Received Revo S as gift -- but am I taking a step backwards? Advice please!

[greywalls]

Long time lurker, first time poster...  I'm 39yrs old and have bass fished religiously at least once per week, without fail, since age 10.  I grew up on Daiwa SP1000 baitcasters (circa 80s), and although my rods, trucks, boats and other toys have improved immensely over the years, I still exclusively use the same two baitcasters now as I did as a teen, believe it or not -- they're not at all sexy, but they flat out work and have never required even an ounce of maintenance other than seasonal oiling.  Probably mostly owing to the basic proficiency that comes with running a single piece of gear for 25 years, I feel like I can usually put most any lure within a 10" circle out to 40yds....  

I depend on my thumb alot for managing casts; but, the Daiwa Magforce coupled with the spool adjustment allows me to continually dial in each cast depending on lure, wind and distance. Although these are extremes, my old Daiwas would allow me both to push a tiny Mister Twister 25yds into the wind just as easily as slinging a heavy spinnerbait 60yds (not that I regularly do either).  I find that I'm constantly adjusting the Magforce settings -- for example, I might be trolling up a bank around a wind-breaking point, and will tick up Magforce two clicks for ten casts, and then click it back down as I go around the point and continue and the wind or my distance has changed a bit...  I might fish 5 different lures in an hour, and I'll intuitively always be tweaking the reel's dial in for each lure and my real-time conditions.  Maybe my way is crazy -- but I feel like I'm highly proficient with it (and I rarely get a backlash... and I usually catch fish)...

Yesterday, my father-in-law presented me with a new Abu Revo S as a Christmas gift.  It was an extremely generous gesture, as he knows how much I love to fish.  I don't want to look a "gift horse in the mouth" too much; however, I'm a little concerned about the pitch centrifugal brake system that the Revo S utilizes.  If I had planned to upgrade a reel, I, personally, would have purchased either the Revo STX or the Daiwa Tatula Type-R (R100XS) (and, honestly, probably the Daiwa)....  This Revo looks and feels like a fantastic reel; however, I'm utterly befuddled by the centrifugal brakes...  That is, how in the world do you keep this reel perfectly dialed in???  Has technology changed so much that a single brake setting could be 100% sufficient for every lure and condition?  I'm not at all a "set it and forget it" kind of guy (and I certainly would never envision taking apart the reel every 20minutes in order to change brake settings)...  I'd always believed that the fixed plate centrifugal offerings were more or less tailored to novice baitcaster anglers; but, I could be wrong...  I guess, in light of everything I've shared, do you think this is a reel that is appropriate for me, or should I try to cagily figure out where it was purchased and exchange it for a more-adjustable reel?  I really appreciate the advice.

Merry Christmas, all. 

 

[rippin-lips]

It takes all of 10 seconds to open it up and turn a brake tab on or off. Most baits can be thrown using either 1 or 2 tabs on.  If you have a well trained thumb like you say then turning 1 tab on would be plenty. Set it and forget it. 

[cddan]

Palming a revo is it's best attribute.  I don't have the revo s, I have the stx and premier. 

I would stick it out with the reel and fish it some ( I have been prefering shimanos lately) 

Daiwas are also fun to cast. 

The revo s I believe is mostly for pitching lures but have heard it casts well and yes its more of a set it and forget it reel. 

I love revos palming comfort for me but other companies lower end offerings have served me best. 

Hooksets and drag power also give the revos an edge imo because of there palmability and drag power.  

Try the reel for an outing and if you're not happy then return it for what you like. Its still a very thoughtful gift. 

8 pounders for all! And to all a good bite! 

 

[Blues19]

I have 2 Revo S's and I love them. I personally put half the brakes on and off, then I use the cast control knob to do the fine tuning.  It has worked well for me over the past 2-4 seasons I have used them.  I cast and pitch with them.  I mean, yeah an STX would be an upgrade, but I havent found anything wrong with the Revo S and I would suggest it using it. I personally prefer the centrifugal breaks over the magnetic, but its what I am use too. Good luck! Happy Holidays, and welcome!

[smalljaw67]

With most centrifugal brake systems I turn off all the brakes, meaning pushing the  little spring down until it clicks, except for two, turn one on and turn the other directly across from it on and you are set. Then you should be able to just use the spool tension knob to make adjustments.

[drew4779]

15 hours ago, rippin-lips said:

It takes all of 10 seconds to open it up and turn a brake tab on or off. Most baits can be thrown using either 1 or 2 tabs on.  If you have a well trained thumb like you say then turning 1 tab on would be plenty. Set it and forget it. 

X2

It almost feels like the internal brakes are more consistent than the mag brakes (just my opinion).  On my reels with mag brakes I will adjust more often like you describe.  On my reels with internal brakes, they've had one brake on for years with no problems and tend to be the first I reach for.  

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The revo may handle a little differently but is not a step backwards by any means. 

[Mike L]

Just now, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

The revo may handle a little differently but is not a step backwards by any means. 

Agree

At one time the Revo was what everyone talked about and wanted.

Excellent reel

 

Mike 

[edfitzvb]

I have a Revo STX that I bought used from a non-fisherman that I use a lot. It's that good. I set it and don't think about it. Usually, the only thing I adjust is the cast control knob. I prefer Revo over the Daiwa. My faves are; 1.) Lew's, 2.) Shimano 3.) Abu Garcia. Can't go wrong with those companies.

