Recommended reel for cavern class?

[Robert H. Diver]

Neither. You want something in the 400’ range for what you’re doing…then it’s the LM.

Not really concerned about the length, more about quality and ease of use since they both make a 400’ reel.

 

[Beau Holden]

Dive Rite Classic. Never fails to work.

 

[Manatee Diver]

Neither. You want something in the 400’ range for what you’re doing…then it’s the LM.

At the cavern level I would be seriously be surprised if the instructor requires a primary reel at all. I wasn't expected to provide anything but safety reels/spools at the cavern level.

 

[rddvet]

I’ve used both Halcyon and LM. Other than Halcyon having an aluminum handle bracket I can’t tell any difference, especially quality wise.

I have multiple of both in both sizes. The Halcyon are definitely better. Better tolerances, less movement and gapping in the spool. They are both much better than the DRs. But the halcyon is slightly better

Not really concerned about the length, more about quality and ease of use since they both make a 400’ reel.

That's because you currently don't have the knowledge base to know. You want to start with a 400ft reel and eventually you may add shorter ones.

At the cavern level I would be seriously be surprised if the instructor requires a primary reel at all. I wasn't expected to provide anything but safety reels/spools at the cavern level.

That's nutty. So did you use the instructor's or didn't use one at all. I used the hell out of muy primary in cavern

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

Any opinion on the Diverite slide lock reels?

I would look at Manta Reels. I have 2 of this style reel. SR. Reel - Manta Industries & Highseas Millwork Manta Industries & Highseas Millwork
They come in different sizes. Reels Archives - Manta Industries & Highseas Millwork Manta Industries & Highseas Millwork

 

[Manatee Diver]

That's nutty. So did you use the instructor's or didn't use one at all. I used the hell out of muy primary in cavern

He provided one to use when the length was beyond one your the safety reels. Which it never was in Florida.

 

[DeepSeaExplorer]

I just sold a nice Halcyon Explorer reel, but I still have generic one left.

 

[Robert H. Diver]

I have multiple of both in both sizes. The Halcyon are definitely better. Better tolerances, less movement and gapping in the spool. They are both much better than the DRs. But the halcyon is slightly better

That's because you currently don't have the knowledge base to know. You want to start with a 400ft reel and eventually you may add shorter ones.

That's nutty. So did you use the instructor's or didn't use one at all. I used the hell out of muy primary in cavern

I know, but what I meant by my comment was wanting to know which one was better, since I’ll be asking my instructor what length I’ll need.

 

[rvojr]

I've only used mine in quarries and the ocean for wrecks and finding my way back to the up line. The DR slide lock kept coming unlocked on me causing a floating rats nest without me realizing it. I've used the Hollis seeker 400' reel from my LDS and really like it. I'm not sure how it matches up to the LM or Halcyon. I like the manta for towing a dive flag but is overkill for that purpose.

 

[tbone1004]

I know, but what I meant by my comment was wanting to know which one was better, since I’ll be asking my instructor what length I’ll need.

You're going to need 400ft if you want to cave dive.

TDI publishes their standards, but no agency is going to be wildly off track.
Cavern requires 1x 125ft safety reel.
Intro/Full is just an appropriate length of primary. 200ft is enough for a lot of places, but let's just say that the Dive Rite Classic reel is 400ft for a reason. Same that the Halcyon Primary reels start at 400ft in length.


To answer your other question I prefer the Halcyon to the Light Monkey but I actually prefer the Divesoft to both.