Chronarch Ci4+

[lmbfisherman]

I was visiting my local tackle shop who sent today that they were having no tax on rod and reels sales.  I had no idea they had these on stock was furthest from my mind.  Until my guy I usually speak to there says, hey man did you see the new Chronarch?  I was like WHAT?  You have it in?  He said yep, we have 3 in stock just got them.  OH MAN!  I WAS SO EXCITED!  I had to check it out and HOLY WOW! Is all I can say, this thing looks freakin' awesome.  Feels awesome, even though it's a 150 it feels so light and it felt like it was a size "50" reel.  I didn't have my cash today, so I asked them to hold it for me until tomorrow!  So I'm going to be a proud owner of a new Chronarch CI4+.  I got the 7.6.1!  Anyone else see them yet or purchased one? 

 

Perfect timing too, I'm going up north for a week (cottage) to get a lot of fishing.  So hopefully I will have a nice review for everyone of my experience. 

[Darren.]

I was visiting my local tackle shop who sent today that they were having no tax on rod and reels sales.  I had no idea they had these on stock was furthest from my mind.  Until my guy I usually speak to there says, hey man did you see the new Chronarch?  I was like WHAT?  You have it in?  He said yep, we have 3 in stock just got them.  OH MAN!  I WAS SO EXCITED!  I had to check it out and HOLY WOW! Is all I can say, this thing looks freakin' awesome.  Feels awesome, even though it's a 150 it feels so light and it felt like it was a size "50" reel.  I didn't have my cash today, so I asked them to hold it for me until tomorrow!  So I'm going to be a proud owner of a new Chronarch CI4+.  I got the 7.6.1!  Anyone else see them yet or purchased one? 

 

Perfect timing too, I'm going up north for a week (cottage) to get a lot of fishing.  So hopefully I will have a nice review for everyone of my experience. 

 

Definitely let us know how it goes. Sounds like an awesome reel.

[5dollarsplash]

Keep us informed x2! 

 

I'm trying to avoid buying one of these beauties, but I love my 50e and if they feel similar.....well, we all know when the bait monkey comes to call its a matter of time before I say

[00 mod]

If I found one for sale it would be mine!!!

 

Jeff

[lmbfisherman]

Here are a couple of pics I took side by side with a Chronarch 50E.  I guess you can't tell totally from the angle, but I would say it is slightly bigger...but not by much and don't notice it when I palm it  I love size 50 reels and it definitely feels as comfortable. 

 

Of course I also had to buy a rod with the CI4+, so I got an on clearance Cumulus 7'1" MH/XF to pair with it. 

[Greeneye8181]

Does anyone know the difference between the new Chronarch and the new Metanium? Is it now Chronarch=Metanium like Core=Metanium? They look awfully alike

[thehooligan]

Nice, cant wait to get my hands on one....

[00 mod]

Does anyone know the difference between the new Chronarch and the new Metanium? Is it now Chronarch=Metanium like Core=Metanium? They look awfully alike

 

No.  Just no.

 

The Chronarch and the core and the Metanium are all different. 

 

The Chronarch is very similar to the Curado's.  At least the current Chronarchs.  The core is a step up.  And then the new Metanium is similar to the 2012 Antares.  Say it is it's "little brother"

 

Jeff

[21farms]

Does anyone know the difference between the new Chronarch and the new Metanium? Is it now Chronarch=Metanium like Core=Metanium? They look awfully alike

nope, they're different. in addition to a different frame, the 13metanium has some magnesium in it's construction and aluminum micro-module gears; the CI4+ has no magnesium and standard brass gears that max out at 7.6:1 versus the 8.5:1 on the 13metanium. bantam1 says that even the SVS infinity brakes are different with a 6-pin system in the JDM reel and 4 on the new chronarch...interestingly, bantam1 says that he's gotten much better casting performance from the CI4+.

[Greeneye8181]

I'm aware that the E Chronarchs are similar to the Curados... Who cares about those now anyway?! hehe

I noticed the Metanium is a little bit lighter and has 2 more bearings but I just assumed the 2 extra bearings were in the handle. Appreciated and all but not quite a mind blowing difference.

 

Also the Chronarch has an outside brake control (in a US version?!). It just seems the frame is similar. Anyway, I plan on buying a Metanium this week. Doubt I'll buy a new Chronarch unless I hear it's as good or better than the Metanium. I've downsized recently (check out the flea market) and I'm steering more towards Daiwa but I'll always have one nice Shimano in my lineup

[Smallmouth Hunter]

I was visiting my local tackle shop who sent today that they were having no tax on rod and reels sales.  I had no idea they had these on stock was furthest from my mind.  Until my guy I usually speak to there says, hey man did you see the new Chronarch?  I was like WHAT?  You have it in?  He said yep, we have 3 in stock just got them.  OH MAN!  I WAS SO EXCITED!  I had to check it out and HOLY WOW! Is all I can say, this thing looks freakin' awesome.  Feels awesome, even though it's a 150 it feels so light and it felt like it was a size "50" reel.  I didn't have my cash today, so I asked them to hold it for me until tomorrow!  So I'm going to be a proud owner of a new Chronarch CI4+.  I got the 7.6.1!  Anyone else see them yet or purchased one? 

