Reel
- Thread starter 350xfire
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Papa_Bear
Contributor
They have some new on tangle reels and Reef SCUBA makes some good one as well.... You want to make sure it is easy to take apart under water just in case you have to maybe practice in the dark by feel only to fix a tangle etc! Good luck and you might wait until your instructor goes over what he would like you to have!
Your cavern class is the first place you will begin to use a primary reel. It's also done without a light since you will be in the "light" zone. However there will come a time when you will use a light and your reel at the same time. The reel needs to be easy to handle and control. Control is the critical aspect of it all.
You will find that most experts will agree that a reel with a "Jasper" like handle (side handle) allows you to manage the reel much better than an "over the top" handle. The side handle allows you to use your entire hand for holding and controlling the speed with which the reel lays out line.
We have a huge selection of reels. However I would suggest one of the following.
TDL Explorer Safety or Explorer Primary
or the Salvo 400 Primary
Granted, these are not inexpensive reels however you will find that they are really worth the price and will be a tool you will have for many many years to come.
Use the FIRSTTime coupon and you can save 15%
The line reel is the critical tool for overhead environments, choosing the correct one is important. I suggest these reels not because we sell them, but because I use them on my own dives long before we started to sell them.
Cheers
The Dive Rite Sidewinders are a good bet.
I have a Halcyon Pathfinder reel, which annoys me, because I try not to buy Halcyon gear on principle. But I really like it. The Halcyon and the Salvo reels are extremely similar, except the Halcyon has a metal handle and the Salvo has a Delrin; the Halcyon has a steel tensioning screw, and the Salvo has a nylon screw. I just liked the weight and feel of the aluminum handle in my hand better, which is why I bought what I bought.
PerroneFord
Contributor
Wow,
Some interesting info here.
Generally, I find a few models quite popular in the caves here in Florida.
Sidewinder reels by either Salvo, Halcyon, or Dive Rite. The Salvo and Halcyon reels are quite similar with only minor differences. Personally, I have the Salvo but either works well for me. The Dive Rite Sidewinder reels are ok, but generally made out of weak plastic and it WILL break, unlike the Delrin of the Salvo and Halcyon reels. Larry Green has been selling a newer sidehandle reel that is very tough, but I dislike the metal handle. They are smooooth though. Really nice.
Top handle reels are popular with a lot of the old school guys. You'll find these handles on some Dive Rite models, some Ralph Hood models, Larry Green (rebrand of the Ralph Hood), and some others. I tend not to like these as much because they are the devil when trying to manage the light and the reel with the same hand. They are still popular though, and people do like them. I used them for cave class, and then went and bought a side handle!
You will also see some reels with mechanical features. Clutches, cams, all kinds of things. These are rarely seen in the caves, but seem quite popular with wreck divers from the northeast. Honestly, with a stone ceiling over my head, the LAST thing I want to worry about is my lifeline home getting hosed up because of some mechanical device. This is one place where the KISS principle can get you out alive.
Keep the length reasonably short. About 400ft of line is PLENTY. Closer to 350 would be idea for a cavern. Make sure it comes with #24 line on it. Not #18. And some of the wreck reels come with the heavier #36 line. That's ok too, you'll just get less length on the reel.
Not sure what Joel meant by not using a light since you'd be in the light zone. Cave agencies teach that you need a primary and 1 backup in cavern zone. The third light is the sun. In cave, since you are out of the sun's reach, you each carry a third light. You WILL be using your reel in conjunction with a light in a standard cavern course, so I suggest you keep that in mind. His advice to get a sidehandle model is probably right on the money.
Best of luck.
Some interesting info here.
Generally, I find a few models quite popular in the caves here in Florida.
Sidewinder reels by either Salvo, Halcyon, or Dive Rite. The Salvo and Halcyon reels are quite similar with only minor differences. Personally, I have the Salvo but either works well for me. The Dive Rite Sidewinder reels are ok, but generally made out of weak plastic and it WILL break, unlike the Delrin of the Salvo and Halcyon reels. Larry Green has been selling a newer sidehandle reel that is very tough, but I dislike the metal handle. They are smooooth though. Really nice.
Top handle reels are popular with a lot of the old school guys. You'll find these handles on some Dive Rite models, some Ralph Hood models, Larry Green (rebrand of the Ralph Hood), and some others. I tend not to like these as much because they are the devil when trying to manage the light and the reel with the same hand. They are still popular though, and people do like them. I used them for cave class, and then went and bought a side handle!
You will also see some reels with mechanical features. Clutches, cams, all kinds of things. These are rarely seen in the caves, but seem quite popular with wreck divers from the northeast. Honestly, with a stone ceiling over my head, the LAST thing I want to worry about is my lifeline home getting hosed up because of some mechanical device. This is one place where the KISS principle can get you out alive.
Keep the length reasonably short. About 400ft of line is PLENTY. Closer to 350 would be idea for a cavern. Make sure it comes with #24 line on it. Not #18. And some of the wreck reels come with the heavier #36 line. That's ok too, you'll just get less length on the reel.
Not sure what Joel meant by not using a light since you'd be in the light zone. Cave agencies teach that you need a primary and 1 backup in cavern zone. The third light is the sun. In cave, since you are out of the sun's reach, you each carry a third light. You WILL be using your reel in conjunction with a light in a standard cavern course, so I suggest you keep that in mind. His advice to get a sidehandle model is probably right on the money.
Best of luck.
Not cheap, but you might be interested in these:
The Deco Stop
They are made by a machinist, so if you destroy any part of the thing, he can rebuild them and make new parts, rather than having to buy an entirely new reel.
Also, if you need a jump reel, check these out:
General Purpose Safety Reel - Large - Product Detail
They are really nice, and are easy to use once you get the hang of them. If you decide you'd like to purchase one, pm caves&bunnies on the deco stop
The Deco Stop
They are made by a machinist, so if you destroy any part of the thing, he can rebuild them and make new parts, rather than having to buy an entirely new reel.
Also, if you need a jump reel, check these out:
General Purpose Safety Reel - Large - Product Detail
They are really nice, and are easy to use once you get the hang of them. If you decide you'd like to purchase one, pm caves&bunnies on the deco stop
I find there tends to be better ergonomics with an "over the top" type reel. This type of reel allows a narrow handle to be captured by more of the palm area thus allowing more available finger space available for holding the light,and allowing an index finger to extend for tensioning if needed. The sidewinder reel sits more parallel to the hand and close to the fingers,and not as good ergonomic function in relation to anatomics of the hand. The sidewinder does have the advantage of being more streamlined,although since a reel like this typically isn't carried a significant distance,maybe not as important. I am a big fan of the Jasper type configuration for reels that carried on me for jumps,gaps,and safety;and have used the Ralph Hood reel for well over 10 years (durable).
SuPrBuGmAn
Contributor
Another reason I like the Jasper handles(sidewinders) is that they are easily swapped from hand to hand. If you're realling a good long ways, might be a bonus.
I've used the Larry Green(Ralph Hood) sidewinder and tiller models. I own a DiveRite(ish) cavern reel. I bought a Salvo sidewinder.
I'd recommend the Salvo and the Larry Green(Ralph Hood) Sidewinders.
I've used the Larry Green(Ralph Hood) sidewinder and tiller models. I own a DiveRite(ish) cavern reel. I bought a Salvo sidewinder.
I'd recommend the Salvo and the Larry Green(Ralph Hood) Sidewinders.
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