Kistler Warranty

[sprint61]

Has anyone had to use warranty on a Kistler rod within the last year or so? I don't care about when they had the problems I want to know about since then. I have handled a klx and really want one but the warranty scares me because its not long at all and I've heard horror stories. I'm a firm believer in if the rod has a defect it will show itself very quick, but if it does I want to be able to get it replaced hassle free, thanks.

[A-Jay]

Send Trey Kistler an email and ask him about it.

 

He's been very reachable and most helpful anytime I've contacted him.

 

A-Jay

 

http://www.kistlerrods.com/fishing-rod/about-kistler/page10.html

 

http://www.kistlerrods.com/fishing-rod/kistler-vip-warranty-protection/page165.html

[sprint61]

Send Trey Kistler an email and ask him about it.

 

He's been very reachable and most helpful anytime I've contacted him.

 

A-Jay

 

http://www.kistlerrods.com/fishing-rod/about-kistler/page10.html

 

http://www.kistlerrods.com/fishing-rod/kistler-vip-warranty-protection/page165.html

 

Thanks, but want to hear it from customers not the owner he may be bias. Well I guess customers could be too lol. Have you had any major problems with kistler rods A-Jay?

[A-Jay]

Thanks, but want to hear it from customers not the owner he may be bias.

 

Bias ?  The man's name is on every rod, of course he's Bias.

 

He also stands by and honors his warranty. 

 

A-Jay

[sprint61]

The man's name is on every rod

A-Jay

Exactly

[dwong]

I've had to deal with their warranty department and the experience was top notch. My KLX snapped a couple guides down on a cast. I contacted Kistler and they told to me to cut the handle off the rod and only send that to them. This cut costs on shipping the rod way down (to about $7) and they sent me a new replacement very quickly. I wouldn't hesitate purchasing from them, you'll love the KLX.

[sprint61]

Thanks guys that's the kind of stuff I was looking for im excited about getting one.

[RoLo]

I hesitated to reply only because you're looking for someone with warranty experience during the last year or so.
My experience with Kistler was more than a year ago, but I feel that I owe it to Trey to respond.

Around 5 years back I had a Loomis rod that snapped near the butt. Although I've broken several rods,

this was the first rod failure that I felt sure was not due to fault of my own. As a result, it was the first rod

in which I actually pursued the warranty. Long story short, I sent the blank to Loomis who told me it was MY fault.

They even added fake stress marks to my blank to support their claim (that's stooping mighty low).

Since that time I've purchased maybe 15 rods, and though I came close, I never bought another Loomis rod.

Then about a year later, (about 4 years ago) I was fishing with a Kistler Helium rod that snapped.

Out of curiosity, I phoned Kistler regarding the warranty, and about 3 days later I had a brand new Kistler rod. 

That's the big difference in companies, and none of this is hearsay.

 

Roger

[dave]

Trey will point out the difference between a warranty and an insurance policy.  What most anglers want is not warranty but,  insurance for whatever may occur with rod breakage.  Kistler does not do insurance policies.  I have had a nice exerience with Trey every time I've dealt with Kistler.

[sprint61]

Thanks for the fast replies guys just eased my mind before dropping $200 on a new rod. And Dave im sure alot of the complaints I have seen is probably a "insurance" deal gone wrong not a warranty.

[tnt2671]

i had a freak issue with a klx ( which by the way is the only issue i have ever had with any of their rods) i called in and trey personally addressed the issue ( he is very hands on with his customers) , long story short  new rod in my hands in less than a week! 

dave was 100% right in the perception of a warranty vs an insurance policy

throughout the last year i had migrated to buying  almost a dozen other rods from various companies to satisfy my curiosity on trying other manufacturers besides my faithful kistlers( everything from megabass , st. croix thru duckett, abu and omens) and guess what they have all come and gone and the kistlers are still here with another on the way as we speak!

buy one you'll love it!!

[kickerfish1]

No warranty experience here. Recently had an awesome customer service experience buying my KLX direct from their website. Getting ready to pull the trigger on a Helium I think.

