The humble dive reel has come a long way since the days when the old BSAC Diving Manual had 'instructions for making a surface marker buoy reel' (page 227-228 if you ever get hold of a copy). Nowadays reels tend to come in all shapes, sizes and colours, yet fundamentally they still break down into two categories - surface marker reels and dedicated line laying reels.

Surface marker buoy reels tend to work on some form of ratchet system that only allows line out when the ratchet is released. These types of reel are ideal for hanging under while decompressing, yet they don't allow the line to run smoothly when line laying. The exploration type line reel tends to work with some form of screw down tensioning system that may be ideal for use inside a cave, in a wreck or in a low vis situation but the tension screw can slip when using the reel for decompression, especially in a swell.

One manufacturer seems to have taken the best of both worlds and combined them. The result is the Manta series of reels. Distributed in this country by TechSupply in Kirkcaldy the reels come in three sizes: Manta Mini, Manta Junior and the daddy of the bunch the Manta Senior. The Manta Senior and Junior both have a spring loaded AFS (Anti Free Spool) system that prevents the spool from revolving freely and spilling line. A spring loaded tension bar pushes down on the spool to stop it turning. The spool also has two notches cut into it so that even if the tension bar can't hold the spool (for example in a swell) the diver can either reel in or pull down to the next notch. Line laying with the reel is smooth and straightforward. Squeezing the tension bar on the handle allows the line to deploy in a controlled manner. When you come to a belay point you just release the handle and pass the reel around or through the belay, as the AFS has come into play the spool is held and no more line will spill off the spool, even if you dropped the reel. The reels have a standard brass P-clip to attach to your harness/BC and can be supplied with line of various diameters and lengths. A well contrived and essentially simple piece of kit.

Review by Ron Mahoney.