Diawa Zillion High Speed?

[G_money]

Anyone got any experience with these reels. I'm probably going to purchase one this weekend and just wondered if anyone had any input on what to expect. I'm a Shimano guy, and have two Core 51MG's now and then another 5 reels that are all Chronarch 201E's except for the remaining Curado 201E I still have.

 

I'm curious how the Zillion will stack up to my Core's performance wise. I've called a lot of bait shops and talked to a few guys and read some reviews. From what I gather (outside of the obvious weight difference) the Zillion should be a lot more refined on the retrieve, and be more accurate and easy to use when flipping and pitching than my Chronarchs or Cores. Also it has an all steel body which appeals to me as it would probably better serve me for light inshore and flats saltwater fishing...if I ever go.

 

Plus like my Chronarch I can get a shallow spool from Japan Tackle if I want to use it for finesse fishing. I see it as a win, win and a chance to try a Diawa...a company I haven't tried in years.

 

What do you guys think who have fished both the Zillion and the Chronarch and Cores? I'm hoping it's worth the price upgrade. And I'm also hoping the extra ounce of weight extra over the Chronarch 201 isn't too heavy feeling in hand.

 

Anyone with experience feel free to weigh in.

[War Eagle 44]

I had one some years back, I used it mainly as my frog reel. It has good casting abilities with lures in the upper range, say 3/8 and up. It won't cast lighter lures as well as your 50 size reels, stock I mean, I have no experience with the shallow spool. In my opinion it does have a nice smooth retrieve but I don't know if I'd say much better than your Cores.

The weight I think will ne noticeable from the reels you already have but it wasn't that bad to me. They feel solid. It worked very well on my frog rod, it had good line pick up (IPT) and a good smooth drag. I never felt like it wasn't enough reel for the job. I only ever fished it with 30 to 50# braid so I can't speak to how it handles lighter mono or fluoro.

I don't know exactly what the prices are on them now but I do remember reading Daiwa raised the price quite a bit. I bought mine when they first came out so it didn't cost as much as they do now. I'm not sure I'd be willing to pay msrp for one now.

I ended up replacing mine with a Curado D. I will say also that I'm pretty much an all Shimano guy at this point so take that into consideration while evaluating my opinion. I can't say anything bad about this reel really, it did what I asked it to without fail. It always performed great, I just decided I like Shimano reels better. The msrp may be a little high on them now is the only negative I can give you. If you don't mind the price then I'm almost certain the reel will perform for you in the various ways you plan to use it.

[Teal]

I have one, its a stud. If you wana spend the dough to get em, you wont be disapointed.

[LuckyHandsINC.]

I had a zillion. Gave it to my friend for free after it sat at home for 3 seasons. I'm not a shimano guy but I would much prefer a core and even a chronarch for that matter.

I do not understand the love for this reel. The weight which has been mentioned is just rediculous. It cast light lure very poorly. The brakes are inconsistent and though the gears are smooth the lack of bearings in the knobs is noticeable. How they charge what they do and can't even give you bearings in the knobs is crazy.

I would take any $200 and up reel from the Korean factory Pflueger, lews Abu I over it any day and have multiple times.

Let me finish by saying DO NOT pay full price NOT worth it at all.

[new2BC4bass]

FAIK Zillions weren't designed to be finesse reels.  I have a 50th Anniversary.  Made my longest cast to date with it on a Daiwa Flip and Pitch with a 3/4 oz. spinnerbait (which weighs more than 3/4 natch) using 12 lb. mono.  This isn't the reel for you if you want to throw 3/16 oz. lures and up.  I wish I was the lucky friend Lucky gave his Zillion to.  I'd have spent the few bucks to put a Carbontex drag in it.  Or sent it to a professional to look at.  Sure don't have any of the problems he mentions with mine.  Picked up another one (standard, not a 50th) at the end of the season.

 

I like light, but can't grasp the idea of the Zillion being too heavy for all day use, and I am an old fart who hasn't exercised in many many years.  I don't own a Core and probably never will, but I picked up a Chronarch 101A and 100B last year.  Lack of fishing time kept me from using either so I can't make any comparison comments.  Was too busy enjoying my Curado 51E, Pflueger Patriarch XT, Lews Tournament Pro and Abu 1600C when I was able to get out.

