Can Someone Explain The Progression Of Revo Premiers?

[webertime]

Starting with the original premier on up through today's. How have they changed or been updated?

[BradH]

I have one of the first generation premiers. It was light at 6.3 ounces but I did not care for the drag. I have always felt the single disk drag on most reels was adequate but this one felt anemic. I ended up putting the main gear and drag parts from a Revo S in it and it was like night and day. Loved the reel after that. I also did not care for the handles without bearings so I added a Revo S handle later. It's right at 7 ounces now, still pretty light. The first gen only had a magnetic brake.

I don't have any of the newer premiers. If I'm not mistaken the 2nd generation is pretty close to what I ended up with but with dual braking and a fancy bent handle.

GEN 1 My GEN 1.5? hahaha

6.3 ounces 7

6 bearings (5+1) 10

drag 5 pounds at best 15-20

6.4:1

magnetic brake

Maybe someone else can fill in the 2 and 3 details.

[jeb2]

Yes, the Gen2 got the dual brakes, and the very strong and smooth drag system. Not sure if the Gen1's had the "infini" spool (sp?) where the spool shaft is 2 piece. Anyway, the Gen2 is great, great reel. Probably the very best AG low profile reel ever produced. The Gen3's went away from what made the Gen2's so great, the dual brakes. They now use the IVCB brakes. I have those in my MGX and they are not as good/versatile as the dual brakes. They have just not been as well received on the forums. I've still yet to read a non-sponsored persons review of a G3 Premier. Very odd, that.

Fortunately, the dual brakes are still available in the G3 STX, and it is actually lighter than the G2 Premier. And much cheaper. But mine is not quite as smooth at times as the G2 Premier. Nothing horrible, just a little gear noise when retrieving a lure quickly, something none of my 4 G2 Premiers have.

[BradH]

Yes, the Gen 1 has the "infiniti spool II" to quote the box.

[21farms]

regarding the first-generation, i believe abu-garcia made a running-change to all their revos. the first revos did not utilize x-craftic for the frames (at least it did not say so on my boxes). then, the next two i bought had stickers on the boxes that said "now with x-craftic frames" but the product codes were exactly the same. by the time the second-generation revos came out, no more x-craftic stickers, "x-craftic" was just included in the product description on the side of the box. so, i think there was actually a revo generation 1.0 and a revo generation 1.1.

[BradH]

regarding the first-generation, i believe abu-garcia made a running-change to all their revos. the first revos did not utilize x-craftic for the frames (at least it did not say so on my boxes). then, the next two i bought had stickers on the boxes that said "now with x-craftic frames" but the product codes were exactly the same. by the time the second-generation revos came out, no more x-craftic stickers, "x-craftic" was just included in the product description on the side of the box. so, i think there was actually a revo generation 1.0 and a revo generation 1.1.

I took a look at my Gen 1 box and it does not say x-craftic anywhere. After tearing it down a few times I will say the parts are clearly made of an alloy lighter than the alloy in my other Revos of the same era. The frame, spool, handle, gears, etc. are all very light. Even after adding a standard brass main gear, drag stack and S handle the reel still weighs 7 ounces. I think it's something that was always there, ABU just decided to add it to the advertising later for more "bling".

Not too get too far off subject here but those Gen 1/2 Revos from S to Premier and the Curado E series seem to be a high point in "bang for your buck" when it comes to reels in the last 5 or 10 years. I've got 3 Revos sitting and 2 NIB Curado Es so I don't see myself buying a new reel for quite some time.

[21farms]

I took a look at my Gen 1 box and it does not say x-craftic anywhere. After tearing it down a few times I will say the parts are clearly made of an alloy lighter than the alloy in my other Revos of the same era. The frame, spool, handle, gears, etc. are all very light. Even after adding a standard brass main gear, drag stack and S handle the reel still weighs 7 ounces. I think it's something that was always there, ABU just decided to add it to the advertising later for more "bling".

hmmm, i dunno. the revos frames were always aluminum alloy but x-craftic was all about corrosion resistance. nothing i've read from the early previews and reviews say anything about corrosion resistance, leading me to believe that there was a running change made to which type of aluminum alloy abu-garcia was using.

