Chronarch Ci4+

[TiNuts]

I am looking into get a new Chronarch in the near future. I've read plenty of positive reviews. Does anyone have anything negative to say about it?

I also have the opportunity to get a lightly used mgx for about the same price. Which reel would I be better off with? I'm looking for something for light baits.

Thanks.

[Grantman83]

The only negative I've read was that the bearings need to be oiled after 3 outings or something like that. Someone who owns it will chime in I'm sure as I don't want to mis speak on the subject. It looks like a winner in my book

[webertime]

I think the bearing thing was a goof up in the translation from japanese to english in the instructions (Bantam1 addressed it as such over on TT).  I felt played with one at a show Saturday and it feels really really nice, solid, not the much of a help.  I'd go with one of those hands down over the MGX.

[MarkH024]

I think the bearing thing was a goof up in the translation from japanese to english in the instructions (Bantam1 addressed it as such over on TT).  I felt played with one at a show Saturday and it feels really really nice, solid, not the much of a help.  I'd go with one of those hands down over the MGX.

I don't have one yet either.  I have to believe that oiling every three outings is a mistake as well.  It just doesn't make sense to me and if anyone feels it does, please give a thorough report on the "why". 

 

So far all I've read is rave reviews. I'll own one or more for sure, just a matter of when.

 

Hooti has one. Except he only uses it to torment his neighborhood cats. A ball of yarn would have been a lot cheaper but arguably not nearly as fun.

Edited January 21, 2014 by MarkH024

[*Hootie]

I don't have one yet either.  I have to believe that oiling every three outings is a mistake as well.  It just doesn't make sense to me and if anyone feels it does, please give a thorough report on the "why". 

 

So far all I've read is rave reviews. I'll own one or more for sure, just a matter of when.

 

Hooti has one. Except he only uses it to torment his neighborhood cats. A ball of yarn would have been a lot cheaper but arguably not nearly as fun.

 

 

Mark, you crack me up....lol.

I keep looking at it and imagining another one along side of it.

 

Hootie

[Dramer77]

I think the bearing thing was a goof up in the translation from japanese to english in the instructions (Bantam1 addressed it as such over on TT).  I felt played with one at a show Saturday and it feels really really nice, solid, not the much of a help.  I'd go with one of those hands down over the MGX.

have you even used a MGX? that reel is amazing.. 

[MediumHeavy]

Got limited use with mine since I got it kinda late in the season, but it's a great reel. Very solid, very smooth. Definitely flush the bearings after you get it, they come packed with grease. It casts light baits very well, even better than my Curado 50E. Another option if you want to save some cash would be to get a Chronarch 50E. The Ci4+ is awesome, though. Jury is out on the durability of the Ci4+ material, but I doubt it's going to be a problem.

I have no experience with the Abu GArcia, though.

[Volboy]

Have it; love it. Will fish it one full season, and if it holds up like my other Shimanos will own more. Smooth as silk.

[webertime]

have you even used a MGX? that reel is amazing.. 

For a short time, didn't work ~$200 better than my Curado.  That guy sold it soon after.

[Dr. Watson]

I would go with the Chronarch, I love my MGX, but all my Shimanos feel more refined/solid. If you are looking at that MGX take a look at the review I did a while back on mine vs. my Core: 

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/102687-core-50mg7-vs-revo-mgx-711/

 

it might give you some more insight as to what you are getting.

[Dramer77]

For a short time, didn't work ~$200 better than my Curado.  That guy sold it soon after.

there musta been something wrong with it then,ive used several diff reels and have a few diff revo's and you can tell a clear diff in the MGX, not saying its way better than the new chronarch , but i really think alot of people on this forum try to put shimano on to high a pedestal compared to other products 

[.RM.]

Just serviced a half dozen, 150 Ci4+'s ..

Solid reels, first season serviced up, and are smooth as silk with everything still stock...

Clients intend to use them at Lake Fork in Feb.

 

Tight Lines!

[webertime]

there musta been something wrong with it then,ive used several diff reels and have a few diff revo's and you can tell a clear diff in the MGX, not saying its way better than the new chronarch , but i really think alot of people on this forum try to put shimano on to high a pedestal compared to other products 

Funny I own Daiwa 3:1 over everyone else.   The MGX is meant to complete with finesse models out there Core 50, T3, etc.  It is not as good as an 8 year old Daiwa Sol imho.  Chronarch is meant to be an all around reel.

[TiNuts]

Thanks for the responses guys, and the review Dr. Watson. I have considered a core, but that's getting out of my price range. Any other reels that I should be considering besides the mgx or shimano? I'm largely an abu guy, but I don't limit myself to them. I just buy what has worked for me.

[Dramer77]

Funny I own Daiwa 3:1 over everyone else.   The MGX is meant to complete with finesse models out there Core 50, T3, etc.  It is not as good as an 8 year old Daiwa Sol imho.  Chronarch is meant to be an all around reel.

lol ok

[kschultz76]

For the op, I received a Chronarch CI4+ for Christmas. It's cold here in NJ so I was able to spool it up and take it out for a test drive 2x. I'm amazed by the silky smooth feel and effortless casting I get with this reel so far. I've tested it with a weightless 5" Senkos up to 1/2 oz crank and 3/8oz jig plus trailer. Handles them all with ease. The distance I can throw even a weightless Senkos astounds me. I am able to dial in the spool tension and brakes so that I can throw that Senko with no backlash and never touch the spool, and still get great distance. Also the reel pitches just as well as it casts for me. And I love how it handles and palms, for me it's the perfect size and makes fishing it very comfortable. All of my testing has been with only 1 or 2 brakes engaged.

