Jimmer
Contributor
I'm not a DIR trained diver, but if I was looking to eliminate metal to metal connections, I would likely tie the bolt snap to the reel like I would tie it to my SPG hose etc.
Reel clips
- Thread starter Dr. Mike Hatcher
- Start date
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Its really not necessary.
The double ender to reel connection has: 1) the other end to remove it if it jams, 2) gets used early in the dive - you don't get all tangled up with an attached reel inside a wreck. Taking the no "metal to metal" bit to an extreme you'd not have a bolt through the middle of the reel so you can cut the drum off the handle... Hmm maybe not.
Permanently attaching a boltsnap is preferred by some, but its a bit of a kludge IMO and the little thumbcatch on the snap likes to snag line. I don't use one.
Top handle reels tend to come with a boltsnap attached with a metal to metal connection. Like these guys:
Most DIR divers don't like top handle reels cause its inherently difficult to keep line out of the groove between the frame and linedrum. They also may it difficult/impossible to adjust the line tension with a finger. A "DIR" reel looks like this:
Although in this pic they have the boltsnap on backwards. It can self unhook from this clip direction. Better to put it gate out.
I'm just too paranoid about having a reel unclip itself to use the double ender, I know you should be using it right off the bat and so on, but it's not worth it to me. I have a Salvo (similar to Halcyon) and tied a regular med. bolt snap to the hole and made the line holding it a little longer then it had to be so I can hold the snap against the handle while in use, eliminating the line trap issue.
That's cool too. I have yet to lose a reel, knock wood. Personally I like the unencumbered feel of not having a boltsnap in my palm. Esp. with drygloves and a goodman too.
BTW I have a top handle Manta too, and yes I have tried it. Ack what a pain. I only use that for deploying shot lines in OW nowadays.
lamont
Contributor
i've got a tied-on boltsnap on my reel and so far no GUE instructors have had me cut it off... i also haven't found it much of an entanglement issue...
limeyx
Guest
The OMS reel is not DIR for exactly that reason
EDIT: Well, that's one of the reasons
limeyx
Guest
Buddy lost one that way (double-ender)
jumped in with it clipped off, felt back "Oh crud, where's the reel gone"
that was the last we saw of it.
However, I have had 2 cave knots eventually come undone with no warning so either
- i suck at cave knots (quite possible)
- or you can lose the reel this way too
Well, it only takes one time of reaching back and finding an empty double ender where $140 used to be to fix that! I never liked have to deal with a "two part" reel, the bolt snap didn't seem to fit right staying on the reel, loose in my hand or clipped to the D-ring, messing with it seemed to add appreciable time. This way I keep the bolt snap tidy, but I won't lose it if it falls outta my hand.
The top handle style was the **** before goodman handles, if you have a round ballasted lighthead, flip it upside down and grip it together with the reel and you'll see it then.
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