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Diving reels...

  • 29-02-2012 5:14pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 4,990 ✭✭✭


    Ok folks, it looks like its time I got myself a dive reel.
    I would be interested to hear what people are using, or more importantly what you recommend and what you think is rubbish?


Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 5,143 ✭✭✭locum-motion


    I use a plain ordinary Beaver reel, like this one -

    http://catalog.beaversports.co.uk/product.php?pn=Puffin_Mini_Wreck-Line_Reel&pid=361

    I've carefully drilled a couple of holes in it, and added two bungees, so that my rolled up DSMB can be safely stored at the 'back' of the reel til needed. I usually clip it to a D ring near my right butt cheek, so the whole lot hangs safely out of the way near my hip as I dive.

    If all you want your reel for is for your DSMB, then I can recommend this setup.
    If you're into wreck penetration or cave diving, you'll need something a bit more advanced.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,990 ✭✭✭longshanks


    Thanks for the reply. One of the instructors in the club recommended I stay away from Beaver etc. If I bought one of the cheaper or plastic reels I'd end up replacing it after a few months as they don't last, and tend to bird-nest too easily, he reckoned.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,143 ✭✭✭locum-motion


    longshanks wrote: »
    Thanks for the reply. One of the instructors in the club recommended I stay away from Beaver etc. If I bought one of the cheaper or plastic reels I'd end up replacing it after a few months as they don't last, and tend to bird-nest too easily, he reckoned.

    Bull****. I've had mine for years. It's done hundreds of dives and has travelled the world with me.
    Any reel can get tangled (hadn't heard it called 'birds-nesting' before, but I presume that's what you mean - nice descriptive term) if it's overloaded with line. If your reel comes loaded up right to the edge with line, strip off some of it so that there's about half a centimetre of reel outside the line, and you'll be fine.


  • Registered Users Posts: 277 ✭✭seadeuce


    Now, now boys! Be nice!!


    This link may have you either totally confused with choice, or enable you to make that important decision in your dive life:


    http://www.divernet.com/Diving_Gear/group_tests/624013/the_reel_test.html



    If this fails to satisfy you, go get yourself a Custom Divers reel, which seems to have somehow missed inclusion. Small enough, strong enough, light enough, and gets the job done time after time again.



    Adios


    Seadeuce


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,990 ✭✭✭longshanks


    Bull****. I've had mine for years. It's done hundreds of dives and has travelled the world with me.
    Any reel can get tangled (hadn't heard it called 'birds-nesting' before, but I presume that's what you mean - nice descriptive term) if it's overloaded with line. If your reel comes loaded up right to the edge with line, strip off some of it so that there's about half a centimetre of reel outside the line, and you'll be fine.

    Hey, thanks for replying again, wasn't trying to cause offence, just letting you know what I had been told.
    Also, I reckon the bird nesting thing comes from the fishing world, as myself and anyone who fishes a multiplier reel could tell ya
    seadeuce wrote: »
    Now, now boys! Be nice!!


    This link may have you either totally confused with choice, or enable you to make that important decision in your dive life:


    http://www.divernet.com/Diving_Gear/group_tests/624013/the_reel_test.html



    If this fails to satisfy you, go get yourself a Custom Divers reel, which seems to have somehow missed inclusion. Small enough, strong enough, light enough, and gets the job done time after time again.



    Adios


    Seadeuce

    Yeah, I saw that. Also, this, which more or less adds to the confusion. Do you use a custom diver reel?


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  • Registered Users Posts: 277 ✭✭seadeuce


    Yes, the Pocket Reel in that link you posted.

    Best of the three I've used


    Seadeuce


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,350 ✭✭✭denismc


    I have had a number of reels over the years and here is what I think.
    The ratchet type reels like the beaver are fine for smb deployment if you are on a budget. They are mostly made of plastic and can break if you throw them about and are hard on gear like me. I had a custom divers reel that i managed to crack, i also found the ratchet mechanism a bit twidley.
    I now have a Kent tooling reel made of stainless and its the best i have had but they are expensive.
    The most important thing with a reel if you have't used one before is to get someone to show you how to use it and practice a lot! I have seen people get dragged up by their smb because it was still attached to them or because they got entangled in the line:eek: .
    What the other poster said about having too much line on the spool is also important, many manufacturers sell reels with too much line.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,689 ✭✭✭joeKel73


    I use a 70m Custom Divers Ratchet Reel. Very solid piece of equipment, I'm expecting it to last me a long time.

    kol2_cust70.jpg


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