SMB and Reel

[pete crackett]

Just been on a trip and lost delayed SMB and reel. Ideal opportunity to replace with upgraded model(s).
ANY experiences as to best combo gratefully received.

[nick kay]

Depends what you want them for...

1. Reels
- The big yellow MGE reels are great for distance lines & actual ascents, but as they're big, they're difficult to "stow" as a result
- Manta reels are well engineered and easy to use

2. Did you mean SMB or DSMB? Assuming DSMB...
- Buddy dsmb with mini cylinder makes deployment really easy, just a bit bulky
- go for a sealed/valved dsmb then should it "fall over" on the surface, it won't lose its air (and sink back down again)
- my regular dive buddy has just bought one of the yellow dsmbs with co2 cylinder & reel as an emergency dsmb. The whole thing packs into a small pouch - I think he got it from a supplier in the Hull area?

[Paul Oliver]

Hi

Personally i would recomend a DelayedAid DSMB, the reel has a hollow handle you put your AAS in the base of and inflate the bag through, once it has enough air in you let the bag slide off the reel and away it goes.

Very easy to use, all in one although you can seperate them, easy to pack up in the water. I carry mine on a D ring on the side of my tank that i can reach with my left hand. Nicely out of the way but very easy to get to.

HTH

Regards

Paul

[iainmsmith]

Just been on a trip and lost delayed SMB and reel. Ideal opportunity to replace with upgraded model(s).
ANY experiences as to best combo gratefully received.

Have you ever tried a spool? These are basically like the drum of a normal reel...and that's it. They are really easy to use, very compact and virtually impossible to tangle.

Underwater Explorers do the Halcyon spools (on-line shop at www.dirdirect.com), while Aleutian ( <a href="http://www.aleutian.co.uk/" >http://www.aleutian.co.uk/</a>) do a cold water version with a larger hole in the middle, making it better for use with thick gloves. I have the Halcyon and while it works reasonably well, I'd probably have bought the Aleutian version, had it been available when I was buying.

As for DSMBs, I've got a nice compact AquaTec "JR Tec Diver", which I customised in a couple of ways. See:

<a href="http://www.cam.ac.uk/societies/cuueg/temp/dsmb.htm" >http://www.cam.ac.uk/societies/cuueg/temp/dsmb.htm</a>

However, you probably can't go wrong with a standard self-sealing AP Valves DSMB unless you're concerned about bulk.

Iain

[Steve Walker]

Just been on a trip and lost delayed SMB and reel. Ideal opportunity to replace with upgraded model(s).
ANY experiences as to best combo gratefully received.

I've been reasonably pleased with my Beaver reel, ~?30, not as bulky as the McMahon (speelin??) but more comfortable to use than those ones with the t-bar in the handle (MCG or summat?)
AP valves dSMB (without mini-cylinder), and a DS inflator/blowgun (see link), I know some folk hate these but I've used mine for about 6 months now and love it to bits.
Cheers
steve

[Beanie]

Just been on a trip and lost delayed SMB and reel. Ideal opportunity to replace with upgraded model(s).
ANY experiences as to best combo gratefully received.

kent tooling for reels the dogs

buddy DSMBi - can inflate manually if the bottle fails / u forget to fill it

[Mike Halligan]

AP valves dSMB (without mini-cylinder), and a DS inflator/blowgun (see link), I know some folk hate these but I've used mine for about 6 months now and love it to bits.

Hmmm, I thought my ND plastic blowgun was pretty cool, too. Until, that is, two in succession exploded in situ, on the drysuit, at depth, - having lasted 12 and 3 months each.

12 months they said was "fair wear & tear", not of course that the drysuit was sold as in need of a replacement direct feed every year. (I was too disgusted to query the subsequent confirmation of material inadequacy, I just replaced both valve and direct feed, elsewhere, with ones that work.)

Mike

[Andy Nye]

AP valves dSMB (without mini-cylinder), and a DS inflator/blowgun (see link), I know some folk hate these but I've used mine for about 6 months now and love it to bits.


*** I think these have got to be the best for the money that any diver can buy ***

Hmmm, I thought my ND plastic blowgun was pretty cool, too. Until, that is, two in succession exploded in situ, on the drysuit, at depth, - having lasted 12 and 3 months each.


*** I use my DV to inflate mine, had Dsmb now for 8 years and has covered over a 1000 dives. ***

12 months they said was "fair wear & tear", not of course that the drysuit was sold as in need of a replacement direct feed every year. (I was too disgusted to query the subsequent confirmation of material inadequacy, I just replaced both valve and direct feed, elsewhere, with ones that work.)

Mike

*** AP VALVES after / customer service is cr*p, i will never ring or use them again,,,, ( I got a Buddy Trident wing from a dive shop in France, when i unwrapped all the platic bagging off it , the little front pouch was missing,,,, phone AP Valves for a replacement as these jackets come complete with pouch and there answer wassssssssss " we do not have any retailers in France",,,,,,,,, They got a shock when i told them that they have retailers details in France on there website, thats how i found the dive shop,,,, plus it was ? 56 cheaper buying there,

Andy

[Paul Oliver]

Hi

"I carry mine on a D ring on the side of my tank that i can reach with my left hand. Nicely out of the way but very easy to get to."

Until the screw on the U bolt comes undone and you loose the sod.

Somewhere on the Eidsiva 2 miles out of Dover, looks like we will have to go back to her this Sunday.

Ho Hum, first bit of kit i have lost other than a deliberatly disgarded weight belt, had to happen one day. Still got the ?3.50 clip, so not all bad news.

Regards

Paul