Comparison - DIR Zone Spool Vs Apeks Lifeline
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- DIR Zone Spool Vs Apeks Lifeline
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In this weeks comparison, video Mark talks about the DIR Zone spool and the Apeks lifeline spool.
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Sources
DIR Zone
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Apeks
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33M Spool
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30M Lifeline
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Reel & Spool Collection
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Team
Presenter(s): Mark Newman
Writer(s): Mark Newman
Editor(s): Shaun Johnson
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#scubaadvice #comparison #dirzone #apeks #spool #lifeline #advice #vs #scubadiving #simplyscuba
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I have the short apeks lifeline preassembled on my dsmb. It's very nice and flares make for more secure grip, but it was definitely a vanity purchase, not worth the ludicrous price.
I considered also getting one of the larger ones for deeper dives, but winding up a reel is much easier and a 50m reel can be pretty compact. Yes, the crank is a snag hazard, but easy to fix. A spool is a drop hazard, which is harder to fix. So I think those risks balance out.
If you're using it to just to send up a marker then use the cheaper. If your in a cave making jumps then it's the apex. The ease to clip off is obvious and the colour adds to less confusion if many have tied off around the same jump. The shape of the line is the deal breakers. Giving the possibility of finding your line by touch in a mask off situation, total brilliance. let's be honest if your a cave diver the price difference is not relevant. Thanks for sharing , l was unaware of the apex. m going to get one asap
You forgot to mention another feature. The cheaper black spool has smooth edges ( like a nickel coin), The Apex has ‘revets’ (like a quarter). This will give a little extra help prevent slipping the spoil out of your hand when winding).
IMO the best option is a plastic spool with the orange dacron line. You should be able to fit 30m of dacron on that spool and still have the holes available. Particularly when you factor in that the price of Apeks is much more expensive in the US.
I splurged on the Apeks Halo. Definitely a flex item, but i really like the slimmer spool with a hole big enough to fit 2-3 fingers (basically gripping it with your whole hand). Larger diameter also means less winding(s)! No knurling or rubber coating (like the new Lifelines have), though. Worth the price? Definitely not. But then again: nice bling, and the only spool available in orange - to match all my other equipment. 😁
I bought my first spool (cheapo) from my local dive shop after I found out about an incident where a student got a prop across his backside (he's fine, just a few stitches). After taking off most the line I decided to make 3D printable spare line holder. Seems to be working well, playing with the STL file to work out one or two kinks.
I believe it's better to buy right the first time than starting off with cheap stuff, and then buying the expensive stuff later anyways. Yes, you'll have to save up a bit longer, but it pays in the long run. The only thing the DIR Zone spool has going for it is its price. The Apeks spool is the better choice in all other aspects. The bigger finger hole, the stronger material, the better line and leader, the flared edges, the crenelations, not being overwound so your 30m line stays 30m and doesn't become 20m. In my opinion it's worth the extra expense as it will last you a lifetime.
I have a Homyl Professional Aluminum spool, I got it off of another website (sorry guys). It's basically an Apex copy good quality but much, much cheaper.
Was it from lownine?
@@bulljohnson6635 I don't belive so. Here is the amazon link www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0798KW8SX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have enjoyed your product review and comparisons. It would be great if you could add footage of you guys using these products in the water. Showing people how the spools are different in a gloved hand while diving could make more of an impression then just talking about it.
Hey Christopher, we would LOVE to have underwater footage of the products being used it's just too much red tape at the moment
The small loop on the end of the leader loop should thread through the hole on the spool, the hook on the double ended snap bolt is then clipped to the loop, wrap the string around the hook of the snap bolt once or twice and over the quick release plunger and this then locks the plunger in the closed postion and it also means the spool can spin around on the string to its heart content without breaking the spool or causing the snap bolt plunger to open by accident. When sending up the DSMB try placing the snap bolt over the string and then just hold onto the snap bolt when the bag is deployed, this allows the string to be paved out as the DSMB is deployed with the reel spinning against the snap bolt, doing it this way you dont need to worry whether or not your sausage fingers fit through the centre hole of the spool when wearing dry or wet gloves. As soon as the DSMB arrives at the surface the snap bolt is ready to hand for you to begin reeling in using the snap bolt as your handle and clicking it off at each stop level. Suggest when cliping off the reel at your Deco or Safety Stop place the hook on one end of the snap over the line and then through the hole to lock it off, the hook at the other end again place it around the line this keeps the snap bolt in a vertical position and prevents the snap bolt at the reel end from being accidentally uncliped and loosing your snap bolt.
I have 3 spools but have modified them. The spool is just a rope carrier you could use anything for that. No big deal. I have different colourd lengths with tallies. Also rigged with d ring or shakles and caribineers for smbs . But others with other devices. Depends what I want to use it for hope it helps
Last weekend teamed up with a buddy who had 45 m Apeks lifeline and I had one of those plastic ones. From the gas switch depth 21m - he did not have any difficulties reeling it in with dry gloves whereas I was struggling in all of our 4 dives training deco procedures. Next one surely going to be Apeks. Do you deliver to Finland?
Where can I purchase the Dive Dive Dive t-shirt you have on the wall behind you?
Hey Andrea, that's an old design from two or three years ago... but I will say this... just watch this space we have some pretty cool news coming soon :D
Apex! Yeah!
I use the 45m and 30m Apeks LifeLine Spools in all type of waters for "normal" use (DSMB, laying line in non overhead environment). Great thin line on the spool and great look. The only part where I use a "normal" spool is in cave and wreck overhead environments. There I use delrin spool and reel. But I have setup them with a white dynema caveline with a kevlar core (expensive line). Why? This line is not breaking so fast at sharp corners and I can easily fix mainlines with a similar type of line which is used in the past.
Why no comment or consideration for buoyancy? Surely that’s an important factor as dropping it is a definite possibility. I’ve seen the plastic ones just spin in front of you with neutral buoyancy
Plastic / delrin because they are cheap. Sport is expensive enough with out throwing 70£ / 100$ at a spool for my dsmb. Money I save on stuff like cheaper spools can go towards more diving trips and well other life expenses
Have a look on ebay you'll find a large selection of finger spools with line and bolt snaps for far less money than what the over priced dive shops are asking.
Yes. When the lifeline came out it was unique. Now there's a ton of cheap colourful aluminium flared spools with or without line. Even buying line separately on a plastic spool would still amount to half the price of an apeks.
Buoyancy is important factor if you released spool unexpectedly.
Both are negatively buoyant, though the Apeks will probably drop out of reach quicker. Fortunately there's still the line so you can retrieve it. You'll just be spending more time during your safety stop reeling it all back in.
Nice product vid format
CHEAPER option - small hand line reel from the fishing shop - about 1/10th the price
It's just a spool & string after all!
Hm, I just seen exact copies of the Apeks on ebay for 10 USD with free shipping from china(no line included, just the spool). As much as I think the Apeks is a bit overpriced, I have no clues how they can make it for so low a price in china and still make money on it.
Easy. You pretty much only pay for the material. Production and shipping are sponsored by the government. By the time the Apeks spool gets to your door, 20 parties have been busy making a profit off of it.