Wreck reel manufacturers: Pros and Cons

[King Kong Matt]

OK...my general sense before we even start is that people are gonna tell me to go get the Halcyon reel. That's cool...I like Halcyon stuff.

But, here's the question (and bear in mind I know VERY little about reels).

:question:

1) I now have heard multiple people complain about the quality of the Halycon reels. Something basically to the effect that there is no easy way (and perhaps no way at all) to *stop* the reel...make sense? No lockdown screw? Is that really true?

2) Is it possible to replace the line on a reel? Say with a heavier weight line?

Thanks in advance,
-kkm

[dsgobie]

1. Yes they have a lock down screw. I think it could be better, but it looks ok.

2. Yes you can replace reels with what ever line you want.

[GearHead]

i like the spring-handle-notch-lock action of the Manta Reels (http://www.mantaind.com/). In case the previous sentence doesn't make any sense to you, check out their site where the concept explained better.

[ericfine50]

I love the pathfinder reel. The lock down screw can be changed. I went to a "shovel" or"spade" head screw. A little easier to grip with gloves. You could go to Home depot or Mcmaster and look at the screws to see which one would suit you. Get a few as spares.

Eric

[MikeS]

I like the enclosed reel from Reef Reef Scuba (http://www.reefscuba.com/enclosed.htm). The unjustable tension knob lets you adjust tension or lock down the reel on the fly even with thick gloves on. It's also easy to romove the spool from the reel to untangle it or if you have to drop it, you only loose the spool and line and not the reel itself.


Mike

[MikeFerrara]

King Kong Matt once bubbled...
OK...my general sense before we even start is that people are gonna tell me to go get the Halcyon reel. That's cool...I like Halcyon stuff.

But, here's the question (and bear in mind I know VERY little about reels).

:question:

1) I now have heard multiple people complain about the quality of the Halycon reels. Something basically to the effect that there is no easy way (and perhaps no way at all) to *stop* the reel...make sense? No lockdown screw? Is that really true?

2) Is it possible to replace the line on a reel? Say with a heavier weight line?

Thanks in advance,
-kkm

The Halcyon reel has a lock down screw. However the spool is delrin and the screw is stainless. In cold water we have had the screw looses, I think because of the spool contracting. If you use the reel as a primary run in from the entrance there isn't a problem but if you carry it clipped off it could be bad news. A freind of mine replaced the lockdown screw with a non-metal one and it stays tight (because it compresses some when you tighten it).

the halcyon reel is meant to be used as a primarry. The smalles one is I think 400 ft. They mean for jumps, gaps and liftbag deployment to be done with a spool. I like a spool for a lift bag but still kind of like a reel for jumps and gaps. I carry a spool in my pocket if you clip one off on the outside be careful. I have seen two thing happen. One: if the line isn't wound just right before being clipped off with the double ender it can jump the spool and feed off the spool behind you. Second: I have seen the double ender come off the spool. Both might be a little bit of operator error but it still happens.

Conventional reels of course have their own problems. When you get down to it working with line takes practice.

[WreckWriter]

I've been using the Halcyon but I'm thinking of getting a Manta. I like the anti-birdnest feature and my experience has been that the quality of their products is pretty high. They're not cheap though for sure! The one I need is most of 200 bucks :(

WW

[GearHead]

Hey WW, are you talking about the Manta Sr.?

At LP, you can buy it with 600 feet of #24 line or 320 feet of #36 for $122.95. The G5 series is even cheaper.




WreckWriter once bubbled...
I've been using the Halcyon but I'm thinking of getting a Manta. I like the anti-birdnest feature and my experience has been that the quality of their products is pretty high. They're not cheap though for sure! The one I need is most of 200 bucks :(

WW

[WreckWriter]

GearHead once bubbled...
Hey WW, are you talking about the Manta Sr.?

At LP, you can buy it with 600 feet of #24 line or 320 feet of #36 for $122.95. The G5 series is even cheaper.


Yea, that's the one. I'd want the #36 line. this seems to be their top of the line reel.

WW

[GearHead]

Yup, I use the #36 on my Manta Jr. and it seems to hold up just fine. I don't know how you feel about purchasing stuff online, but LP's price for the Manta Sr. (http://s1059kxm.leisurepro.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=9953&prmenbr=946) is pretty nice, and I don't think you need much after-purchase support for a reel. :D

Ugh, I sound like a salesman!! Sorry, I just like helping people to save money when I can.




WreckWriter once bubbled...


Yea, that's the one. I'd want the #36 line. this seems to be their top of the line reel.

WW

[raxafarian]

Matt: I have both the manta jr. and the halcyon. I'll bring them with me to dutch springs (unless I see you before then).

I prefer the manta. (this is based upon my limited use of both).

[King Kong Matt]

raxafarian once bubbled...
Matt: I have both the manta jr. and the halcyon. I'll bring them with me to dutch springs (unless I see you before then).

I prefer the manta. (this is based upon my limited use of both).

cool...then I'll take your Halcyon off you :)

[raxafarian]

King Kong Matt once bubbled...


cool...then I'll take your Halcyon off you :)


you're gonna take my backup???


I said I like the manta better. I'll add that I can see the manta failing first (internal parts for the squeeze release). So I'll keep using the manta and keep the halcyon hanging on the back d-ring for a backup.

Get Dan to buy you one with his huge discount ;)

[Quest]

I like Manta reels...

I use a Manta Sr. for penetration and a Manta Mini for Deco off a lift bag.

The only thing i dont like about the Manta Sr. is the squeeze handle. It gets tiring keeping it squeezed while laying or winding up line.

A trick i create is squeeze the grip and put a tie over the handle in the upper corner. Now you will be able to move the tie one direction to keep the handle squeezed or move in another direction to manually operate or release handle.

I see Manta discovered the same problem as they now sell a plastic device that does the same thing. But, i prefer my tie cause its cheap and i have been using the same tie for about 3yrs now without a break.

[savagemyth]

99% of cave divers around the world stake their life on Dive Rite reels. These are by far the simplest, most straightforward and streamlined reels that are mainstream. There are a few others that are more elegant and more indestructible, but are usually custom made or limited production. Halcyon reels IMHO look great on the shelf and are models of architectural styling, but in use fall short of the mark. The pathfinder is awkward to lay line and keep tension with your finger. And that stop screw leaves gouges in the edge of the spool which create nicks that tend to "click" and hang up when unreeling. Unacceptable. A design which puts the stop screw in the side of the spool is more desireable, as it only leaves a groove with wear and doesn't hang. The pathfinder also has awkward balance, is awkward to rewind, and is goofy to hold a goodman handle with. And it is much heavier than similar reels. The biggest gripe I have is it's lack of balance in comparison to a conventional reel that puts the spool directly below the divers hand. After trying the pathfinder I found myself with a cramp from having my hand in "the claw" position. No good.

Halcyon finger spools should be outlawed in caves. They routinely pop off the clip and have a habit of unwinding all over you and the floor of wherever you are diving. I lost mine and I will not be replacing it. Dive rite makes small safety spools that are a much better choice.

Full Tech Cave, Full Trimix DM, A.I.,50 logged hours in overhead in 2004, blah blah blah