Was I Expecting Too Much From A 180 Dollar Reel? 2024
ADGR86 reply :
I recently bought an Abu Garcia Revo s ($130) from Cabelas, I didn't really like it I thought I was getting some better quality, but my Abu Garcia ProMax out performs the revo, the ProMax was a combo for 99. So I went and order a Lew's Tournament Elite ($179)from Tacke Warehouse (since I have an other Lew's ($69) that I love), thinking for sure the Lew's would out perform the Revo, and to my surprise it didn't.
new2BC4bass reply :
Turn the brakes off. 
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
For one, the lews is the same basic platform for they'll be very similar. The revo is a big step up. From a pup max. What didn't you like ?
Big Bait Fishing reply :
if you meant the Tournament Lite , that reel is way better than a Revo S !!! i replaced my Revo SX with the TL and it is way smoother , casts way better , & weighs ounces less !!! the brakes are waaayy more friendlier too . keep casting with it and you'll see ....
Big Bait Fishing reply :
i put the 95 mm carbon handle on it with Revo eva paddles and Boca ABEC 5 hybrids in the spool and this reel is fantastic !!!!
d-camarena reply :
Should of gotten a shimano
Just kidding but my new citicas are a lot better than my concept and my revo and my lews speed spool
DogBone_384 reply :
Send it to Mike @ DVT for a tuning and whatever upgrades he might suggest. He's done great work on nearly all of my reels, Lews included.
Mwelder28 reply :
Can't believe you didn't like the lews. I have the team lite and it's an awesome reel. Their new brake system (ACB) is really nice.
ADGR86 reply :
I mean, I did like the lews but I was thinking maybe was gonna be way way better than the revo. The casting distance is about the same in both, the lews is way lighter for sure and the handle feels better than the revo, those 11 bearings really makes it feel like air instead of bearing,,, BUT and the end of a long cast the spool makes a squeaky sound and the breaks have to be way lose to get good casting distance. On the revo you can hear and feel the bearings (not horribly). I mean all around they work alright but I was expecting maybe more out a 180 dollars lews
d-camarena reply :
Ill sell you my concept, it was more expensive than my citica i and performs worse in my opinion
smalljaw67 reply :
On 9/19/2015 at 9:16 AM, ADGR86 said:I mean, I did like the lews but I was thinking maybe was gonna be way way better than the revo. The casting distance is about the same in both, the lews is way lighter for sure and the handle feels better than the revo, those 11 bearings really makes it feel like air instead of bearing,,, BUT and the end of a long cast the spool makes a squeaky sound and the breaks have to be way lose to get good casting distance. On the revo you can hear and feel the bearings (not horribly). I mean all around they work alright but I was expecting maybe more out a 180 dollars lews
In terms of casting distance, anyone who is decent with a bait casting reel can get good distance from a cheap reel, that is not the measurement of how good a reel is. The Pro Max out performing the Revo S could be due to the braking system adjustment but the difference in quality isn't close, and the same thing with the Lews Tournament Lite, I never saw the elite. Casting distance is only one metric, there is smoothness, weight, materials, and durability and that last one is a biggie!!! With light use you will get 2 seasons out of a pro max, maybe 3 is you don't fish but once a week or only use it for light worm fishing. If you are using it to chuck and wind 3/8oz and 1/2oz spinnerbaits or crankbaits, well my guess is it will last a season, maybe 2 if you're lucky. The reels price reflects the material and labor costs, there is a reason why the pro max seels in a combo for less than $100, and I'm not trying to bash a product but it truly is an entry level reel. They are made to perform just like any other casting reel, and the thought behind them isn't for you to use one year after year but to use it for a season or two and if you really get into the sport you'll upgrade, they aren't made for long term use. The other reels will perform just as well 5 years from now and even longer if you take care of it by having it cleaned and lubed every year or twice a year depending on how much you use it.
Alonerankin2 reply :
Shimano or Daiwa.. Why anyone would use a abu or lews is beyond me, however, don't get mad..
It's your Cash & your Credit..lol
kickerfish1 reply :
For about $190 you could buy an Alphas SV from Japan. Having used the reels you mentioned their isn't a comparison. Sure it is slightly out of your price range but far and away a better reel than a Revo or Less.
There are many other reels I would consider before those you mentioned as well. A Curao I and Tatula would be up there. Many good lightly used options as well.
