APEKS Lifeline Ascend 60m Reel

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PRODUCT REVIEW

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So, laughably this story started out exactly like many other major industry product launches… with a phone call from a local dive shop wetting my appetite with news that they had been one of a privileged few to see prototypes for several new APEKS products, due for release in early 2021.

It’s fair to say that this cunning sales manager knew exactly what he was doing when phoning me, with the only requirement for any product finding its way into my ever-expanding tardis of dive kit being shiny and made by APEKS. It also wasn’t often that I saw or heard this guy this excited, so I knew whatever wizardry was being conjured over in Lancashire, it was undoubtedly going to be something good.

As we head at pace through May ’21 and start to thankfully see a slight, post lockdown, return to retail normality, I decided a trip to the shop was in order. Regrettably, this was subsequent to a visit to a very busy Ikea.

Following initial conversations, I had originally ordered the orange ‘Lifeline Ascend’, but Sadly, soon after, I was unexpectedly informed that APEKS were experiencing supply issues with vital components, so it looked like I was going to have to wait longer than initially expected.

Having successfully survived Ikea and as usual, bought twice as much as I actually went for, I proceeded onwards to the dive shop. Whilst embarking upon the usual multi-lap perusal of the store for anything new which I may need or previously have overlooked, (‘need’ being the operative word to justify a necessary purchase regardless of cost, usually to the Mrs) a shiny stand-alone black APEKS 60m Lifeline Ascend caught my eye sparkling away in the glass counter, and we all know what happened next.

I am pleased to say that this week i unexpectedly, but finally, managed to take ownership of an APEKS Lifeline Ascend 60m reel!

The Reel

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Appearance / Design

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First of all on appearance I have to say that I am impressed. The reel design is clean, looks slick, feels rigid and is incredibly well put together.

I have been lucky enough to be given several tours of the APEKS factory and can confirm that their manufacturing processes are second to none. Row after row of complex CNC machinery forging and refining most components for almost all of their products, with an equally impressive quality control department where integral parts are tested beyond destruction to meet the rigorous demands of every field of scuba diving. When you have witnessed this, you understand exactly how much passion, experience, research and testing has gone into this product.

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Functionality / Use

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The handle is firm with a rubber coating which sits well in either the gloved or bare hand.

The reel is set by default for right handed use but has the option to be converted to left. The finger opening is generously spacious meaning there should be more than enough room to accommodate hands and gloves of all sizes. The winding knob on the side of the reel itself is again of a decent size and also has a slight rubber coating allowing for extra grip, a gift for when your hands are none too warm.

The ratchet mechanism and stopper feels incredibly sturdy and provides ample confidence that this reel is up for anything a diver can throw at it. The addition of the oversized thumb-controlled line release toggle looks to make using this reel a dream.

Anyone who is familiar with APEKS products will recognise some of the more obvious design features found on the Ascend, in particular the high visibility orange kite-line which appears to be the same line used in the APEKS Lifeline range of spools which I use and highly rate.

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Verdict

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Where better to put the APEKS Lifeline Ascend through its paces than in the challenging conditions of Scapa Flow, but before delivering a verdict on this product, it’s probably best to point out a few factors which hugely affected my opinion.

First of all, this is the only ratchet reel which I have ever used in open water, as putting it plainly, I am generally a spool diver.

Secondly, on this visit to Scapa Flow both myself and fellow instructor Ian Goldthorpe had, unbeknown to each other, turned up with a Lifeline Ascend, so it was great to be able to bounce both the positives and negatives off one another throughout the weeks diving.

In all honesty, neither of us found this reel particularly easy to use.

The APEKS Lifeline Ascend is undoubtedly solid, but one thing which Ian and I weren’t overly keen on, especially when considering the price point, was that these reels are primarily designed for use with APEKS own newly released range of delayed surface marker buoys (DSMB). A small piece of bungie is rightfully suppled in the box to attach to your existing DSMB, but this appeared to be nothing more than a huge faff, with most on our dive boat who attempted to figure out how it all worked agreeing that it was somewhat of a challenge and a bit tacky.

One other negative which both Ian and I commonly agreed on was the line release / thumb control. Numerous other reel manufacturers (ok, so Kent Tooling primarily) allow for the line release to be locked off, meaning it does not need to be held open. I appreciate this is a minor moan to say the least, but when time is against you and you're simply tying to bag off and climb, every second counts. A combination of thick gloves and a loss of dexterity at times made releasing the line harder work than it needed to be.

Overall, this is a good reel for which I would expect nothing less coming from APEKS, but I am just not sure where it fits in with my kit, or even how often I am likely to use it. Even though I managed to pick the Lifeline Ascend up at a hugely generous instructor rate, I can honestly say the eye watering RRP would most certainly prevent me from buying this product otherwise.

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Should You Buy The APEKS Lifeline Ascend?

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(Yes, if you have more money than sense)

Design: 7/10

There is no denying that the Lifeline Ascend most certainly looks the part. Solid materials, cool colours and a unique futuristic design, all produced by a company that is widely considered to be an industry leader.

Functionality: 7/10

The Lifeline Ascend does exactly what it says on the tin. As mentioned previously, we at SEPE Diving are not overly keen on the inability to lockout the thumbed line release, or the way that alternative manufacturer & none compatible DSMB’s are expected to attach to the reel.

In all honesty, I haven’t once up to press seen any other non SEPE team technical divers sporting any of these reels, so its fair to see most will likely exclusively find their way into the hands of the over-enthusiastic, bling loving recreational diver.

Price: 6/10

Upon enquiring why the Lifeline Ascend was so expensive, I was simply provided with nothing other than a shrug and a very limited response consisting in it’s entirely of “because its APEKS”. Understandably, that just doesn’t do it for me.

With an RRP ranging between £210 and £230 online and in stores, we found the price of the Lifeline Ascend eye-wateringly high when considering factors such as construction, materials, market competition and an overall value for money.

SEPE Diving Product Rating: 6/10