Jumping Ship Sorry Abu

[aavery2]

I had heard of it happening at least one other time, I don't remember what the combination of rod and reel it was. It was discovered that the reel seat was a little too deep for the reel

foot and when tightened down, created a little flex in the reel frame. I think it was fixed with a shim of some sort.

[Grantman83]

I've owned a premier g2 as well as a g2 sx. Both reels worked fine for me. The only issues were that the sx was heavy and was abit finicky on the brake system. The premier was smooth and easy to cast.

Overall, most companies attempt to put out a product they believe in. Abu and pure fishing may get a bad rap sometimes especially when compared to daiwa and shimano, but I feel they are attempting to provide good product at a a good price.

[zachb34]

I jumped ship from Abu awhile back. And I did give them every opportunity to make things right. Reel after reel failed, or more specifically the braking system and the thumb bars didn't want to reengage on my SX or STX. My S had the constant issue with the brakes. Went Shimano and haven't looked back.

X2

[aavery2]

I've owned a premier g2 as well as a g2 sx. Both reels worked fine for me. The only issues were that the sx was heavy and was abit finicky on the brake system. The premier was smooth and easy to cast.

Overall, most companies attempt to put out a product they believe in. Abu and pure fishing may get a bad rap sometimes especially when compared to daiwa and shimano, but I feel they are attempting to provide good product at a a good price.

I agree, I don't think that the Gen3 reels have been as popluar as they would have liked, but I have some Gen2 Premiers that are very solid. Most of the big Mfg's know that if they produce a less than quality product they will end up losing ground in the market share area.

[ww2farmer]

All unwanted Abu Garcia products can be sent to me for proper disposal.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

I wish abu would give up on this whole "lightweight" trend they have been aiming for and just built solid reels like the gen 1 and 2 revo's. The MGX and MGXtreme feel fragile in hand IMO, and the tackletour review shows one basically breaking apart after fishing big lures.

 

I personally think the gen 3 revo's turned out all wrong. The larger gear is just uncomfortable, and the problems with the "button sticking" are outrageous. I have seen/read of so many cases of the button sticking on the gen 3's, it is just scary. The carbon sideplates feel fragile too. Go back to the aluminum gear sideplate, and have the non handle sideplate be made of carbon.

 

Sorry for the short rant on the gen 3's.

[Teal]

Nothing wrong with trying other products. I had a handful of Curados when I tried a Lews Tournament reel. I've been buying Lewd ever since. Now I still love shimano reels and respect them but I felt that Lewd were as good for a lesser cost.

I don't think the OP was bashing

[aavery2]

I wish abu would give up on this whole "lightweight" trend they have been aiming for and just built solid reels like the gen 1 and 2 revo's. The MGX and MGXtreme feel fragile in hand IMO, and the tackletour review shows one basically breaking apart after fishing big lures.

 

I personally think the gen 3 revo's turned out all wrong. The larger gear is just uncomfortable, and the problems with the "button sticking" are outrageous. I have seen/read of so many cases of the button sticking on the gen 3's, it is just scary. The carbon sideplates feel fragile too. Go back to the aluminum gear sideplate, and have the non handle sideplate be made of carbon.

 

Sorry for the short rant on the gen 3's.

I think your right, seems to me that the logical progression for the ABU's would have been to use the Gen 2 Premier platform and introduce IVCB type braking. I have one Gen3 Revo, a Winch and I like it, but not enough to get rid of my Gen2 Premiers and go all Gen3 stuff. There were other smaller upgrades they could have done like longer Carbon Fiber handles, more gear ratios and better finish on the reels and in my opinion had a winner.

[Jon G]

I as well have switched from Abu to Lews the last 2 STX's i bought kept having issues with brakes and with the gears. But since i have switched to Lews i have had no issue. If you ask me there is no better reel in the $200 price point than a Tournament Pro I like shimanos as well and the Chronarch comes close but the smoothness of the Tournament Pro is just unbelivable

[Crankinstein]

I agree with whoever criticized the one brand guys. You've got to get out and test everyone's products from time to time even if you've been particularly loyal to one for awhile. Afterall the market changes and quality fluctuates among the manufacturers over time just like everything else in the world. As for me personally I have Daiwa, Shimano, Abu Garcia, and Pflueger reels on my deck and I use all of them. There is a lot of great companies making reels and it'd be dumb not to at least stay fresh on what everyone's doing. I recently bought a Daiwa for the first time in 4 years because I was interested in the T wing system and I'm really glad I did, the Tatula type R is now one of my favorite reels. You should always keep an open mind and stay optimistic, tiny tech advances can go a long way in our sport and you don't want to be the guy late to the party. You never know when a company's going to come along and change the game.

