Stradic Ci4+ Or Sustain

[Dypsis]

So I recently bought a Loomis 852S and am debating what to pair it with. Currently looking at the Stradic CI4+ pretty hard.  I also am considering the Sustain both in the 2500.  Is there any reason to spend the extra ~$100.  This rig will be for shakey heads, drop shot, weightless flukes & tubes as well as hair jigs. 

 

Also, any 'reviews' from people that own the Stradic are appreciated.  I searched around the forum and most people that own one seem pretty happy with it.

 

P.S - I saw that an almost brand new Stradic is in the flea market - just don't have the funds right now. 

 

Matt

[jignfule]

I have the NRX 852s and the GLX 852s. The Stradic 2500fh, stradic 2500ci4, stradic 2500ci4+, sustain2500fe.

Personally I like the  Ci4's pair with the NRX. Makes a nice, light combo. The sustain seems to pair well with the GLX. The Sustain is the smoothest, but that Stradic fh is not that far behind and it would be hard for me to justify the price difference if I was on a budget. The two Ci4's are noticably lacking in smoothness compare to the Sustain and fh. For me the weight factor is more important when fishing the NRX. All four are excellent reels and so far have held up very well with just routine maintence as all Shimano reels seem to do.

[IAY]

I have the NRX 852s and the GLX 852s. The Stradic 2500fh, stradic 2500ci4, stradic 2500ci4+, sustain2500fe.

Personally I like the  Ci4's pair with the NRX. Makes a nice, light combo. The sustain seems to pair well with the GLX. The Sustain is the smoothest, but that Stradic fh is not that far behind and it would be hard for me to justify the price difference if I was on a budget. The two Ci4's are noticably lacking in smoothness compare to the Sustain and fh. For me the weight factor is more important when fishing the NRX. All four are excellent reels and so far have held up very well with just routine maintence as all Shimano reels seem to do.

 

Do you have Ci4s or Ci4+? Ci4s don't have the x ship system that Ci4+ and the FH has which accounts for the lack in smoothness.

[kickerfish1]

The difference in price isn't worth it. Stick with the 2500 CI4+. Unless you feel the need for it I just don't feel that the Shimano reels above the Stradics are worth the difference unless you personally feel like you want them, need, them, or think they would pair better visually with the rod you put them on.

[Dypsis]

Thanks for the replies. While I would prefer it was silver and black as opposed to red and black I'm not $100 worried about it. I am definitely leaning towards the Stradic at the moment. They both hold the same amount of line as well.

I was thinking of putting braid (20lb?) backing with a fluorocarbon leader mostly 8lb.

[jignfule]

Do you have Ci4s or Ci4+? Ci4s don't have the x ship system that Ci4+ and the FH has which accounts for the lack in smoothness.

I have both, the Ci4+ is smoothier than the Ci4 but the difference is slight in my hands.

[S Hovanec]

I was all set to get a new Sustain last summer, til I played with one at a Field and Stream store. I was quite underwhelmed. It was nowhere near as smooth as the other 2 older Sustains I have. Ended up getting a clearance CI4 3000 instead, saving much $$$.

[Tywithay]

I love the Sustain, but it's not worth it over the CI4+. Only differences are aluminum vs. CI4+ and a bearing under the spool.

[fisherrw]

Someone is selling a Stradic ci4 on the flea market right now for 170

[thehooligan]

The difference in price isn't worth it. Stick with the 2500 CI4+. Unless you feel the need for it I just don't feel that the Shimano reels above the Stradics are worth the difference unless you personally feel like you want them, need, them, or think they would pair better visually with the rod you put them on.

 

This

 

Unless your going higher end jdm shimano or stella, ci4+ is your best bet.

[John G]

Thanks for the replies. While I would prefer it was silver and black as opposed to red and black I'm not $100 worried about it. I am definitely leaning towards the Stradic at the moment. They both hold the same amount of line as well.

I was thinking of putting braid (20lb?) backing with a fluorocarbon leader mostly 8lb.

If you like silver and black, you should check out the Shimano Rareneium CI4+ 2500. I believe it is the JDM version of the Stradic and it can be had for just over $200.00 at Japan Lure Shop or Digitaka. The pic below is my 1000.

 

[Dypsis]

If you like silver and black, you should check out the Shimano Rareneium CI4+ 2500. I believe it is the JDM version of the Stradic and it can be had for just over $200.00 at Japan Lure Shop or Digitaka. The pic below is my 1000.

 

 

Wow, I really like the look of that one.  I am reading conflicting reports on weight and spool capacity.  Some sites, Ebay and others as compared to the Shimano's site.  What is the weight and capacity of the 1000 you have?

 

http://fish.shimano.com.sg/publish/content/global_fish/en/sg/index/products/reels/spinning_reels/light_tackle_reel/Rarenium_ci4.html

 

How do you like the reel?  It looks almost identical to the US model - any differences you can speak of?  The gear ratio is 5:1 as opposed to 6:1.  

[John G]

Wow, I really like the look of that one.  I am reading conflicting reports on weight and spool capacity.  Some sites, Ebay and others as compared to the Shimano's site.  What is the weight and capacity of the 1000 you have?

 

http://fish.shimano.com.sg/publish/content/global_fish/en/sg/index/products/reels/spinning_reels/light_tackle_reel/Rarenium_ci4.html

 

How do you like the reel?  It looks almost identical to the US model - any differences you can speak of?  The gear ratio is 5:1 as opposed to 6:1.  

