Matthew2000 Posted December 8, 2014 Posted December 8, 2014 Same I am 14 years old and on a very tight budget. The only reason I use lews Is because IMO they are the best reel for under 130. I have used basically every brand out there and not found one I like better. If your against something from the start especially rods and reels your not going to change. Quote
PitchinJigz Posted December 8, 2014 Author Posted December 8, 2014 If you want free spool time just to gawk at it, get better bearings and turn of all your brakes. Aside from that, free spool time is not indicative of a reels casting performance. The point of this topic is whether high end Shimano is better than Lew's. I started it to get opinions from people with experience with both companies. I probably shouldn't have put in the part about my Team Lite, because it's irrelevant to the main idea of the thread. Quote
PitchinJigz Posted December 8, 2014 Author Posted December 8, 2014 Same I am 14 years old and on a very tight budget. The only reason I use lews Is because IMO they are the best reel for under 130. I have used basically every brand out there and not found one I like better. If your against something from the start especially rods and reels your not going to change. I have a Lew's RZ/ZR baitcast combo that goes for $80, and I love it. Their low value reels are great for the prices. Quote
PitchinJigz Posted December 8, 2014 Author Posted December 8, 2014 Also pitching jigs I think you really just started this to see the debate you really haven't said a thing positive about lews. You sound like the classic shims no not willing to give anything a try but instead just throw your negative views about it. I currently use all Lew's...how did I start the topic for a debate? Quote
Matthew2000 Posted December 8, 2014 Posted December 8, 2014 I agree they are much better than shimanos lower end in my experience Quote
PitchinJigz Posted December 8, 2014 Author Posted December 8, 2014 That's about the last thing in the world (freespool) to judge a reel by, the spool still has to be controlled. I wouldn't let that be a decision factor moving fwd on a new purchase, at all.. I really like that kinda stuff. Free spool time, upgrades...JDM type things I guess. Quote
PitchinJigz Posted December 8, 2014 Author Posted December 8, 2014 I agree they are much better than shimanos lower end in my experience I've tried a Caenan, don't like it that much. But that's besides the point. I believe a Lew's low end reel is better, but a Shimano high end is probably better... Quote
Matthew2000 Posted December 8, 2014 Posted December 8, 2014 I really like to mess with my tackle and not worry with my reels or rods Quote
Super User iabass8 Posted December 8, 2014 Super User Posted December 8, 2014 The point of this topic is whether high end Shimano is better than Lew's. I started it to get opinions from people with experience with both companies. I probably shouldn't have put in the part about my Team Lite, because it's irrelevant to the main idea of the thread. You aren't asking about higher end shimano reels. You're asking about Curados, Scorpions, and chronarch E's which are their mid level reels. I do have experience /w both and can't give an indicative answer because you aren't comparing apples to apples. I wouldn't consider the lew's lite a high end reel but it's within Lew's high end reels if that makes sense. Asking "if you should the switch to shimano" or "is shimano better than lews" is only going to cause a p_issing contest over brand loyalty. it's, for lack of a better word, an asinine question. you will get a few answers here and there but the only thing you can do is try out both. Neither reel is better than other at their respective price. i.e a tournament pro isn't a better reel than the chronarch or vise versa.. every answer to that is personal preference and nit picking small nuances. At a certain point, it's the user, not the reel. I just saw you said you like free spool time....then learn to clean a reel. It's a very basic thing to do and it should be done /w every single reel you buy. More times than not, a reel has too much grease in it and the bearings are over oiled. JFRANCO posted a video he did /w stock flushed bearings on a chronarch and it spun for a very long time. you can do this /w any reel...there's lots of upgrades you can do do reels. there's obviously more options for shimano and diawa. If you want JDM stuff, then buy JDM stuff...The "extra's' you upgrade from JDM are almost all for aesthetic purposes until you get to spool upgrades. Hawgtech does custom coloring on reel parts. contact the site sponsor if you want that done. Quote
PitchinJigz Posted December 8, 2014 Author Posted December 8, 2014 You aren't asking about higher end shimano reels. You're asking about Curados, Scorpions, and chronarch E's which are their mid level reels. I do have experience /w both and can't give an indicative answer because you aren't comparing apples to apples. I wouldn't consider the lew's lite a high end reel but it's within Lew's high end reels if that makes sense. Asking "if you should the switch to shimano" or "is shimano better than lews" is only going to cause a p_issing contest over brand loyalty. it's, for lack of a better word, an asinine question. you will get a few answers here and there but the only thing you can do is try out both. Neither reel is better than other at their respective price. i.e a tournament pro isn't a better reel than the chronarch or vise versa.. every answer to that is personal preference and nit picking small nuances. At a certain point, it's the user, not the reel. I just saw you said you like free spool time....then learn to clean a reel. It's a very basic thing to do and it should be done /w every single reel you buy. More times than not, a reel has too much grease in it and the bearings are over oiled. JFRANCO posted a video he did /w stock flushed bearings on a chronarch and it spun for a very long time. you can do this /w any reel...there's lots of upgrades you can do do reels. there's obviously more options for shimano and diawa. If you want JDM stuff, then buy JDM stuff...The "extra's' you upgrade from JDM are almost all for aesthetic purposes until you get to spool upgrades. Hawgtech does custom coloring on reel parts. contact the site sponsor if you want that done. Good points. I actually planned on getting a Shimano (Chronarch E, Curado E, Curado I, Scorpion) with a Hawgtech handle, tension knob, and drag star with bearing upgrades if I sold my Team Lite. I plan on doing a full cleaning of my Team Lite. I know Lew's puts a lot of grease in their reels. I'm going to fish some more with my Team Lite before I come to a conclusion whether to trade it off for a Shimano or not. Really the point of this topic was to see if anyone had used both $180-$250 Lew's and Shimano and to get their opinion, 1 Quote
