DIR- GUE GUE-approved reel that's not Halcyon?

[SaltyWombat]

I heard (or misheard?) that GUE only approves of a few reels. I want to get one now for a mapping project, but plan to use it for Cave 1 in the future. I have not thought about a cave instructor yet, so I can't ask one. So I turn to Scubaboard.

Which non-Halcyon reels are approved? I want to look for affordable alternatives.

 

[PfcAJ]

Light Monkey.

Also check eBay for used ones.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I'm curious what is an example of a reel GUE would not approve of. Oh, my primary reel is Halcyon, and Light Monkey makes one that looks extremely similar. What features would GUE not approve of? What about the Dive Rite "Classic"? (I didn't care for the Classic when I tried one, but just askin'.)

 

[PfcAJ]

DR classic is a particularly poor design. The Ralph hood reels aren’t reallY DIR. Kent tooling. Those Manta reels.

Metal to metal connections and gaps between the spool and the frame both cause problems. Also, designs like the DR classic make it tough to use a Goodman light at the same time.

 

[rjack321]

The Manta comes to mind as the "least" DIR reel.

If you brought a halcyon, light monkey to Cave1 you'd be allowed to use those as the basic palm-light-reel-thumb motions are identical. Hollis and DR also make reels with this design and you'd 99% be allowed to use it in class. Possibly a Ralph hood (75%).

The top handle styles, DR classic, manta would be held up as a suboptimal example and the instructor would probably loan you a H or LM reel to complete the course with.

 

[Ulfhedinn]

Light Monkey.

Also check eBay for used ones.

Would be cool to find used ones on there but I have never been able to find one.

 

[scubadada]

The Manta comes to mind as the "least" DIR reel.

Glad to hear, it's what I have used for all my solo drift dives in SE FL for the past many years. I can understand the criticism for other uses.

 

[The Cosmicist]

Going to follow this thread... I'd like to learn about this also. What about this one... On sale here and I've thought about buying. Is this GUE/DIR approved?

 

[The Cosmicist]

Looks really similar to the Halcyon Pathfinder reel.

 

[Manatee Diver]

Would be cool to find used ones on there but I have never been able to find one.

The gear exchange on Cavediver.net is a good place to watch as well.