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Revo SX Question 2024


fishing user avatarbooneangler reply : 

I have just got into these Revo SX. Now for some reason i can setup my Revo SX's to cast a Crankbait and the reel has a tendency to get loose line during the cast and wants to backlash. Now i have the Revo S's and they dont seem to do that. Is there something im doing wrong. Im no rookie on Baitcasters i just started getting into the Revo's but cant understand what needs to be done i can set the brake on the left side to max and it will still do it. I set the knob on the right so that the crankbait will fall slowly but it will still kinda back lash. What can i do to make this stop. Any ideas?


fishing user avatarparagon reply : 

I have the same story. I can cast the S a mile but my SX always seems to want to get away from me. I have tried new line, and every combination of settings. I just put on another line and I plan on getting out tomm. to give it a try.This reel is making a baitcasting vet like me feel real dumb.


fishing user avatarbooneangler reply : 

is there something inside you half to do?


fishing user avatarMicro reply : 

I've been fishing the Revo SX since they come out.  

The problem is that your spool is spinning too fast during the cast.  The spool tension knob, not the brake, controls spool speed.  The brake controls deceleration.

Set your brake to zero.  Then adjust your spool tension knob so that when you push the thumbar whatever lure you are using falls to the ground with a little jiggle of the rod tip.  (It's it's falling to the floor without a jiggle, it's set too loose.)  Now start casting.  Watch your spool during the cast.  Continue to tighten the spool tension knob just until the line barely does what its doing, but not more.  When it gets to this point you can control it further with your thumb.  When increasing the spool tnesion knob, adjust it in miniscule increments.  

Then watch what your spool does once the lure hits the water/ground.  If it loops up then, increase your brake setting.  I find that about 25% brake works for 90% of the fishing I do with the reel.  

Once you have it set, you will get fantastic casting distance with minimal thumb input.

Do not rely on articles telling you to set the spool tension knob so that the lure drops to the floor and the spool continues to turn 1/4 or 1/2 or whatever.  That may work for some reels, but it is way too loose for the Revo SX.

The reason the SX is different from the S in this respect is the brake.  The centrifugal brake on the S does have an impact on spool speed IMO.  The magnetic brake on the SX much less so.   I've done lots of casting with both and compared the dynamics of the cast to know this is the case.


fishing user avatarJeff H reply : 

I get a little bit on most throws with mine, doesn't bother me as it seems to play out by the end of the cast.  In cases where it doesn't, a little bit of rod sweep clears it out before I began to reel.


fishing user avatarbooneangler reply : 

Micro thanks for that info.


fishing user avatarparagon reply : 

"Miniscule" indeed. Went out early this morning got her hummin know, I was adjusting tension knob click to click. It is still a little touchy but I'll work it out.


fishing user avatarMicro reply : 

Yep.  Sometimes one click makes a lot of difference.


fishing user avatarbooneangler reply : 

i will try it later this week. thanks again will let you know how it does.


fishing user avataradclem reply : 

So the Revo S has a centrifugal braking system, correct?  While the SX and STX has a magnetic, correct?  How do you adjust or do you adjust the braking system on the Revo S?

Thanks, :)


fishing user avatar21farms reply : 
  Quote
So the Revo S has a centrifugal braking system, correct? While the SX and STX has a magnetic, correct? How do you adjust or do you adjust the braking system on the Revo S?

the SX and STX has both centrifugal and magnetic brakes.

on the S, you can switch any of the six centrifugal brakes on/off by clicking them in and out of the locked position by removing the sideplate (the factory default setting is 2 on/4 off). you can also loosen/tighten the cast control knob.

fwiw, my experience between the S and SX has been completely different. i can cast the SX a mile but get far less with the S regardless of settings. i even returned my first S because i thought there was something wrong with it but my second S is exactly the same.


fishing user avatarMicro reply : 
  Quote

the SX and STX has both centrifugal and magnetic brakes.

The Revo S, Winch, Inshore and Skeet Reese have centrifugal brakes.

The Revo SC, SX, STX and Premier have magnetic brakes.

With Revos (unlike some Pfluegers) it's one or the other, not a combination of both.


fishing user avataradclem reply : 

I saw on line at BPS that there is a new SX and STX coming that has the centrifugal as well as the magnetic brakes.