Off of shear casting distsnce and ease of use, their is no comparison to the Alphas SV IMO. Also given the fact that it is light and very user friendly. The Tatula and Curado I are heavier and bigger frame reels, but offer good performance for less.
k3bass reply :
On 9/19/2015 at 7:57 PM, Alonerankin2 said:Shimano or Daiwa.. Why anyone would use a abu or lews is beyond me, however, don't get mad..
It's your Cash & your Credit..lol
Why would anyone use lews?? Uhh maybe because they like smooth durable reels at a decent price with unmatched customer service.
Mwelder28 reply :
Lews are nice reels, my team lite is right up there with my chronarch Ci4.
DogBone_384 reply :
On 9/19/2015 at 7:57 PM, Alonerankin2 said:Shimano or Daiwa.. Why anyone would use a abu or lews is beyond me, however, don't get mad..
It's your Cash & your Credit..lol
I own all the brands you mention and all but my T3 Ballistics have been tuned by DVT. My Revo SX casts as well as my Chronarch CI4+ and isn't far behind my T3 Ballistic.
My .02
hatrix reply :
As for the reel needing to have the brakes set really tight. I assume you mean the tension knob. That is a good thing and kinda a measure of quality. That means the spool starts up quick and spins like a champ. Casting distance doesn't really mean much. Basically all reels can cast relatively the same distance. My lews cast just a far as my daiwas and some cost twice the price of the other. I even have a black max that casts just as far as the lews or daiwas but the black max is a total pos and not even on the same level with those other reels. There is a reason they are $30 and Tourny pros and zillions are $200 or more.
ADGR86 reply :
On 9/19/2015 at 7:26 PM, smalljaw67 said:In terms of casting distance, anyone who is decent with a bait casting reel can get good distance from a cheap reel, that is not the measurement of how good a reel is. The Pro Max out performing the Revo S could be due to the braking system adjustment but the difference in quality isn't close, and the same thing with the Lews Tournament Lite, I never saw the elite. Casting distance is only one metric, there is smoothness, weight, materials, and durability and that last one is a biggie!!! With light use you will get 2 seasons out of a pro max, maybe 3 is you don't fish but once a week or only use it for light worm fishing. If you are using it to chuck and wind 3/8oz and 1/2oz spinnerbaits or crankbaits, well my guess is it will last a season, maybe 2 if you're lucky. The reels price reflects the material and labor costs, there is a reason why the pro max seels in a combo for less than $100, and I'm not trying to bash a product but it truly is an entry level reel. They are made to perform just like any other casting reel, and the thought behind them isn't for you to use one year after year but to use it for a season or two and if you really get into the sport you'll upgrade, they aren't made for long term use. The other reels will perform just as well 5 years from now and even longer if you take care of it by having it cleaned and lubed every year or twice a year depending on how much you use it.
I can tell there's more quality put into those two reels, and yeah I did buy the pro max as my first baitcaster and so far it hasn't let me down. So, is there such a thing as "breaking down" a reel (the more you use it the "smother" it gets?)
I'm not an expert an certainly not a pro but I can use a baitcaster properly.
smalljaw67 reply :
On 9/20/2015 at 4:04 AM, ADGR86 said:I can tell there's more quality put into those two reels, and yeah I did buy the pro max as my first baitcaster and so far it hasn't let me down. So, is there such a thing as "breaking down" a reel (the more you use it the "smother" it gets?)
I'm not an expert an certainly not a pro but I can use a baitcaster properly.
I find that the term "smooth" to be like "balance" because everyone has a different view on exactly what smooth is. Some reels, like the Okuma reel with elliptical gearing tend to have a connected feel that is butter smooth but you feel the gears mesh, it is hard to put in words. I have heard of people having reels that got smoother or better feeling over time but I haven't had that experience but I believe it is probably excess grease and oil beginning to dissipate as most reels are over lubricated at the factory because not everyone services their reels . What the extra money did in terms of performance is a smoother retrieve and maybe not more distance but it probably takes less effort, that is normally what I have experienced when I was getting upgraded tackle a long time ago. I have some inexpensive reels ($120) that perform as well as my more expensive models but there is no doubt to which is the better reel, and one area you probably haven't got to take notice much is the drag, and not many factor that in but a good smooth drag is important and the reels you got that were more than your pro max probably have a much better drag system but you could have anticipated that your casting was going to be 50 yards further and be incredibly smooth and having to be just marginally better could be a disappointment. Just remember one thing, everyone has a price where you hit the "law of diminishing return", and you have to figure out what you like because it isn't only performance of the reel, it is also about the refinement, does it have clicking drag and spoll tension controls and other kind of stuff, it all comes down to what you value and what you're willing to pay for it.