[bootytrain]

I agree with whoever criticized the one brand guys. You've got to get out and test everyone's products from time to time even if you've been particularly loyal to one for awhile. Afterall the market changes and quality fluctuates among the manufacturers over time just like everything else in the world. As for me personally I have Daiwa, Shimano, Abu Garcia, and Pflueger reels on my deck and I use all of them. There is a lot of great companies making reels and it'd be dumb not to at least stay fresh on what everyone's doing. I recently bought a Daiwa for the first time in 4 years because I was interested in the T wing system and I'm really glad I did, the Tatula type R is now one of my favorite reels. You should always keep an open mind and stay optimistic, tiny tech advances can go a long way in our sport and you don't want to be the guy late to the party. You never know when a company's going to come along and change the game.

 

I agree, variety is the spice of life   For what its worth, my local BPS says the new Revos are their best sellers, and I personally plan on adding a Revo LTZ AE74 and Morrum ZX to the arsenal soon. Do I need them? No, I have a few killer Shimanos that handle everything I throw, but I like to switch things up. Tommorrow Im going to get better acquainted with the new Metanium, and Sunday Ill probably take the Revo Elite IB out.

[Loop_Dad]

I have been mainly with Shimano both rods and reels. However I also enjoy the variety now.

 

I had a thread a couple of weeks ago about most sensitive $150 bottom contacting rods which I got lots of member's input. I ended up picking a couple of Fenwicks because of that. I'm glad that I listened to folks.

 

A couple of opinion on the internet can lead you to wrong place. But when enough people say something is good, especially here in BR, there's usually reason for that. This is my believe.

 

I recently picked up a couple of Daiwa reels also, Lexa 100 and Tatula. Lexa's is okay, not a bad reel, but not impressed. Tatula is great. Good casting with good break. 

 

By trying variety of brands, I'm more keen to the ability of my equipments.

[John G]

My Shimano's consist of 3 Calcutta's, 1 Conquest 100 and a Conquest 50 on the way as I type this, 1 Curado 50E and 2 Citica 200E's. I own a Bantam Mag Plus 250SG from the early 80's and I have had the original Curado, the original Citica and a 100, 200 and a 300 D Model Curado. As long as Shimano keeps on making them like the ones that I mentioned, I absolutely couldn't care less what the other guys are making! 

[aavery2]

I agree, variety is the spice of life   For what its worth, my local BPS says the new Revos are their best sellers, and I personally plan on adding a Revo LTZ AE74 and Morrum ZX to the arsenal soon. Do I need them? No, I have a few killer Shimanos that handle everything I throw, but I like to switch things up. Tommorrow Im going to get better acquainted with the new Metanium, and Sunday Ill probably take the Revo Elite IB out.

I love the upgrade possibilities that are available for the LTZ, look like a fantastic reel. I love my IB, it is what a Revo should be.

[Diggy]

I have 2 veritas with a broken guides. Seems like a flaw with the 6ft9, same guide broke. Abu shipped 2 replacements in my requested sizes(7ft heavy and 7ft6mh) and I can get the broken guides replaced for 10 bucks each. Ending up with 4 useable rods with litte to no hassle on customer service keeps me with them. I buy all brands but they always treat me right.

[Lewi]

Sorry to hear your jumping.  I have always had a good product from Abu and others without any issues.  I just picked up 2 Veritas rods since the one that I have has been very good to me.  I do get that things happen and these forums are the places where we all will place our likes and disikes but I try to remember that we are a few of the many that fish these companies products and there will always be some sort of issue being it a mfgr defect or improper treatment resulting in damage down the road.

 

Good luck

 

-Lewi

[Chance_Taker4]

I agree Abu has great products but I feel that I am paying for their name and reputation more than the product itself. The Revo S at best is a $100 and the SX a $130. As for rods I love the Villain and probably buy a couple more. However when it comes to the lower end rods (Veritas and Vendetta) they just don't seem to have the same quality. When the first veritas came out they were snapping like crazy now that is fixed but the guides are bad. Every one I have they are bent or over glued. The blanks are great just don't like that for $100 I'm not getting a well crafted rod. With all that said would I buy another Veritas later down the road yes.