Maybe I'm visualizing this wrong. But can't you cut the cable to untangle it. Use a angle grinder with a cut off wheel (you'll probably need several) or take it to a local welding shop and get them to burn thru some of the cable. Then you'd just need a new cable.
My impressions of the difference between steel cable and synthetic is that the steel cable is tougher and will probably last longer. It does have broken wires tho. The synthetic rope is damaged by sunlight and dirt that gets on the cable can cut it internally. Also you need to be sure that the cable is good quality and not some cheaply made knock off. They are both dangerous if they break under load.
Look at this article:
4WDAnd according to that article:
"Myth: “Synthetic rope won’t whip back if it breaks.”
Both will whip back after breaking. The heavier steel stores more kinetic energy, so it can cause more damage, but synthetic does not just break and fall to the ground. A winch line weight should be used on both."
