shimmy Posted August 19, 2012 Posted August 19, 2012 Just curious if anyone knows what Shimano plans on doing after downgrading their product line? It seems like a lot of people are jumping ship and i cannot imagine them not noticing that people are starting to look elsewhere for reels in the 200 dollar range and under area. Does anyone know what they plan on doing next or is this what we can expect from their product line from here on out?
The Rooster Posted August 19, 2012 Posted August 19, 2012 I figured this same thing. After the release of the G series I noticed on another site that the Shimano product support forum went from December 2011 to August 2012 without so much as a single post asking anything about any product. Before this, it was active with people making plans for Shimano purchases
BASSHUNTER1961 Posted August 19, 2012 Posted August 19, 2012 Funny.... I plan on purchasing another Chronarch in the next two weeks. What reel do feel feel is better at the $200 and under price point, and please don't say Lew's?
Super User LgMouthGambler Posted August 19, 2012 Super User Posted August 19, 2012 What they did was get people to purchase the Chronarch if you wanted that kind of baitcaster. Unfortunately, Shimano spoiled people with the Curado E series, and they know that. What they had to do was put the Curado back to where it should be in the spectrum. I dont think the Curado G is all that bad. Yes its not the E, but then again, no Curado was even close to that E, and that was the problem. If you want that performance, buy the Chronarch E. Remember what the Curado 50E sold for knew? Exactly!
Super User LgMouthGambler Posted August 19, 2012 Super User Posted August 19, 2012 Funny.... I plan on purchasing another Chronarch in the next two weeks. What reel do feel feel is better at the $200 and under price point, and please don't say Lew's? None! 2
Super User webertime Posted August 19, 2012 Super User Posted August 19, 2012 Take the model name off the reel... At ~$200 you have a reel that has XYZ bearings, spool, drag, etc. Who cares if one year that $200 reel is a Curado and the next it's a Chronarch, IT'S STILL A $200 REEL THAT HAS XYZ AND DOES WHAT YOU'D EXPECT A ~$200 REEL TO DO... Next year I hope the call it something new just so I can hear peoples heads exploding over it. I'm not trying to be snarky, I think people just get caught up in names/paint/"History" and lose sight of the fact that for a $200 reel it's a darn fine product regardless of the name. Nobody is freaking out over Daiwa's reusing the Cielo name on a MUCH inferior newer rod. Or the Aird, or the Legalis or the Presso... 2
j.bruno Posted August 19, 2012 Posted August 19, 2012 I am sure there will be better products from Shimano in the future.
fishking247 Posted August 19, 2012 Posted August 19, 2012 what are they downgrading? looks to me like they raised the price on most of their new upgraded reels
via Posted August 19, 2012 Posted August 19, 2012 well i heard that they will be releasing a new cumara pretty soon
Super User iabass8 Posted August 20, 2012 Super User Posted August 20, 2012 the Diawa Lexa is getting a lot of hype as the next "great mid range reel". we will have to wait another month to find out though.
Super User Bassn Blvd Posted August 20, 2012 Super User Posted August 20, 2012 Funny.... I plan on purchasing another Chronarch in the next two weeks. What reel do feel feel is better at the $200 and under price point, and please don't say Lew's? Absolutely Lew's. I bought a Lews TP as soon as they hit the market and haven't looked back. Shimano discontinued the older Chronarch 50 mg, which is what started me looking at other reels. Shimano makes an excellent product, but competition has caught up. Shimano ran the market in primo low profile reels, but with todays technology, they're having a hard time staying on top. I still buy Shimano for my inshore saltwater gear, such as the Calcutta, which I seriously doubt will have any competition for a LONNNNG time. My next shimano purchase will be a Stradic to replace my old Stradic, but I don't foresee myself bying anymore low-pros from Shimano unless they make some dramatic changes. I strongly believe in Shimano's products, having used them for decades. I just don't like anything they offer in low-pro anymore. 1
Diggy Posted August 20, 2012 Posted August 20, 2012 Funny.... I plan on purchasing another Chronarch in the next two weeks. What reel do feel feel is better at the $200 and under price point, and please don't say Lew's? None!
Super User LgMouthGambler Posted August 20, 2012 Super User Posted August 20, 2012 I get it. MJ the best basketball player, like Shimano is the best reel maker!