Later, :)


fishing user avatarroadwarrior reply : 

I really don't like the magnetic brakes on my STX.

After being serviced by Reel Mech, it's now resting in its original

box. I haven't decided whether to keep it or not, but I would warn

potential buyers to be wary. It seems to me this system is a failure

which requires constant adjustment.

Many of the guys that are big fans of the STX don't use the brakes at all.

I suppose if you don't use them, they're fine!

:)


fishing user avatarparagon reply : 

By not using the brakes at all , do you mean setting them to zero or disabling them somehow? And does the SX function the same as the STX with the brake @ zero?


fishing user avatarMicro reply : 

RW, I have several Revos with the magnetic brake and I use the brake, like the brake, and after fishing them for a considerable amount of time feel the brake is very refined. I understand you don't like the reel, you make that abundantly clear at any and every opportunity. You are certainly entitled to your opinion.

But the simple fact is is that you've been predicting the Revo will fail since they've been out. But it hasn't. The reel has been a huge success and the positive opinions far outweigh the comparatively few negative opinions. Face it, you were wrong, and your predictions of doom and gloom seem silly at this point given the prima facie success of the reel.

And by the way, if you haven't learned to use the reel with one setting for 90% of your fishing, you simply haven't taken the time to learn the reel.  In that regard, your opinion of the brake is underqualified to say the least.


fishing user avatarMicro reply : 
  Quote
By not using the brakes at all , do you mean setting them to zero or disabling them somehow? And does the SX function the same as the STX with the brake @ zero?

Not using the brake is nonsense.  Do what I said in my earlier post and your reel will cast like a champ.  


fishing user avatarMicro reply : 
  Quote
I saw on line at BPS that there is a new SX and STX coming that has the centrifugal as well as the magnetic brakes.

Later, :)

That's an error on the part of BPS.  That's been in their catalog, and people who don't know better, have been repeating it since th reel came out.

BTW, there was a picture of a Revo S with "7.1:1" stamped on the drag in last year's BPS ctalog.  There isn't a 7.1:1 Revo S.

Caveat emptor when it comes to BPS's catalog.


fishing user avataradclem reply : 

They show them as new products though.  That is to bad, that would have been awesome.

Later, :)


fishing user avatarMicro reply : 

Can you post a link to what you are talking about?

Edit: Alright. I see what you are talking about. For some reason they have the Revos listed as "new." The product description for the STX doesn't say anything about the centrifugal brake, but the SX does.

This is an error.  The sentence about the brake in the SX description looks like they mixed the STX and Skeet Reese brake descriptions together.   Read the STX and Skeet Reese description and you'll get the SX description.

They made a similar error in their last catalog which generated some confusion. BPS is not known for accuracy in its product descriptions.  (BPS also knocked $.01 off some rods a few months back then advertised a "sale" on them.)  


fishing user avatarSJex reply : 

I agree with Micro, I rarely have to fiddle with the settings after I got it set right. When I first got my SX it seemed finicky, hard to stop overruns. I noticed that I had too much line on the spool, causing it to hit the reel foot. After I cut some line off, no more overruns.


fishing user avataradclem reply : 

Its amazing how to much line can cause severe problems.

I also noticed this with BPS.  They have the Johnny Morris Signature series reels advertised on sale but then when you look it is only for the wide spool and the rest of them are normal price.

Just weird ways to get you to look and buy.

Later, :)


fishing user avatarroadwarrior reply : 
  Quote
And by the way, if you haven't learned to use the reel with one setting for 90% of your fishing, you simply haven't taken the time to learn the reel. In that regard, your opinion of the brake is underqualified to say the least.

After receiving the STX in March, the reel has been used extensively for seven months.

The magnetic braking system requires adjustment for different lures and conditions;

the settings are inconsistant and the system doesn't seem to "remember" how

it has been set previously. Each outing requires re-estabishing both the brake and cast

control. Perhaps you consider this an attribute and would consider the "sensitivity" a

positive feature, I consider it an inconvenience.

I have heard that the magnetic system is being discontinued, you state that it will

continue to be an option. Either way, offering centrifugal brakes is a concession to

the problems I have addressed. If this is in fact the case, perhaps it is your opinion

that is "underqualified".

::)


fishing user avatarMicro reply : 

99.9% of users say the brake is fine.  Roadwarrior says it isn't.  Hmmm.  Who will I go with?

