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How do you manage to get the line from the reel in the scooter prop? The pr= op is in front of you and the reel or is that one of those ride-on-top type= DPV's?=20 All reel types have one thing in common the "spool" the line does not fall = off the spool in my opinion unless you are sloppy and complacent. As for closed face reels and auto locks, these are like training wheels on = a racing bicycle in my opinion and right up they=92re with mounting lights = on a helmet. -----Original Message----- Bill, In my opinion, the Halcyon "Pathfinder" reels by Extreme Exposure (EE) are really nice upgrades over the more traditional reels, althought they're not cheap. First, their handles are ergonomically different and I find nice to use. Second, they are light years ahead of other reels in their ability to avoid most jambs. This is due to their open-face design, which 1) provides little for the line to snag or wrap on while allowing you room to work your hand around the spool, and 2)the close tolerances help prevent the line from working its way in between the spool and the reel's handle, and thereby having the line get hopelessly wrapped around the reel's axle. Don't know about you, but it takes me a long time to straighten that kind of mess out in cold water, with gloves on, in low vis with a traditional reel. I'll trade eliminating that stress for paying the higher price anytim= e. However, while the open-face design allows easy access to the line, it's a double-edge sword in that it can also allow line to "fall off" the spool if you're not careful. This isn't a problem when you're using the reel, as you keep the line taught. The problem occurs when the set screw, or thumb screw that is used to tighten down on the spool to keep the spool in a "locked" position, works loose while you've got it clipped on. The design only requires that the spool be a little loose and tilted, and the line can "fall" off the spool. This is obviously not a good thing during a wreck penetration, and is a downer if it gets into your scooter's prop (trust me on the prop). True, the same thing can happen with a traditional reel. But a loosened spool on a traditional reel isn't necessarily an accident waiting to happen, especially if you've set a little pressure on the spool to keep it from freewheeling (i.e., you've tightened down on the axle bolt a little). However, the open-face design can be, in that it can effortlessly dump line without the spool ever moving (with the open-face design the spool doesn't have to revolve, like the spool on a traditional reel, to dump line). With no "cage" around the spool like the traditional reels have, there's nothing to keep the line contained. A little line to work with during a dive is one thing, a little more is something else.=20 I bought my spool at EE, and changed out the stock set screw at EE for one of their replacement "thumb" screws. Both are SS. I'm sure the standard set screw works well in warmer waters where you don't need gloves, but I thought it would be difficult to operate up north where the water requires heavy gloves. I since replaced the SS screw with a nylon one, and just slightly oversized to keep the screw under load at all times so it won't back out. Other reel manufacturers came up with this combination and it works pretty well.=20 Having said that, I really like the reel. I've spent a lot of time discussing one potential problem this new reel has than in telling you of all of its many advantages. I haven't had the need, or desire, to go back to my more traditional reels yet. Maybe when I need more line capacity, have a special purpose dive to make, etc. I will. All have their places and relative value. Use what you need for the dive you're making. As to the safety reels or spools, they are generally personal safety lines used in wrecks or caves. Excellent for their purpose. I do see some cave and wreck divers using them exclusively. However, I figure the wreck divers don't understand their function, probably saw them in a dive shop and figured they were neat. Personally, I wouldn't want to have to shoot a bag using a safety reel from any depth. That's my two-cents worth. Hope it sheds a little light. Regards Bill ___________________________________________________ GO.com Mail =20 Get Your Free, Private E-mail at http://mail.go.com -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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