I actually just got an email from them and they're doing a 25% of all rods sale right now. Very tempting.

I read of some of the issues you have read as well. But I decided my interest outweighed my concerns because I've read positive and negative. I will see how things go and judge them fairly on my own experience.

You and me both! I know I really want to try the Helium 3 but fear the taper and action may not be to my liking. I would love to have the action or taper of an NRX/*** but on one of these blanks with a nice clean custom build feel to it. While the reviews regarding the warranty claims have been positive in this thread I have seen a good amount that were not.

 

How would you say your KLX ranks in terms of feel against other rods you have or have used at one point. I know the Helium should be a slight step up but it may give me an idea.

 

I too may take advantage of the sale as I the rod I want next still won't be released for a while (MB Levante)

[kschultz76]

How would you say your KLX ranks in terms of feel against other rods you have or have used at one point. I know the Helium should be a slight step up but it may give me an idea.

I too may take advantage of the sale as I the rod I want next still won't be released for a while (MB Levante)

I have the 6'9" MH MF Crank Rip Twitch KLX, and have only used it so far for cranks and top waters, nothing where I'm really testing sensitivity. But for what you can and want to feel with moving baits I'm more then pleased the blank definitely has sensitivity. I really love the taper and feel on the cast, it loads well and predictably and is closer to fast then moderate to me, very similar to my Orochi Spinnerbait Special but not quite as crisp and maybe a bit less powerful. But in a pinch I think it's fast enough to throw a light trig, a Senko, or even a finess jig. I'm really pleased with how the rod loads and unloads on the cast, very controlled and predictable. I wanted a shorter rod for target casting top waters and cranks at close cover, lay downs, docks, overhangs, etc and this rod is doing it perfectly for me. I can pitch a crank to cover if I need to.

I'm very pleased with the build quality, materials, and components of the KLX, I was surprised to find I really like the Kigan guides on it, they seem quality and I feel they help with the casting. Love the sort of shimmery sharkskin look of the raw carbon blank.

I'd be curious if anyone with hands on with the Helium 3, especially the 7'1" MH/XF could compare its taper and casting characteristics to any Orochi or St Croix rods.

[kickerfish1]

Thanks, I am giving serious thought to the 7'4 MH XF casting rod.

[tnt2671]

Thanks, I am giving serious thought to the 7'4 MH XF casting rod.

i have one being built as we speak with full cork , hopefully have it for the weekend!!

[kschultz76]

Thanks, I am giving serious thought to the 7'4 MH XF casting rod.

I can't decide between that and the 7'1". The 7'4" gets on the long side for transport and close quarters in my boat. But it's only 3". And I'm also thinking of adding an EMTF at some point so who knows. So many rods so little time.

[iabass8]

I'd be curious if anyone with hands on with the Helium 3, especially the 7'1" MH/XF could compare its taper and casting characteristics to any Orochi or St Croix rods.

I own the full grip H3 7'1 MHXF. Power wise they are close. St. Croixs XF is one of the fastest tips made. The H3 is what I would consider a Fast taper. Sensitivity wise it's on par /w the Dobyns Champion Extreme. Balance is good not great. I usually throw weightless senkos around cover /w it as well as swing heads in the 1/2oz range in rock. If you want an open water rod, get the M. 

[Big Bait Fishing]

I hesitated to reply only because you're looking for someone with warranty experience during the last year or so.

My experience with Kistler was more than a year ago, but I feel that I owe it to Trey to respond.

Around 5 years back I had a Loomis rod that snapped near the butt. Although I've broken several rods,

this was the first rod failure that I felt sure was not due to fault of my own. As a result, it was the first rod

in which I actually pursued the warranty. Long story short, I sent the blank to Loomis who told me it was MY fault.

They even added fake stress marks to my blank to support their claim (that's stooping mighty low).

Since that time I've purchased maybe 15 rods, and though I came close, I never bought another Loomis rod.

