JDM Shimano

[David Whitaker]

Gonna get my first JDM reel here soon. Getting the Shimano Scorpion XT1000 used but in good condition. I'm looking to get the Scorpion 200 (same frame as the Curado I) soon as well. Can anybody tell me how good these reels perform as well as her JDM Shimano reels and what to look for? 

[stkbassn]

I much prefer my Scorpion 1500XT to the new Curado I. I do not own the Scorpion 200 which I understand to be almost identical to the Curado I except for bearings in the handle. To each his own but I'd own all XT's if my wallet would let me. I am slowly getting there. Again, you're going to get a lot of thumbs up for the new one's and I can't speak to the new Scorpions but I've had the Curado I and I prefer the Curado E which I'm told the Scorpion XT basically is in JDM form. I hope that doesn't sound confusing!   You're buying good reels so do not be swayed by me or other naysayers. Congrats and don't over think or worry, just enjoy them!

[ksfishinguy]

You'll find more reviews than you could shake a stick at if you do a google search for "scorpion 200 vs" or "Scorpion 1500xt vs" ect ect.

Looots of opinions on these reels, but I'll give you mine. 

The E series Shimano reels were fantastic and still hold up extremely well. There's not much difference between the JDM and US versions, like stkbassn pointed out. 

However, I prefer the I's by a small margin, and my reasoning is they seem to be slightly better casters and in my hands, they feel much more solid and connected when reeling. I think the svs infinity system is a little nicer once dialed in, and I think the extra bearing on the pinion gear (x-ship) gives the reel the more connected feel. I own both Scorpions and Curado's and I can tell you there's not a noticeable difference. 

That being said... I'd give the I's a quick bearing flush when you get them. They're packed with grease and that makes a pretty significant dent in the performance.

You really can't go wrong either way, but since they're so easily available, you can probably find a better deal on the new reels, especially if you buy used. A curado/scorpion 200 in great shape around or under $100 is just a click away.

[DaveT63]

I have a Curado 201I and a new Scorpion 1001XT.  I LOVE the Scorpion.  I haven't gotten the Curado I dialed in yet and still get more backlashes than any other reel I have.  I can see another Scorpion in my future before I see another Curado I.  But as someone else said, that's just my personal opinion.

[HookdUP]

I have Owened all the reels mentioned and if say imo that the scorpions were just a smudge smoother in each generation . For the price it's hard to beat a scorpion 200 to me ... 

[kickerfish1]

Can't comment on the newer models you listed but I do have the 1000xt. I love it and it is one of the best reels I have ever used. It just fishes well. Great for 90% of what I would consider normal bass sized baits. I stuck some HH bearings in mine to try but haven't casted it yet since. 

[Bass Turd]

Question related to JDM reel purchases. Can you have them serviced or even warranty repaired at Shimano USA even though they are a JDM product? 

[kickerfish1]

To the best of my knowledge Shimano USA won't service a JDM Shimano reel. However many of the same external and internal parts are usually pretty similar fitment wise so there are usually no issue finding compatible parts. For example the Chronarch 50e and Scorpion 1000xt share many of the same parts but some things may not be exact. 

If there is a particular reel you were interested in you could always see if there is a US equivalent. 

 

[Raul]

43 minutes ago, Bass Turd said:

Question related to JDM reel purchases. Can you have them serviced or even warranty repaired at Shimano USA even though they are a JDM product? 

No

But you got DVT for that purpose.

Most parts are interchangeable between JDM and USDM.

[David Whitaker]

21 hours ago, stkbassn said:

I much prefer my Scorpion 1500XT to the new Curado I. I do not own the Scorpion 200 which I understand to be almost identical to the Curado I except for bearings in the handle. To each his own but I'd own all XT's if my wallet would let me. I am slowly getting there. Again, you're going to get a lot of thumbs up for the new one's and I can't speak to the new Scorpions but I've had the Curado I and I prefer the Curado E which I'm told the Scorpion XT basically is in JDM form. I hope that doesn't sound confusing!   You're buying good reels so do not be swayed by me or other naysayers. Congrats and don't over think or worry, just enjoy them!

I understand completely. I noticed essentially all the scorpions are the same year model Curado only the Japanese version. That's why I find many people like the XT1000 a lot.. It's the same reel as one of the best workhorse Curados made. 

[stkbassn]

1 hour ago, David Whitaker said:

I understand completely. I noticed essentially all the scorpions are the same year model Curado only the Japanese version. That's why I find many people like the XT1000 a lot.. It's the same reel as one of the best workhorse Curados made. 

I couldn't agree more my friend! After I read your post I went on Ebay and put another one on my watch list. LOL !   Enjoy your reels and catch a bunch! Be safe out there sir.

[FloridaFishinFool]

20 hours ago, DaveT63 said:

I haven't gotten the Curado I dialed in yet and still get more backlashes than any other reel I have.

Say what???

When I got my first Curado i, it was so easy to dial in, in minutes actually, and just a few casts. And for me, the new shimano braking system is very effective and I'd have to say my curado is the reel that backlashes the least of any I have. It casts further and virtually zero problems or backlashes.

I will look into those scorpions though...

[DaveT63]

2 hours ago, FloridaFishinFool said:

Say what???

When I got my first Curado i, it was so easy to dial in, in minutes actually, and just a few casts. And for me, the new shimano braking system is very effective and I'd have to say my curado is the reel that backlashes the least of any I have. It casts further and virtually zero problems or backlashes.

I will look into those scorpions though...

Well, I haven't really mastered any baitcast reel yet.  But I've gotten to the point where the backlash frequency is at least tolerable to me with most of my reels.  But with the Curado I, for some reason, I'm having issues.  I have two Curado Es, a Chronarch E, and a Scorpion 1001XT.  I fish all of them with only one brake set and rarely backlash.  But I am constantly bouncing between one and two brakes and adjusting the wheel on the side on the I.  Maybe I just need to stick with one internal brake setting and make adjustments with the external adjustment.  But I've only fished it about 3 times so far this year, so more time on the water will definitely help.

[stkbassn]

10 minutes ago, DaveT63 said:

Well, I haven't really mastered any baitcast reel yet.  But I've gotten to the point where the backlash frequency is at least tolerable to me with most of my reels.  But with the Curado I, for some reason, I'm having issues.  I have two Curado Es, a Chronarch E, and a Scorpion 1001XT.  I fish all of them with only one brake set and rarely backlash.  But I am constantly bouncing between one and two brakes and adjusting the wheel on the side on the I.  Maybe I just need to stick with one internal brake setting and make adjustments with the external adjustment.  But I've only fished it about 3 times so far this year, so more time on the water will definitely help.

This is one of my main reasons for loving the E's and XT's, ease of use. I have never had easier reels to handle than these. Few backlashes , very few! I can't say that about the newer models I've tried. So if that's part of the price you pay with the newer tech reels you can keep em'. I don't need a learning curve when I already have great reels that a retarded monkey could cast. To me that's part of what makes them great. I don't equate finicky with better, just doesn't add up to me. To each his own!