You haven't taken the time with the reel.  Or you simply don't want to give a fair assessment.  I suspect it's both.  Given your continual comments that "I only fish Shimano and encourage others to do that same" (as well as other declarations usually followed by "PERIOD") I suspect there is more than just a wee bit of bias in your "review."

But that's okay.  Liike I said, the quality and refinement of the reel has already been assessed above your power at this point to add or detract.


fishing user avatarroadwarrior reply : 

Actually, the STX could be a Shimano: strong, smooth, silent and reliant.

It's beautiful, light and the size makes this a very comfortable reel to fish.

I simply don't like the magnetic braking system.

It appears than Abu Garcia has seen this as an issue in their internal

reviews or interviews with customers. I applaud them for making

changes to improve the reel which will make it more user friendly.

8-)


fishing user avatar21farms reply : 

micro, i stand corrected regarding my statement that the SX and STX has both types of brakes. when i first read your post, i thought for sure you were wrong but when i got home and opened up my SX, sure enough, no centrifugal brakes  :)

i've had two revo S's and have opened them up numerous times to adjust the brakes but my SX i've only had for about 3 months and have never once bothered to take off the sideplate because it casted so well straight from the box. so this was my first look inside...thanks for the correction.


fishing user avatarMicro reply : 

Frank, I was a little concerned about your assertion.  With the merger of Pflueger and Abu Garcia under the Pure Fishing banner I thought for a moment that Abu may have decided to adopt the Pflueger combo brake so that they didn't have two lines of reels with different brake systems.  IMO, that wouldn't have been all bad as the Pflueger (also high-end Johnny Morris reels) have outstanding combo brakes.  But it appears not.  

That concern was further fed by the fact that Bob Hulme, the head of reel service for Pure Fishing, told me week before last that the service centers for Shakespeare, Pflueger and Abu Garcia were combining and consolidating in Iowa (I think Iowa).  I haven't had a chance to talk with him since he passed that info along so I couldn't ask.   But for pure rumor it appears to me Abu will continue along on its own path.


fishing user avatar21farms reply : 

micro, i have mixed feelings about the current combo brakes. on my new pflueger summit, i have the magnetic control turned completely off and have turned off all but one of the six centrifugal brakes but still only get so-so casting distance. [i actually liked pflueger's previous-generation inertial transfer braking (ITB) much better...it works so well, i can't figure out why they ditched it (although some of the BPS reels are still using it).]


fishing user avatarbooneangler reply : 

i tried the way you said to set it up micro and it worked good gonna try it again tomorrow i think it should be fine now


fishing user avatarMicro reply : 

Good to hear that.  Once you get used to it, it will cast a country mile!


fishing user avatarBig Tom reply : 
  Quote
Good to hear that. Once you get used to it, it will cast a country mile!

It took me a while to get used to mine.  Technically I guess I never really did so I finally gave up and turned the magnetic brake 3/4 to all the way on.  I still got my spool brake set to where the lure can free fall through the water and the reel still slings baits forever so I don't see the problem having that much brake on.  I am sure I could gain a couple of extra yards but they are not my designated cranking reels so I do not really need to sling my baits ten miles anyway.


fishing user avatarburleytog reply : 

The magnetic Revo is a different beast than any reel out there.  You can't set it up like you do other reels.


fishing user avatarRagen reply : 

Micro,

I landed here after doing a google search on Revo SX setup.

Your post on the correct setup was right on the money.

THANKS!!


fishing user avatarMicro reply : 

Welcome aboard!  


fishing user avatarRagen reply : 

What changes would you make if you wanted to set up and SX for pitchin'?

Thanks in advance!


fishing user avatarfirefightn15 reply : 

To the ones with distance issues, I think it is fair to say that with all the normal variables (line weight, lure weight, etc), rod length plays a big part in casting distance.  Take a 66mhm avid and a 70mhm avid with the same reel, line and lure and it's not hard to see what difference there will be in distance.  IMO

That being said, my Revo s' and sxs' w/ 12# test cast a country mile with minimal adjustments.


fishing user avatarcart7t reply : 

I dumped my SX and STX reels and went with Pflueger Patriarchs and Johnny Morris reels. I did keep a pair of Revo S's. There's just no comparison between either the Patriarch or the JM reels and the SX or STX.

