Abu Garcia Revo Sx, Etc.

[MrTexasRigs]

I have been buying and trying a couple different reels, like the Lew's Tournament MG and the Daiwa Tatula. To be completely honest i was not that impressed with the casting distance of the Tatula (given i was in my yard, with both reels) It seems like i could bomb a half oz. jig with half the effort with my Tournament MG on half breaks, whereas i had the Tatula on almost freespool! (2). So what i'm getting at, is I'm trying to find reels in the $100-$150 price range. My first reel, a while back was a Blackmax, it can cast really far, but it seemed very finicky and picky for me. So i have been eyeing up the SX, mostly because of the deeper capacity than a Lew's Tournament and I'm pretty sure it can cast well and far. I would just stick with tournament mg's but it seems like everyone on here thinks the regular Tourny's are much better, by looking at the specs, I can't find too much of a difference except it has a wiffle/smaller capacity spool, dual cast adjustment, looks a little different, and i think that's about it. Sorry I'm kind of rambling.

 

Something about Abu and their reels really gets me. I constantly eye them up, but never pull the trigger. Probably half my problem is when i read reviews on Tackletour, it's like every reel but Daiwa and Shimano is bad... (except Lew's.) The quality of Lew's is great. I just want to try something else. I heard the gen. 2 SX reels were better, but I'm looking at gen. 3. So what do you guys think of the new generation SX, and think i should do? The S could possibly be an option, but i'd probably rather by an Orra SX for that matter.

 

Thanks. I appreciate it, if you bared with me during that post, haha!

[SpinnerbaitSlinger]

I have a first gen Orra SX ordered from bass pro right now, on clearance for $59.88. Should be here in just a few days.

[MrTexasRigs]

I have a first gen Orra SX ordered from bass pro right now, on clearance for $59.88. Should be here in just a few days.

Oh wow didn't even think to look at the older generation. I saw them on there too.. 

[BassinLou]

I have 3 of the Revo line reels. S (3rd G)  SX (2nd Gen) STX (3rd G). All 3 have been great to me. I also coincidentally, have a LEWS Tournament MG and a Tournament PRO. One of  biggest differences between the 2 reels are their drag. The tournament pro is superior with 14lbs. 

[MrTexasRigs]

I have 3 of the Revo line reels. S (3rd G)  SX (2nd Gen) STX (3rd G). All 3 have been great to me. I also coincidentally, have a LEWS Tournament MG and a Tournament PRO. One of  biggest differences between the 2 reels are their drag. The tournament pro is superior with 14lbs. 

How do you like your Revo S, and STX? Also what about like tolerance, smoothness, casting, etc. Compared to your Lew's reels?

[Smallmouth Hunter]

If you haven't flushed the bearings in the tatula, you aren't going to get the full distance.. Before I flushed the bearings in mine, I wasn't getting superb distance either. Flush and then reoil. The factory grease restricts the bearings and spool spinning, and it is very possible that the workers loaded your reel up with grease. My sideplate spool bearing was not too bad, but the handle sideplate spool bearing was absolutely loaded with grease.

 

I would stay away from the gen 3 revo's completely. Too many horror stories about them. If you want to try something new, go with a gen. 2 revo premier or stx. Both can be had for under $150.

[MrTexasRigs]

If you haven't flushed the bearings in the tatula, you aren't going to get the full distance.. Before I flushed the bearings in mine, I wasn't getting superb distance either. Flush and then reoil. The factory grease restricts the bearings and spool spinning, and it is very possible that the workers loaded your reel up with grease. My sideplate spool bearing was not too bad, but the handle sideplate spool bearing was absolutely loaded with grease.

 

I would stay away from the gen 3 revo's completely. Too many horror stories about them. If you want to try something new, go with a gen. 2 revo premier or stx. Both can be had for under $150.

How did you flush the bearings? May be a dumb question.

[bootytrain]

Ive had the Gen 2 SX and it was a great caster, very smooth and far.  Its magnetic brakes give a different sensation to most Shimano centrifugal casting. I didn't find the brakes to be touchy at all.  On a long cast, the line would crown and you would think it was going to birdsnest really bad but it sorted itself out at the end and barely needed any thumb. I think the brakes on the Gen 3 SX are the same as the Gen 2 which is a plus in my book. Bad things were weight, and the tension control knob had too much of a gap between clicks so making the minute adjustments was nearly impossible, it was either off or on. I was eyeing the 3rd gen but Ive read about the thumbar issues so Im holding off until Abu resolves it. Don't worry about Tackletour reviews, those guys are used to really high end gear so fishing a low-mid priced reel probably doesn't excite them much. Most of the Revo reviews have been pretty positive actually.

[BassinLou]

How do you like your Revo S, and STX? Also what about like tolerance, smoothness, casting, etc. Compared to your Lew's reels?

