The "D" models are true direct drive in the sense that handle rotation is connected directly (through gears) to the spool. When line is taken out against the drag the handle rotates backwards. Grab the handle when a fish is taking out line and you get bloody knuckles, the line breaks, or the fish stops. I always set the drag so you could strip line out with a strong pull and used my thumb on the spool to increase drag if need be. That way you would know when the handle stopped spinning, prevented bloody knuckles but often caused a tender thumb from friction heat.