Quantum Baitcaster's Tolerances.

[papajoe222]

I just spent the morning cleaning my son-in-laws reels. He's a Quantum fan as KVD had a big influence on him when he first started getting serious about fishing.  I couldn't believe the the amount of space between the spool and the side plates.  I know there is material on the sideplates that cover up the space, but for being touted as 'quality' reels those three I worked on fell far short as far as I'm concerned. I just don't see them holding up well to heavy use. He has a Smoke that I'll be doing a bearing upgrade on and for his sake I hope I'm not disappointed with the insides when I open it up.

For those of you that have any of the KVD models, how have they been holding up?  He's looking at a 5.1 for cranking and I don't want to tell him it would be a waste of money, but from what I've seen, I sure wouldn't recommend Quantum to anyone that works their gear hard.

 

[Bigchunk]

I have some of the older energys, energy 3 i beleive. The green ones amd they still work fine for me been abused, salted up, let friends use them , still work fine maybe a lil heavy. I never fot involved with kvd stuff though

[smalljaw67]

There are 3 different KVD series, there is the KVD signature series that comes from BPS, they are junk, $99 disposable reels and that is surprising because the original silver kinetic was $20 more and a much better reel. Then there is the Team KVD, these are a little better, they replaced the Kinetic line and then you have the flagship, the Tour KVD, those have good tolerances and aren't sloppy at all. I know this stuff because there is a Quantum nut in our club and when he complains about Quantum you know there is a problem and he calls the other KVD reel "imposters" as they aren't the same level, believe me, any time someone said something negative about Quantum, he was Johnny on the spot to tell you that you were using the wrong product. In this aspect they remind me of Lews with all the different speed spools to the point it gets confusing and Quantum does that with the KVD series.

[A-Jay]

I have & fish a full arsenal of Quantum reels and have been for several years. This does include several of the KVD Tour Edition casting reels. I'm not concerned with what's the best or who fishes with which brand.  I like them and they work well for me. As far as the tolerances & if they hold up, I take care & maintain my tackle and there have been zero issues for me. The man's who's name is on the gear reportedly fishes them fairly hard.

 

Finally, as for the effectiveness of the reels, All the fish I am pictured with below were hook, fought and landed with a Quantum KVD Tour Edition reel. Seemed to hold up OK for me.

 

A-Jay

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/gallery/album/369-a-week-on-lake-erie/

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/gallery/album/682-lake-baccarac-march-2013/

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/gallery/album/530-lake-erie-october-2012/

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/gallery/album/1014-magic-in-mexico/

[kikstand454]

I have the small kvd reel from around '08. Its the one in my avatar. It has caught many fish and is currently my light line reel. .... meaning 10#yz for shakyheads and senkos and stuff like that. It is small and light and throws small light baits with ease.

I take it with me every trip and it sees alot of action as a shakey head reel. It has never one time giving me a single issue, and even still LOOKS great after 7years or so.

I cannot comment on current specific models. .. but I can say that I have several quantum reels of different eras, and every one has been just as solid as any other reel I own from any manufacturer.

[Kevin22]

You can't kill a quantum. They are built like tanks. I have had many and have never had one fail, including a couple KVD models. I beat the daylight out of them and they still work like they did off the shelf. 

[Cameron211]

X2 kevin22 I love quantum

[BassmanDan]

I bought the tour KVD 150 cranking reel and rod this month. I've really only owned a couple Quantums over the years, the Accurist and tour PT burner (back when 7/1:1 was as fast as you could get). I still have them both but they are very heavy compared to today's reels and I am a Shimano guy now anyway. My main reason was I wanted a 5 gear ratio cranking reel and to try the fiberglass/graphite rod....besides if it's good enough for Kevin who am I to disagree? I haven't had them out yet but the combo feels good in my hands.

 

Time will tell.

[J Francho]

I'm not sure how space between the spool and the frame says anything about the tolerances. Are you saying this space is variable from reel to reel? If not, then that is just how it was designed.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

JFranco.. sure it has a lot to with tolerances thats a accident waiting to happen let that 10lb line get around it just once.i had a reel like that yrs ago

[J Francho]

Sounds more like user error - and a rare one at that, since it only happened once in years. Maybe I don't know what you guys are talking about.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Some baitcasters have very close tolerences between the spool edge and the frame on the inside and some dont .

