Quantum... Why The Hate?

[Paul Peixoto]

I am not a fan of the acs braking system (it only has 4 adjustments in the smoke100)  with that being said, i use the smoke for my frog rod. the thing cast a mile long. Its a little more difficult to dial in for weightless senkos for my untrained thumb lol  but a good reel all around 

[S Hovanec]

I almost pulled the trigger on a Smoke 30 spinning reel yesterday, til I saw the CI-4 3000 on clearance next to it. I still need at least one more, so, maybe next time!

[Tim Kelly]

Nearly all my reels are Shimano or Daiwa now. Every now and then I see a new reel by Quantum, Okuma or ABU and sometimes give one a try. Every time it has been a disappointment! They're either too heavy for their price point (compared to the equivalent D or S) or have some problem with the drive train after very little use and start feeling rough. How many times do you have to get burned before you stop poking the fire?

 

If these companies want to be taken seriously they need to stop producing rubbish! I was at a tackle show the other day and a sponsored guy proudly showed me his new $300 baitcaster. Black with gold and silver spots, the spool spun for ages on a flick and it weighed less than a butterfly's wing, but there was about 1/4" backplay in the handle. If you got a $300 D or S you wouldn't have that! The price points they choose to compete at are wrong. If that Okuma had been a $100 reel it would have been acceptable and it's other features would have made up for the poorly engineered AR bearing, but not for 3x the price.

[smalljaw67]

Nearly all my reels are Shimano or Daiwa now. Every now and then I see a new reel by Quantum, Okuma or ABU and sometimes give one a try. Every time it has been a disappointment! They're either too heavy for their price point (compared to the equivalent D or S) or have some problem with the drive train after very little use and start feeling rough. How many times do you have to get burned before you stop poking the fire?

 

If these companies want to be taken seriously they need to stop producing rubbish! I was at a tackle show the other day and a sponsored guy proudly showed me his new $300 baitcaster. Black with gold and silver spots, the spool spun for ages on a flick and it weighed less than a butterfly's wing, but there was about 1/4" backplay in the handle. If you got a $300 D or S you wouldn't have that! The price points they choose to compete at are wrong. If that Okuma had been a $100 reel it would have been acceptable and it's other features would have made up for the poorly engineered AR bearing, but not for 3x the price.

 

Heavy??? This is what got me away from Daiwa reels, it seems Daiwa can't make a sub 8oz reel unless it is $400 and go ahead and look, they seem to have forgotten how to work with aluminum as all the other companies have passed Daiwa when it comes to aluminum models. I will be the first to admit, that in the high end line Daiwa is tough to beat, to me they are the most innovative but Shimano, Abu Garcia, Lews, Pflueger, and even Quantum can make good solid aluminum baitcasting reels that are under 8 ounces in weight. I remember the names of a few people hammering Ardent reels because of how "heavy" they were and they are so far behind making these reels and then the same people, who will also remain nameless, were singing the praises of the Tatula, the Tatula is a BRICK!!!! It is wide, clumsy and is HEAVY, and it some how gets a pass from brand loyalist. I have no dog in this fight, I own 3 Quantums, 2 Abu Garcias, 1 Lews, 2 Okumas, 3 Daiwas, 1 Pflueger, and 1 Mitchell, these are the casting reels I own and the only brand I don't have is Shimano because I was told to buy another a better reel by their customer service after I had 2 Symetre spinning reels break within 1 month of each other. I don't bash Shimano because I know they make some good reels but I will never buy anymore because of how I was treated because to me, $100 is a mid tier spinning reel and if your customer service thinks my problem is their "cheap" reel, then it is obvious they don't value me as a customer for not buying the Stella and to me, every customer needs to be treated with respect. That is my only bash and only in these cases do I bring it up but plese don't say you use Daiwa because other reels are heavy and don't compare a $400+ Steez to a $150 work horse from another brand, Daiwa is trying to gain share in the mid tier market and while doing a dencent job, they still have catching up to do because they seem to have forgot that market and it shows, like I said, 8oz reels are a thing of the past and Daiwa can't make a sub 8oz reel anymore unless it is over $300 and made of Zaion or Magnesium, the Tatula is a brick and the Lexa is $40 too high for what you actually get other than the name, sorry.

