Best ratchet reel for DSBi...?

[MattS]

I replaced my old big McMahon with a Manta Jr about 6 years ago. I tried quite a few others before settling on this one.



No complaints, it's almost indestructable and just works.

[pieater]

Originally Posted by MattS

I replaced my old big McMahon with a Manta Jr about 6 years ago. I tried quite a few others before settling on this one.


No complaints, it's almost indestructable and just works.

Yes, I've got one of these as well. Do you find that squeezing the handle all the time you're reeling in makes your hand ache a bit?

[Buoyant Babe]

I'm rather fond of my little Custom Divers compact reel. Having shied away in fear from the dreaded DSMB deployment for some time I now find it easy with this.

I can easily attach my SMB using bungee, to give a nice compact unit.

HTH

Hxxx

[Woz]

Originally Posted by Mark Powell

Same here. My NAS Tech reel is by far my favourite reel for DSMB use. Reliable, compact and 60m of line.

See. Told you so. It's compact, has lots of line and a spring loaded handle that you can pull out if you are that way inclined. Oh and relatively cheap as well.

The old MGE reels with the silver T bar trigger are ok but the new ones with the multi-purpose "random mode" selector are rubbish and are, IMHO, a massive step backwards. Who wants a reel that ratchets out and locks in? Those Mantas look nice but are very very ££££. Had a fondle with a KT reel and they are nice too. However I have an OMS Cavern reel and really like it. Not cheap, though and the NAS one is much better for bag firing.

Without a shadow of a doubt the worst reel on the market for blob firing is the AP Valves mini reel. Whoever designed that has either never dived or was very very stoned.

[Gary K]

Originally Posted by Buoyant Babe

I'm rather fond of my little Custom Divers compact reel. Having shied away in fear from the dreaded DSMB deployment for some time I now find it easy with this. I can easily attach my SMB using bungee, to give a nice compact unit.

very nice Helen, one I haven't got in the collection, yet!

[Stesh]

Originally Posted by Justin Owen

Whats peoples opinions on the best ratchet reel for the AP Self Inflating DSBi...? I've got a little mcmahon copy but it just looks a &*$£%% mess and despite two bungees the smb always ends up hangin off the reel half way thru the dive...

What do you use...!?

Don't buy something your cry over as you see it being towed away behind a boat!

[rbgreenwood]

I used a Buddy Pocket reel for a while then switched to a Bodaine Mini reel http://www.carmarthencounty.co.uk/bodaine/index.htm, very small, 50m line, easily stowed in a pocket, never let me down at home or abroad.

[Gareth Burrows]

I like the big 125M custom divers free that you can switch between ratchet and free run. they are great for firing bags up from the depths, or for line laying.

[Justin Owen]

Originally Posted by Fiona

Justin does it have to be a ratchet one ?

I and some others have the Kent Tooling reel and it comes with a velcro strap attachment on the side which keeps the delayed nicely in place when not in use.

yep, cuz i'm a lazy git who just wants to wind it up and hang of it without pratting around with a friction knob...!



i looked at the kent tooling one and it looks nice with a standard smb on it, but with the dsmbi bohemoth i don't see how it would fit!? or i'm stupid.

[MattS]

Originally Posted by pieater

Yes, I've got one of these as well. Do you find that squeezing the handle all the time you're reeling in makes your hand ache a bit?

Err No!