My brother actually likes his Pinnacle he got from Walmart for $60 I think. I can't remember the model of it but he got it last year. I know it's not the slider. The good news there is a Pinnacle section with a Pinnacle rep. Pinnacle 1 I think is his name.
If willing to up to $69 is the Browning Citori and if it's still at this price at BPS in store? Online still lists it at $99. I know I just got one that I like. The braking was a little weird to me as well, radial tuned braking, It's goes free 1,2,3 I have it set on two. I never messed with the brakes but I had no problem casting the Madd Maxx frogs in my yard. I paired it with 7'6 H-F Carrot Stix and spooled with Suffix 832 50#.
http://www.basspro.com/Browning-Fishing-Citori-Baitcast-Reels/product/10205099/-1650517
Also the reel is a 1 piece aluminum frame, 8 bearing system, machined aluminum spool, 6.4:1 gear ratio( online store lists it comes in both hands and 5.4:1 and 7.1:1 also) maximum drag power:17.6 lbs.
Can any pm and explain to me the braking system?