The Rooster Posted August 20, 2012 Posted August 20, 2012 what are they downgrading? looks to me like they raised the price on most of their new upgraded reels Ok, to me, below the Citica, Shimano's bait casters don't even count. With the Citica, it got a new frame that I like less than before with a $10 increase. Otherwise its pretty much the same as before in features but still not as nice. With the Curado, it was most definitely a downgrade. Price fell by $20 but I'd have rather paid the extra $20 instead. I can still get the same reel in the Chronarch, more or less because technically even that is below the Curado E with its plastic drag star, but that is now $20 higher than before now too, so they increased price there and slightly downgraded it and gave it a new name and paint. Otherwise it's still a great reel with the name of what used to be a $300 reel but we all know it's just a Curado. I don't like paying more to get not quite the same thing as last year that was less then. Take the model name off the reel... At ~$200 you have a reel that has XYZ bearings, spool, drag, etc. Who cares if one year that $200 reel is a Curado and the next it's a Chronarch, IT'S STILL A $200 REEL THAT HAS XYZ AND DOES WHAT YOU'D EXPECT A ~$200 REEL TO DO... Next year I hope the call it something new just so I can hear peoples heads exploding over it. I'm not trying to be snarky, I think people just get caught up in names/paint/"History" and lose sight of the fact that for a $200 reel it's a darn fine product regardless of the name. Nobody is freaking out over Daiwa's reusing the Cielo name on a MUCH inferior newer rod. Or the Aird, or the Legalis or the Presso... I think what people don't like is that the same reel is now higher than before. It wasn't a $200 reel last year. It was cheaper and slightly better than before with the metal drag star. To me, a $200 reel should not have a plastic drag star. Funny.... I plan on purchasing another Chronarch in the next two weeks. What reel do feel feel is better at the $200 and under price point, and please don't say Lew's? Why not say Lew's?? If it's true, then how can you argue with it? To me, I'd put the Tournament model up against the Chronarch, even though it's only $150. The Chronarch is lighter weight but not even by a whole ounce. One could say its not lighter by $50 worth. LOL
Super User LgMouthGambler Posted August 20, 2012 Super User Posted August 20, 2012 Ok, to me, below the Citica, Shimano's bait casters don't even count. With the Citica, it got a new frame that I like less than before with a $10 increase. Otherwise its pretty much the same as before in features but still not as nice. With the Curado, it was most definitely a downgrade. Price fell by $20 but I'd have rather paid the extra $20 instead. I can still get the same reel in the Chronarch, more or less because technically even that is below the Curado E with its plastic drag star, but that is now $20 higher than before now too, so they increased price there and slightly downgraded it and gave it a new name and paint. Otherwise it's still a great reel with the name of what used to be a $300 reel but we all know it's just a Curado. I don't like paying more to get not quite the same thing as last year that was less then. I think what people don't like is that the same reel is now higher than before. It wasn't a $200 reel last year. It was cheaper and slightly better than before with the metal drag star. To me, a $200 reel should not have a plastic drag star. They always had a plastic drag star, it was never metal. And the Curado E and the Chronarch E are not the same. Keep fishing your Lews, leave the Shimanos to the pros. Why not say Lew's?? If it's true, then how can you argue with it? To me, I'd put the Tournament model up against the Chronarch, even though it's only $150. The Chronarch is lighter weight but not even by a whole ounce. One could say its not lighter by $50 worth. LOL
The Rooster Posted August 20, 2012 Posted August 20, 2012 Curado E absolutely did have a metal drag star, as did the previous Chronarchs also. What planet did they not have this on? On earth, they did. Curado E and Chronarch E sure are the same except for the drag star and double anodized parts differences as well as gear ratios now being offered in more choices. Just minor differences though. Otherwise mechanically they are identical. Sorry, but you're just plain wrong there.
