DIR- GUE Reel for Cave 1

[crofrog]

This trip is definitely costing me a lot, which is why I don't want to spend more than I need on a reel. I want to spend my money where it counts, which is why I don't mind spending money on training. If the Pathfinder is the best reel for the application and is highly recommended, I'll probably still get it, but if I find out a DTD reel for half the price does the trick, I don't want to splurge just to get the H.

Just borrow one from ZG.

Hmm, I think dissimilar metal corrosion is also an issue in fresh water. In any case, I do a lot of local diving in the ocean, and I would want to be able to use the reel here as well. Maybe it's a non-issue though. Maybe the coating Halcyon use on the handle prevents it?

I’ve not had any corrosion issues on my H real. I had some rust on the thumb screw in the LM one.

Chris. He's been highly recommended and his resume is impressive, to say the least. I'm very excited and a little nervous, but mostly excited.

Are your fundamental skills solid? If so nothing to worry about

 

[Lorenzoid]

This trip is definitely costing me a lot, which is why I don't want to spend more than I need on a reel. I want to spend my money where it counts, which is why I don't mind spending money on training. If the Pathfinder is the best reel for the application and is highly recommended, I'll probably still get it, but if I find out a DTD reel for half the price does the trick, I don't want to splurge just to get the H.

I am unfamiliar with the DTD, so I have no opinion. Just keep in mind that your primary reel will be your best friend during Cave 1, especially in Mexico where you will be laying LONG runs to the mainlines. (Great experience!) That said, it sounds like all of them you are considering are top quality.

Hmm, I think dissimilar metal corrosion is also an issue in fresh water. In any case, I do a lot of local diving in the ocean, and I would want to be able to use the reel here as well. Maybe it's a non-issue though. Maybe the coating Halcyon use on the handle prevents it?

I think the Pathfinder handle may be anodized aluminum. Its spool is Delrin. I have never heard of this corrosion issue. I think it is a non-issue.

Chris. He's been highly recommended and his resume is impressive, to say the least. I'm very excited and a little nervous, but mostly excited.

I took Cave 2 there with Chris a couple of years ago, though the last day of the course his back was acting up, and Fred subbed for him. I got a provisional. Honestly, I felt Chris was (quite understandably) a little cranky from his back pain, because when I returned six months later, and Chris' back had healed, he was like a different person. I guess it helps to not be in pain! LOL. Chris is a great teacher--absolutely great--and despite his decades of experience he is completely down to earth. Fred, too!

 

[flymolo]

never had a halcyon reel corrode. but that dirzone one looks about as good IMO

 

[rjack321]

The SS lock screw does cause a miniscule amount of dissimilar metal corrosion in the aluminum frame. But even with that, the H reel will outlast your diving career. The LM reel will also outlast your cave diving career.

Buy whichever one you want, either are fine.

 

[Imla]

I have the DIR zone one, you can borrow for your class (Or test on a dive here)if you want to. (Usually you just need 1 reel pr team, so hear with your instructor if it is possible to go "team resource" on this one, if your classmate already has one.

 

[crofrog]

One thing I dislike about my H reels is the lock screw is right next to where the line comes out. It can, does, and will snag on the line. Annoy.

The LM reels have it on the other side.

This reel is 1 year old. At some point halcyon has added the ability to flip the screw to the other side

 

[PfcAJ]

This reel is 1 year old. At some point halcyon has added the ability to flip the screw to the other side

Oh cool! That’s an improvement for sure.

 

[Kendall Raine]

Regardless of which reel you choose suggest you take about a quarter of the stock line off (and put it on an extra spool) since they come fully loaded and tend to jump the spindle. Taking some line off makes handling easier. You can always put more line on if you have a long initial jump (e.g Naharon). Same goes for spools. For example I carry about 300’ of #24 on a 400’ Jasper or 100’ on a 150’ spool and just add on more as needed for a specific dive.

 

[DiveLikeAMuppet]

Just rent a reel when you are there, or even better - let your teammate buy one and then borrow share it as a team asset during the course . We only ever needed one reel per team during Cave 1.

Cheap Tecline reels are pretty solid too.

If you ever decide to cave/mine dive locally in Europe, you might find that the dirty secret of these expensive reels is that they are mostly useless in cold water because the line is way too thin to handle in drygloves (especially in poor or zero viz) and you rarely need to run a line for long. You might be better off with a couple spools with 3mm thick line once you get back to Europe.

 

[JoeTPhilly]

This reel is 1 year old. At some point halcyon has added the ability to flip the screw to the other side

Did you have to force out the screw? On mine, they used a punch and made a few indentations so the screw wouldn't come out.