Now I'm not experienced with a ton of high end baitcasters. Most of my arsenal ad PQs from BPS. I also got a T3 1016 for Xmas, nice reel, but the CI4+ just blows it away to me. I'm glad I paid less for the Daiwa. I tested both reels out side by side on 3 rods - Dobyns champ 703, Dobyns champ extreme dx704, and MB Orochi XX Spinnerbait Special. In the past I've demoed a Quantam smoke and a Chronarch 201e7, and nothing else has compared to the CI4.

For clarity the instructions in the box instruct you to clean and lube the brake race and spool bearing once every 5 uses or once a month to avoid premature wear of the brake blocks. But it does come with spare blocks. Some folks have posted on here not following that and having no ill effects. I keep a bottle of oil in my tackle bag so a quick maintenance every few outings is not an inconvenience.

I have some gift cards and another CI4+ is going to be my next purchase. Better fishing gear is just addictive and way too much fun.

[Rudy1922]

Got limited use with mine since I got it kinda late in the season, but it's a great reel. Very solid, very smooth. Definitely flush the bearings after you get it, they come packed with grease. It casts light baits very well, even better than my Curado 50E. Another option if you want to save some cash would be to get a Chronarch 50E. The Ci4+ is awesome, though. Jury is out on the durability of the Ci4+ material, but I doubt it's going to be a problem.

I have no experience with the Abu GArcia, though.

I tried removing the bearing underneath the Cast Control Cap but it wouldn't come out. I've flushed the bearings on 4 Shimano Chronarchs without any problems but I can't do it on the CI4+. I cut a Q-tip in half and tried taking out the bearing but it won't move. 

[kschultz76]

Just wanted to post an update. I just read a post by Bantam1 on another forum. Bantam1 stated that the "every 5 uses" note in the maintenance card was a translation error not caught in time. He stated that the SVS doesn't need to be lubed any more frequently than the VBS system. Did mention however it is more prone to get noisy and if it does that's the time to give it a drop of oil. Hope this helps the maintenance concerns.

[JigMe]

Anyone own both CI4 vs 200E, and done some comparison? 200E got a Aluminun Frame, so I am assuming it is better built?

[*Hootie]

Have both, and would be hard pressed to choose. However, right now, I would lean toward the ci4 since it is my newest one. After just playing around with it, I am confident enough that I ordered another one. As a matter of fact, it will be here in a couple hours. "Out for delivery".

Hootie

[kschultz76]

Anyone own both CI4 vs 200E, and done some comparison? 200E got a Aluminun Frame, so I am assuming it is better built?

Everyone forms their own opinion, I've read 100 posts like this. Advanced carbon fiber materials are used in so many industries like aviation and racing applications they're fairly proven.

Personally I think you'd be making a poor assumption. I have 2 Shimano reels made with CI4+, 1 spinning and 1 baitcasting. I can't feel that they are any less rigid or durable then aluminum framed reels.

But this is one of those religious debates and trying to talk people out of their personal opinion is futile.

I'm ordering another Chronarch CI4+ shortly despite the new Curado being released. I love the reel that much after a few times on the water. I've used a 201e7 and the new CI4+ just is that much better in my hands. And it feels built to tighter tolerances and more solid in my hands then the 201e7 did.

I'd suggest you try to hold both side by side or order demos from TW to make your own determination.

[tomustang]

Anyone own both CI4 vs 200E, and done some comparison? 200E got a Aluminun Frame, so I am assuming it is better built?

As I said in another thread, there is no comparison between two different class reels. The CI4 is no slouch, it's smoother, casts better, feels nicer, even looks cooler, and it's priced accordingly.

[Tywithay]

Having had both an MGX and the CI4+, the CI4+ is a far better reel. The MGX felt a little sloppy to me, plus the braking system wasn't nearly as good as the Shimano. All of the Abu's I've had haven't felt as refined as a good Shimano/Daiwa, to me. I have yet to really find anything negative about it, other than the relatively short handle (84mm). That's more of a personal preference. The maintenance guide was a mistake. It wasn't the bearings, but the brake pipe. I used mine on probably 10-15 trips, for 5-6 hours at a time, and it never really needed oiled. I went ahead and oiled it, because I was tearing other reels down and decided to clean/relube them all. The oiling is done on an as-needed basis, just like any other reel. If you start to hear a little noise on the cast, add a couple drops of oil. We don't have much in the way of big bass in my parts, but I have used my CI4+ for wipers/stripers and it handled them like a champ. It's very smooth and feels extremely solid, even with a CI4+ frame. Even hooked a nice 9lb channel cat one morning and the reel dragged it in with no issue at all. I use mine mostly for weightless senkos, flukes, and 1/4oz jigheads with 3"-4" grubs. It can cast all those baits a mile. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the reel to anyone. If you have time to wait until the next sale, they're even better when you get them for 15-20% off.

[Tywithay]

I tried removing the bearing underneath the Cast Control Cap but it wouldn't come out. I've flushed the bearings on 4 Shimano Chronarchs without any problems but I can't do it on the CI4+. I cut a Q-tip in half and tried taking out the bearing but it won't move. 

If I remember right, I took off the non-handle sideplate, removed the spool, and used a qtip to push the bearing out of the cast control.

 

After flushing the bearings thoroughly (they were PACKED with grease) and relubing with a lighter oil, the reel casts like a dream. It was no slouch, even with the greased bearings; now it's a beast.

[Rudy1922]

If I remember right, I took off the non-handle sideplate, removed the spool, and used a qtip to push the bearing out of the cast control.

 

After flushing the bearings thoroughly (they were PACKED with grease) and relubing with a lighter oil, the reel casts like a dream. It was no slouch, even with the greased bearings; now it's a beast.

Thanks. I just got the bearing out. I had to use 2 q-tips at the same time, one to push and one to pull the bearing out.