[J Francho]

I don't think tolerance is the right term.

[WdyCrankbait]

I just picked up some Quantum reels.  Yes, A-Jay, you know which ones, but for the rest of you, I came across a screaming deal on two EXOs I could not pass up and the EXO has the same thing.  But, I think it is intentional and the reason I say that is because, I think that is done to allow the spool to rest of the bearings more, possibly reducing friction if the spool makes contact with the sideplate.  (My personal $0.02)  That would be my guess, also, to be honest, I like it.  I have Curado E's, great reels but sometimes the line will be caught between the sideplate and spool when I am trying to lube it up and just a pain to pull the line through (say the line ends up finding its way through the sideplate).  Yes, I am taking a shortcut there vs. taping the spool and pulling it out, but the EXO allows me to take the shortcut. 

 

If the reel works and has not failed him, I say let it roll.  

[papajoe222]

I'm sure it's a deliberate design, not just sloppy engineering. As I said, the side plate 'fills the gap', also likely by design. It just seems to me that this is just a cheap way of doing that.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I don't think tolerance is the right term.

Right. In engineering, "tolerance" is the degree or range to which a specific dimension can vary and still be acceptable for the application. http://www.cobanengineering.com/Tolerances/TolerancesDefinitions.asp  

 

What we're talking about here is really a design characteristic. 

[Ima Bass Ninja]

Right. In engineering, "tolerance" is the degree or range to which a specific dimension can vary and still be acceptable for the application. http://www.cobanengineering.com/Tolerances/TolerancesDefinitions.asp  

 

What we're talking about here is really a design characteristic.

i agree. I deal with specs and tolerances all day. I imagine all quantum reels charteristics fall within the tolerances of the designed specs or else they wouldn't make to the shelves.

Ahh the world of quality control.it can be a feisty and complicated one!.

[gulfcaptain]

Quantum fans are Quantum fans.  Those of us who fish them love them, those that don't bad mouth them and tell us to buy other brands.  I fish many of the PT reels (Accurist, Kinetic, Smoke 150's, EXO, TourMG) all of which I still fish even though I've moved to the 13 Concepts, none of the Quantum's have EVER have given me an issue with line getting caught between the spool and the frame and that says a lot since all are filled with 20-40lb braid.  Cheaper reels will eat line, (sub $40) including Quantum reels that you buy on that combo for $50 when you don't know any better.  But quality reels the only way you are going to get line between the spool and the frame is if you have your spool tension knob loose causing spool slop which will let line get between.  This would not be the fault of the reel, but the fault of the USER.  

[papajoe222]

Glad to hear from the Quantum supporters, especially prior to opening my opinionated mouth. Guess why he asks for my opinion? He says I'm open minded. I do recall having a PT with the flipping switch that was a good piece of equipment, no issues for the two seasons I had it.

[War Eagle 44]

I have a fishing buddy that loves his Quantum's and it's basically all he'll buy. Never hear him complaining about them nor have I witnessed him have any issues. He's fished them for 3 or 4 years at least, still going strong. I'm a Shimano guy but I wouldn't be at all afraid to pick up a Quantum, especially the Tour MG.

[SenkoGuru]

On one of the threads a few days ago I read where some one had posted that the Quantum Smoke 150 was on sale for $112 so I decided to buy one even though I do not like Quantum reels, I had heard that the Smoke 150 was very good for Quantum. On my way to the lake today I decided to stop by the post office and check for the reel and to my surprise it was there. When I got to the lake I spooled the reel with 14# Fluorocarbon, mounted it to one of my Megabass rods and lauched the boat, excited to try out the new reel. What I found was a massive disappointment and that I wasted a $112 that could have went toward another Tatula. The reel is simply BAD, one cast is perfect and the next is a massive over run, no two cast are the same and the reel will SCREAM every time you cast it.  The reel was just more of the same with Quantum and they said this was one of their best reels. If it really is, IMO, Quantum needs to go back to the drawing board.

