Pathfinder, Agir Brokk or Salvo?

Rob Dobson · August 7th, 2006, 08:58 AM

Did some line work over the weekend and reeled in using a pathfinder for the 1st time and I have to say I was rather impressed. Whereas my existing main reel has a habit of jamming up the pathfinder seemed effortless and I just found that I immediately had more confidence in it.

As I'm planning to do another wreck course in the coming months I've decided to get one. Now having had a look around at the options it would appear I have a choice of: The Halcyon Pathfinder 400, Agir Brokk '150m Side handled reel' and the Salvo '400ft Primary Reel'.

Anyone got any comments on any of these? They all appear to be much of a muchness.

The Salvo is about 20 quid cheaper and appears to be made almost entirely from Delrin whereas the others are have more steel (to rust?).

Agir by far make the best spools IMO but this isn't a spool....

The Halcyon one I have used and I did like it although it did require a bit of TLC before we could use it (mole grips and brute force type TLC).

So has anyone got any experience or opinions on any of these that might help me make a decision?

Little Pete · August 7th, 2006, 09:10 AM

Rob has kindly refrained from pointing out that it was my rather naff line laying (slack line

) that caused him to have time to get a good look at the Pathfinder while lining out again.

Our issue with the pliers was the reel's owner forgetting to wash it regularly enough so the salt and silicone lube had gunked up the lockdown screw completely. After a thorough washing, scraping out threads and re-lubing it worked great.

**GLOC** · August 7th, 2006, 09:13 AM

Rob, I have a Pathfinder 400 and will be taking it up to Scapa so you can have another play then...did you 2 boys go looking for somewhere deep at the weekend then

wilbo · August 7th, 2006, 09:19 AM

Hmmm... new reel..

..

I shouldn't really..

..

but I am weak..

..

hmmm.. new reel..

A-M · August 7th, 2006, 09:27 AM

Rob,

I use a Salvo, my buddy a pathfinder. I can't find any differences in use, quality or something else. The pathfinder grip is metal where the Salvo one is delrin. And I only use mine for about a year so maybe I have a different answer in about five years time

Anne-Marie

Roel · August 11th, 2006, 08:04 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by GLOC)

Rob, I have a Pathfinder 400 and will be taking it up to Scapa so you can have another play then...did you 2 boys go looking for somewhere deep at the weekend then

He guys,

Do you happen to be in Scapa the coming week?
We will leave today from Belgium so hope to be there around Sunday.

We will stay for 1 week on our boat, the fourcault (www.fourcault.be)

And of course including path finder reel :-)) Nice cave training...

Any idea about your planning?

NickB · August 11th, 2006, 08:34 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Roel)

He guys,

Do you happen to be in Scapa the coming week?
We will leave today from Belgium so hope to be there around Sunday.

We will stay for 1 week on our boat, the fourcault (www.fourcault.be)

And of course including path finder reel :-)) Nice cave training...

Any idea about your planning?

Hey Roel

We'll be on the MV Invincible
Come over and see us!

Mark Chase · August 11th, 2006, 10:30 AM

I use a Pathfinder for laying line (which we do prety much every dive). Its design is very good although id prefer an adjustable handle.

Go for the cold water lock nut. My standard one comes undone ocasionaly and the reel does a lovley job of laying line without me knowing.

I have been using it for about three years and apart from the lock nut rusting (which it did almost streight away) its been excelent. The side handle alowes perfict grip for putting tensionon the spool and still alowing use of the goodmans on the torch (salvo21W). The size of the spool is good for line retreavle (small spools are VERY anoying) and holds more than enough line for wreck work. I have never had a jam on it and the handle is nice to use without the silly protruding nut in the middle of the spool you find on some reels

If i got another, it would be the Slavo because it is almost exactly the same reel but cheeper.

NOPTE: there is a right way and a rong way to clip on the reel using a bolt snap. get it wrong and you will lose the reel.

The right way:

The wrong way, the bolt snap will open up and fall off if bent backwards.

ATB

*Brian Allen* · August 11th, 2006, 11:59 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Little Pete)

Our issue with the pliers was the reel's owner forgetting to wash it regularly enough so the salt and silicone lube had gunked up the lockdown screw completely. After a thorough washing, scraping out threads and re-lubing it worked great.

I hear the reels owner operates the principal that if kit never dries it never needs rinsing. However that reel was left at the bottom of a wet kit bag for 4 months without being rinsed or used, i am surprised it was put back into service so easily. I will be speaking with the owner rather sternly about better kit maintenance...

dlegros · August 11th, 2006, 12:12 PM

A bit of "self-discipline" eh Brian?

Dom

August 7th, 2006, 09:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
Little Pete(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 509	Rob has kindly refrained from pointing out that it was my rather naff line laying (slack line ) that caused him to have time to get a good look at the Pathfinder while lining out again. Our issue with the pliers was the reel's owner forgetting to wash it regularly enough so the salt and silicone lube had gunked up the lockdown screw completely. After a thorough washing, scraping out threads and re-lubing it worked great. __________________ The shortesk pink mask wearing str#ke on DIRx apparently

August 7th, 2006, 09:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
GLOC(Offline) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fleet, Hants Posts: 2,690	Rob, I have a Pathfinder 400 and will be taking it up to Scapa so you can have another play then...did you 2 boys go looking for somewhere deep at the weekend then __________________ Gareth Images of Life Photography DIR Team Foxturd Travels Underwater and Further Afar “Set your expectations high; find men and women whose integrity and values you respect; get their agreement on a course of action; and give them your ultimate trust.” “It is far better to be trusted and respected that it is to be liked.”