Raul reply :
On 9/19/2015 at 7:57 PM, Alonerankin2 said:Shimano or Daiwa.. Why anyone would use a abu or lews is beyond me, however, don't get mad..
It's your Cash & your Credit..lol
Now that's amazing, I was thinking the exact same thing. There used to be a time many many moons ago when I was a big Abu fan and then a Torno found a place in my arsenal ....... Abu fan no more, I do still keep a few Abus but those were pre-Torno.
MidwestF1sh reply :
LOL exactly what I was thinking about people who buy shimano and daiwa... Why spend so much when you can just buy a a reel just as good if not better for way cheaper (Lew's)On 9/19/2015 at 7:57 PM, Alonerankin2 said:Shimano or Daiwa.. Why anyone would use a abu or lews is beyond me, however, don't get mad..
It's your Cash & your Credit..lol
Alonerankin2 reply :
Oh my, I seem to have offended some fans of the modern Lews & Abu folks..
No worrys.. There are plenty of new ones for you guys to buy in a year or two. ( after they are broken, wore out, beat & battered. )
Older Abu.. (Round reels,) solid piece of work, great reels, very tunable.
Lew Childre, original design by the man. Awesome reels, some of my favorites are the BB1n & BB1ng & BB1ngh...
Shimano or Daiwa.. No better baitcaster for Black bass or redfish, IMO
VolFan reply :
We're drifting Irene..
k3bass reply :
On 9/20/2015 at 8:07 AM, Alonerankin2 said:Oh my, I seem to have offended some fans of the modern Lews & Abu folks..
No worrys.. There are plenty of new ones for you guys to buy in a year or two. ( after they are broken, wore out, beat & battered. )
Older Abu.. (Round reels,) solid piece of work, great reels, very tunable.
Lew Childre, original design by the man. Awesome reels, some of my favorites are the BB1n & BB1ng & BB1ngh...
Shimano or Daiwa.. No better baitcaster for Black bass or redfish, IMO
I used to like shimano reels, my old curado and chronarch d's are still chugging along. Having said that I wouldn't buy any of the new hyped up downgraded overpriced reels they make now.
Jrob78 reply :
On 9/19/2015 at 7:57 PM, Alonerankin2 said:Shimano or Daiwa.. Why anyone would use a abu or lews is beyond me, however, don't get mad..
It's your Cash & your Credit..lol
My thoughts exactly. I've sold off every non Daiwa or Shimano reel I owned.
hatrix reply :
They are all good brands that make a fine reel. There is no reason to start picking brands and claiming one is superior to the other. I mean cause really if you want to get into it Daiwa is the best hands down. That being said I would have no issue fishing any of those brands. I don't know why there isn't ton's of Daiwa fan boys like there is for shimano. I think maybe because shimano is big in the US but in Japan its Daiwa.
jtharris3 reply :
On 9/19/2015 at 11:42 PM, k3bass said:Why would anyone use lews?? Uhh maybe because they like smooth durable reels at a decent price with unmatched customer service.
+1000!
kickerfish1 reply :
Reels are marketed to different price points and markets. I am not sure Daiwa is better than Shimano. Is there a better round reel than the conquest? How about Shimano and their DC line of reels. The Exscence DC can be cast without thumbing the reel. Can any other reel do that? I am not touting Daiwa or Shimano being better than the other but they seem to offer reels that appeal to the budget angler and enthusiast alike. I fish 50/50 Daiwa and Shimano. Lews tends to appeal to the low to mid level market but lacks high end and enthusiast level reels. Abu makes nice round reels but their Gen 3 reels are failing in both sales and performance. Get in where you fit in. I have weeded through dozens of reels to find what I like for what I plan to use it for. Fish what you like and fish what you can afford. There aren't any right or wrong choices but rather options that fit your preference and budget.
Bluebasser86 reply :
Well since this has veered into a Shimano V Daiwa V Lews V everyone else thread...
LOCKDOWN!!!
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