 

Retrieve is very smooth on all my Daiwa reels including the $30 closeout I got a couple years ago from TW.  Matter of fact my Alphas ito has to be the smoothest reel on the retrieve that I have ever used.

[J Francho]

I have two USDM Zillion 7.1's, and a JDM Zillion 7.1:1.  I also have three Chronarch e7's.  Honestly, they both pitch fine, and I might give a nod to the Chronarchs and their centrifugal brakes on this, since I'm not sure the Mag-V brakes are even activated at pitching spool speeds.  The retrieve, reengagement, and sheer casting distance is a bit better with the Zillion.  You can set the spool tension to almost nothing, and brakes on 6 or 7 and wail on the cast, only havng your thumb touch the spool when the bait hits the water.  The Zillion has a narrower profile than 200 e series reels.  It's heavier than the Cores, but on a proper balanced rod, it's unnoticeable.  Both the e Series and Zillions are built like tanks, with really well engineered internals that will last a long time, with proper maintenance.

[rubba bubba]

I have several Zillions.  Had a Core 51, and have several Curado 51's (last year's model - this year's Chronarch).  The Zillion has a larger palm-print and is heavier.  The Zillion is extremely smooth and arguably the best braking system out there.  It's one of those reels that gets better the more you use it.  You should compare it more against your 201's due to the size/weight/capacity.

[LuckyHandsINC.]

FAIK Zillions weren't designed to be finesse reels.  I have a 50th Anniversary.  Made my longest cast to date with it on a Daiwa Flip and Pitch with a 3/4 oz. spinnerbait (which weighs more than 3/4 natch) using 12 lb. mono.  This isn't the reel for you if you want to throw 3/16 oz. lures and up.  I wish I was the lucky friend Lucky gave his Zillion to.  I'd have spent the few bucks to put a Carbontex drag in it.  Or sent it to a professional to look at.  Sure don't have any of the problems he mentions with mine.  Picked up another one (standard, not a 50th) at the end of the season.
 
I like light, but can't grasp the idea of the Zillion being too heavy for all day use, and I am an old fart who hasn't exercised in many many years.  I don't own a Core and probably never will, but I picked up a Chronarch 101A and 100B last year.  Lack of fishing time kept me from using either so I can't make any comparison comments.  Was too busy enjoying my Curado 51E, Pflueger Patriarch XT, Lews Tournament Pro and Abu 1600C when I was able to get out.
 
Retrieve is very smooth on all my Daiwa reels including the $30 closeout I got a couple years ago from TW.  Matter of fact my Alphas ito has to be the smoothest reel on the retrieve that I have ever used.

Although I thought the drag was ok on the zillion you say you would have upgraded it to carbontex. Korean reels come with carbon washers. Shouldn't have to upgrade the drag on a $320 reel. Also my zillion was in 100% working order. Edited January 18, 2013 by J Francho
fixed quote tags

[J Francho]

This is veering off the topic, but....Carbontex are an upgrade even to the OE carbon fiber washers on Pure Fishing brands.  The OE washers don't have the same durability as Smooth Drags Carbontex.  Bench tests have confirmed that to me.  That oft cited "24 lbs." drag resistance is more like 13-14 lbs. once broken in - which is plenty for bass fishing, but begs the question if they get any worse with time.  That said, I haven't run into any reel that had a "bad" drag per se, but adding a $5-$8 upgrade is one of the most worthwhile upgrades you can do.  In colder temps, running a dry Carbontex setup is much more stable than a traditional Dartanium or felt and grease setup.  The dry setup is unaffected by freezing temps.

[jhoffman]

I need a friend like you

[Cutnshoot]

The pretty blue ones are a knockout even if they dont cast good, your gona look good with 12 of those suckers lined up on the deck of your boat.You would have to have a security to guard em while you weigh in but you would look cool. Man are they sweet.

[new2BC4bass]

Shouldn't have to upgrade the drag on a $320 reel. Also my zillion was in 100% working order.

 

True about the drag.  I don't understand why companies don't all use Carbontex drags on their reels given their reasonable price.  I can't comment on your brakes being inconsistent on a reel in 100% working order.  Only been using baitcasting reels for 3 years.  Started with a Fuego.  I don't think my skill level is enough to say whether any casting problem I might have is due to an inconsistent brake or to my lack of skill.  My Sol was giving me fits with a 1/4 oz. lure (Or was it 3/16 oz.?  Oh well.) until I stopped babying it, and started throwing like I normally do....which is throw for max distance.