 

Perfect timing too, I'm going up north for a week (cottage) to get a lot of fishing.  So hopefully I will have a nice review for everyone of my experience. 

Definitely do a review on it as soon as possible! I am very excited about this reel and it looks great!   :eyebrows:      

[kickerfish1]

Here are a couple of pics I took side by side with a Chronarch 50E. I guess you can't tell totally from the angle, but I would say it is slightly bigger...but not by much and don't notice it when I palm it I love size 50 reels and it definitely feels as comfortable.

Of course I also had to buy a rod with the CI4+, so I got an on clearance Cumulus 7'1" MH/XF to pair with it.

Nice grab!

If you haven't fished the cumulus line of rods you will be in for a real treat. Very light and sensitive. If they would have used smaller guides for say the last 5 guides up to the tip the rod would be even lighter and possibly more sensitive. However the rod was very advanced for its time and had smaller guides been more the norm I am sure they would have used them. Still a stellar rod that will look sick with new ci4 and I would be the balance will be stellar. Should be a great bottom contact combo!

Gives us an update after you play with the new pairing. I for one, would love to hear an account on how it fishes compared to other shimano reels especially concerning the braking system and casting distance.

[thehooligan]

Yea, what kicker said, cumulus and new ci4 is gonna be a sweeet combo 

[chrisvickers038]

This is definitely going to be my next reel

[ToadTorcher]

Love the looks of this reel! Definitely let us know how you like her... 

 

And don't tell me you didn't get a rod to go with it either!! 

[ColdSVT]

i am so friggin torn...i know i'm getting a 13 *** but i don't know if i want a CI4+ or a Lews Team pro...aarrrgh either way my wallet is gonna be empty lol

[lmbfisherman]

After using this on the water for a couple of days, I will give you my initial thoughts.

 

Chronarch CI4+, 15lb Seaguar AbrazX paired with a Cumulus 7'1" MH/XF

 

  - Great casting ability, it is so easy to cast and is effortless.  When I mean effortless, when casting I felt like I was one of the big boys just flinging their baits and talking like they weren't doing anything..I did have to dial in all my brakes though as I guess my thumb isn't as experienced as I thought.  I am still trying too understand how to effectively use it. I did backlash a few times.  Not horrid or anything, but if I tried to give it more umph..I would've probably have gotten bad ones without remembering using my thumb.  This reminds me of something roadwarrior posted.  Can a reel be too advanced for your skill level?  I'm thinking it could be somewhat true...I'm not an expert thumb guy as some of you guys..I'm hoping it's just me understanding the break system still and getting a more experienced thumb...all my other Shimanos Curados, Citicas and Chronarch Es I don't usually backlash, but I know the break system and used them daily or it could just need a standard cleaning, as I picked the reel up just before my trip to the cottage.

  - I was able to throw a 5" senko with minimal effort and better distance, especially compared to my lower end reels.  I checked to see how it would handle tossing a weightless Trick Worm and I wasn't able to get my normal accuracy and distance, but I'm sure I would've been able to get better results if I used a medium powered rod and lighter line.  I also tied on a 3/8oz Jig and did some light pitching with it and it was flawless.  It was much smoother and easier than doing it with my normal pitching reels (Curado E7 and BPS PQ). 

  - Unfortunately, I didn't catch a fish yet with it (So I couldn't tell you how it performs under load)..as for some reason the fish only wanted reaction type baits (spinnerbaits, jitterbugs I was slaying them with this, buzzbaits)  I'm thinking due to the unusually cool summer, it looks to me they are active and maybe starting the fall transition early. 

  - The shape/profile of the reel was a huge pleasure to fish with, I have small hands but was  able to palm it as easy as my CH50E/Curado 50E.  Although not perfect balance with the Cumulus, I can't remember at the moment, but I think it was like  1" or 2"  away from the front of the handle.  The combo was light and was easy fishing with it.

 

Overall I am impressed and definitely think it was worth every penny.  However, I do not have any experience with higher end reels (Core, MGX, JDMs..etc) so I can't say how it will stack up to them.  All I can say with my initial impression, I think Shimano has righted the ship as some would say (I never thought they did anything wrong, just a business/cost decision).  As I continue to fish it the rest of the season, I will post further thoughts and experiences.

[5dollarsplash]

_{Thanks for the review lmbfisherman!}

 

_{Looking forward to hearing more reviews and updates.}

Edited August 12, 2013 by 5dollarsplash