In fact, there's no comparing the castability and ease of set up with the S vs the SX or STX.

Technically, the SX and STX have the wrong kind of brakes on them. Mag braking is really more of a beginners brake. Anyone with decent thumb control can essentially turn the mag brakes off and not really have any difficulty in feathering towards the end of the cast.

It's at the beginning of the cast where the problem comes in. Centrifugal brakes stop that instant overspin that occurs on the moment you snap your wrist and initiate the cast starting the spool spinning.

That's where the problems are with the SX and STX. The spools slightly overspins and then you get loops on the spool.

If they wanted to do one thing to those 2 models it should be getting rid of that worthless mag brake system and put a centrifugal on. Otherwise those are great reels. Just way to touchy to set up.


fishing user avatarMicro reply : 

There you go again, Cart.    ::)


fishing user avatarcart7t reply : 

Of all $100 + baitcasters on the market, how many don't have centrifugal brakes?

3 - Revo SX, STX and Premiere.

When Garcia asked Skeet Reese to design his own signature Revo he requested Centrifugal brakes be added and the linear mag brake removed.

I think that speaks for itself.  


fishing user avatarPencil Pusher reply : 

Daiwa reels, with few exceptions - the Advantage inshore comes to mind, have magnetic brakes, including the $450 steez. The BPS and Pflueger reels, for the most part have Pinnacle designed Inertia or dual braking systems that are combination centrifugal and magnetic brakes. So you're statements that mag brakes are for beginners and only on less expensive reels is in error and misleading.


fishing user avatarbpm2000 reply : 
  Quote
Of all $100 + baitcasters on the market, how many don't have centrifugal brakes?

3 - Revo SX, STX and Premiere.

When Garcia asked Skeet Reese to design his own signature Revo he requested Centrifugal brakes be added and the linear mag brake removed.

I think that speaks for itself.

arnt most of the higher end daiwa line mag brakes? magforce V/Z (or is it a combo brake?) like sol, luna, steez, zillion, etc etc

i still dont get what this fuss is all about the revo SX/STX. I suck with baitcasters compared to the seasoned many and I can cast these things fine most of the time.  I have noticed however compared to my centrifugal reels the cast knob needs to be a lil tighter as already mentioned.


fishing user avatarMicro reply : 
  Quote
So you're statements that mag brakes are for beginners and only on less expensive reels is in error and misleading.

Bingo.


fishing user avatarcart7t reply : 
  Quote
  Quote
So you're statements that mag brakes are for beginners and only on less expensive reels is in error and misleading.

Bingo.

Nope, mag braking was originally introduced to attract less experienced anglers to baitcasters over 25 years ago.  It was basically a gimmick as reels at the time had already been fitted with centrifugal brakes.  Any angler with enough patience could learn to toss a Daiwa Millionaire or a 5000 series Garcia with minimal problems.  Mag braking was merely a sales gimmick to overcome peoples fears of baitcasting reels as ungainly and difficult to use.  It worked though most experienced anglers rarely used the mag braking since it didn't do much more than what a trained thumb could do.   :)


fishing user avatarMicro reply : 

Then why the heck would you extoll the virtues of the dual brake on the Pflueger and Johnny Morris?  Those have magnetic brakes.  If its as "useless" as you claim, then not only is it a waste of space, it MUST be a waste of weight.  All that extra weight and spool mass for a brake system that has no virtue whatsoever.   Imagine how much better those reels would have been, and how much less they would have weighed, had the Pflueger just left off the magnetic portion.  

Unless, of course, that your theory is so much hoo haw.  

Nice try, Cart.  

Next....


fishing user avatarwagn reply : 

I can't figure out why people can't just say that there are 2 different brake systems for 2 different types of anglers?

I use Diawa, Shimano, and Revo reels. I prefer magnetic brakes myself, but it really comes down to preferance and what you are comfortable with.

I've never had any problem with my Revo STX reels and enjoy fishing them even though my favorite is my Diawa Zillion, it just feels right in my hand. My next purchase will probably be the new Curado.


fishing user avatarPantera61 reply : 

Yup, magnetic brakes were originally introduced for the beginning angler BUT as with most things in life put it into the hands of an expert and it begins to do wonderful things.  Consider the centrifugal brake as axe and the magnetic brake as a stiletto.

