Quantum Exo - Anyone Used One?

[martintheduck]

I've been an Abu Gracia fan for sometime, but recently have had a string of bad luck with them, so now I am looking at new brands. Bought a Quantum code a few months ago and LOVE it for flipping. The drag is a little lighter than I'm used to, but I've figured it out. Well, now I'm looking at the EXO to replace my jacked up RevoSTX.

 

Anyone used an EXO? Honest thoughts? 

[tgm]

Hi Martin I use Quantum reels,2 Tour ed. pt,a Catalyst and a code burner(no flip switch.I bought the tours when they were changing models  so they were about 150.00.Ifind them to be some of the best you can get.smooth,strong all around top of the heap.Shop around be patient. T

[buzzfrog]

Exo is crap if getting a quantum get a smoke our an old tour

[smalljaw67]

I never considered the EXO just because the Smoke reels I have are just plain great, I consider them to be the best reel Quantum ever made but I haven't used an EXO so I can't tell you one way or another but based on the Smoke performance I wouldn't be afraid to try it.

[buzzfrog]

Trust me exos are over hyped garbage. The pros push them but on fishing footage I don't even see them used unless for product placement. The Exo has been discussed here many times trash. My side plate on mine was whack. Took it back for smoke

[buzzfrog]

I haven't, but I don't follow hardcore l. I seen kvd only use his rods reels. I know GMan fishes a few. But usually when it shows his boat, I saw a few kvds and catalysts, think that's the name. Rojas always smokes or exos. Usually he is pushing he has Exo. No biggie reel super overrated anyway

[martintheduck]

See, I've already read plenty of this "it's overhyped" stuff. I can respect that because I take the same approach a lot of times. NOW, has anyone actually USED one!? I mean, owned and fished it or just used their buddies reel? 

[buzzfrog]

lol re-read my post, I had mine and hated it,side plate seemed loose, got someone to mess with still same problem. as stated I returned for a Smoke, all of quantum's higher end stuff is great except exo. you could get one and be fine, but the weight diff on rod, the balance, I cant tell a weight difference. I am telling ya man I just don't see it, Smoke all the way

[martintheduck]

lol re-read my post, I had mine and hated it,side plate seemed loose, got someone to mess with still same problem. as stated I returned for a Smoke, all of quantum's higher end stuff is great except exo. you could get one and be fine, but the weight diff on rod, the balance, I cant tell a weight difference. I am telling ya man I just don't see it, Smoke all the way

 

 

Read your comment and thank you. You're the only one who's not just passing on word of mouth. Thank you.

[buzzfrog]

hey, man No problem if you have a bps near you pick one up, I mean it was a 200+  reel that I didn't feel confident in. BUT bps has a great return policy, alotta people wouldn't give you a 20.00 for a carrot stick. I sold mine to a friend 3 years ago that is a hardcore weekend warrior and I have fished with him landing some nice 4 lbers. he needed cash and sold it back to me, I am chucking 1/2 and 3/4 oz spinnerbaits no problem, would I buy another one no, but mine was fine.  maybe you would have better luck. I heard the hype went off and still got one during the bps fishing classic.  and well as above. IMO, honestly I love my smoke, and if you are dead set on quantum, try ebay for a old tour reel, the are sweet, unless your looking for a 7:3.1

[martintheduck]

hey, man No problem if you have a bps near you pick one up, I mean it was a 200+  reel that I didn't feel confident in. BUT bps has a great return policy, alotta people wouldn't give you a 20.00 for a carrot stick. I sold mine to a friend 3 years ago that is a hardcore weekend warrior and I have fished with him landing some nice 4 lbers. he needed cash and sold it back to me, I am chucking 1/2 and 3/4 oz spinnerbaits no problem, would I buy another one no, but mine was fine.  maybe you would have better luck. I heard the hype went off and still got one during the bps fishing classic.  and well as above. IMO, honestly I love my smoke, and if you are dead set on quantum, try ebay for a old tour reel, the are sweet, unless your looking for a 7:3.1

 

 

Yep... looking for the high ratios for jigging. The appeal of the EXO was the light weight. I mean, pairing a light weight reel on a Shimano Cumara is my recipe for perfect all day jig setup!

