Best ratchet reel for DSBi...?

[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...!?

[Woz]

Narked at 60 Tech reel. It's lovely.

[Twinsetmad]

I've found the big Mcmohan reel to be best so far, however I've just ordered the Custom Divers ratchet reel.....I'll let you know how I get on when it arrives.

[wreckferret]

MDE Reel, using one of these since I started diving 16 years ago.
Very simple and easy to put a SMB on it.

As long as you wash it and reback the line after every dive ( should do this with any reel ) it will last for years.

[Dick Barwell]

Got a luvly Custom Divers 30/40 metre ratchet reel that I thought was the bizz ...nice size ( compact) and construction good BUT used it Monday on an ascent from wreck only to find I was turning from 22metre and spool was standing still ......then I started to go down ....to 28 metre then up then down (YO YO TIME).obviously my bouyancy was a bit negative but it wouldn't hold me .
Got out and checked it and spool is smooth ...no tie in so when line went out and friction ( there is none the spool is smooth) got lost it just turned and put me going down. I cannot see how a loop round a smooth spool can hope to prevent this happening
A few buddies are now going to check there CD reels for the same . WORTH CHECKING Before buying or you'll be doing your own drilling!
db

[JKS]

Large Mcmahon reel.

[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.

[Mark Powell]

Originally Posted by Woz

Narked at 60 Tech reel. It's lovely.

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

McMahon reels are very easy to use but just too big for my liking. I've had several CD reels and although they are nice to use they dont tend to last.

I've also got an MGE that I've had for years, for recreational use they are great.

And for a wreck reel there is only one choice, Kent Tooling.

[nickb]

After seeing a recommendation from Chasey, I bought one of these for £13 and it's great (after shortening that ridiculous handle).

The guy sells them all the time so you can wait for a bargain.

[Gary K]

Custom Divers rachet reels for me.

They do a 125m which I use as a primary but it is big, they also do a 70m one as well (which I have on order) and a 50m one, which I use as a back-up. All similar design, all very nice to use.