The centrifugal brake is perfect for throwing heavy baits, like cranks, spinnerbaits and T and C rigged plastics long distances or flippin' heavy jigs and worms at rod tip range.  

Magnetic brakes provide precision spool control for tactics such as skipping a bait, pitchin' a bait and finesse plastics.  it takes just as much thumb control to skip a bait using casting tackle, if not more so.

It's boils down to the old shop class adage, "Use the right tool for the right job."


fishing user avatarMicro reply : 

If you set your reel up properly and practice, it doesn't matter what your brake system is.  If you're competent with your rig, a magnetic brake or centrifugal brake doesn't matter.  It simply comes down to preference.

I use one of my Revo STXs to throw lighter cranks on a 6'6" medium rod.  I use the other to throw heavier plastics and spinner baits on a medium heavy rod. And I use yet another to throw frogs on a heavy/extra fast rod.  The reel handles all these well when it's set to the task.    I have two Revo SXs and two Revo SCs, both with magnetic brakes, that I use to throw weightless plastics, and heavy spinnerbaits.  The work great.  And I have two Revo Ss with centrifugal brakes I use to throw Carolina Rigs and flip heavy jigs, but they have worked well throwing light baits on lighters rods.

It comes down to proper set up and competance that comes with practice.


fishing user avatarPantera61 reply : 
  Quote
If you set your reel up properly and practice, it doesn't matter what your brake system is. If you're competent with your rig, a magnetic brake or centrifugal brake doesn't matter. It simply comes down to preference.

I use one of my Revo STXs to throw lighter cranks on a 6'6" medium rod. I use the other to throw heavier plastics and spinner baits on a medium heavy rod. And I use yet another to throw frogs on a heavy/extra fast rod. The reel handles all these well when it's set to the task. I have two Revo SXs and two Revo SCs, both with magnetic brakes, that I use to throw weightless plastics, and heavy spinnerbaits. The work great. And I have two Revo Ss with centrifugal brakes I use to throw Carolina Rigs and flip heavy jigs, but they have worked well throwing light baits on lighters rods.

It comes down to proper set up and competance that comes with practice.

I'll take a reel with a magnetic brake and you can take a reel with a centrifugal brake, same rod, same line. We'll see which performs better. Part of that "competence" you speak of is knowing which end of the shovel to pick up.


fishing user avatarPencil Pusher reply : 

I will argue that magnetic brakes were not introduced for the beginning angler. They were, at the time, a technological advance in baitcasting reels. All of the top of the line baitcasters from Daiwa, Shimano and Abu (the major players in the baitcast game at the time) had magnetic brakes. The less expensive reels from these same three manufacturers had basic centrifugal brakes; non-adjustable two pin brakes. If a change in the braking system to inhibit overruns means it is for the beginning angler, the it follows that the Shimano digital control reels of today would be the ultimate beginner's reels. I don't buy it.


fishing user avatarroadwarrior reply : 

I posted this last week on Senko77's thread in the Flea Market:

After the discussion with Micro, I decided to follow his

instructions precisely and fish the reel exclusively over

the Columbus Day weekend (three days). I swapped

out a CTE200GT on my Loomis MBR844C and dedicated

this rig solely to fishing a 1/2 oz jig and trailer, about

3/4 oz total weight.

Results:

Worked well, but still blew itself up twice. I'm going to

stick with this set-up until next spring. By then I will either

like the STX or get rid of it.

8-)


fishing user avatarPantera61 reply : 
  Quote
I will argue that magnetic brakes were not introduced for the beginning angler. They were, at the time, a technological advance in baitcasting reels. All of the top of the line baitcasters from Daiwa, Shimano and Abu (the major players in the baitcast game at the time) had magnetic brakes. The less expensive reels from these same three manufacturers had basic centrifugal brakes; non-adjustable two pin brakes. If a change in the braking system to inhibit overruns means it is for the beginning angler, the it follows that the Shimano digital control reels of today would be the ultimate beginner's reels. I don't buy it.

well, magnetic brakes were marketed as ease of use for the beginner.


fishing user avatarjesse893 reply : 

you  take the side plate off , then you well see about six little pins that u can pull out or push in, you pull them out to lessen the force and push them in to strengthen the force applied to the spool


fishing user avatarMicro reply : 
  Quote
I posted this last week on Senko77's thread in the Flea Market:

After the discussion with Micro, I decided to follow his

instructions precisely and fish the reel exclusively over

the Columbus Day weekend (three days). I swapped

out a CTE200GT on my Loomis MBR844C and dedicated

this rig solely to fishing a 1/2 oz jig and trailer, about

3/4 oz total weight.