[gulfcaptain]

On one of the threads a few days ago I read where some one had posted that the Quantum Smoke 150 was on sale for $112 so I decided to buy one even though I do not like Quantum reels, I had heard that the Smoke 150 was very good for Quantum. On my way to the lake today I decided to stop by the post office and check for the reel and to my surprise it was there. When I got to the lake I spooled the reel with 14# Fluorocarbon, mounted it to one of my Megabass rods and lauched the boat, excited to try out the new reel. What I found was a massive disappointment and that I wasted a $112 that could have went toward another Tatula. The reel is simply BAD, one cast is perfect and the next is a massive over run, no two cast are the same and the reel will SCREAM every time you cast it.  The reel was just more of the same with Quantum and they said this was one of their best reels. If it really is, IMO, Quantum needs to go back to the drawing board.

Ever think it might have been the new 14lb FC?  Have 4 or the 150's, no issues.  Only issue I have had this year was I didn't put any line conditioner on one of my reels after spooling it up.  Well it wasn't good.  Put it back in the car went home, treated the line.  Next day no issues.  Sometimes it's not the reel, but us being overly excited to try it out that make the mistakes.  I know I have been guilty of this, but can't blame the reel, just myself.

[SenkoGuru]

Ever think it might have been the new 14lb FC?  Have 4 or the 150's, no issues.  Only issue I have had this year was I didn't put any line conditioner on one of my reels after spooling it up.  Well it wasn't good.  Put it back in the car went home, treated the line.  Next day no issues.  Sometimes it's not the reel, but us being overly excited to try it out that make the mistakes.  I know I have been guilty of this, but can't blame the reel, just myself.

 

 Good post, I was excited to use the reel but was quickly disappointed. I'll condition the line and clean the reel and bearings and give it another shot. It is a smooth reel but the casting is very bad. Do you have any Idea's on why the reel screams every time it is cast? It is like the brake's are rubbing or something every cast from the first cast on, it will make a loud squeal.

[gulfcaptain]

 Good post, I was excited to use the reel but was quickly disappointed. I'll condition the line and clean the reel and bearings and give it another shot. It is a smooth reel but the casting is very bad. Do you have any Idea's on why the reel screams every time it is cast? It is like the brake's are rubbing or something every cast from the first cast on, it will make a loud squeal.

Never had any squeal.  Bearings may need a drop of oil.  Check the ACS, I always start a off, and adjust the tension knob slightly.  I just like a free spooling reel so hardly every use the ACS systems or any of the brake systems on any of my reels. I'm almost bet you got one off Ebay as I saw them listed for that price so they may be new but may have sat a while so a light cleaning and lubing should help.  I know each reel I have has a "brake in period" before it's where I want them.  Then again it could be the line just getting broke in and laying correctly on the spool. And if I don't use the reel in a few weeks or a month or two, I always retreat the line with line conditioner as well as lightly wetting it before casting to help.  But I have been in that boat where I was excited and hurried to fish a reel only to be disappointed because I rushed and skipped one of my steps only to find my rush caused me more anguish then pleasure.  They are solid reels, but they are different then a Tatula so may get some getting used to. 

[SenkoGuru]

Never had any squeal.  Bearings may need a drop of oil.  Check the ACS, I always start a off, and adjust the tension knob slightly.  I just like a free spooling reel so hardly every use the ACS systems or any of the brake systems on any of my reels. I'm almost bet you got one off Ebay as I saw them listed for that price so they may be new but may have sat a while so a light cleaning and lubing should help.  I know each reel I have has a "brake in period" before it's where I want them.  Then again it could be the line just getting broke in and laying correctly on the spool. And if I don't use the reel in a few weeks or a month or two, I always retreat the line with line conditioner as well as lightly wetting it before casting to help.  But I have been in that boat where I was excited and hurried to fish a reel only to be disappointed because I rushed and skipped one of my steps only to find my rush caused me more anguish then pleasure.  They are solid reels, but they are different then a Tatula so may get some getting used to. 

 

 Good advice. Thanks.