Curado I Or Chronarch E?

[iceintheveins]

Which one? Looking to possibly upgrade a deep cranking reel.

[Tywithay]

For resistance lures, the xship on the Curado is a welcome addition. The new braking system is also a big improvement.

[CJV]

Curado I gets my vote.

[robster80]

curado i

[Basswhippa]

A different way of looking at it is if  you want to keep it for the very long run, you have to realize the E could be discontinued at any time.  If so, you should have close to a decade of getting parts.  After that, it will become obsolete.   So the I might be better over the long run, should you be into keeping reels for a long time.   These reels last so long as there are parts available in case of some sort of wear.

[TNBassin']

I own 3 Chronarch E reels and 3 Curado Is. Based on a day on the water, I think that the Curado I offers the performance of the E series reels, though I'm in the minority that feels the Chronarchs braking system is better. I simply need 2 brake blocks set to the ON position with no fine adjustment needed. The VBS system simply works. I also don't think the X Ship makes really anything "feel" better or different either in comparison to the Chronarch. Both reels feel very very similar to me.

[Tywithay]

I own 3 Chronarch E reels and 3 Curado Is. Based on a day on the water, I think that the Curado I offers the performance of the E series reels, though I'm in the minority that feels the Chronarchs braking system is better. I simply need 2 brake blocks set to the ON position with no fine adjustment needed. The VBS system simply works. I also don't think the X Ship makes really anything "feel" better or different either in comparison to the Chronarch. Both reels feel very very similar to me.

The fine tuning is what I like about the new system. You can set it up to where you're using the bare minimum of braking necessary and really dial it in. The old system you might get too much braking with two on, but not enough with one. It had less versatility. With the Curado I and CI4+, I set one brake on and just use the dial to fine tune it based on weight and resistance. The xship doesn't change the feel until you have the reel under load.

[TNBassin']

I've had the reel under load with a 6XD and a fish on. Didn't feel any different than any other reel I've used. A Chronarch set up with the right weights, as there are red and green, and once gain IMO and experience with both reels, I don't NEED the fine tuning aspect of the Curado. It's nice to have I guess, but I definitely could've fished fine without it. Once again, my opinion.

[Zimobass]

I would go with the Curado I as it is just about the best reel for money Shimano has ever made. The Chronarch D was a great reel, but the E fell a bit short IMHO.

 

As a long time user of high end Shimano reels, I am overwhelmed by the new Curado. Add a couple of bearings to each handle, throw in some ABEC 5's for the spool, and it's close to the Metanium 13 !!!!!!!!!!!

[fishballer06]

Both are great reels, but I'd say go with the Curado I. It's got all the new bells and whistles. Plus I'm going to bet Shimano disontinues the Chronarch E, seeing as the Curado I is $20 cheaper, and then the Chronarch Ci4 is $70 more. Just doesn't make sense for them to keep it around much longer. 

[F14A-B]

I believe either reel will be great for you, however, I see no reason to not jump on the Curado I it's a very good reel and priced more than fairly!

[Darren.]

When I pulled the trigger on my second Chronarch 50e, I strongly considered the Curado i...

 

I love the size and palmability of the 50e, and the I is not really far off whatsoever. I use my 50e's mostly for plastics, and I throw a lot of light, weightless stuff with them, too. Now the I is supposed to be able to throw similar weights. I guess in the long run I was familiar with the 50e and wanted the same thing for another rod.

 

Probably doesn't help you much, LOL.

[Fishes in trees]

As I recall , they both cost around the same.  The best reason to go Chronarch would be if you want the 50 size.  The Curado I doesn't come in that size - yet - that we know of.

[tomustang]

I own 3 Chronarch E reels and 3 Curado Is. Based on a day on the water, I think that the Curado I offers the performance of the E series reels, though I'm in the minority that feels the Chronarchs braking system is better. I simply need 2 brake blocks set to the ON position with no fine adjustment needed. The VBS system simply works. I also don't think the X Ship makes really anything "feel" better or different either in comparison to the Chronarch. Both reels feel very very similar to me.

I completely agree with the braking systems, less is more and having too much adjustments makes the new system a little bit more finicky though it's still a good system.

Two brakes was really a set and forget setup.

[Darren.]

As I recall , they both cost around the same.  The best reason to go Chronarch would be if you want the 50 size.  The Curado I doesn't come in that size - yet - that we know of.

 

I thought it was here on BR - or maybe it was on TT - that Bantam1 said there is no Curado I 50 size in the plans. Don't have time to hunt for that right now...maybe someone else can confirm?

[dam0007]

If youre looking for lefty Chronarch 201E5 is the way to go. Youre SOL on the Curado for the 5:1 in lefty. However i dont own the Curado, do own the Chronarch and use it alot Im sure you'll be ahppy either way if youre a righty.

[F14A-B]

I haven't been real up to the moment on shimano after a year of being in the loop on the curado I , but months ago it was said by bantam 1 , something to the effect of, no plans for a 50 size curado I , or a citica. That's been awhile though... Nothing wrong with a chronarch 50 though... Except I really like my aluminum drag stars!

There's some other guys Iam sure are still gathering Intelligence on Shimanos minute by minute, mis- information game!! I have a really good source.... He won't say a word, just giggles, that's all.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

Curado I casts equal to or better than the E depending on the lure, but you really have to flush the bearings if you want the reel to perform to the max. My curado I was stuffed with grease in the spool bearings and didn't cast as far as an E until I flushed the bearings.

[TNBassin']

If youre looking for lefty Chronarch 201E5 is the way to go. Youre SOL on the Curado for the 5:1 in lefty. However i dont own the Curado, do own the Chronarch and use it alot Im sure you'll be ahppy either way if youre a righty.

I actually took back one of my Curado Is today, as I had 3 6:3:1 lefty Curados. I'm gonna stick with my Chronarch 201E5 and hope and pray that the Curado gets a lefty cranker. What was funny, is that when I returned that Curado at BPS there was a guy behind that kept asking if anything was wrong with it and I heard him tell the clerk he wanted to buy it after the return process was completed. He has been searching for one for about a month and referenced that BPS online had them on back order. So at least I made someone's day today haha.

[F14A-B]

When I pulled the trigger on my second Chronarch 50e, I strongly considered the Curado i...

I love the size and palmability of the 50e, and the I is not really far off whatsoever. I use my 50e's mostly for plastics, and I throw a lot of light, weightless stuff with them, too. Now the I is supposed to be able to throw similar weights. I guess in the long run I was familiar with the 50e and wanted the same thing for another rod.

Probably doesn't help you much, LOL.

I just mounted one of my Curado I on a 7'1" *** ***, and Wow, it's got a awesome palm ability to it... I have a chronarch 50 married to it, but now I am like unsure, the I has defiantly more power... I really didn't think of it on that rod.

Now I might pony up for a *** w/ recoils!

Or maybe a AvidX.. Lol... Here we go again!

[bass1980]

IMO....just between the ones mentioned.

1. Chronarch E 50

2. Curado I 200

3. Chronarch E 200

 

I flushed all three of my reels and added a drop of light oil. Oh man the 50 is a beast! IMO it is the most versatile reel of them if you don't need to cast super far with thick lines.