Reels for dive flags

[emcbride81]

Anyone got anything to offer on surface marker reels? I know it is a pretty basic thing, but I want to buy one and only one, so I want to be happy the first time! I am looking at one of the reels on Scubatoys and it seems alright.

[WV Diver]

Well for a SMB that you plan to deploy at depth and store in a pocket when not needed you would likely want a finger spool.

Or do you mean dive flags?

Give me some more details.

[DevilDiver]

I use a finger spool purchased from Scuba Toys, of course!!

[emcbride81]

Yeah, a surface flag.

[RoadRacer1978]

I've heard of some people using one of these.



http://images.lowes.com/product/conv...14999661md.jpg

Pretty cheap way to keep the rope or card all wound up.

[No Misses]

I use a diverite deco reel w/optional drag. The drag option is a great asset when deploying the line. It keeps the line from "backlashing". The hi vis line is handy for locating the reel. I often tie it off to the wreck upon arrival. At the end of the dive I have to go find and retreive it.
Reel $80-$90
Drag $9

Click image for high-resolution ENLARGEMENT Deco Reel

The Dive Rite Express exclusive Deco Reel is perfect for open water use as a marking/lift bag reel or a dive flag reel. Similar to the Safety Classic Reel, but with an X-large stainless steel bolt snap and 150 feet of our Hi-Viz Line. Optional drag feature is available.

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by RoadRacer1978

I've heard of some people using one of these.

I freakin' hate those things. Manual spooling and unspooling is a pain, and I don't care to deal with it if I don't have to. I went with the cost-effective option of one of these small Trident reels... they aren't anything special, but they do the job nicely:

[fire diver]

Originally Posted by No Misses

I use a diverite deco reel w/optional drag. The drag option is a great asset when deploying the line. It keeps the line from "backlashing". The hi vis line is handy for locating the reel. I often tie it off to the wreck upon arrival. At the end of the dive I have to go find and retreive it.
Reel $80-$90
Drag $9

Click image for high-resolution ENLARGEMENT Deco Reel

The Dive Rite Express exclusive Deco Reel is perfect for open water use as a marking/lift bag reel or a dive flag reel. Similar to the Safety Classic Reel, but with an X-large stainless steel bolt snap and 150 feet of our Hi-Viz Line. Optional drag feature is available.

I use one of these also. Except I have plain old #24 cave line. I locate mine by sound. My normal dive spot has a spot I can clip my snap into. Then I put a tiny amount of tension on the line. When the wave bounce it up and down I can here "tink, tink, tink" from 50 feet away. (this is helpfull in 15 foot of vis).

I have one of those flat, wind-around things too. Used it once, and never again.

FD

[mcc2318]

These things are horrible!!! There cheap but a pain to operate

[Grin]

I have one of those dive rite reels like pictured. It can be used a couple ways. One method is to attach a rolled up, uninflated, 6 ft sauage to it, clip it to your Bc and perform your dive until you are about to accend. Then flip the reel into freespool and use your reg to inflate the sausage, and up it goes to the top for the boat to spot, while you take your time accending and reeling in the slack.
The other way is to attach it to a fixed float you drag your entire dive. In this case you need a hook or clip to attach it to the bottom when you find something to investigate.