Then about a year later, (about 4 years ago) I was fishing with a Kistler Helium rod that snapped.

Out of curiosity, I phoned Kistler regarding the warranty, and about 3 days later I had a brand new Kistler rod. 

That's the big difference in companies, and none of this is hearsay.

 

Roger

i can't stress enough how valueable customer service is ....

[kickerfish1]

I own the full grip H3 7'1 MHXF. Power wise they are close. St. Croixs XF is one of the fastest tips made. The H3 is what I would consider a Fast taper. Sensitivity wise it's on par /w the Dobyns Champion Extreme. Balance is good not great. I usually throw weightless senkos around cover /w it as well as swing heads in the 1/2oz range in rock. If you want an open water rod, get the M.

Oh man, I was hoping it would be better in feel than the DX rods. I know the balance of Dobyns in gendeal is fought to beat. Thanks for your thoughts. A few other questions if I may...

1. What reel weight range might balance this out due to the slight tip heaviness?

2. Any idea on what the rods actually weighs?

3. Does the rod feel crisp like an NRX?

4. Have you fished the MBR 844 rod from Loomis? Is the action and taper more like this rod?

5. Would you feel comfortable fishing a 1\2 oz jig with MH XF Helium 3 in light weeds or rock?

Thank you for whatever you could provide!

[kschultz76]

I own the full grip H3 7'1 MHXF. Power wise they are close. St. Croixs XF is one of the fastest tips made. The H3 is what I would consider a Fast taper. Sensitivity wise it's on par /w the Dobyns Champion Extreme. Balance is good not great. I usually throw weightless senkos around cover /w it as well as swing heads in the 1/2oz range in rock. If you want an open water rod, get the M.

Thanks for the response, that helps and confirms what I was expecting. I figured it would come in faster then my Diablo Spec R, but not as fast as my St Croix LTB M/XF. I'm intending to use it for an all purpose bottom contact trig/jig stick for 3/8-1/2 jigs. Knowing you can throw a weightless Senko around cover with it is nice to know bc I may want it to pull that duty occasionally.

[iabass8]

Oh man, I was hoping it would be better in feel than the DX rods. I know the balance of Dobyns in gendeal is fought to beat. Thanks for your thoughts. A few other questions if I may...

1. What reel weight range might balance this out due to the slight tip heaviness?

2. Any idea on what the rods actually weighs?

3. Does the rod feel crisp like an NRX?

4. Have you fished the MBR 844 rod from Loomis? Is the action and taper more like this rod?

5. Would you feel comfortable fishing a 1\2 oz jig with MH XF Helium 3 in light weeds or rock?

Thank you for whatever you could provide!

I think the Helium Blank is better than the DX but the build of the DX is better than the H3 so it evens it out.  If the H3 balanced as well as the dobyns, the helium would win every time in my book. I had mine balanced by a local guy for pocket change. the butt cap is surprisingly easy to remove. Mine balanced right under the reel seat. I really like the foam locking nut on the Heliums, too. 

 

 

1. i use a 51 curado on mine. I don't remember what it weights but I think its around 7oz give or take. 

 

2.Not the exact weight but it's very, very light.

 

3. Crisp, yes. Like an NRX, no.

 

4. Yes, and yes, it's pretty close.

 

5. Dragging a 1/2oz jig, yes. Pitching/flipping into cover /w a 1/2oz jig, I wouldn't prefer it but you would probably be okay. i like to use "more" rod than some so it's probably fine in light weeds. It would be fine for open water rocks. 

[kickerfish1]

Appreciate the feedback. I may call Trey tommorow and see if he has a rod recommendation for me and also some for weights of the rods.

[sprint61]

Took advantage of the 25% off and ordered two 7'mh fast action klx's for t-rigs/stand ups and a hat. Cant wait to get them, hope the hat fits my fat head lol.

[kschultz76]

I've got a 71 Helium 3 MH XF on the way.

[illinifan4152]

Carbon steel for me! 7'3 H ... Needed a new frog rod and i hear it works nicely for that, just have to wait and see