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I haven't tried one, but I've seen them. I wouldn't use one. I'd be afraid of it falling apart on me!
I have played with one. It is an open water reel. The one I messed with wasn't something I would trust in a cave.
Maybe be suitable for dragging a dive flag, but nothing you'd want to use in technical diving.
Edit: Phillip, you are well-known for making disparaging remarks about a company that you don't like. If you continue to do this, you will be banned from this forum, as your remarks serve no purpose other than to trash a very popular company.
Russell Edge, Moderator
I have one that I used to use for cavern diving and wreck penetration. It worked well. My instructor vetoed it for cave diving, so I haven't used it in a cave. It might be worth trying it out by using it as a primary in Peacock, where failure would not be serious.
I'm not afraid to admin it.
One of these was my first reel I ever owned.
The I bought the 400' version on ebay about 6 years ago.
I still have it and it still works fine.
They are a little bit awkward to reel back in due to the off-set static handle.
The crank handle sticks out about 2 to 3 inches once and begs to be cut off.
The ratchet action does have its advantages and I thought that it would fail first.
It never did fail even after I abused the hell out of it.
I've used it for anchor line for my kayak.
I lost it in hospital hole for 4 months.
Guide line to run from the fire road to buford sink.
Daughter that it was fun(ny) to use her sand box.
phillip1 is absolutely right.
I love paying another $100+ just for the bent piece of aluminum and a sticker.
Overall...not bad for the price seeing as the higher end reel$ are only marginally tougher due to the aluminum construction rather than plastic. The DR and OMS reels I have now cost 4 and 6 times as much and foul up just as easily as the plastic junker. I would recommend to anybody that they buy one just to have a reel they wont be afraid to lose or destroy.
http://www.reefscuba.com/litension.htm excellent reel
I have used one, from my instructor, and for shooting a lift bag it is hard to beat. The best thing about it is that if you drop after shooting the lift bag, it will not drop to the bottom. I have never seen one use in a cave and would not use or buy one. I use the OMS one and it has never jamed. The DR reel looks good and works well until it breaks. I have seen 3 break in one day. Just my 2 yen worth.
I had two of them that I used for dive flag anchoring in open water. Both have broken. All of the good quality reels that I have had are still in use and good as new (Manta, Halcyon, DiveRite, Ralph Hood)
WJH
I guess Ill bite the bullet and buy a DR or Ralph Hood sidewinder safety reel. No more of the old style reels for me as a safety where darkness and possible stress might be a factor in it birdnesting.
I'll echo WJH's comments, I used one several years ago to tow a flag and it lasted less than one season before the spring failed. Once it fails the reel is basically free spinning. That is not a threat towing a dive flag but it could be fatal in a cave or wreck.
In my opinion some form of tension control on the spool is essential and a ratchet just does not cut it.
Also, with the design of the handle I cannot possibly imagine trying to use the reel effectively in a cave, or trying to carry the reel in the same hand as a backuo light. In my opinion, it fails for technical diving purposes on multiple levels inckuding quality, durabuility, functionality and safety. It is inexpensive, but when it comes to managing line, cheap is not such a great deal if it contributes to an accident or greatly delays your exit from a cave.
I couldnt agree more! Which gives me an idea for my next thread.
I prefer to shoot lift bags on exit with an AR-15 - usually something in a 55gr projectile works well.Quote:
Originally Posted by TONY CHANEY
Sorry - couldn't resist - end hijack.
Mark
Have one sitting on my desk now. I use it for planting a flag on shore dives. Wouldn't consider using it otherwise.
It did almost kill me once.
It spontaneously unspooled while not in use and tangled around my right leg (my leg was bent back at the time) to the point I couldn't move it. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal, but I was being swept under a concrete pier at the time in six foot seas, and one leg wasn't enough to keep me from getting brained by the pilings. I still don't know how many dead leprechauns it took to get me out of that one.....
Needless to say, I don't do pier dives in 6ft seas any longer :yawinkle:
I have had one for about 2 years. It stays attached to my flag. Only thing. I would use it for. Very good for ow flap towing but even then it can jam