[Tim Kelly]

I was actually thinking of the spinning reels with reference to weight. You can get an excellent Daiwa 2500 aird reel for about £80 and it weighs something like 8.5oz. A similar sized ABU soron at much more money is over 10oz. My aird is still acceptably smooth, my soron lasted about a month before developing a tick in the drivechain. If you look at the spinning reels you'll find that until very recently most of the "other" manufacturers reels were 10oz + for a 2500 size, where even the cheapest Shimanos and Daiwas were under 10. Makes a difference with light spinning outfits.

 

Baitcasters, I don't mind if they've got a little more heft, but still an 8oz baitcaster is really not that heavy on a rod you will generally be fishing heavier techniques.

[jbsoonerfan]

Heavy??? This is what got me away from Daiwa reels, it seems Daiwa can't make a sub 8oz reel unless it is $400 and go ahead and look, they seem to have forgotten how to work with aluminum as all the other companies have passed Daiwa when it comes to aluminum models. I will be the first to admit, that in the high end line Daiwa is tough to beat, to me they are the most innovative but Shimano, Abu Garcia, Lews, Pflueger, and even Quantum can make good solid aluminum baitcasting reels that are under 8 ounces in weight. I remember the names of a few people hammering Ardent reels because of how "heavy" they were and they are so far behind making these reels and then the same people, who will also remain nameless, were singing the praises of the Tatula, the Tatula is a BRICK!!!! It is wide, clumsy and is HEAVY, and it some how gets a pass from brand loyalist. I have no dog in this fight, I own 3 Quantums, 2 Abu Garcias, 1 Lews, 2 Okumas, 3 Daiwas, 1 Pflueger, and 1 Mitchell, these are the casting reels I own and the only brand I don't have is Shimano because I was told to buy another a better reel by their customer service after I had 2 Symetre spinning reels break within 1 month of each other. I don't bash Shimano because I know they make some good reels but I will never buy anymore because of how I was treated because to me, $100 is a mid tier spinning reel and if your customer service thinks my problem is their "cheap" reel, then it is obvious they don't value me as a customer for not buying the Stella and to me, every customer needs to be treated with respect. That is my only bash and only in these cases do I bring it up but plese don't say you use Daiwa because other reels are heavy and don't compare a $400+ Steez to a $150 work horse from another brand, Daiwa is trying to gain share in the mid tier market and while doing a dencent job, they still have catching up to do because they seem to have forgot that market and it shows, like I said, 8oz reels are a thing of the past and Daiwa can't make a sub 8oz reel anymore unless it is over $300 and made of Zaion or Magnesium, the Tatula is a brick and the Lexa is $40 too high for what you actually get other than the name, sorry.

 

 

Just so you will be a little bit more educated the next time you decide to post misinformation. The Tatula weighs 7.9 oz and the Tatula Type R weighs 7.6. In my most recent brush with math, those are both under 8 oz. The Curado I (which is already being hailed as the GREATEST reel ever) also weighs 7.6 oz.

 

I own 4 tatulas and they don't feel any heavier than my Citicas or Curado G series reels. However, I am not one of those guys who can tell the difference in .3 oz or the equivalent of a few quarters.

 

So, I wouldn't consider 7.9 oz a BRICK, but what do I know, I actually use them instead of just picking one up in the store and have to worry about crying over the sheer weight of 7.9 oz almost crushing my hand.

[A-Jay]

On ‎4‎/‎5‎/‎2014 at 4:42 PM, Jsinkic said:

Today I was at a local fishing store and I was looking for a 5.3:1 reel for cranking. I was talking to a few sponsored guys that where there and

I told them what I was looking for so they gave me a few options like abu and Lew's. I ended up going with the lee's because it felt like a solid reel and I liked how it felt not to mention the price wasn't to bad (plus the sale they were having). Anyways I asked what about quantum and they said they didn't even carry them but didn't say why. They kinda laughed and it was like I was supposed to know why...? I have a few quantums and i love mine so does anyone know why some people don't like them.

 

 Interesting sentiment. There's a certain "sponsored" angler from Michigan who has been using Quantum Tackle for quite a while.  He seems to do OK with that laughable gear.  Additionally, he can't seem to find the time to hang out at the local shop, too busy winning Classics.  Those guys must know something he doesn't  . . . . . . . .

