Reels

[Kent Tooling]

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

From a DIR perspective,

- the metal to metal connection would be a probably but could be overcome easily.
- the handle angle that GLOC refers to *is* more of a problem and I think this reel has some form of mechanical friction built in. The DIR technique involves using fingers to keep friction and therefore the line tight .... which is the important thing when laying line
- the pathfinder has a little thumbscrew on it to enable it to be quickly locked off if the need arises.
- I have never looked at a KT reel closely so don't know the tolerances to which they are made, but it is not possible on a pathfinder for the line to come off the spool and get trapped .... it was certainly possible on the Dive Rite one I used to use.
- the line colour makes no difference I think



HTH
Mal

What do you guys who are DIR DIVERS require out of a dive reel that will NOT break if you drop it. As we at KT might be able to develop for you as i am NOT DIR so i do not know what is required in the reel development for this application

You do not need to have the locking screw in the center if you do not want it?

With regarding the tolerances the distance between the top of the spool and the cage is less than 1/2 of a MILIMETER top & bottom.

Between the spool and the penny washer there is an "O" ring which acts as a friction on the spool you can adjust this to the tension you require by tighting up the nut this also stops the over run of the spool.

[pawel]

Originally Posted by Kent Tooling

we at KT might be able to develop for you as i am NOT DIR so i do not know what is required in the reel development for this application.

Sounds great. Best of both worlds.

Come on guys, give John some clues.

[Mark Chase]

Look at the gap between the handle and the spool. Its virtualy non existant.

There is no posabuility of line trap.

Then look at the stubby winding handle and the smooth side to the spool. No cut nuckles when winding in.




Compare it with this rather naff design on the Custom divers reel.




Do a line laying reel like this and keep the wet weight under 1KG and it will be a winner.

The ratchet reel has line guards on it which is superb. I have had no line traps with my KT ratchet reel. It just needs to be lighter.

[Mal Bridgeman]

Mark's point is spot on... risk of line trap would be a bad thing

There are a couple of other attributes e.g. completely smooth sides, a large "barrel" meaning less turns to wind in, no metal to metal connections, no friction settings but an ability to simply and quickly lock it, a DIR diver holds the handle with thumb and forefinger with the hand through a goodman handle on their light and is able to use the other fingers to rewind any loose line quickly ... not sure how you could do that in metal.

It's also probably reasonable to say that the Halcyon and "copies" have a number of attributes which have been developed over a period to create the "ideal" reel.....I say this because most of the DIR divers I know are pretty set in their way and tend to trust brands and models with which they have become familiar. It's not impossible for new dealers to break in so if you need it to be a commercial success rather than planning this as an experiment then finding a USP is going to be pretty hard I would have thought.

HTH
Mal

[Garf]

by definition, we want the reel to look like and behave like any other reel we borrow from a DIR diver, so new innovations are not the thing.

With this in mind, there are already 3 or 4 DIR type reels. Theres the Halcyon one, the AGIR one, the one sold by nackers and the one sold by diverite. With very minor differences, they are all identical, so price is really the only advantage a manufacturer could have. I've used all of the above reels, and would be happy with any of them.

[Janos]

Originally Posted by Mark Chase

Thers a great bit i have edited off the end of Janos doing line retreval but he has paid me a vast sum of money not to show it

The cheque's in the post mate.

Janos

PS - Some quality video work there. I hope you're paying the camera man royalties

[JasonP]

Originally Posted by Garf

by definition, we want the reel to look like and behave like any other reel we borrow from a DIR diver, so new innovations are not the thing.

Surely you want a reel that you can absolutely, with out doubt, identify is your team's from touch alone in a complete silt out? In which case having them all identical and borrowing reels from outside the team is a risk.

Jason

[Kent Tooling]

Originally Posted by Mark Chase

Look at the gap between the handle and the spool. Its virtualy non existant.

There is no posabuility of line trap.

Then look at the stubby winding handle and the smooth side to the spool. No cut nuckles when winding in.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...cal/SSclp1.jpg


Compare it with this rather naff design on the Custom divers reel.




Do a line laying reel like this and keep the wet weight under 1KG and it will be a winner.

The ratchet reel has line guards on it which is superb. I have had no line traps with my KT ratchet reel. It just needs to be lighter.

Mark our 50m wreck reel comes in at 3/4kg and the line guide is as tight to the top of the spool as our RATCHET REELS

[colinicky]

Slightly of topic but in marks video ,when he ties of to the "stick" it appears that he goes round the stick in an anticlockwise direction passing the reel back over the top of the line & then wraps it back under the line .surely this takes a lot longer & is a lot more fiddly to untie on the return ? can somebody enlighten me on this practice please ?
This is a genuine question & I have no clue as to a " proper" way to do this !

TIA

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Mark Chase

Compare it with this rather naff design on the Custom divers reel.

Unfortunately that is what happened to my KT reel on several occasions.