Frog Turds Posted August 20, 2012 Posted August 20, 2012 Shimano makes an excellent product, but competition has caught up. Shimano ran the market in primo low profile reels, but with todays technology, they're having a hard time staying on top. but I don't foresee myself buying anymore low-pros from Shimano unless they make some dramatic changes. I strongly believe in Shimano's products, having used them for decades. I just don't like anything they offer in low-pro anymore. thats pretty much where i'm at with them. i've had shimano BC's for somewhere around 25-30 years or so. but these recent changes they've made are changing my mind with sticking with them. other brands have been putting out some fine reels & it may just be time for me to move on...
bassh8er Posted August 20, 2012 Posted August 20, 2012 What they did was get people to purchase the Chronarch if you wanted that kind of baitcaster. Unfortunately, Shimano spoiled people with the Curado E series, and they know that. What they had to do was put the Curado back to where it should be in the spectrum. I dont think the Curado G is all that bad. Yes its not the E, but then again, no Curado was even close to that E, and that was the problem. If you want that performance, buy the Chronarch E. Remember what the Curado 50E sold for knew? Exactly! Really? So does that mean they'll realize that the Caenan is spoiling people too and call it a Curado next year and raise the price accordingly? I understand that every company is trying to improve and it's tough in this economy, but I don't like how they changed the name and raised the price of the same product. How is that not shady? Especially for people who aren't on fishing forums everyday.
Super User LgMouthGambler Posted August 20, 2012 Super User Posted August 20, 2012 Curado E absolutely did have a metal drag star, as did the previous Chronarchs also. What planet did they not have this on? On earth, they did. Curado E and Chronarch E sure are the same except for the drag star and double anodized parts differences as well as gear ratios now being offered in more choices. Just minor differences though. Otherwise mechanically they are identical. Sorry, but you're just plain wrong there. Yes earth, they are plastic, they just look like they are metal. As far as mechanically, all Shimano baitcasters are pretty much identical, its called trusted and true design. As far as Curado and Chronarch identical, close, but you forgot better drag system too. I know Im wrong about all of this since Ive only fished Shimano since I was 10, and dont own anything but Shimano. Stick to your Lews product, leave Shimano to me.
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted August 20, 2012 Global Moderator Posted August 20, 2012 It was my understanding that the new Chronarch was basically a repainted Curado E series that cost $20 more? With that in mind and Curado E series still out there for basically the same price they were selling for why would anyone buy a chronarch other than for the name? I know if I was in the market for a new reel I'd be finding an E series somewhere instead of their new lineup. I like their products but the competition is running them down quickly and I'm starting to look harder at the Pfluegar and Lew's. Pfluegar's spinning reels have already won me over, their casting reels may be next.
Super User LgMouthGambler Posted August 20, 2012 Super User Posted August 20, 2012 It was my understanding that the new Chronarch was basically a repainted Curado E series that cost $20 more? With that in mind and Curado E series still out there for basically the same price they were selling for why would anyone buy a chronarch other than for the name? I know if I was in the market for a new reel I'd be finding an E series somewhere instead of their new lineup. I like their products but the competition is running them down quickly and I'm starting to look harder at the Pfluegar and Lew's. Pfluegar's spinning reels have already won me over, their casting reels may be next. It has a better drag system, and better coating on the spool and crank handle to resist corrosion better for salt water. Shimano is realizing their mistake of the Curado E popularity, and are going to suffer the consequences for it Im sure. If you go from the brand new price, the Cronarch E at $200 and Curado E at $170, the slight upgrades are justifyable. If you compare the Curado G to the Chronarch E, thats the way the options/price spectrum should have been between the two. That being said, like Ive said many times before, you can get the Curado E or Chronarch E, both peform pretty much the same, but you will notice the smoother drag. I do own the whole E series line up, so I can give you the truthful answer of the difference in reels. I dont think Shimano has anything to worry about with the other brands, time will show the outcome with these other brands.
Super User Bankbeater Posted August 20, 2012 Super User Posted August 20, 2012 Years ago when you bought a new product from a manufacturer you bought it because you had dealt with that company before and you knew what you were buying. Today with all the big companies trying to cut costs you never know what you are going to get. For me, brand loyalty is dead. I look around on the internet to see what others have to say before I make a purchase. If people are going to give the next Shimano line a good review I will buy one, but I will not buy one just because it is a Shimano. 3
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted August 20, 2012 Global Moderator Posted August 20, 2012 Years ago when you bought a new product from a manufacturer you bought it because you had dealt with that company before and you knew what you were buying. Today with all the big companies trying to cut costs you never know what you are going to get. For me, brand loyalty is dead. I look around on the internet to see what others have to say before I make a purchase. If people are going to give the next Shimano line a good review I will buy one, but I will not buy one just because it is a Shimano. Agreed, brand loyalty is a silly thing if you can get a better deal on another quality product that will perform equally as well.
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