It weighs something about 3kg (6 lb 9 oz) but it is rigid enough for high line forces. It has a friction brake which blocks the line, but you can use the handgrip to slightly let the line out.
If you want to wind up, you just use the handle. The brake is effective in only one direction.
The reel itself consists mainly of 3 disks. Two are the Basic reel for the kite line, #3 is the braking disk. There are ball bearings throughout. The strap wrapped around ~350° creates the brake friction, mainly in one direction. The nylon blocks are roll-guides, which let the string run through the base plate from one side to the other. The string is tensioned the strap via the coil spring.
The coil spring applies the normal level friction. The round handle is rotatable to moderate or increase the brake force. It does not rotate really in fact, but it reacts only by a little force.
The braking force is acting according the capstan equation. That means, the more a kite is pulling, the more brake force is created by the wrapping, and vice versa, you are able to rewind the line without loosening the brake, because it is against wrapping direction.
In action if you start a kite with ~3-4m line open, the brake blocks and prevent the run out by braking. Then you lower the brake force and the kite is running out. It is very sensitive to control.
You can stop the line dropping hard and very softly. In normal wind conditions, line force about 20-30 lbs, no need to touch the handle. Coil springs applies enough tension.
Interesting at low winds, if the kite is hard to lift. When wind calms too much, you can control the line drop in a sensitive way, the the line is running out only when the wind is able to pull the kite.
The brake can also withstand higher forces. So the entire reel is working surprisingly good.