That being said, my son has an old Daiwa reel that I gave him. Probably 15-20 years old. He uses it a lot and REALLY likes it.

[Kyle46N]

Sounds like you really enjoy the mag brakes.  I do too, and have all magnetic braking (Lews TP, BB1 Pro, Tourney MB) except a Shimano Caenan (will be replaced soon).  Even the BB1 Pro, cetrifugal, has a exterior adjustment for the centrifugal system. And I feel exactly how you describe when using that Caenan.....I really like having that option to adjust multiple settings really quick as I move through different conditions.   Technology gives it to us......why not take it and enjoy it?   Maybe sell the Revo S and get an STX?  I have an STX and the magnetic options are nice, but do understand that you may run into problems with a sticking thumb bar.  I have issues with mine...as do alot of other people.   I would have sold mine already, but have too much integrity in selling a defective reel. 

[BobP]

I have a Gen I Revo SX with mag brakes that I regularly use and like alot.  I recently got a Daiwa Tatula with mag brakes that I like even better, and they go for about the same price as a Revo S, around $100 on Ebay or Amazon.  The mag brakes on the Tatula seem to work a little better.  I mostly use centrifugal Shimanos but have to admit the mag brakes on both the SX and the Tatula work very well.

 

[Jrob78]

Keep the Revo and also get  a Tatula R, they go for about $130 on Ebay.  Decide for yourself which one you prefer.

[*Hootie]

A gift should never be considered a step backwards. 

 

Hootie

[Bankbeater]

I have two of them.  I rotate their use on a regular basis.  Very good reels.

[greywalls]

Thanks, guys!  I appreciate everyone's advice.  For sure, the Revo S is a wonderful Christmas gift -- I'm extremely appreciative.  Per my wife, my reel came from Dick's @ $130.  I'm planning to exchange it, though, for a reel with external adjustments...  I'll tack on a few extra bucks.  Currently, deciding between the Revo STX, the Daiwa Tatula-R, and the Lews TP.  All are pretty much WAY nicer than my old (albeit beloved) Daiwas, and I don't think I could go wrong with any of these three for a workhorse, general-purpose baitcaster.  I plan to pair the reel to a Cabelas Tournament ZX, St. Croix Mojo Bass or Premier series, Duckett Ghost, or Dobyns Saavy rod...  Something in the 7' MHF range for an all-purpose bass outfit.

[Indiana Bass1]

I have two Revo S reels and they are work horses. I would not get all worked up over the lack of mag brakes on this reel. Like previous posters said you lock in one or two brakes on the inside and close it up. You can then fine tune with spool tension know as needed. I used mine for square bills so there was not a need to mess with the settings. Put some line on it and throw it around a while,I think you will like it.

[FrogFreak]

If a person is changing out lures a lot, I can understand the desire for external controls. I've always used external mag breaks but lately have been looking at dual breaking systems since I'm going to use that reel for one application (pitching jigs).

My thinking is that I'll set the centrifugal breaks and not have to move them since the weight of the jigs will change very little and then I can adjust the mag break when the conditions change (wind etc.). This seems like the optimal setup. I have used a Revo SX for pitching jigs in the past and it has been fine.

I think the reel companies have to look at a better mousetrap or we may stop buying.

[Smokinstang68]

On 12/28/2015 at 7:15 PM, greywalls said:

Thanks, guys!  I appreciate everyone's advice.  For sure, the Revo S is a wonderful Christmas gift -- I'm extremely appreciative.  Per my wife, my reel came from Dick's @ $130.  I'm planning to exchange it, though, for a reel with external adjustments...  I'll tack on a few extra bucks.  Currently, deciding between the Revo STX, the Daiwa Tatula-R, and the Lews TP.  All are pretty much WAY nicer than my old (albeit beloved) Daiwas, and I don't think I could go wrong with any of these three for a workhorse, general-purpose baitcaster.  I plan to pair the reel to a Cabelas Tournament ZX, St. Croix Mojo Bass or Premier series, Duckett Ghost, or Dobyns Saavy rod...  Something in the 7' MHF range for an all-purpose bass outfit.

Warning, if you take it back to Dick's without the receipt, they are only going to give you about $90 for it.  I had 2 that I returned to get a Lew's and that was the lowest price they had sold for in the past X months, so without the receipt, that's all they would give me back.

[SMITTY0045]

I shared some of your feelings toward a centrifugal braking system when i first got mine. After fishing it for close to a year now I can say that my views have somewhat changed. You mentioned that you may not be able to dial in a bait as well as with a magnetic braking system, which I think is somewhat true. I will say though, that it seems like you do not have to adjust the reel as much for different baits because they reel almost adjust for you depending on how fast the spool is spinning. I still prefer a magnetic braking system, but all the same I love this reel and would not necessarily consider it a down grade.

It sounds like you are already planning on taking the reel back, but I hope this helps anyone looking into getting this reel.

[greywalls]

Thanks, Smitty.  This little Revo S is growing on me, although I'm still leaning towards the Tatula.

[greywalls]

5 hours ago, Smokinstang68 said:

Warning, if you take it back to Dick's without the receipt, they are only going to give you about $90 for it.  I had 2 that I returned to get a Lew's and that was the lowest price they had sold for in the past X months, so without the receipt, that's all they would give me back.

Yikes...  I hope you're wrong, but I'll report back...