fisherrw Posted December 8, 2014 Posted December 8, 2014 I love my Chronarch its an awesome reel... Quote
EvanT123 Posted December 8, 2014 Posted December 8, 2014 I'm a shimano guy that's just what I choose to spend my money on. I haven't used a new shimano baitcaster with micro module and/or Xship. I don't think though you will be totally blown away. I started bait casting with an abu orra s which I can still consider a good reel. I like the shimano because you can set and forget it and is very hard to backlash. They still break though so nothing is perfect. Buy one try it and if you like it great but I don't think it will be a complete game changer. Quote
PitchinJigz Posted December 8, 2014 Author Posted December 8, 2014 I'm a shimano guy that's just what I choose to spend my money on. I haven't used a new shimano baitcaster with micro module and/or Xship. I don't think though you will be totally blown away. I started bait casting with an abu orra s which I can still consider a good reel. I like the shimano because you can set and forget it and is very hard to backlash. They still break though so nothing is perfect. Buy one try it and if you like it great but I don't think it will be a complete game changer. Makes sense. I'll keep all that in mind. I am really liking the new looks of the Shimanos in the Curado I, Chronarch Ci4+, Core, and the new Scorpions. The XShip seems a bit overrated if you ask me. Quote
bootytrain Posted December 8, 2014 Posted December 8, 2014 Makes sense. I'll keep all that in mind. I am really liking the new looks of the Shimanos in the Curado I, Chronarch Ci4+, Core, and the new Scorpions. The XShip seems a bit overrated if you ask me. Xship is legit and it does exactly what Shimano says it does. More power and smoothness under load. Quote
PitchinJigz Posted December 8, 2014 Author Posted December 8, 2014 Xship is legit and it does exactly what Shimano says it does. More power and smoothness under load.That's actually great to know for future reference. Thanks! Quote
baluga Posted December 8, 2014 Posted December 8, 2014 If you have $250 to burn, I would recommend to check the fleabay for a used Conquest 50. It will definitely turn you in to a Shimano fan. You don't even need to upgrade any of it's component to make it look good, it's just perfect. But I have to warn you though, it multiplies like gremlins once you tried one. Quote
PitchinJigz Posted December 8, 2014 Author Posted December 8, 2014 If you have $250 to burn, I would recommend to check the fleabay for a used Conquest 50. It will definitely turn you in to a Shimano fan. You don't even need to upgrade any of it's component to make it look good, it's just perfect. But I have to warn you though, it multiplies like gremlins once you tried one. I've never really gotten the round reel thing. It doesn't fit in your hand well and isn't as light as lo pro reels. If I was gonna get a 50 size Shimano, it'd probably be a Chronarch. Quote
Super User Tywithay Posted December 8, 2014 Super User Posted December 8, 2014 I've never really gotten the round reel thing. It doesn't fit in your hand well and isn't as light as lo pro reels. If I was gonna get a 50 size Shimano, it'd probably be a Chronarch. Have you held a 50 sized Conquest? It sits lower on the rod than almost any low profile reel currently on the market and only weighs 7.3oz, which is lighter than a good portion of the reels out there (nearly the same as the Chronarch 50e). I don't think you'd understand just how small they are unless you see one in person. Not saying you should get one necessarily, just don't let the round reel thing fool you. 1 Quote
PitchinJigz Posted December 8, 2014 Author Posted December 8, 2014 Have you held a 50 sized Conquest? It sits lower on the rod than almost any low profile reel currently on the market and only weighs 7.3oz, which is lighter than a good portion of the reels out there (nearly the same as the Chronarch 50e). I don't think you'd understand just how small they are unless you see one in person. Not saying you should get one necessarily, just don't let the round reel thing fool you.I've never held one. I may have to do that. Quote
baluga Posted December 8, 2014 Posted December 8, 2014 I've never really gotten the round reel thing. It doesn't fit in your hand well and isn't as light as lo pro reels. If I was gonna get a 50 size Shimano, it'd probably be a Chronarch. Among the small curado 50e, CH50, Daiwa ITO 103h, Calcutta 50XT Conquest 50, the Conquest 50 and 50XT are my favorites. They are the most comfortable ones when palming. Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted December 8, 2014 Super User Posted December 8, 2014 Among the small curado 50e, CH50, Daiwa ITO 103h, Calcutta 50XT Conquest 50, the Conquest 50 and 50XT are my favorites. They are the most comfortable ones when palming. Even compared to 50 size lo pros? Quote
Super User J Francho Posted December 8, 2014 Super User Posted December 8, 2014 Even compared to 50 size lo pros? Says everyone that never used a 50 series round reel. They actually palm a little smaller, due to the shape. They are shorter, longitudinally than a low pro. Quote
thehooligan Posted December 8, 2014 Posted December 8, 2014 Even compared to 50 size lo pros? Took a quick pic for the people that have never had the oppurtunity to handle a Conquest 50/51. Conquest 51s & Core 51 Best looking and smoothest reel in the business 1 Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted December 8, 2014 Super User Posted December 8, 2014 Says everyone that never used a 50 series round reel. They actually palm a little smaller, due to the shape. They are shorter, longitudinally than a low pro. Took a quick pic for the people that have never had the oppurtunity to handle a Conquest 50/51. Conquest 51s & Core 51 Best looking and smoothest reel in the business Haha. Thanks guys! Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted December 8, 2014 Super User Posted December 8, 2014 Those look a lot like the original Shimano knobs in my Bantum reels... Are they Hawgtech? Quote
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