which smb reel

"Tony Howard" <tony@samesamediving.com> wrote in message
news:420150f9.0@entanet...
> The only BIG reel that I used to have and seemed to work OK (most of the
> time) was a Manta Senior Reel. It was expensive, but held a lot of line
> and
> the clutch was quite good, especially for those with big hands and thick
> gloves.
>
> My wife still has and likes hers!
>
> http://www.lumb-bros-das.co.uk/acata...nta_Reels.html


While big reels are great - easy to hold, easy to wind, lots of thick line
etc, they are nonetheless big. Then, what torch? Well, one that puts out as
much light as the sun of course, and a battery that you could jump-start a
jumbo jet with of course. And another just as big as a backup. Then don't
forget your twin 15s, side slung 7 and 5 with two sets of everything in the
regs. And two computers. You did pack your spare mask and snorkel? And a
spare fin strap?

Get the idea? You'll also need a block and tackle to get you to stand up,
and book you hip and knee replacements now!

I know I'm going to get shot down for this, but I have opted for a reel
which is small enough to fit in my right BCD pocket WITH the SMB AND torch.
None are perfect, but all have been fine for every dive they've been needed
on so. Part of the equation (AFAIAC) is functionality. A piece of kit so
absolutely wondrous in every way but too awkward to carry and gets left in
the car, you may as well not bother owning. (The left BCD pocket has the
slate, dive table, car keys and other nik-naks)

Nothing against gypsies, but I'd rather not resemble a tinker's caravan on
the way to the water's edge.

Ken

"Tony Howard" <tony@samesamediving.com> wrote in message
news:420150f9.0@entanet...
> The only BIG reel that I used to have and seemed to work OK (most of the
> time) was a Manta Senior Reel. It was expensive, but held a lot of line
> and
> the clutch was quite good, especially for those with big hands and thick
> gloves.
>
> My wife still has and likes hers!
>
> http://www.lumb-bros-das.co.uk/acata...nta_Reels.html


While big reels are great - easy to hold, easy to wind, lots of thick line
etc, they are nonetheless big. Then, what torch? Well, one that puts out as
much light as the sun of course, and a battery that you could jump-start a
jumbo jet with of course. And another just as big as a backup. Then don't
forget your twin 15s, side slung 7 and 5 with two sets of everything in the
regs. And two computers. You did pack your spare mask and snorkel? And a
spare fin strap?

Get the idea? You'll also need a block and tackle to get you to stand up,
and book you hip and knee replacements now!

I know I'm going to get shot down for this, but I have opted for a reel
which is small enough to fit in my right BCD pocket WITH the SMB AND torch.
None are perfect, but all have been fine for every dive they've been needed
on so. Part of the equation (AFAIAC) is functionality. A piece of kit so
absolutely wondrous in every way but too awkward to carry and gets left in
the car, you may as well not bother owning. (The left BCD pocket has the
slate, dive table, car keys and other nik-naks)

Nothing against gypsies, but I'd rather not resemble a tinker's caravan on
the way to the water's edge.

Ken

"Tony Howard" <tony@samesamediving.com> wrote in message
news:420150f9.0@entanet...
> The only BIG reel that I used to have and seemed to work OK (most of the
> time) was a Manta Senior Reel. It was expensive, but held a lot of line
> and
> the clutch was quite good, especially for those with big hands and thick
> gloves.
>
> My wife still has and likes hers!
>
> http://www.lumb-bros-das.co.uk/acata...nta_Reels.html


While big reels are great - easy to hold, easy to wind, lots of thick line
etc, they are nonetheless big. Then, what torch? Well, one that puts out as
much light as the sun of course, and a battery that you could jump-start a
jumbo jet with of course. And another just as big as a backup. Then don't
forget your twin 15s, side slung 7 and 5 with two sets of everything in the
regs. And two computers. You did pack your spare mask and snorkel? And a
spare fin strap?

Get the idea? You'll also need a block and tackle to get you to stand up,
and book you hip and knee replacements now!

I know I'm going to get shot down for this, but I have opted for a reel
which is small enough to fit in my right BCD pocket WITH the SMB AND torch.
None are perfect, but all have been fine for every dive they've been needed
on so. Part of the equation (AFAIAC) is functionality. A piece of kit so
absolutely wondrous in every way but too awkward to carry and gets left in
the car, you may as well not bother owning. (The left BCD pocket has the
slate, dive table, car keys and other nik-naks)

Nothing against gypsies, but I'd rather not resemble a tinker's caravan on
the way to the water's edge.

Ken

"Tony Howard" <tony@samesamediving.com> wrote in message
news:420150f9.0@entanet...
> The only BIG reel that I used to have and seemed to work OK (most of the
> time) was a Manta Senior Reel. It was expensive, but held a lot of line
> and
> the clutch was quite good, especially for those with big hands and thick
> gloves.
>
> My wife still has and likes hers!
>
> http://www.lumb-bros-das.co.uk/acata...nta_Reels.html


While big reels are great - easy to hold, easy to wind, lots of thick line
etc, they are nonetheless big. Then, what torch? Well, one that puts out as
much light as the sun of course, and a battery that you could jump-start a
jumbo jet with of course. And another just as big as a backup. Then don't
forget your twin 15s, side slung 7 and 5 with two sets of everything in the
regs. And two computers. You did pack your spare mask and snorkel? And a
spare fin strap?

