |
|
Design
(Ergonomics) |
Easy to
use and
I found
I could
even
extend
the net
partially
with a
single
hand.
The
ability
to
extend
the net
makes it
a good
choice
for
anglers
that put
a
premium
on space
like
bass and
kayak
anglers,
but
because
the net
extends
so
quickly
no
sacrifices
need to
b made
in terms
of
functionality.
The
rubber
version
is
heavier
than
traditional
nets but
still
easy
enough
to use |
8 |
|
Application |
The
smaller
size is
great
for
trout
and bass
fishing
and the
larger
options
are good
for
bigger
species.
This net
can be
used for
both
fresh
and
saltwater
applications |
9 |
|
Total
Score
|
8.75 |
Ratings
Key:
1 =
terrible
: 2 =
poor : 3
=
lacking
: 4 =
sub par
: 5 =
mediocre
: 6 =
fair : 7
= good :
8 =
great :
9 =
excellent
: 10 =
unbelievable!
For More
Details
of the
updated
rating
system
visit
our
explanation
here |
Pluses and Minuses:
|
Plus
Minus
|
|
+
Innovative
extending
design
is quick
and easy
to
deploy |
-
Rubber
mesh
version
are
still
heavier
than
nylon
based
nets |
|
+
Rubber
mesh is
tangle
free |
|
|
+
Accessory
options
make
this net
even
more
useful |
|
|
+
Multiple
handle,
hoop and
mesh
options
available |
|
|
+
Reasonable
price
(Update:
6/13/12
- The
price of
the net
has gone
up 15
dollars
so
retail
is now
$74.99) |
|
larger hoop and gaff hook for saltwater fishing. The EGO S2 Slider is a cleverly
designed net that makes use of features that really make sense, yet continues to
retail at a very reasonable price. Adventure Products has set the bar for
extending designs and add up all those smart features and options and it is no
surprise that the S2 Slider has “netted” our coveted Editors Choice award.
Simply put, this is the net to get. 
