Pinnacle Optimus Xi

[pondboss]

I worked in the Pinnacle booth at the Classic expo and was given my choice of rod and reel for my efforts.  Selfishly I chose the newest Optimus Xi.  It's light weight, tipping the scales at a whopping 7.1 oz.  It comes stock with a carbon fiber handle and drag star.  Audible spool tension knob, and dual breaking.  Not to mention Big awesome EVA grips.  (big fan of these)

Now I know what you're thinking..... I was working in the Pinnacle booth this review will be biased, on the contrary!  Around the same time last year I received a Pinnacle Optimus X and have had nothing but problems with it since day one.  After further evaluation, unbeknownst to me there was just too much lube in the magnet area and was keeping them from engaging, needless to say I was not a fan.

Now to the topic at hand, the Xi.

Pros:
It's super smooth, and casts stupid far.  The retrieve is also very smooth and at 7.3:1 gets whatever you are fishing back to you in a hurry.  It's light weight, but not so light that you actually gain wrist fatigue because you rod doesn't balance well.  It's a complete aluminum frame so it's strong as an ox on steroids.

Cons:
It only comes in 7.3:1, so if cranking is what you need a reel for, square bills and traps better be on your agenda.  Price, it is expensive, but like I said I got it for free and was totally selfish when I chose it because it's not a reel I can normally afford.

Summary:
If I had the money, I would for sure put this reel into play with more than a handful of setups.  I could totally see this reel being on any and all of my flipping and pitching rods, as well as my jerkbaits, shallow cranks, and traps. 

[chadyp]

what do you think of their spinning reels

[pondboss]

what do you think of their spinning reels

To be honest, I have had little to zero experience with them.  Other than messing with them at the Classic for a few minutes, I have never had one in my hands.  I did like the folding mechanism for the handles though and they were all very smooth, and light.

[chadyp]

thanks for replying