Get the idea? You'll also need a block and tackle to get you to stand up,
and book you hip and knee replacements now!

I know I'm going to get shot down for this, but I have opted for a reel
which is small enough to fit in my right BCD pocket WITH the SMB AND torch.
None are perfect, but all have been fine for every dive they've been needed
on so. Part of the equation (AFAIAC) is functionality. A piece of kit so
absolutely wondrous in every way but too awkward to carry and gets left in
the car, you may as well not bother owning. (The left BCD pocket has the
slate, dive table, car keys and other nik-naks)

Nothing against gypsies, but I'd rather not resemble a tinker's caravan on
the way to the water's edge.

Ken

"Tony Howard" <tony@samesamediving.com> wrote in message
news:420150f9.0@entanet...
> The only BIG reel that I used to have and seemed to work OK (most of the
> time) was a Manta Senior Reel. It was expensive, but held a lot of line
> and
> the clutch was quite good, especially for those with big hands and thick
> gloves.
>
> My wife still has and likes hers!
>
> http://www.lumb-bros-das.co.uk/acata...nta_Reels.html


While big reels are great - easy to hold, easy to wind, lots of thick line
etc, they are nonetheless big. Then, what torch? Well, one that puts out as
much light as the sun of course, and a battery that you could jump-start a
jumbo jet with of course. And another just as big as a backup. Then don't
forget your twin 15s, side slung 7 and 5 with two sets of everything in the
regs. And two computers. You did pack your spare mask and snorkel? And a
spare fin strap?

Get the idea? You'll also need a block and tackle to get you to stand up,
and book you hip and knee replacements now!

I know I'm going to get shot down for this, but I have opted for a reel
which is small enough to fit in my right BCD pocket WITH the SMB AND torch.
None are perfect, but all have been fine for every dive they've been needed
on so. Part of the equation (AFAIAC) is functionality. A piece of kit so
absolutely wondrous in every way but too awkward to carry and gets left in
the car, you may as well not bother owning. (The left BCD pocket has the
slate, dive table, car keys and other nik-naks)

Nothing against gypsies, but I'd rather not resemble a tinker's caravan on
the way to the water's edge.

Ken

I would always start with Regs. If your regs fail at 30 metres who
cares if you have a cold foot.

Before I bought my own regs I used the Hire ones all over the world.
A lot of the time (Especially on boats) the regs got coiled up and put
on a peg. The following morning the regs came off the peg and
straight onto someones kit. By the end of the season the regs were so
clogged with salt you had to suck the air in.

If your BCD or Suit fails you are still alive to have a go at the hire
company. If your regs go....... you go with them. (I know you can
use your buddies octipus but which would you prefer.. a cold foot or
a reg free flowing in your face at 30M while you try and locate your
buddy...)

I would always start with Regs. If your regs fail at 30 metres who
cares if you have a cold foot.

Before I bought my own regs I used the Hire ones all over the world.
A lot of the time (Especially on boats) the regs got coiled up and put
on a peg. The following morning the regs came off the peg and
straight onto someones kit. By the end of the season the regs were so
clogged with salt you had to suck the air in.

If your BCD or Suit fails you are still alive to have a go at the hire
company. If your regs go....... you go with them. (I know you can
use your buddies octipus but which would you prefer.. a cold foot or
a reg free flowing in your face at 30M while you try and locate your
buddy...)

I would always start with Regs. If your regs fail at 30 metres who
cares if you have a cold foot.

Before I bought my own regs I used the Hire ones all over the world.
A lot of the time (Especially on boats) the regs got coiled up and put
on a peg. The following morning the regs came off the peg and
straight onto someones kit. By the end of the season the regs were so
clogged with salt you had to suck the air in.

If your BCD or Suit fails you are still alive to have a go at the hire
company. If your regs go....... you go with them. (I know you can
use your buddies octipus but which would you prefer.. a cold foot or
a reg free flowing in your face at 30M while you try and locate your
buddy...)

I would always start with Regs. If your regs fail at 30 metres who
cares if you have a cold foot.

Before I bought my own regs I used the Hire ones all over the world.
A lot of the time (Especially on boats) the regs got coiled up and put
on a peg. The following morning the regs came off the peg and
straight onto someones kit. By the end of the season the regs were so
clogged with salt you had to suck the air in.

If your BCD or Suit fails you are still alive to have a go at the hire
company. If your regs go....... you go with them. (I know you can
use your buddies octipus but which would you prefer.. a cold foot or
a reg free flowing in your face at 30M while you try and locate your
buddy...)

I would always start with Regs. If your regs fail at 30 metres who
cares if you have a cold foot.

Before I bought my own regs I used the Hire ones all over the world.
A lot of the time (Especially on boats) the regs got coiled up and put
on a peg. The following morning the regs came off the peg and
straight onto someones kit. By the end of the season the regs were so
clogged with salt you had to suck the air in.

If your BCD or Suit fails you are still alive to have a go at the hire
company. If your regs go....... you go with them. (I know you can
use your buddies octipus but which would you prefer.. a cold foot or
a reg free flowing in your face at 30M while you try and locate your
buddy...)