[Grantman83]

Several Reel companies offer lightweight options if you are going that way. 

 

Abu Garcia's G3 revo's are all much lighter than their previous iterations.

 

Lew's has the Tournament Pro or Team Pro

Quantum has the Smoke

Shimano has the Core 100MG7. 

Okuma has the Helios.

 

All are lightweight options which I am sure you would be happy with. 

[MCS]

Hey martintheduck, why not looked at the new tour MG? Is is about the same price 279 as the Exo 100/200 and is 5.4 ounces.

[martintheduck]

Several Reel companies offer lightweight options if you are going that way. 

 

Abu Garcia's G3 revo's are all much lighter than their previous iterations.

 

Lew's has the Tournament Pro or Team Pro

Quantum has the Smoke

Shimano has the Core 100MG7. 

Okuma has the Helios.

 

All are lightweight options which I am sure you would be happy with. 

 

 

Bought a AG revo about 5 months ago and have grown to hate it along with all my other AG reels. After going out MAYBE 15 times with it, started making a terrible squelching sound when casting. Also bought a silvermax and a black max for running c-rig's and frogs - the black max is about to break I believe b/c it makes a grinding sound when casting and won't easily click back after casting. The silver max - the line guide snapped off on the first cast. I'm done...just done. Warranty means I have to pay for shipping and repairs according to AG. I'm done with them.

 

I am looking at the smoke and the new TourMG MCS mentioned. 

[Grantman83]

Well I have owned a smoke and didn't have have any problems with it so that is a Quantum that I can recommend. I have owned their tour burner PT as well but the smoke was superior IMO. 

 

Regarding the MG, I would say wait until the reviews come out before buying one.  If you look on the *** site, they have comments for all the products they sell.  you can look at the EXO and read the comments if you wish

[buzzfrog]

Hey didn't know you was up to leaving quantum. I have a Krios, centrix, and a Komodo bu okuma, nothing but great. I may trade my Krios and centrix for a Helios. I am not brand loyal but okuma is great under dog. Those helios's are a sick color too :)

[MCS]

Grantman has a good point. It is new, it is their "flagship" from what I read. I believe the Exo will get redone next yr. BUT the Tour MG just looks cool, that spool and handle are sick.

I used an older energy, and just got the the energy that is going out this yr. they both feel nice, the one cast great n worked good.

I am not trying to steer u away from the smoke, because I think that is a fine reel and would own one in a heart beat. I just threw the tour mg out there because I thought u wanted a comprable to the exo, a light weight, 10+1 and max drag is slightly better than the smoke.

[martintheduck]

Absolutely MCS. I hear ya. I'm not trying to just "jump into something" and buy just to buy. I've done that before. I'm just trying to find something that is low profile, light, well built, and functions well. From things I've read and the one comment on here, I should just wait it out till the MG's come out. I'm gun shy when it comes to purchasing right now because I don't want a repeat of my $200 STX.

[kickerfish1]

For the criteria you listed may I suggest a 50 size shimano. The core or chronarch would be good buys. IMO the chronarch 50e is one of the best band for your buck reels. Very palmable, light weight, casts well, and is smooth and deceptively powerful. You can find them on sale for $170 or less during the holiday sales. It is very user friendly and easy to adjust plus the finish is pretty durable from my findings.

I can't speak to the Abu and Quantum reels but if you are looking for a safe pick this would be my choice and less than some of the reels you listed.

[aqualkinbush]

I'd say you can't go wrong with the smoke. I have no experience with the exo sadly but if I could justify the purchase to the Fiance I would buy one in a heartbeat.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

I would say get a chronarch or if you like quantum get either the new catalyst or the new energy. Both are nice lookin and have great reviews on tackle warehouse.