Reels

[teknitroxdiver]

I am a huge wreck fan, and after contacting an instructor friend of mine, it looks like I'll be doing the PADI course, either here at home with a local instructor, or on vacation with her. If I do it here I'm going to find an instructor that will do the whole thing, penetration and all, so I imagine I'll need a reel, and some backup lights. Is any specific reel good, or anything? I was looking at Dive Rite and Halcyon.

Anything else I'll need for the PADI wreck course? I doubt if I'll buy it all just yet, but I like to research stuff to the point that there's no doubt about what I need and want.

 

[WaterDawg]

I cant imagine the PADi wreck course teaching penetration. As far as B/u light go Id recomend the ones here www.dinplugs.com OR princeton tec Impact XL LED.

Cant comment on reels cause I've only used one (H Pathfinder).

 

[teknitroxdiver]

They do within light zone/max 130' total. And even that is the instructors discretion.

Thanks for the link. I've looked at that page a few times over the last year or so and it seems like it always says they're out of stock. Are they really, or do they not update the page?

thanks

 

[theskull]

For now your penetration will be minor, so you don't need a huge reel. But do buy a good quality (not discount plastic) reel with between 100 and 175 feet of line on it. If you do later pursue more serious dives, the good small reel you buy now will be your safety reel when and if you do need a large reel.

I'm a big fan of the Manta reels, http://www.mantaind.com/ , with the Sport Diver Reel as the one I would recommend for your current needs -- get the #30 line for wreck dives. That said, all the reels of similar size by the major manufacturers are suitable. Check out DiveRite, OMS, etc.

theskull

 

[teknitroxdiver]

Get #30 instead of 'wreck line' which is #36?

thanks for the link, I didn't realise they made reels.

 

[theskull]

Get #30 instead of 'wreck line' which is #36?

thanks for the link, I didn't realise they made reels.

The reel I recommended comes with either #24 or #30 line, so I suggested the #30. You could specifiy #36 on a custom order or redo it yourself.

Still, this is a safety reel or a minor penetration reel. Personally, I would go with the lighter weight #30, but others will say differently. That's why you asked on this forum, right?

Dive safe,
theskull

 

[teknitroxdiver]

Ah. I was just making sure you hadn't made a typo.

thanks

 

[hermosadive]

Thanks for the link. I've looked at that page a few times over the last year or so and it seems like it always says they're out of stock. Are they really, or do they not update the page?

It took 3-4 weeks for me to get my light from the guys at Gulftex, but I'm really happy with the light. They are a small operation and they switch their manufacturing equipment back and forth from DIN Plugs to light bodies. You would think that they could just commit and make a few hundred so they have stock, but its not my money.