Major Difference In Cheap Reels And Expensive Ones (Other Than Gear Ratio)

[AEWblackeagle8]

I have a Abu Garcia Black Max 2 and I love it. All the other reels I have felt feel pretty much the same way. I bought this thing at Cabelas on sale for $32.99. I have messed around with some other reels and I can't feel or tell a $100 dollar difference. The Abu Garcia Revo SX (black and red one 6.4:1 I think) I can't really notice the difference between the Revo and the Black Max. I have been thinking about getting a *** *** either 7.1 or 8.1 but it's $175. I need some help please haha

[Scott F]

Check your $33 reel against the $133 reel after using them both hard for a year. If you still can't feel the difference, buy the $33 model.

[smalljaw67]

If you can't tell the difference between a Revo SX and a Black Max it is because your mind is telling you to justify using the less expensive model. Now, just because one item cost more than another doesn't always mean it is better but when it comes to reels, what you get for $160 versus $50 is head and shoulders better. When you say "messed around" I'm assuming you just picked it up and handled it and cranked the handle a few times and I'm guessing the reel was on one of the little rod handles when you did that. The first thing is the weight, the SX is 1/2oz lighter, it isn't much but if you used the black max on your rod for an hour and then used the SX on the same rod, you'll notice that 1/2oz and it will feel like it weighs a lot more. Not just the weight but also cranking the reel under load from a fish or a lure like a spinnerbait, you'll notice how much better the gears are in the SX compared to the black max, because the 9 bearings versus the 4 is really going to make a big difference as the bearings and gears are going to be better in the SX because you are paying for better materials, the reels have to be made and when you buy a reel a lot of the cost has to do with features and material and every manufacturer is going to use a much better selection of materials in the $160 reel versus the $50 otherwise how would they get people to fork out that much more money if the one for $100 less was only marginally better??  Believe me, even if the Black Max was the best $50 dollar reel on the market, and it may be, it still isn't even close to the SX.

[tholmes]

The major difference is in the quality of components. Gear Ratio has little to do with it. As ScottF alluded to in his post, the more costly reel will likely outlast the cheaper reel by a significant margin. As far as gear ratio, it's just as easy to make cheap high-speed reels as it is to make cheap slower reels. 

 

The more expensive reel will likely have higher quality bearings, gears and other components that will make for a longer, more trouble-free life. At least, that's been my experience.

 

Tom

[Jrob78]

You can't really make a comparison until you've used both for a period of time.  

[5fishlimit]

I smell a cheap vs expensive debate coming.....

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The main difference between sub $100 and $100+ reels will be in longevity. Other features like weight, braking bearing count and quality are real but little more subtle.

[k3bass]

All reels feel smooth when new, it's finding one that stays smooth that's the challenge.

[A-Jay]

 The Major Difference In Cheap Reels And Expensive Ones ~ As with many things, paying more doesn't guarantee a better functioning product.

 

There are some cheaper models that work well, and some that provide endless problems.

 

But the same can be said for some more expensive models.

 

There are sites that review the functioning of specific brands and models, which are useful in guiding your decisions.

 

Style and long term reliability often come into play but if you are happy with the cheaper ones then don't spend the bucks on something else.

 

They can easily be replaced should you change your mind down the road.

 

A-Jay

[NorcalBassin]

One is a disposable, the other is something that will be reliable for many years 

[k3bass]

One is a disposable, the other is something that will be reliable for many years

That's not always true. I've had many cheap reels that lasted for years....and many expensive reels that were junk after one season.

[desmobob]

 I'm thinking of this more like my bow hunting stuff now. If you buy a cheapo it will feel like crap compared to the top of the line stuff either in the beginning or later on down the road.

 

I think you have it figured out already...

 

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[Montanaro]

My daiwa t3 1016 is heads and shoulders above my tatula.

Easier to palm, lighter, spool can throw light baits, skipping is easier, and braking system is phenomenal.

Tatula is a solid real I use a lot...but that extra coin reduces headaches/frustration.

[soflabasser]

Expensive reels tend to be better made than cheap reels(more ball bearings,better drag,better metals used,longer lasting,etc).Still you can get a very good bass reel for less than $50.One of my favorite reels for bass is a discontinued BPS reel that has 10 ball bearings and has caught me plenty of bass and decent saltwater fish.

[AEWblackeagle8]

new2bc4bass thank you very much that makes perfect sense, do you think in the long run I would benefit more from the 6.6 or 7. Or are they so similar it isn't going to matter? For that fact thanks everyone for helping me put this in perspective. I'm hopeful going to haul in a nice one in the am.

[Slade House]

You want to know what the difference is?  Casting distance .  

[Slade House]

I just plopped down money for 3 megabass rods (Megabass F4-610XDti Elseil big taper series, the Black Jungle punching swimbait , and a super sexy 2014 Evolution Expada , and a Megabass Zonda Rosso , Megabass LIN , and a Daiwa 103 (the new one) to go with those 3 rods respectively.   yeah sure you can probably get by without plopping money down , but when i bought my first megabass rod (a XX4 711 ) i was like , "DAMMIT, im hooked now. cant go back. i mean come on look at the LIN reel, its d**n sexy.  

[Josh Smith]

Nobody preaches like the converted.

[rippin-lips]

My friend has a black max 2 along with other more expensive Abu reels. Including a revo stx that I bought him as a gift. I've heard him say a few times that he really likes the black max.

[rippin-lips]

Yeah it's called actually using them.

If you're ruining a reel in a years time then there's an issue. Likely not with the reel either.

[rippin-lips]

You want to know what the difference is? Casting distance .

Minimal at best. A $90 Tatula casts just as far as my megabass or steez reels.

[k3bass]

If you're ruining a reel in a years time then there's an issue. Likely not with the reel either.

Whatever. There's a huge difference between fishing 3 or 4 days a month and fishing 20-25 days a month. It's hard to wear out a reel on the internet.

[Hogsticker]

If you're fishing 1 day a week, 3 times a month, 5 months out of the year, a lesser expensive reel can be fine. None the less, there is a difference between cheap and garbage. If you fish often, year round, a better quality reel will be beneficial. As already stated, it will be made with better materials, components, better precision, tolerances, and quality control which all directly relate to longevity. And while you may not find a huge difference in casting distance, what you will find is a more fluid ease in which it does so. The difference between spools in a 200 dollar reel and a 50 dollar reel will be night and day in that regard, especially when casting baits of the lighter variety.

[Bluebasser86]

You want to know what the difference is?  Casting distance .  

I like nice stuff but I'd put my $40 H20 Mettle up against most any stock reel I've handled and it could hold it's own if not outdistance even some of the high dollar stuff. 

 

Casting distance is way down the list of important features in a reel for me anyways. 

[gulfcaptain]

new2bc4bass thank you very much that makes perfect sense, do you think in the long run I would benefit more from the 6.6 or 7. Or are they so similar it isn't going to matter? For that fact thanks everyone for helping me put this in perspective. I'm hopeful going to haul in a nice one in the am.

 

The 6.6 picks up 26 IPT, the 7 I believe is about 29 IPT.  So the difference is about 3" per turn of the handle.  And if you're wondering, the 8.1 is right about 32 IPT on the Concepts.  The 6.6 is a great all around reel you can use almost for anything.