Not too get too far off subject here but those Gen 1/2 Revos from S to Premier and the Curado E series seem to be a high point in "bang for your buck" when it comes to reels in the last 5 or 10 years. I've got 3 Revos sitting and 2 NIB Curado Es so I don't see myself buying a new reel for quite some time.

i had various gen1 and gen2 revos including S, SX, STX, inshores and toros and thought they were mostly okay (i never had a premier though and actually loved the toro 50). revos did give me a lot of bang for the buck though because they were not excluded from sales like shimano and daiwas were/are and their free sweatshirts are easily the best sweatshirts i own. i currently have two shiny new 3G STXs and plan to use them a lot come springtime. i do agree about the curado Es though...bang for the buck at $179 was terrific...the only reason i sold mine was because of the green color . i'm in the market for a couple of chronarch Es right now.

[webertime]

hmmm, i dunno. the revos frames were always aluminum alloy but x-craftic was all about corrosion resistance. nothing i've read from the early previews and reviews say anything about corrosion resistance, leading me to believe that there was a running change made to which type of aluminum alloy abu-garcia was using.

X-Craftic is a coating/treatment for the aluminum, all alloys of Aluminum with corrode at roughly the same rate relative to exposure to salts, etc. (used to work in the cycling industry).

This is all really helpful. Anyone ever try or heard if you can add the centrifugal brakes (new spool, sideplate and sideplate "guts")?

[BradH]

X-Craftic is a coating/treatment for the aluminum, all alloys of Aluminum with corrode at roughly the same rate relative to exposure to salts, etc. (used to work in the cycling industry).

This is all really helpful. Anyone ever try or heard if you can add the centrifugal brakes (new spool, sideplate and sideplate "guts")?

I'm sure it's possible but you'll reach a point where you might be better off just buying a different reel. I think I spent about 50-60, give or take, putting in a drag I liked and a different handle. Considering I gave 120 for the reel NIB I don't feel too bad about it.

If you go to the ABU website you should be able to figure out what parts you need from their online schematics.

The Gen 2 Premier is probably a really good deal if you can find one. It fixed the shortcomings of the Gen 1.

[webertime]

I got one for under $75 basically new... So I don't mind a little $ going into it. Thanks man!

[BradH]

I got one for under $75 basically new... So I don't mind a little $ going into it. Thanks man!

Gen 1? If so I think I have all the part numbers somewhere for the drag upgrage.

[OkobojiEagle]

This isn't exactly on message, but I'm trying to remember... The Premier wasn't added to the Revo family until the 2nd year was it???

oe

[webertime]

2008 I think

[21farms]

the first-gen premiers were 2008 models but started shipping in the fall of 2007.

[BradH]

If you don't like the Gen 1 drag these are the parts you need. You'll retain the 6.4:1 (or whatever it is, 6 something) ratio and use the pinion gear that is in the reel already. About $30 last time I bought them.

# Part# QTY

41 1125758 Main Gear 1

42 1125760 Drag Washer 3

43 1125761 Keyed Washer 1

44 1125762 Metal Ear Washer 1

46 1129107 AR Sleeve 1

47 1125765 Washer 1

Also if you want 4 ball bearing handles these are the complete handles.

1125831 Standard size

1141299 Winch size (more torque)

These handles will fit about anything else with an 8mm driveshaft (Shimano is 7mm, sorry) and are about $17 each last time I bought one.

If you spend more than 50 you might get 20% off.

Just call the ABU service number and give them the part numbers.

[OkobojiEagle]

the first-gen premiers were 2008 models but started shipping in the fall of 2007.

Did the 1st S, SX & STX first ship in 2007 or 2006?

oe

[webertime]

Brad, you're making me misty here... thanks dude!

[21farms]

Did the 1st S, SX & STX first ship in 2007 or 2006?

fall of 2006 i believe

[OkobojiEagle]

Thanks... That's the way I remember it. Revo S, SX & STX were on the market a year before the Premier was introduced.

oe