#190
GoDeeper - 9/18/2013 2:54 PM
I have two reels that I have been using for a few years and am pretty happy with them. They are both from Diverite. The first one is a primary sidewinder reel with 400’ of #24 braid line. http://www.diverite.com/products/catalog/reels/re50400 I use this mainly for deploying a lift bag to the surface while doing a free ascent from 100 so. It helps me maintain my ascent rate and lets the captain easily see where I am while waiting for me to ascend. The size of the handle is nice and my hand doesn’t cramp up from holding it.

I also use this reel to venture off the wreck out into the sand. That’s where the 400’ of line comes in handy.


My second reel is a smaller sidewinder with 140’ of #24 braid line. http://www.diverite.com/products/catalog/reels/re52140

I don’t use this one too often for the simple fact that, if I am reeling it for any amount of time, my hand cramps up from gripping the handle. It’s basically just for redundancy. I’m not a cave diver (yet), but would probably use this one for exploring off the main line, as mentioned in the previous comments.

Diverite is not cheap, but I don’t look too much at dollar amounts when it comes to surviving underwater. I eat peanut butter and jelly and get my clothes from wal-mart to save money, but I never skimp on dive gear. I broke my main reel spool one time and Diverite sent me another one for free. I like them.

In short, I have been using both for about 5 years and am very pleased with them.

p.s. Like ks54 said: always tie off your reel on the surface to a tree or something and run it out, then reel it back in before the dive to check for tangles or wear.

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