A-Jay

[Stingray23]

That's just because people who know they may want to customize down the road or color coordinate for fun or "something special" will almost always go with a JDM reel.  Go ahead, find me more custom handle options for a Quantum than a Shimano...  Not gonna happen.  

 

It's just another flavor in any case, there's no need to feel looked down on.  Some people just like that flash and the sexiness of custom options for stuff.  Can't blame them either, since they're not really spending a ton more on a JDM reel anyways in most cases.  I would never purchase a Quantum over a Shimano of similar price.  Just my .02.  

 

Hardly. Like I said,  I dont care what people use, I just dont like misinformation to be spread. And its always from the shimano and daiwa guys.

[roadwarrior]

What is the "misinformation" you are referring to?

Shimano and Diawa build great products which includes

superior design and engineering, components and craftmanship

and most notably, quality control.

[Master Bait'r]

Hardly. Like I said,  I dont care what people use, I just dont like misinformation to be spread. And its always from the shimano and daiwa guys.

 

 

Well for the record I think Quantums are inferior to Lew's and Pfleuger too...  and don't own either Daiwa or Shimano reels.      

[AK-Jax86]

There are "fanboys" out there all over that will either over hype or over hate brands.

I have 3 Abu Garcia Reels (Silvermax & Revo STX baitcasts, and Orra spinning) heard a bunch of fanboys knocking Abu. I have 2 Quantum Smoke spinning reels (25 & 30) head a bunch of fanboys knocking Quantum. And I have a Pflueger Patriarch spinning reel.

I ABSOLUTLY love my smoke reels hence why I have 2, got the 30 for a steal with a Abu Garcia Veritas rod (heard bad things from fanboys too about this rod lol I love it too).

I plan on getting the smoke baitcast reel when I master it more... I am starting with the Silvermax to get the hang of it right now and then the STX when the frog bite turns back on!

But like I said I am a huge fan of the Quantum reels especially the Smoke series.

[Raul]

Like I said I owned a Q, I also own several Abu reels from the 80´s and after the XLT & Cardinal series from that era Abu took a nose dive from the ugly tree, I got a Törno and it was probably, in the company of that Q the worse reel I´ve ever owned, hell, even a Silstar reel I had was better than those, until the Revos I wouldn´t have purchased an Abu low profile ever again. Daiwa did have some flaws too, that computerized reel ..........innovative and pieceofcrappy.

 

Every rose has it´s thorn.

[Stingray23]

Well for the record I think Quantums are inferior to Lew's and Pfleuger too...  and don't own either Daiwa or Shimano reels.      

 Well, for the record, I think its all in your head.

[Stingray23]

What is the "misinformation" you are referring to?

Shimano and Diawa build great products which includes

superior design and engineering, components and craftmanship

and most notably, quality control.

The misinformation is that their CS sucks, the build quality is inferior, they stop working right away, stuff like that.

[mjseverson24]

they apparently last long enough for a few very good pro's to win millions of dollars fishing them...

 

Mitch

[MCS]

The misinformation is that their CS sucks, the build quality is inferior, they stop working right away, stuff like that.

Bro it is ok, some people need to make themselves feel better for paying $400 so their reels can weigh less than a brick and they can pay another $100 in parts for the reel because they didnt like the parts it was engineered with lol. It helps them sleep better. Leaves more quantums for us. Bwahahaha

It is kinda, no exactly, like Ford/chevy/dodge versus Honda/toyota.

[roadwarrior]

Shimano is renown for both customer service and quality build.

Strong, smooth, silent and reliant. A reputation built over time with

a broad following of talented anglers. In popularity polls conducted

here over the past decade or so, it always arounf 60+% Shimano

versus the combined field.

[Master Bait'r]

The misinformation is that their CS sucks, the build quality is inferior, they stop working right away, stuff like that.

 

 

Oh mine worked...  They even included a turkey call into the gearing at no extra charge!  I mean, that right there is something Shimano can't mess with, that's for sure.  Yep, once fishing season is over, just bring that smoke reel out into the field and give it a few cranks, those toms will be strutting in no time hahaha

 

 

 

I kid, but seriously...  I bought a pretty expensive reel from Quantum and it came up WAY short of even my pretty low expectations.  It didn't even work as nice as my cheapo combo reels I had bought up until then.  Oh well.  I'm pretty sure I got a lemon but oh well, that's why they should step it up- Most people won't give them a second shot when there are so many awesome alternatives.  