Results:

Worked well, but still blew itself up twice. I'm going to

stick with this set-up until next spring. By then I will either

like the STX or get rid of it.

8-)

Here's my prediction:  No matter how it turns out for you, you'll be back in the spring to declare that the Revo is nothing more than a backlash bomb and inferior to anything and everything that carries a Shimano tag.   :)


fishing user avatarroadwarrior reply : 

Nope...

Since dedicating the reel to a specific function (jig fishing), I have not had a single backlash of any significance. The new combination, STX saddled to my MBR844C is a match made in heaven! The reel balances perfectly, the low profile is comfortable and the overall combination is beautiful.

After only twelve hours or so of fishing this rod & reel for the past two weeks, I declare it a winner! In addition to being happy with the STX, I can also report that it performed perfectly under stess. Since I didn't have a scale or camera, I'd estimated my big fish recently was somewhere around 22 lbs 4 oz... Well, maybe not, but it was 24" long and fatter than me!

So Micro, for the record...I'm on board as long as I don't have to make major adjustments to the reel, just minor tweaks. However, I still think the magnetic brakes are a major drawback for those fishing lures with different weights or profiles.  I would not buy another STX or recommend this reel to anyone considering a purchase.

8-)


fishing user avatar.ghoti. reply : 
  Quote

I would not buy another STX or recommend this reel to anyone considering a purchase.

8-)

Makes me glad I just bought another one. ;D ;D ;D ;D


fishing user avatarroadwarrior reply : 

Silly man...

8-)


fishing user avatarcart7t reply : 
  Quote
Nope...

Since dedicating the reel to a specific function (jig fishing), I have not had a single backlash of any significance. The new combination, STX saddled to my MBR844C is a match made in heaven! The reel balances perfectly, the low profile is comfortable and the overall combination is beautiful.

After only twelve hours or so of fishing this rod & reel for the past two weeks, I declare it a winner! In addition to being happy with the STX, I can also report that it performed perfectly under stess. Since I didn't have a scale or camera, I'd estimated my big fish recently was somewhere around 22 lbs 4 oz... Well, maybe not, but it was 24" long and fatter than me!

So Micro, for the record...I'm on board as long as I don't have to make major adjustments to the reel, just minor tweaks. However, I still think the magnetic brakes are a major drawback for those fishing lures with different weights or profiles. I would not buy another STX or recommend this reel to anyone considering a purchase.

8-)

That's the reason I dislike the reels.

Last weekend I was throwing Strike Kings Little Mr. Money 1/4oz spinnerbaits. I was using Rapala tough line, something similar to Trilenes XT though a little limper. It was windy.

Had I been tossing that setup with my old SC or the STX reel it would have been a nightmare. Constant backlashes as the stiffer line would've balled up on the spool during a cast into the wind with the smaller 1/4oz bait.

With the Pflueger Patriarch, there were no problems. I could've probably done the same using a Revo S. Those reels (SX & STX) are just too tweaky for me and the mag adjustment is rather ineffective when you're dealing with extremes. Great reels with the right line, rod and bait. Otherwise they're more hassle than they're worth and when I go out onto the water the fishing reel is supposed to work for me, not the other way around.

BTW, I was incorrect on the mag braking. Daiwa's V mag system though is radically different than Garcia, or just about anybody elses.

The Daiwa system is an active system that is variable acting upon the spool as it spins differently during the cast. It moves without input from the angler.

The Garcia system, like most, is a passive system with a fixed brake that's variable only when the control is adjusted. It has no other way to interact with the spool.


fishing user avatarplastic ninja reply : 

If the VBS system is so far ahead of mag brakes, why are so many retailers still trying to unload the silver curados at $199? I can get a revo sx for $149.00 that alone turns me away from a shimano. If I was on a budget a revo s still costs less than a citica. Also the patriarch has dual braking which means you waste more time pulling the side plate,then adjusting the mag.


fishing user avatarcart7t reply : 
  Quote
If the VBS system is so far ahead of mag brakes, why are so many retailers still trying to unload the silver curados at $199? I can get a revo sx for $149.00 that alone turns me away from a shimano. If I was on a budget a revo s still costs less than a citica. Also the patriarch has dual braking which means you waste more time pulling the side plate,then adjusting the mag.

