AP Diving Ratchet Dive Reel
- Enclosed design prevents snagging and bird-nest tangling
- Ratchet only winds one way preventing the line from spooling out again when you stop winding
- Simple thumb lever to switch to free-running mode
- Velcro webbing loop is adjustable to fit your hand size.
- {300 ft | 90 m} ultra-strong Dyneema® 1.5mm (aka #18) braided line
AP Diving Ratchet Dive Reel
Line length specifications on reels are approximate and the diver should confirm actual guideline length before relying on a precise distance measurement.
The AP Diving Ratchet Dive Reel comes equipped with {300 ft | 90 m} of high-strength Dyneema line and features a precision-engineered ratchet mechanism that ensures smooth and controlled deployment and retrieval of the line. The reel's unique feature is that the line is completely encased in a glass-reinforced polymer domed body, thus the line cannot slip off the reel and become tangled. The pocket reel includes a black chrome bolt snap. With a simple winding handle and ratchet mechanism, retrieving the line is a breeze, even in challenging underwater situations.
- The on/off thumb lever to easily change between ratchet and free-running modes. Simply press down to lock-off and tap the lever to the side to release and re-engage ratchet mode. The lock-off design means that you do not have to keep your thumb on the lever in free-running mode when used as a navigation reel.
- Features a loud audible ratchet-click when winding, which aids the diver in judging ascent speed and lets other divers know you are returning or ascending.
- The ultra-strong Dyneema line is slightly buoyant so that it rises above wreckage or the seabed when used as a navigation reel – reducing entanglement and making the return journey easier.
- The dome side sits comfortably in your palm while you simply release and lock with your thumb.
- A large loop with an O-ring as a pull tab at the end of the line makes tying off a simple operation.
| Brand | AP Diving |
|---|---|
| SKU | SS-APD-REEL90M |
| Weight | 0.500000 |
Customer Reviews
Characteristics of Line on Dive Reels and Finger Spools
Traditionally, the line on dive reels is a braided thermoplastic fiber made from polyamide (aka Nylon and PA) or more recently polyester terephthalate (aka Dacron and PET) ; each have their pros and cons. Both are strong, but nylon has significantly more elasticity while polyester has very little stretch. In water, nylon tends to become a little 'soggy' and swell slightly thus losing about 15% of its strength, while polyester retains 100% of its strength remaining 'crisp' and resilient when wet. Polyester has better resistance to abrasion and oil products, plus it is significantly more resistant to degrading from UV exposure. Polyester also noticeably better absorbs and retains the high-visibility color dyes (Orange or Chartreuse, Which is Better?). Many divers prefer polyester line claiming it deploys 'smoother' from the reel and is noticeably stronger; other divers still prefer nylon claiming its elasticity makes it easier to handle and 'tie off' in guideline applications. A few dive equipment manufacturers have been experimenting with high performance thermoplastics such as polyethersulfone (PES) and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). These newer materials are many times the strength of polyester.
| Material Trade name |
Polyethersulfone Ultrason |
UHMWPE Dyneema |
Polyester Dacron |
Polyamide Nylon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Tenacity (cN/dtex)
|
28 - 38
|
28 - 38
|
7 - 8
|
6 - 7
|
| Elongation at break (%)
|
28
|
3.5
|
10 - 16
|
16 - 27
|
| Specific gravity (g/cm
3)
|
1.37
|
0.98
|
1.38
|
1.15
|
| Melting point (°C)
|
227
|
149
|
260
|
220
|
| Abrasion resistance
|
excellent
|
very good
|
excellent
|
very good
|
| UV resistance
|
poor
|
very good
|
excellent
|
good
|
| Salt resistance
|
excellent
|
excellent
|
good
|
good
|
| Resistance to oil products
|
excellent
|
excellent
|
excellent
|
good
|
| Knot strength (%)
|
55 - 60
|
35 - 50
|
55 - 60
|
60 - 65
|
The size code numbers that describe the diameters of nylon guideline used in cave diving are from an archaic nomenclature for what is termed "twine" (braided string) and each # code describes an approximate thickness range in fractions of an inch. There does not appear to be an established standard (if you know of one, please tell us); size charts vary depending on the cordage manufacturers who each publish their own version for their products. There are four sizes normally seen on guideline reels: #36 and #24 are most common for nylon with #21 and #18 most common for polyester because it is stronger. The thinner the line the more length that can be fit on a given size reel or conversely the smaller the size of the reel for a given length. However, #18 is approaching the minimum diameter practical for manageable line handling in diving applications.
Thinner < #18 = .060" (~1.5 mm), #21 = .067" (~1.7 mm), #24 = .073" (~1.9 mm), and #36 = .085" (~2.1 mm) > Thicker
