Reel deal

Mike Cork · December 14, 2012, 10:38:34 AM

Quote from: hootiebenji on December 14, 2012, 10:25:49 AM
Likewise, I have 2 Curado G series reels, and I love em. Now I know it's entirely possible they only made 2 good ones and I got them both. Yeah, that's it, that's what happened.

Hootie

Hootie you sound like me, if there were two bad ones in 10,000 I'd get them

Pro Reel · December 14, 2012, 12:24:57 PM

Guys, don't get me wrong. I have not nor will i say they are junk. It's just my opinion that they are not up to my standards of the Curado name. There are several cost cutting measures that were done with the new G reels that I feel will lead to problems that are not going to be noticable right now or not even in the first year or two, but I feel that this model will not have the same long term durablitiy that was expected from previous Curado models. Hopefully I will be proven wrong. I don't mind being wrong every once in a while.

Mike Cork · December 14, 2012, 12:41:48 PM

Pro Reel, I never took any of your posts as you saying they were junk. I agree that durability will be a factor, a big factor. Just like with the D models I felt like there were components in them that were used or designed to fail.

Unfortunately from a marketing stand point the C model was a disaster for Shimano. Once a customer had his 8-10 he was done, each year he didn't need to replace them as they were bullet proof. As a company trying to sell reels there is something to be said about a bullet proof product good and bad. Good in that anglers love them, bad in that they loose sales because you don't need to replace them. I felt like the D model had a couple components that would wear out (The bushing under the drive shaft for starters).

That's not an excuse to build a substandard reel, but look at BPS up until about 4 years ago they used to build throw away reels and only stock parts for two year models at a time. They did very well. However word got out and they had to step up the game and now have some great durable stuff on the market, but you can still get that 59.99 reel

This isn't going any where other than food for thought. I wish they didn't feel the need to move to the G model. Curado sat on the C model for years. Then all the sudden they have come out with new models every 18 months or so. Why? The D was a bust, the E was a hit, why not stay with the E. IMO the G doesn't offer anything but a lower price and components that are yet to be determined as to durability. So why change, it's the same low profile reel. I guess there are some gearing options now that were not available in the E model. But I didn't see the need for the change unless they were afraid of another C economic disaster with the E so they shut down the E (except the 300 series) and built the G.

I know there are other factors like the consumer usage of the Chronarch and a price point that was suppossed to boost sales but I really think there was a lot more too it.

Bottom line for me is that the G Curado is cheaper, and so far it is just effective as the E model. So, so far, the consumer comes out ahead. If the price rearranging works then Shimano comes out ahead as well.

Down4ttown · December 14, 2012, 01:01:13 PM

Honest opinion guys, should I get the Chronarch, Curado E, or Revo STX?

Looking for something to go with the Dobyn's rods I am looking at. If you choose the shimano, can you give me the best model number to go with as I am unfamiliar with them.

kidd · December 14, 2012, 01:05:07 PM

Quote from: kidd on December 11, 2012, 08:27:33 AM
I'm thoroughly confused now. So if I were going to buy a shimano do I get a citica now or is the curado ok? I know where a pile of the older curados are so would that be best? I use revos exclusively now and have begun switching to generation 3s however I don't like how the new premier fits in my hand. The STX is great though but I'm interested in shimano.

Scratch that thought. I went to my local tackle store and played with curados and chronarchs both old and new and there's no way I'm giving up my STXs for either one of those and with close to 20 reels now I guess that'll save a lot of trouble. They haven't let me down yet anyway so there's no point I guess.

Mike Cork · December 14, 2012, 01:13:22 PM

Quote from: Down4ttown on December 14, 2012, 01:01:13 PM
Honest opinion guys, should I get the Chronarch, Curado E, or Revo STX?

I believe you can't go wrong with any of those three

And to make the best choice for you I'd recommend going to a store that carries them and put them on a rod and see how they feel in your hands.

Personally I would go with the Curado E but the Chronarch is very nice and I've never heard anything bad about the STX I've even played with a few. I don't have revo's because the fit just a hair different in my hands than the shimano line up.

Down4ttown · December 14, 2012, 01:31:59 PM

Quote from: Mike Cork on December 14, 2012, 01:13:22 PM
I believe you can't go wrong with any of those three And to make the best choice for you I'd recommend going to a store that carries them and put them on a rod and see how they feel in your hands.

Personally I would go with the Curado E but the Chronarch is very nice and I've never heard anything bad about the STX I've even played with a few. I don't have revo's because the fit just a hair different in my hands than the shimano line up.

I will be at BP on Saturday so I will give them all a try.

Pro Reel · December 14, 2012, 02:21:11 PM

I'm actually getting ready to sell all of my STX reels soon. I just need to get the time to clean them up one last time so they are perfect when i sell them. The reason, I just can cast better with other reels, no matter what i do to the STX, I can do better to a Curado E or an E 50 or now, if you can't find a leftover curado E you would need to get the Chronarch E. The STX is a great reel, but I prefer my Shimano E reels.
So. my opinion would be to look for a leftover Curado or Citica E reel. If you can't find one then get the Chronarch E. The E reels have been out long enough that they are proven performers. The Chronarch E is just a white version of the Curado E and it comes in more ratios than the Curado did. It's being built with the same parts on the same line, it just got a few minor changes and a new name plate.