 

The S and STX are very smooth reels. They both cast well. As far as tolerance, the STX can tolerate harder fishing than the S. The S has become my light plastics and top water lures reel for specifically fluking and spooking. Compared to the LEWS. The MG and TP are both work horses, and they feel tougher to me. The TP has the brawn and finesses I am looking for currently. Hopefully I answered your question. 

[5fishlimit]

If you actually get a well made gen 3 Revo you'll like it, but it seems like it's a 50/50 chance.

Flush the bearings on the Tatula, or go with the Lews IMHO.

I own the Revo S, my best friend has the SX, and another guy got the STX. We've all said we'll not be buying any more Abu reels.

I'm not a Shimano guy, but you should also look at the Citica or Chronarch, too.

[bootytrain]

What's strange is that Abu/lews/pflueger are all manufactured at the same place, but lews seems to have sidestepped the thumb bar issue.

[MrTexasRigs]

If you actually get a well made gen 3 Revo you'll like it, but it seems like it's a 50/50 chance.

Flush the bearings on the Tatula, or go with the Lews IMHO.

I own the Revo S, my best friend has the SX, and another guy got the STX. We've all said we'll not be buying any more Abu reels.

I'm not a Shimano guy, but you should also look at the Citica or Chronarch, too.

How do you flush the bearings, sorry if that is a dumb question?

[TiNuts]

I have two gen3 SXs and a 2nd gen SX. I like them both, but I like the 3rd gens better. I got the 3rd gens first, and the 2nd gen felt like a step backwards after I got it. I haven't had any problems whatsoever with them. I had the thumb bar issue once, but it happened when my thumb slipped off during a cast and I hit the handle. The whole rig almost slipped out of my hands into the water so I don't really blame the reel (too much KVD L&L). I also did take them apart, degrease, and relube them shortly after I got them so maybe that has something to do with it. But, if you didn't like the black max, you may not like the SX cuz they have similar/same braking systems; magnetics only. You may look at the STX as it has both mags and centrifugal brakes.

I can't say anything about the lews or any other reels as the revos are the only thing I've used besides a couple bass pro reels. I wouldn't mind trying out those new tatulas though. That T-wing deal looks kinda slick.

Hope this helps.

[trueblue1970]

I have a first gen Orra SX ordered from bass pro right now, on clearance for $59.88. Should be here in just a few days.

Waiting on the 2 I ordered....

[5fishlimit]

How do you flush the bearings, sorry if that is a dumb question?

You remove them from the reel and soak in acetone, or other suitable solvent. Then add a drop of proper oil.

There are plenty of YouTube videos on cleaning a reel in addition to many threads on this site.

Or, you can have a professional clean your reels like Delaware Valley Tackle.

[MrTexasRigs]

Would break cleaner work? Right now i have Abu Garcia oil and lube also

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Don't try removing the bearing from the spool. Blast it out with brake or carb cleaning spray before spooling line on. Without the proper tool damaging the spool is too likely. For a brand new reel I'd suggest just fishing it hard and having it serviced during the off season.

[jsc4324]

Haven't looked at my new tatula that close but if I recall correctly there is not a bearing on the spool shaft. I'll have to double check bit don't remember seeing one

[MrTexasRigs]

Haven't looked at my new tatula that close but if I recall correctly there is not a bearing on the spool shaft. I'll have to double check bit don't remember seeing one

No, there is not

[jsc4324]

It's pretty easy to remove the reg bearings. Put the part in a gallon zip lock bag so the retainer pin doesn't fly across the room and remove the retainer pin(s). Then pop them out and flush in acetone etc. Reverse to put them in. My suggestion would be to try it first on a cheap reel. Or send it to a pro.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

The tatula bearings have non-reusable shields (i think that's what they are called) meaning that you pretty much have to break the shield to get it out. You have to remove these shields to get the full benefit of flushing the bearings as some of the gunk will get stuck in the bearing. I can't remember exactly how I got the shields off, but I do remember that I had to sort of pry it off with a needle. Another way to remove these is to take a very small drill bit and drill a hole in the shield, then you can stick something in a pull it off. You only have to take off one side's shield.

 

You can flush the bearings in acetone, rubbing alcohol, and some other things. Then let them dry out on a paper towel, and finally, reoil with 1 drop of oil on the larger bearing, and less than that on the smaller bearing.

[MrTexasRigs]

The tatula bearings have non-reusable shields (i think that's what they are called) meaning that you pretty much have to break the shield to get it out. You have to remove these shields to get the full benefit of flushing the bearings as some of the gunk will get stuck in the bearing. I can't remember exactly how I got the shields off, but I do remember that I had to sort of pry it off with a needle. Another way to remove these is to take a very small drill bit and drill a hole in the shield, then you can stick something in a pull it off. You only have to take off one side's shield.

 

You can flush the bearings in acetone, rubbing alcohol, and some other things. Then let them dry out on a paper towel, and finally, reoil with 1 drop of oil on the larger bearing, and less than that on the smaller bearing.

So, if i just soak them, it won't work since they have the shields on them? I'm only trying to get the manufacturer's grease out of the bearings. It hasn't been used on the water yet.