I like it but I never use it. I will start using it this coming summer. They make a 2500 and 2500S. The S is the shallow spool model. My 1000S has a shallow spool. I don't know the exact amount of line but I know there is not much on there even with 10# braid. The 2500 has a knob like the one on my 1000. Just so you know, if you do go the JDM route, there will be no warranty coverage for your reel should you need it. I personally don't worry about things like that as I know it comes with the territory. Check out Shimano Japan's Rareneium page.

 

http://fishing.shimano.co.jp/product/reel/2816

[Dypsis]

I like it but I never use it. I will start using it this coming summer. They make a 2500 and 2500S. The S is the shallow spool model. My 1000S has a shallow spool. I don't know the exact amount of line but I know there is not much on there even with 10# braid. The 2500 has a knob like the one on my 1000. Just so you know, if you do go the JDM route, there will be no warranty coverage for your reel should you need it. I personally don't worry about things like that as I know it comes with the territory. Check out Shimano Japan's Rareneium page.

 

http://fishing.shimano.co.jp/product/reel/2816

 

Man John, you really got me thinking about the Rareneium now.  I don't own any JDM reels but people (some) seem to like them better than their US counterpart.  That it is more refined or better tuned.  I think I would go with the shallow spool for sure.  Thanks for the heads up about the warranty - still not sure how I feel about that.  

[Dypsis]

For me the weight factor is more important when fishing the NRX. All four are excellent reels and so far have held up very well with just routine maintence as all Shimano reels seem to do.

 

It will be going on a NRX so yes weight is also an important factor, the Sustain is 1.5oz heavier.  Good point!

[Tywithay]

Man John, you really got me thinking about the Rareneium now.  I don't own any JDM reels but people (some) seem to like them better than their US counterpart.  That it is more refined or better tuned.  I think I would go with the shallow spool for sure.  Thanks for the heads up about the warranty - still not sure how I feel about that.  

There's a lot of guys out there that can work on reels, instead of using the warranty. Most of the JDM reels share internal parts with a US counterpart. You might not be able to send it to Shimano, but I wouldn't worry about warranty too much.

[John G]

Man John, you really got me thinking about the Rareneium now. I don't own any JDM reels but people (some) seem to like them better than their US counterpart. That it is more refined or better tuned. I think I would go with the shallow spool for sure. Thanks for the heads up about the warranty - still not sure how I feel about that.

You can count me as one of the guys that prefer buying JDM reels. In some cases they are nicer and in some cases they are not. An example of where the USDM reel is nicer than than it's JDM counterpart is the Curado 200E vs the Scorpion XT1500. The Curado 200E has an aluminum drag star and the Scorpion's is made of graphite/plastic. I told you about the non warranty because it is something to consider. I don't consider it when buying a JDM Shimano because their reels are very reliable and if they do need a repair, it should not be much anyway.

[S Hovanec]

 

http://fishing.shimano.co.jp/product/reel/2816

 

Thanks for the link.  The 2000HGS has my name all over it!  Been wanting another CI4, but not with the red.

[no39]

Stradic CI4+.

 

I have the sustain 2500fg and the girlfriend has the stradic 2500 ci4+ and on my scales the stradic comes in at 7.2 oz and sustain (with kickstand) at 9.9 oz.  

 

They both have the nicer handle big round eva foam handle and water proof drag.  

I bought the stradic new from ebay for 175. shipped.  

[Acwood04]

Stradic CI4+ all the way. By the way it does have x ship. I have a Stradic ci4+ 2500FA and it says x ship and line propulsion system on it. That reel makes your rod feel like a feather.

[tracker01]

CI4+ all the way. It's the weight thing for me.

[SirSnookalot]

Until yesterday I never used a CI4+, unimpressed with this 4000 reel.  The reel is within a few months old, it was not as smooth as I had expected with a slight geary feel.  A choice between that and a sustain, I'd pick the sustain, better yet I'd pick a stadic fj.

I had 3 reels with me yesterday, one of my old stradic fi's, an old spheros and a cabo, none have x-ship and each was smoother.  Preferred all of them over the CI4+, nothing about this reel that excited me.  If I were a Shimano buyer an FJ be my only choice, it's a darn nice reel.

[adam32]

Until yesterday I never used a CI4+, unimpressed with this 4000 reel. The reel is within a few months old, it was not as smooth as I had expected with a slight geary feel. A choice between that and a sustain, I'd pick the sustain, better yet I'd pick a stadic fj.

I had 3 reels with me yesterday, one of my old stradic fi's, an old spheros and a cabo, none have x-ship and each was smoother. Preferred all of them over the CI4+, nothing about this reel that excited me. If I were a Shimano buyer an FJ be my only choice, it's a darn nice reel.

I agree. The sustain is not worth the extra money. Take the handle,spool,and rotor off and it's identical to the stradic fj. Only difference is the worm gear is made from a lighter material on the sustain. I've had all three of these reels and none of them are really that smooth.

[Tywithay]

I agree. The sustain is not worth the extra money. Take the handle,spool,and rotor off and it's identical to the stradic fj. Only difference is the worm gear is made from a lighter material on the sustain. I've had all three of these reels and none of them are really that smooth.

The Sustain also has an aluminum body, while the FJ has a graphite body over an aluminum frame.

[adam32]

The Sustain also has an aluminum body, while the FJ has a graphite body over an aluminum frame.

Nope. They both have an aluminum frame/sideplate with a graphite body.