BassCats Posted October 24, 2015 Posted October 24, 2015 Has anyone ever used the new apex series of reels from Ardent? I know they are no longer made in the USA. They look like abu reels so I assume they are made in same plant as most others. I recently got an ardent apex elite and have to say it is light weight and cast farther than any reel I have had before. The one I got has magnetic brakes and would compare it to the Revo SX. Just wanted to know if anyone else has tried them and what thoughts they had on ardents attempt to stay in market. Quote
WPCfishing Posted October 24, 2015 Posted October 24, 2015 Has anyone ever used the new apex series of reels from Ardent? I know they are no longer made in the USA. They look like abu reels so I assume they are made in same plant as most others. I recently got an ardent apex elite and have to say it is light weight and cast farther than any reel I have had before. The one I got has magnetic brakes and would compare it to the Revo SX. Just wanted to know if anyone else has tried them and what thoughts they had on ardents attempt to stay in market. They did build a brand that's for sure. I'm sure they'll hang in there. It's unfortunate they didn't have the right people in place to develop the products here in the USA. Now they're just offering a brand name with a new face.. They aren't Lews or Shimano that's for sure. But they could have been. Quote
JustinU1X Posted October 25, 2015 Posted October 25, 2015 Has anyone ever used the new apex series of reels from Ardent? I know they are no longer made in the USA. They look like abu reels so I assume they are made in same plant as most others. I recently got an ardent apex elite and have to say it is light weight and cast farther than any reel I have had before. The one I got has magnetic brakes and would compare it to the Revo SX. Just wanted to know if anyone else has tried them and what thoughts they had on ardents attempt to stay in market. I just bought an apex grand. So far it's not my favorite. I sent one back because it was missing washers in the spool tension. The second one I was sent had the same problem. After that I contacted them and they just sent me the pieces. They answered me quickly and shipped them pretty fast. For $200 though you'd expect it to be thoroughly looked over. Another thing I didn't like was the breaking system. They're little tabs you have to flip up. Every once in awhile they just fall out with normal use. It does cast well and the 3 year warranty is nice. I got it because I wanted to try something new and it (was) US made. I probably wouldn't buy it again if I could do it over. Quote
bass raider Posted October 25, 2015 Posted October 25, 2015 They did build a brand that's for sure. I'm sure they'll hang in there. They aren't Lews or Shimano that's for sure. But they could have been. Lews is built in the same plant as ardent is now. So they sure aren't a shimano Quote
WPCfishing Posted October 25, 2015 Posted October 25, 2015 Lews is built in the same plant as ardent is now. So they sure aren't a shimano Lews are built in Korea. Most of the Shimano reels are made in China as is the new Ardent. Quote
bass raider Posted October 25, 2015 Posted October 25, 2015 Shimanos are built in Malaysia or Japan. No where else Quote
John G Posted October 25, 2015 Posted October 25, 2015 Lews are built in Korea. Most of the Shimano reels are made in China as is the new Ardent.. Wayne, most Shimano's are built in Japan and some are built in Malaysa. Quote
WPCfishing Posted October 25, 2015 Posted October 25, 2015 . Wayne, most Shimano's are built in Japan and some are built in Malaysa. I read an article recently that implied that some of them were made in China. It really doesn't matter to me. I like Shimano.. But I'm a Lews die-hard. Quote
Grantman83 Posted October 25, 2015 Posted October 25, 2015 I have the apex and Grande cause I got smoking deals.. Pros are they are lightweight, have sweet carbon handles and are smooth. Their Eva knobs are the most comfortable of any I have used. I usually hate Eva knobs because they are too thick but these are contoured to your fingers ala shimano so they feel great. Cons are quality control seems to still be an issue. My grande reel showed up without any centrifugal braking pins on the spool. They sent me a new spool no problem but how does a reel get out of the factory missing half its braking system. Also, the magnetic braking system is 270 degrees but the "max" designation on the side plate is at 360. You can't turn the brakes up to the labeled max setting as it is past the 270 degrees. If you tried, you would break the dial. It's almost like they copied the labeling off another reel but didn't institute the same braking system so it simply doesn't line up. Doesn't cause issues with braking but just seems like a rushed oversight. 1 Quote
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