August 7th, 2006, 09:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
wilbo(Offline) Senior Chimp Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,498	Hmmm... new reel.. .. I shouldn't really.. .. but I am weak.. .. hmmm.. new reel.. __________________ Cheers! Wilbo DIR explorers: DIR Yorkshire Divers: YorkshireDivers One of the Foxturd chimps

August 11th, 2006, 08:34 AM	#7 (permalink)
NickB (Online) Now with added JJ Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cardiff, UK Posts: 825	Quote: (Originally Posted by Roel) He guys, Do you happen to be in Scapa the coming week? We will leave today from Belgium so hope to be there around Sunday. We will stay for 1 week on our boat, the fourcault (www.fourcault.be) And of course including path finder reel :-)) Nice cave training... Any idea about your planning? Hey Roel We'll be on the MV Invincible Come over and see us! __________________ http://www.southwestdiving.co.uk/

August 11th, 2006, 10:30 AM	#8 (permalink)
Mark Chase (Online) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kent England Posts: 1,069	I use a Pathfinder for laying line (which we do prety much every dive). Its design is very good although id prefer an adjustable handle. Go for the cold water lock nut. My standard one comes undone ocasionaly and the reel does a lovley job of laying line without me knowing. I have been using it for about three years and apart from the lock nut rusting (which it did almost streight away) its been excelent. The side handle alowes perfict grip for putting tensionon the spool and still alowing use of the goodmans on the torch (salvo21W). The size of the spool is good for line retreavle (small spools are VERY anoying) and holds more than enough line for wreck work. I have never had a jam on it and the handle is nice to use without the silly protruding nut in the middle of the spool you find on some reels If i got another, it would be the Slavo because it is almost exactly the same reel but cheeper. NOPTE: there is a right way and a rong way to clip on the reel using a bolt snap. get it wrong and you will lose the reel. The right way: The wrong way, the bolt snap will open up and fall off if bent backwards. ATB __________________ The only DIR Inspiration/Hammer head/KISS/rEvo/JJ diver in the village www.ourturkishvilla.co.uk

August 7th, 2006, 08:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
Rob Dobson(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oxford Posts: 686	Did some line work over the weekend and reeled in using a pathfinder for the 1st time and I have to say I was rather impressed. Whereas my existing main reel has a habit of jamming up the pathfinder seemed effortless and I just found that I immediately had more confidence in it. As I'm planning to do another wreck course in the coming months I've decided to get one. Now having had a look around at the options it would appear I have a choice of: The Halcyon Pathfinder 400, Agir Brokk '150m Side handled reel' and the Salvo '400ft Primary Reel'. Anyone got any comments on any of these? They all appear to be much of a muchness. The Salvo is about 20 quid cheaper and appears to be made almost entirely from Delrin whereas the others are have more steel (to rust?). Agir by far make the best spools IMO but this isn't a spool.... The Halcyon one I have used and I did like it although it did require a bit of TLC before we could use it (mole grips and brute force type TLC). So has anyone got any experience or opinions on any of these that might help me make a decision?

August 7th, 2006, 09:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
A-M (Online) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 395	Rob, I use a Salvo, my buddy a pathfinder. I can't find any differences in use, quality or something else. The pathfinder grip is metal where the Salvo one is delrin. And I only use mine for about a year so maybe I have a different answer in about five years time Anne-Marie

August 11th, 2006, 08:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
Roel(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 405	Quote: (Originally Posted by GLOC) Rob, I have a Pathfinder 400 and will be taking it up to Scapa so you can have another play then...did you 2 boys go looking for somewhere deep at the weekend then He guys, Do you happen to be in Scapa the coming week? We will leave today from Belgium so hope to be there around Sunday. We will stay for 1 week on our boat, the fourcault (www.fourcault.be) And of course including path finder reel :-)) Nice cave training... Any idea about your planning?

August 11th, 2006, 11:59 AM	#9 (permalink)
Brian Allen(Offline) GUE Instructor Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London & Plymouth Posts: 623	Quote: (Originally Posted by Little Pete) Our issue with the pliers was the reel's owner forgetting to wash it regularly enough so the salt and silicone lube had gunked up the lockdown screw completely. After a thorough washing, scraping out threads and re-lubing it worked great. I hear the reels owner operates the principal that if kit never dries it never needs rinsing. However that reel was left at the bottom of a wet kit bag for 4 months without being rinsed or used, i am surprised it was put back into service so easily. I will be speaking with the owner rather sternly about better kit maintenance... __________________ ...dive planning again ... http://www.justgiving.com/Brian-Allen GUE fundamentals and Halcyon Equipment Online www.ocean-explorers.co.uk

August 11th, 2006, 12:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
dlegros(Offline) 20% Ninja 80% Rebel Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Birmingham Posts: 245	A bit of "self-discipline" eh Brian? Dom __________________ Dom I reject your reality and substitute my own DIR-RA