Have a Smartflex SMT Premium 3/4" hose on the reel. The rewind mechanism works quite well. The left/right movement of the orange wheel does not quite match the hose diameter. So you have to straighten the hose a bit by hand from time to time. But I am quite satisfied.
But I have no comparison with how well it works with a 1/2" hose. It's probably normal that you have to help a little.

Hello, unfortunately I cannot give an answer to this. I have never used this.