[new2BC4bass]

The pretty blue ones are a knockout even if they dont cast good, your gona look good with 12 of those suckers lined up on the deck of your boat.You would have to have a security to guard em while you weigh in but you would look cool. Man are they sweet.

 

Are you speaking of the Zillion PE?  I received one after temps got colder than what I wanted to fish in, but I did take it down to the river to try out.  I wasn't impressed with casting distance, but am hoping that was because the braid that came on it was old and spreading apart.  Line acted kind of like a parachute.  Also the rod I put it on was a new one to me, and it may have had something to do with my lackluster results as well.  Was casting a 1/2 oz. jig, but the rod felt like it needed more weight to load properly.

[LuckyHandsINC.]

True about the drag. I don't understand why companies don't all use Carbontex drags on their reels given their reasonable price. I can't comment on your brakes being inconsistent on a reel in 100% working order. Only been using baitcasting reels for 3 years. Started with a Fuego. I don't think my skill level is enough to say whether any casting problem I might have is due to an inconsistent brake or to my lack of skill. My Sol was giving me fits with a 1/4 oz. lure (Or was it 3/16 oz.? Oh well.) until I stopped babying it, and started throwing like I normally do....which is throw for max distance.

True about the drag. I don't understand why companies don't all use Carbontex drags on their reels given their reasonable price. I can't comment on your brakes being INCONSISTENT on a reel in 100% working order. Only been using baitcasting reels for 3 years. Started with a Fuego. I don't think my skill level is enough to say whether any casting problem I might have is due to an inconsistent brake or to my lack of skill. My Sol was giving me fits with a 1/4 oz. lure (Or was it 3/16 oz.? Oh well.) until I stopped babying it, and started throwing like I normally do....which is throw for max distance.

Maybe inconsistent wasn't the right word, or maybe I am the one who is inconsistent. I'm pretty well experienced with casting reels but we all throw a lazy cast now and then. With the centrifugal brakes I can usually catch it before it becomes a giant mess. With the zillion these lazy cast were a mess. Sometimes I feel like I do everything th same and still get a little mess. I will say it does allow for some pretty effortless and impressive casts but I feel better with other braking systems.

[new2BC4bass]

Lucky, I also feel it is much easier throwing a light lure on a centrifugal reel which is why I have been loving my Curado 51E.  I really want to get good with my Alphas ito and a tricked out Sol, but lack of practice is putting a hurt on me.  I do know that I have to be very consistently smooth with these Daiwas and light lures.  Especially on the rod's reversal.  The spools are fast enough to cause backlashes if not smooth.

[Cutnshoot]

For 3 hunert and some odd  dollars it should cast its self. There on the TW page, Its the coastal  model. Prettty blue model

[Silas]

Lucky, I also feel it is much easier throwing a light lure on a centrifugal reel which is why I have been loving my Curado 51E.  I really want to get good with my Alphas ito and a tricked out Sol, but lack of practice is putting a hurt on me.  I do know that I have to be very consistently smooth with these Daiwas and light lures.  Especially on the rod's reversal.  The spools are fast enough to cause backlashes if not smooth.

I have the Curado 50, the Alpha Ito and a Sol also.  And I found, like you, the swing and arc of different rods affect these 3 particular reels a lot.  Once you put them on the "right" rod, it makes all the difference.  "Smooth" is the word for casts with these reels. And they will certainly reward you for your (minimal) effort!

 

   I almost bought a Zillion from a board member a couple of weeks ago, but couldn't quite come up with the cash.....and he sold it for $170 almost new, I think!  Great buy!

But....I have a couple of TDZ's....one upgraded, and the other at Bronzefly's now.  I believe, for me, with lighter baits that I usually cast....1/8-5/8 oz, the old TDZ will be better. 

 

    I could see me using the Zillion  for a "frog reel" or a "Red Eyed Shad" flinger....but for the lighter stuff, not so much.  But if one came along for a fantastic price, I'd at least like to try it!

[bassin_4]

Just got the Zillion Costal. Love it