Just got this reel yesterday and was able to take it for a test run.
Initial impressions: First off the F***tard at BPS spooled my reel with the line under a loop so I had to strip all the line off and retie the knot to the spool. Also, "clear" does not mean clear/blue fluorescent (I didn't notice until after I'd left the store).
Now to the reel.
Pros:
I LOVE the handle on this reel-most comfortable I've ever used.
I like the spool access-very open design.
Least "torquey" 7:1 reel i've used. It's going to be fine for throwings medium spinnerbaits and medium cranks.
Very smooth retrieve (super high bearing counts (10+) are so overrated).
Very comfortable reel to use.
Cons:
WTF is that plastic covering on the levelwind doing on a $180 reel? Shame on you shimano. If you're going to put plastic pieces on a reel like this, don't **** around; use plastic for the dragstar and spool tension knob too to really save us some $$.
If this reel had aluminum gears it could weigh in the mid 6 oz range which would be AWESOME. Or with lighter gears they could have added aluminum sideplates instead of graphite.
Graphite sideplates on a $180 reel. Not ideal, but I can accept it for the overall weight/price.
(this con may be just be me) Although this is probably the lowest profile reel out there, it's not as comfortable as some others to me because it sort of slopes up from back to front, so you can't feel like you have the reel totally in your grasp. Notice the Curado 101D how it's "highest" point when sitting in the rod is at the spool so you can grab the front part with your thumb and the reel feels very secure and in your grasp. Props to shimano for having that bar on the front support of the reel to let you hold with your index finger though. You can lose a finger holding a revo the same way.
Neutral feelings:
I like the fact they ditched all the A-RB's (save the super free bearing) in favor of regular SS. Corrosion resistant bearings are such a sales ploy.
This is a very comfortable reel to use, and the handle is WAY more comfortable than the Citica. I don't feel I gain anything in the casting department over the 101D.
As for my beef with the plastic levelwind cover-I'd like to see a reel that had a plastic drag star and tension knob (like the Curado B's), aluminum gears, and the same shape as the Citica/Curado E, even with graphite sideplates, and have the weight in the mid 6 oz range with a price tag of about $150.
All in all, I think this reel is good (much better than the turd that was the 200D series), but the competion is so much closer/caught shimano vs. the days of the Calcutta and Curado B's.
Initial impressions: First off the F***tard at BPS spooled my reel with the line under a loop so I had to strip all the line off and retie the knot to the spool. Also, "clear" does not mean clear/blue fluorescent (I didn't notice until after I'd left the store).
Now to the reel.
Pros:
I LOVE the handle on this reel-most comfortable I've ever used.
I like the spool access-very open design.
Least "torquey" 7:1 reel i've used. It's going to be fine for throwings medium spinnerbaits and medium cranks.
Very smooth retrieve (super high bearing counts (10+) are so overrated).
Very comfortable reel to use.
Cons:
WTF is that plastic covering on the levelwind doing on a $180 reel? Shame on you shimano. If you're going to put plastic pieces on a reel like this, don't **** around; use plastic for the dragstar and spool tension knob too to really save us some $$.
If this reel had aluminum gears it could weigh in the mid 6 oz range which would be AWESOME. Or with lighter gears they could have added aluminum sideplates instead of graphite.
Graphite sideplates on a $180 reel. Not ideal, but I can accept it for the overall weight/price.
(this con may be just be me) Although this is probably the lowest profile reel out there, it's not as comfortable as some others to me because it sort of slopes up from back to front, so you can't feel like you have the reel totally in your grasp. Notice the Curado 101D how it's "highest" point when sitting in the rod is at the spool so you can grab the front part with your thumb and the reel feels very secure and in your grasp. Props to shimano for having that bar on the front support of the reel to let you hold with your index finger though. You can lose a finger holding a revo the same way.
Neutral feelings:
I like the fact they ditched all the A-RB's (save the super free bearing) in favor of regular SS. Corrosion resistant bearings are such a sales ploy.
This is a very comfortable reel to use, and the handle is WAY more comfortable than the Citica. I don't feel I gain anything in the casting department over the 101D.
As for my beef with the plastic levelwind cover-I'd like to see a reel that had a plastic drag star and tension knob (like the Curado B's), aluminum gears, and the same shape as the Citica/Curado E, even with graphite sideplates, and have the weight in the mid 6 oz range with a price tag of about $150.
All in all, I think this reel is good (much better than the turd that was the 200D series), but the competion is so much closer/caught shimano vs. the days of the Calcutta and Curado B's.