Finger reels - any good for taking on holiday??

[Kozif]

Hi all
A quick question - but are the finger reels any good for using whilst deploying a SMB from say 10m is?

The reason for asking is that I want to (err need to) make sure I have less than 20kg of luggage when off to Egypt next month.
I have already bought a BC that I will just use for holiday diving and this alone is 3kg lighter than my main BC ! Lightweight regs are next on my agenda - but I was just looking at the smaller (cheaper items) first to try and shave some weight from my gear.

So if anyone has any views (good or bad) then I would like to know.
Thanks

[Lou]

If you are talking about spools the answer is unequivocably - yes!

It is what I take away every time. Small, compact, easy to use and restow.

Forget the light regs though, unless you have particularly heavy ones. It is pretty easy to pack for a week in Egypt including dive kit in 20kg. Just needs some questions asked about everything you put in the bag.

[Martin Owen]

Yes spools are perfect for that........ some might argue they are all that are ever needed.

As for the regs, i put them in the hand luggage.

[Tony B]

Just came back from Sharm easily managed to get under the 20 Kilos allowance and that was with my regs in main checked in luggage, I use spools rather than reels for any deployment under 30 m takes a bit of practice but if anything I find it easier, also they make good washing lines for drying kit on the last day.

[Blu DL]

as others have said - perfect -

As I was guided in Sharm I didn't actually use mine (A nice change) but I won't get in the water without at least one dsmb and reel.

That said - it goes without saying - practising using one as they take a couple of attempts at least to get used to them. That said - if you are diving without gloves they are really easy!!

[bubbleless]

Tip I bought a digital scales very cheap and light helps stop you putting too much stuff in your bag both ways.

Look at the bag your packing your stuff in that can be big and heavy.

The other is make sure your kit is dry when you bring it back water is very heavy and you will still have to pay for excess baggage.

Spools are ideal used one for the first time a few weeks ago, cheap to replace.

Have fun

[big_si]

I would also say yes with the caveat in bold below...

as others have said - perfect -

As I was guided in Sharm I didn't actually use mine (A nice change) but I won't get in the water without at least one dsmb and reel.

That said - it goes without saying - practising using one as they take a couple of attempts at least to get used to them. That said - if you are diving without gloves they are really easy!!

Don't just assume that as they're so simple they're going to be easy to use from day one. Have a practice before you go.

[Kozif]

Don't just assume that as they're so simple they're going to be easy to use from day one. Have a practice before you go.

Mmmn - having a practice before I go to Marsa aint gonna happen - just went Capernwray yesterday in 3 friggin degrees - infortunately I dont have a chance to go diving now till I'm in Egypt.


Thanks for the replies everyone - deffo gonna get one and take with me

[big_si]

Mmmn - having a practice before I go to Marsa aint gonna happen - just went Capernwray yesterday in 3 friggin degrees - infortunately I dont have a chance to go diving now till I'm in Egypt.


Thanks for the replies everyone - deffo gonna get one and take with me

Perhaps buy a load of helium balloons and practice in the garden? LOL

[Digger]

Mmmn - having a practice before I go to Marsa aint gonna happen - just went Capernwray yesterday in 3 friggin degrees - infortunately I dont have a chance to go diving now till I'm in Egypt.


Thanks for the replies everyone - deffo gonna get one and take with me

Just practice on the first dive you do out there - they'll probably ask everybody to do a check out dive anyway, and many people I've dived with on Liveaboards have suggested practicing SMB deployment at the end of that dive. One practice on the first dive, and have a read up on technique before you go (practice by winding it in with a weight or something on the end of it out of the window) and you'll be fine.

They really are very very simple things, and to be honest even if you find it difficult, just drop the thing and come up the line - the main reason I want a DSMB in Egypt is to make sure boats etc overhead know where I am and I don't get a prop in the head. Once you get back on just pull the line in, won't take a second. Better to do that than to faff about with the spool and get yourself in a strop.

Digs.