The D version Curado's and Citica's weren't big sellers (using Shimano standards) because of the VBS braking, it was probably more due to the introduction of the Revo's and their size vs. line capacity.

The D version line capacity seemed to be the downfall of the D.  The Revo reels IMO, have an ideal line capacity for a baitcaster along with a slimmer, lower profile.  If you wanted the same line capacity in a D reel, you had to go to the 200 series which was a bigger, bulkier reel than the Revo.  The 100 series were comparable to the Revo size wise but they lacked the line capacity.

As far as having to pull the side plate off to adjust the centrifugal brakes?  I normally take any cent. brake reel and set 2 pins on, I rarely have to change that.  Once I have that set, the rest is on thumb control and minor tweaks to the spool tension.  In the case of mag brakes, I don't use them often and on the dual brake reels like the Patriarch or Johnny Morris, have them set from a 0 -2 position.  If I'm throwing a higher profile lure that tends to flutter during the cast or I'm throwing into heavy winds, I'll turn the mag braking up to compensate.  In fact, you can set the dual brake reels to be nearly thumb off during the cast without backlash.  Of course, you'll sacrifice some casting distance doing so.  


fishing user avatarMicro reply : 
  Quote

After only twelve hours or so of fishing this rod & reel for the past two weeks, I declare it a winner! ,....., I would not buy another STX or recommend this reel to anyone considering a purchase.

Wow, that's as backhanded a compliment as I've ever read.


fishing user avatarMicro reply : 

Cart, I think your continued rant has lost all it's steam.  First you went on and on about mag brakes being for beginners.   You said ONLY Abu used them.   When someone pointed out that Daiwa had them, too, you came up with some new way to explain your position - "the Daiwa's brake is differnent.  Never mind, Cart, that the purpose is exactly the same as the Abu's, to decelerate the spool.

But I don't really care about the Daiwa.  I'm wondering about your newest choice.   You've yet to acknowledge, or attempt to explain, why, when you hate the brake on the Revo, you bought a reel with EXACTLY the same type of magnetic brake.  The mag brake on the Patriach ISN'T like the Daiwa's brake, it's like the Revo's.  Exatly like the Revo's.  

Now, Cart, if that brake is as worthless as you say, why did you switch to a reel with with precisely the same brake?  Why didn't you simply stick to a reel with just a centrifugal brake??  (<<two questions marks, since I've asked twice).  Why did you swith to a reel with all the extra weight of a worthless braking system?  

This is the comment that gets me, though...

  Quote
I normally take any cent. brake reel and set 2 pins on, I rarely have to change that.

When I fished with Curados, I rarely changed the setting from two pins, either.  NOT because it didn't need it, but rather because taking a sidelplate off and pushing little pins on and of with sticky, fishy hands, it a PITA.  


fishing user avatarbooneangler reply : 

so should you take the side plate off and push some of them in? I really dont know about this?


fishing user avatarroadwarrior reply : 
  Quote
  Quote

After only twelve hours or so of fishing this rod & reel for the past two weeks, I declare it a winner! ,....., I would not buy another STX or recommend this reel to anyone considering a purchase.

Wow, that's as backhanded a compliment as I've ever read.

I simpy mean I found a way to fit a square peg into a round hole.

8-)


fishing user avatarcart7t reply : 
  Quote
Cart, I think your continued rant has lost all it's steam. First you went on and on about mag brakes being for beginners. You said ONLY Abu used them. When someone pointed out that Daiwa had them, too, you came up with some new way to explain your position - "the Daiwa's brake is differnent. Never mind, Cart, that the purpose is exactly the same as the Abu's, to decelerate the spool.

Daiwa's mag brake is different. Garcia's is fixed and works against the reel speed constantly, Daiwa's V system moves during the cast only presenting itself when it's needed.

  Quote
But I don't really care about the Daiwa. I'm wondering about your newest choice. You've yet to acknowledge, or attempt to explain, why, when you hate the brake on the Revo, you bought a reel with EXACTLY the same type of magnetic brake. The mag brake on the Patriach ISN'T like the Daiwa's brake, it's like the Revo's. Exatly like the Revo's.

