What Reel?

[Digger]

<font color='#000080'>Well, I've got a Kent Tooling reel, and it's a very nice looking bit of kit, but it's not had its first sea trial yet. I have no idea why, it just seems to be at the bottom of my list of priorities as regards dive gear. I've never had a problem with my cheap as Lumb Bros Reel from the show 2 years ago. 40m line, fine for firing SMBs from shallowish wrecks, but the main thing is to try the different methods before you go crazy and buy one. Some go for ratchets, some friction, there's loads of benefit to both, but try before you buy if you can.

I've used the McMahon reel for penetration etc. and it works fine, I changed the spring for bungee through the thing, makes it a bit more indestructible.

[Gavin Yates]

<font color='#000F22'>I've had both Manta reels and Kent Tooling Reels plus a few others and use a spool occasionally.

Best by far is the Kent. Well made, easy to use, comes complete with service kit and the guys are a delight to deal with.

Also, they are great vfm.

[CotoChris]

<font color='#0000FF'>The spring of my Beaver Osprey Reel has gone after 10-15 uses, trying to sort it out but not all that easy. I don't want to chuck it out just because of the damn spring.

In the meanwhile I use a scupapro metal reel which has a friction bolt. It is sturdy and so far working well.

To hold a surface marker buoy, for wreck and cave diving, and to set a decompression line: ideal accessory for all diving applications, the SCUBAPRO Reel is unique on the market.

This is what they say about it on their site:

High resistance anodized alloy frame cannot be deformed and/or damaged under any condition
Reel and handle made of Nylon fiberglass lightweight, resistant, extra- long life time
Balanced handle positioned in the axis of the spool
Ergonomic and effortless handling.
Streamlined frame with folding knob to reduce drag and entanglement of the line
Friction adjuster to adjust the braking action or prevent the free rotation of the reel
Unique handle for quick adjustment to use the reel either with a free rotation,or with two positions of friction
Soft line guide plate
Easy to replace.
100m polyester line and one swivel hook complete, and ready to use

[tom]

is that a metal-to-metal connection on the boltsnap?

[KimH]

<font color='#000080'>Another vote for the Custom Divers, I use one and love it.
Have tried the Kent Tooling and maybe if I'd seen that first would have got one instead.
McMahon very good for starting out, simple and solid (absolutely) much easier to use in UK conditions.
Scubapro, had one binned it.  Too fiddly and complicated, nightmare with thick gloves on and eventually mine seized up (thank god) giving me an excuse to get a nice shiny new one.

[CotoChris]

<font color='#0000FF'>

Quote[/b] (tom @ Mar. 10 2004,14:40)]is that a metal-to-metal connection on the boltsnap?

What do you mean by boltsnap? The Friction  knob? If so that is plastic.

Yes, it is a bit more fiddly than the Beaver but so far so good. Well if it didn't work after one use I would be mightly annoyed!

[[Bryan]]

Quote[/b] (PressurE @ Mar. 10 2004,14:06)]What Reel?  This Reel...

http://www.divingproducts.co.uk/reels/index.htm#

50m all stainless, goodman handled scooter reel from Kent Tooling.
Had various, now have this. It's the best I've ever used.

Stu.

Thanks everyone. The McMahon and Kent Tooling seem to be the favourites. As usual, the answers reveal yet more questions

I imagine most of my usage will be with a delayed-SMB. So, should I go with a rachet style (McMahon) or a friction bolt (Kent Tooling). Heheh... and if I go with the McMahon, should I get the big or the compact one. Likewise, if I get the Kent Tooling reel, is the extra bulk of the goodman handle worthwhile?

What are the pro's and con's of each?

Cheers,
Bryan

[Dominic]

Boltsnap = the metal clip that you attach it to yourself with. It looks like it's all metal, so if the reel got caught in something you'd be unable to cut yourself free..

I like ratchets myself.. but it's that Personal Preference thing again..

[Juz]

Quote[/b] (Chris Guimaraens @ Mar. 10 2004,14:38)]The spring of my Beaver Osprey Reel has gone after 10-15 uses, trying to sort it out but not all that easy. I don't want to chuck it out just because of the damn spring.

In the meanwhile I use a scupapro metal reel which has a friction bolt. It is sturdy and so far working well.

To hold a surface marker buoy, for wreck and cave diving, and to set a decompression line: ideal accessory for all diving applications, the SCUBAPRO Reel is unique on the market.

This is what they say about it on their site:

High resistance anodized alloy frame cannot be deformed and/or damaged under any condition
Reel and handle made of Nylon fiberglass lightweight, resistant, extra- long life time
Balanced handle positioned in the axis of the spool
Ergonomic and effortless handling.
Streamlined frame with folding knob to reduce drag and entanglement of the line
Friction adjuster to adjust the braking action or prevent the free rotation of the reel
Unique handle for quick adjustment to use the reel either with a free rotation,or with two positions of friction
Soft line guide plate
Easy to replace.
100m polyester line and one swivel hook complete, and ready to use

<font color='#32CD32'>I've got one of these for sale if you're interested.

Juz

[beanie]

Quote[/b] (Dominic @ Mar. 10 2004,15:06)]Boltsnap = the metal clip that you attach it to yourself with. It looks like it's all metal, so if the reel got caught in something you'd be unable to cut yourself free..

<font color='#8D38C9'>err yeah possible but avoidable
just keep your reels somewhere tidy where the boltsnap (p clip, dog clip) can't foul then you can unclip it
I keep min on the bottom of my back plate

the boltsnap (well the bits that move)is then between my box and my bum (or at least that's my story)
see: