Hey guys just bought the newly released Stradic FL, now just sold as the “Stradic” since the Vanford took the CI4’s Spot. Replacing an old Sahara 1500FB that was damaged. Went to the Local tackle shop that has a huge inventory, was gonna go to bass pro but they were sold out in store of many models, and compared the Stradic and Vanford. Pretty much identical reels design wise just different materials and the Vanford has got a bit more aggressive look to it. Both extremely light compared to my 10oz (I think) Sahara. The Vanford although only slightly lighter than the FL felt a bit lighter but not as solid as the FL both equally smooth. Took the FL home unboxed it and really compared it too my Sahara. Took the spool off and the drag/ spool nut felt rather cheap and flimsy compared to my Sahara but no biggie. Both have very similar “starting inertia” when giving the handle a turn with the FL just a bit smoother. Although noted my Sahara will rotate it self when I drop the handle the FL does it when the spool is bottomed out in its cycle, I assume it may just need some good use to get the grease where it wants to rest. The single piece bail wire is also very nice hope I don’t bend it. Overall thought it would be a little nicer piece of hardware for $200 compared to what I got for $80 10+ years ago but happy none the less, one thing that does annoy is the spool has vertical play of about 1/16” seems to return the low side most of the time, my Sahara spool has only got 1/32” of vertical play and always returns to the low side after a couple spins. Hope I can get the line lay nice, had to play with the spool washers out of the box.