No, it's not EXACTLY the same type of mag brake. If you disassemble either the Patriarch or the JM reel you'll see the mag brake is just like mag brakes used in the past, exposed magnets mounted on a cam plate that move closer to or further away from the spool end when the adjustment is turned. The SX, SC and STX have a mag brake similar to the old LP Garcia reel, the 4007LP. The magnets are covered by plastic and a metal plate moves exposing them more or less depending on the setting. The magnets themselves are fixed in relation to the distance to the spool end vs the others that aren't. I find the effect of the mag brake is greater with the old exposed style of brake vs the Revo Linear mag.

  Quote
Now, Cart, if that brake is as worthless as you say, why did you switch to a reel with with precisely the same brake? Why didn't you simply stick to a reel with just a centrifugal brake?? (<<two questions marks, since I've asked twice). Why did you swith to a reel with all the extra weight of a worthless braking system?

As I stated, I didn't switch because of the mag brake, that is relatively meaningless to me. I bought some JM reels to resell but wound up trying them out. After 2 weekends of going from Revo S reels to the JM to the SX and the STX during the day I finally decided I was trying to like the last 2 reels but I wasn't enjoying using them. They were too much work and weren't worth the effort. Now I could've easily switched completely to the Revo S, but I also found the metal finish on the JM reels, and now the Patriarchs, more comfortable to fish with throughout the day. As for the weight? .7oz is far less important to me than the overall physical size of a reel when it's on the rod. The Patriarch and JM reels are virtually twin sons of different mothers to the Revo's. The mechanics are virtually identical as is the overall profile of the reels. BTW, I still have 2 Revo S reels and will continue to use them. They're great reels and would highly recommend them to anyone.

Let me state this though. Had I been happier with the SX and STX reels in the first place I never would've even given thought to trying the JM reels out. The metal finish is nice but would'nt have swayed me had the 2 reel types been more user friendly. That said. I do like the Revo reels, all of them.

They have a great feel on the rod. The line capacity is perfect, especially considering the overall size of the reel. The mechanics are solid. The drag is smooth and it's lb rating is impressive. It's just the overall user friendliness that comes up short with me.

  Quote
This is the comment that gets me, though...

Quote:

I normally take any cent. brake reel and set 2 pins on, I rarely have to change that.

When I fished with Curados, I rarely changed the setting from two pins, either. NOT because it didn't need it, but rather because taking a sidelplate off and pushing little pins on and of with sticky, fishy hands, it a PITA.

I'm not sure of your point? Talk about PITA, try removing the crank side plate on an old 5000 series Garcia round reel, pulling the brake blocks off the pins and installing new ones without dropping them while on the water.


fishing user avatarcart7t reply : 
  Quote
so should you take the side plate off and push some of them in? I really dont know about this?

Pushing the pins out away from center turns them on.  Clicked in against the spool axis is off.  I normally have 2 on and rarely adjust them again except in extreme cases.  Then I would jump up to 3 on.  I've never done more than that.


fishing user avatarThe_Natural reply : 
  Quote
  Quote
so should you take the side plate off and push some of them in? I really dont know about this?

Pushing the pins out away from center turns them on. Clicked in against the spool axis is off. I normally have 2 on and rarely adjust them again except in extreme cases. Then I would jump up to 3 on. I've never done more than that.

Is your avatar a piece of moldy bread?


fishing user avatarMicro reply : 

No, his theory on the Revo's brake is a piece of moldy bread.  His avatar is just a picture of it.   :)


fishing user avatarroadwarrior reply : 
  Quote
I have just got into these Revo SX. Now for some reason i can setup my Revo SX's to cast a Crankbait and the reel has a tendency to get loose line during the cast and wants to backlash. Now i have the Revo S's and they dont seem to do that. Is there something im doing wrong. Im no rookie on Baitcasters i just started getting into the Revo's but cant understand what needs to be done i can set the brake on the left side to max and it will still do it. I set the knob on the right so that the crankbait will fall slowly but it will still kinda back lash. What can i do to make this stop. Any ideas?

The original question, now nearly a month old, has been addressed.

Let's move on.

Good night Irene.




2198

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