 

 

Also, KVD could outfish all of us with a snoopy pole, dry rotted mono and a stiff gulp minnow.

[jbsoonerfan]

So why does KVD choose Quantum? Do they pay more than the others? I would think they couldn't since they produce junk that nobody wants.

[bflp3]

So why does KVD choose Quantum? Do they pay more than the others? I would think they couldn't since they produce junk that nobody wants.

Well, he's not doing it to be nice.

[mjseverson24]

^^^ no its because he believes in their product, and they are happy to pay him to fish it... 

 

Mitch

[Nice_Bass]

I think I own a couple of almost every major brand of reel some cheap some way too expensive.  I will say for one thing, the quantum's I did have actually did suck.   I kind of figured it was due to that years line/styling, bad batch, whatever you want to call it- but it was enough that now I buy and use everything but quantum.  I am sure if I bought another it would be just fine, but I don't think I will ever find out.  no real reason to.

[John G]

So why does KVD choose Quantum? Do they pay more than the others? I would think they couldn't since they produce junk that nobody wants.

 

 

I hope KVD isn't using the WalMart combo that carries his name!

 

I consider myself to be very proficient at using a baitcaster and trying to cast using that combo made me look like a rookie!

[smalljaw67]

Just so you will be a little bit more educated the next time you decide to post misinformation. The Tatula weighs 7.9 oz and the Tatula Type R weighs 7.6. In my most recent brush with math, those are both under 8 oz. The Curado I (which is already being hailed as the GREATEST reel ever) also weighs 7.6 oz.

 

I own 4 tatulas and they don't feel any heavier than my Citicas or Curado G series reels. However, I am not one of those guys who can tell the difference in .3 oz or the equivalent of a few quarters.

 

So, I wouldn't consider 7.9 oz a BRICK, but what do I know, I actually use them instead of just picking one up in the store and have to worry about crying over the sheer weight of 7.9 oz almost crushing my hand.

 

I will say this once, I'm not going to argue but almost every reel will be off 2 tenths of an ounce which makes no difference in my book. The Tatula is listed at 7.9, actual weight is over 8 and that was confirmed by Tackle Tour and as for telling the difference in weight of a few quarters, on a sub 4oz rod, you will notice 1/2oz really easy unless you don't want to. I own Daiwa reels, I have nothing against them, the point I'm making is there are those who mocked and ridiculed the Ardent elite or one of those as being an 8oz brick and the same person claimed that the Tatula was so aweome and I find it funny how one company makes an 8oz reel and it is a brick while another is perfectly fine. Not only the weight but also the width, if you can't tell that the Tatula in noticabley wider than a Citica or Curado then perhaps you are biased, I have no brand loyalty when it comes to fishing reels which is why I have all but Shimano and I was wanting a Tatula because I like reels in the $120 to $200 range but the $150 to $175 is the magic mark where you get performance and some refinement and when it came out I was really mad at Daiwa, another sub $300 dollar reel that is large and after using the Abu Garcia 2nd generation Revo Premier, the Lews Tournament pro, and the Quantum Smoke the Tatula feels like a brick, sorry. I have, and love my Team Daiwa Advantage but when they came out with the Steez they dropped the ball on work horse reels, the Aggrest was over priced junk, the Lexa isn't bad and at right around $100 isn't bad but others make better in that range and the Tatula may be a great reel, it probably is an excellent reel but too big and clumsy for me and while Daiwa is slowly learning how to do better in this price range they are still behind Abu Garcia and pure fishing in general. The whole deal is that we all have personal preference, but there are a lot of claims and bad reviews but on certain brands by brand loyalists, it is always going to happen.

[FD.]

I have two KVD quantums.  I bought them on sale a few years ago for $100 a piece.  I have 7 Revo SX's that cost around $140 each.  If I pick up one of the KVD's after fishing with a revo if feels like a cheap piece of plastic not solid at all. But that's not a fair comparison.

 

My buddy has a PT smoke that was $200 which fishes great.  If I fish with it and them pick up a Revo, the Revo feels like a brick. Again, not a fair comparison.

 

I would probably not buy one again, (just a personal preference) but they are good reels in their price point. I have had zero problems with mine.