Revo S(L) Handle & Ergonomics

[ghost]

I bought the Revo SL this past weekend. I've read the reviews and read all the praises of this reel. But is it me or is the reel handle seem short? I compared it to my Curado/Citica/ Revo 1st gen/Daiwas, and it is a shorter handle. Is this a disadvantage or is this normal? Any chance a longer handle could be ordered from Abu Garcia?

 

Also, I've mounted the Revo S-L on a few different rods I own.  I have to say that the main, big gear sits low.  What I mean is the reel feels a bit uncomfortable holding on some of the reel seats.  Weird, cuz I haven't felt this on any other baitcast reels I own.

[rockchalk06]

All the new Revo's are have that large gear box and sit low. It's designed to sit as low as possible. The closer you can get everything to the rod, the better. You have to put the new Revo's on a rod to see how it feels. They were designed to be used on the new Veritas, Villian and Vertict rods. I tried it on my Shock rod and it felt to high.

The reel handle is the same length as the previous gen 1 Revo S, it's just that the new Revo S has a bent handle that puts your hands closer to the reel. I have a Curado and its handle is a bit longer but it's straight. I can't speak of the Citica or Diawas though.

As for getting a new handle, I don't think they make a larger one but you can call. If you swap it out you will have to swap out the drag handle as well.

I actually love the new bent handle. I wish my Curado had it.

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

Yeah why the heck do none of the shimano reels have a bent handle yet?

[LgMouthGambler]

Bent handles dont serve any advantage. In my opinion, I dont like the feel of a bent handle. I think you have better control with a straight handle. Just put a Hawg Handle on the SL and call it a day.

[bassinbrian]

Yeah why the heck do none of the shimano reels have a bent handle yet?

Lol, I've honestly nevered noticed that, it is kinda odd.... As for a swept handle or straight, it's a cosmetic advantage.

I find LMG comment kinda funny, you don't like the feel? Are you reeling with the handle and not the knobs? Lol.

[central.PA.bass]

I am sure you could probably get a Winch handle for on it..  Those are usually a bit longer.  If you still dont like the feel, I know a guy who would be happy to take that uncomfortable reel off your hands!  (ME!!!)

 

Shimano sucks!

[LgMouthGambler]

Lol, I've honestly nevered noticed that, it is kinda odd.... As for a swept handle or straight, it's a cosmetic advantage.

I find LMG comment kinda funny, you don't like the feel? Are you reeling with the handle and not the knobs? Lol.

I dont like the knobs soo close to the reel. Too tight for me.

[rockchalk06]

I just looked on Abu's website. They have the longer handles that are still bent so it matches your drag star. They run 29.99

[rockchalk06]

I dont like the knobs soo close to the reel. Too tight for me.

But it sure looks sweet!!!

[LgMouthGambler]

But it sure looks sweet!!!

It does, but I am more for Function over Form, lol.

[J Francho]

I think it's just styling and marketing hype.  I don't see any difference with a swept over a straight handle.  The shorter handles offer greater speed, but offer less leverage.  Like gear ratio, it's a compromise.  Longer handles, as mentioned above, can easily be ordered from Pure Fishing.  You can also go for granddaddy of upgrades, and get a Hawgtech.  I love mine.  Another option is the Toro Winch handle - now that's a huge handle with huge knobs.

[21farms]

the standard revo handle is 80mm long (the length of which is shared with "small" reels like the daiwa sol and curado 50e which also have 80mm handles). the standard shimano handle is 84mm long while standard lews, quantum, pflueger and BPS handles are 85mm long. daiwas are usually between 85mm and 90mm long. extended handles on many cranking reels are 95mm long. so, no, it is not just you...80mm is definitely on the short end.

 

the good news is handles can be easily swapped between most revo, daiwa, quantum, pflueger, lews and BPS reels. i've installed 85mm and 90mm carbon fiber handles from lew's on almost all of my non-shimano reels and love them. shimano reels only accept shimano handles because of the differently-sized crankshaft...okuma goes their own way too. i can't improve on the septon knobs on my shimanos so i leave those stock.

 

lag_issuez, as to your question as to why shimano doesn't incorporate bent handles, the answer is easy: swept handles are a daiwa innovation. the two companies seem to hate each other and shimano especially seems to want to be seen as the leader and not a follower. i think that's why things are slightly different with shimano products. magnetic brakes? nope, another feature daiwa introduced to the mass market that everyone else copied. notice how the shimano thumb bars don't stretch the full width of the reel and depress on a hinged point instead of straight down like on other reels? another daiwa design that was copied by everyone except shimano. why are shimano handles 84mm long instead of 85mm like everyone else's? because that's everyone else!

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

the standard revo handle is 80mm long (the length of which is shared with "small" reels like the daiwa sol and curado 50e which also have 80mm handles). the standard shimano handle is 84mm long while standard lews, quantum, pflueger and BPS handles are 85mm long. daiwas are usually between 85mm and 90mm long. extended handles on many cranking reels are 95mm long. so, no, it is not just you...80mm is definitely on the short end.

the good news is handles can be easily swapped between most revo, daiwa, quantum, pflueger, lews and BPS reels. i've installed 85mm and 90mm carbon fiber handles from lew's on almost all of my non-shimano reels and love them. shimano reels only accept shimano handles because of the differently-sized crankshaft...okuma goes their own way too. i can't improve on the septon knobs on my shimanos so i leave those stock.

lag_issuez, as to your question as to why shimano doesn't incorporate bent handles, the answer is easy: swept handles are a daiwa innovation. the two companies seem to hate each other and shimano especially seems to want to be seen as the leader and not a follower. i think that's why things are slightly different with shimano products. magnetic brakes? nope, another feature daiwa introduced to the mass market that everyone else copied. notice how the shimano thumb bars don't stretch the full width of the reel and depress on a hinged point instead of straight down like on other reels? another daiwa design that was copied by everyone except shimano. why are shimano handles 84mm long instead of 85mm like everyone else's? because that's everyone else!

Wow, you know your junk. Thanks for that answer. That is really interesting.