Quantum or Shimano

[JGmon3y]

Looking for some opinions, wanting to get a reel to put on a 7'0 MH G Loomis E6X. I've been eyeing up 2 reels, the Shimano Curado I and the Quantum Energy Pt. Recently found the Quantum on sale for 112. Which should I go with? I currently fish a Quantum smoke on a 7' M on a St Croix Legend Elite and a Quantum accurist on a 7' Carbonlite BPS rod.

[Caliyak]

Curado 

[blckshirt98]

Shimano for sure.

[Josh Smith]

I've been dissecting a lot of reels this past year. Of those, Shimano seems to have the most logical low-profile setups. Abu Garcia still has the best round reel design, in my opinion.

Lew Childress's design is still the basic design for the Shimano low-profile, while the Ambassadeur designs are largely unchanged since the '60s -- they've been simplified on the handle side, have beefed-up axles with the bearings moved inboard, but are the same basic design.

I'm an Ambassadeur fanboy, but if I ever go low-profile it will definitely be to Shimano.

Josh

[Preytorien]

I have a Curado I.....as do many others on here. We probably all agree.....you will be happy you went with it

[Darren.]

I'll just say welcome to the forums and let
those with Curado and Quantum casting
experience chime in here. Although I can
say the Chronarch reels are amazing  

[lakeannaangler]

Curado all day everyday and twice on Sunday's.

[d-camarena]

Not trying to sound like a fanboy but for me its shimano rods, shimano reels, shimano line (power pro), shimano plastics (jackall). Shimano all the way, only reel i have thats not a shimano is a president which i dislike very much

Ok im a fanboy

[wnspain]

5 minutes ago, d-camarena said:

Not trying to sound like a fanboy but for me its shimano rods, shimano reels, shimano line (power pro), shimano plastics (jackall). Shimano all the way, only reel i have thats not a shimano is a president which i dislike very much

Ok im a fanboy

president spinning or casting?

[fishballer06]

I'll be shocked if anyone recommends a Quantum on here...

[Scott F]

I don't use baitcasters a lot, but if you were asking about Quatum spinning reels, they would be my first choice. 

[Josh Smith]

1 hour ago, fishballer06 said:

I'll be shocked if anyone recommends a Quantum on here...

I would have recommended an older Quantum, but not the ones they have currently. The metal-framed 1310 was pretty awesome for its time. I'd still use one but got too used to anti-reverse bearings these past few years.

Josh

[roadwarrior]

Shimano

 

 

[mc6524]

Not to be redundant, Shimano, but I'll add on other suggestion.  If not immediately, but sometime in the future change the bearings to Bocca orange seal.  It's very easy to do, and you will be able to cast light baits 60-80 feet plus.

[Fishinthefish]

Shimano.

[JGmon3y]

Quote

Well it looks to pretty pretty unanimous lol. Thank you guys. I was leaning towards the Shimano then I saw the Quantum on sale so I was kinda conflicted but this solves it for me lol

 

[Yudo1]

Shimano and don't look back.

[TheEngineer]

Having owned only 2 quantums, and both of them being baitcasters, I have to say they aren't the worst reels I've ever owned. I actually love the design of their reels. Having said that, if it came down to it, I would always choose my Shimano. I say Function > Aesthetics. 

[kickerfish1]

Shimano for me as well. Currenty I have over 25 Shimano Casting and Spinning reels from the $60 or over $400. I have had some ok Quantum reels and some that went bad within a year. The Quantums were reels between $60 - $100 and made back in the 90s through early 2000s. I am not sure how their newer offerings compare, but judging by the lack of user feedback on them I am guessing the reels may not be much better. Outside of the guys that are sponsored by Quantum, I just don't see or here much chatter about them.

1 hour ago, mc6524 said:

Not to be redundant, Shimano, but I'll add on other suggestion.  If not immediately, but sometime in the future change the bearings to Bocca orange seal.  It's very easy to do, and you will be able to cast light baits 60-80 feet plus.

Very rarely is this ever a worthwhile upgrade IMO. The stock bearings in quality reels like the Stradic and above simply need bearing maintenance done on the stock bearings. Aftermarket bearings usually help with start up of the spool and some finesse bearings may help with casting light weight lures. In some of my Shimano reels a flushed and relubed stock bearing will out distance an Abec 5 or 7 not to mention they are very quiet.

I have been more selective on upgraded bearings in my reels. Only replacing bad or damaged bearings or in cases where I am wanting a somewhat finesse oriented reel.

In some reels improved distance can be gained but in others there won't be. Seems like each reel varies in just how much it benefits from a bearing upgrade IMO.

[Fishin' Fool]

6 hours ago, d-camarena said:

Not trying to sound like a fanboy but for me its shimano rods, shimano reels, shimano line (power pro), shimano plastics (jackall). Shimano all the way, only reel i have thats not a shimano is a president which i dislike very much

Ok im a fanboy

Do you have a Jackall Poison Adrena rod?  TW dropped the price again so I've been considering getting one.

[mc6524]

2 hours ago, kickerfish1 said:

Shimano for me as well. Currenty I have over 25 Shimano Casting and Spinning reels from the $60 or over $400. I have had some ok Quantum reels and some that went bad within a year. The Quantums were reels between $60 - $100 and made back in the 90s through early 2000s. I am not sure how their newer offerings compare, but judging by the lack of user feedback on them I am guessing the reels may not be much better. Outside of the guys that are sponsored by Quantum, I just don't see or here much chatter about them.

Very rarely is this ever a worthwhile upgrade IMO. The stock bearings in quality reels like the Stradic and above simply need bearing maintenance done on the stock bearings. Aftermarket bearings usually help with start up of the spool and some finesse bearings may help with casting light weight lures. In some of my Shimano reels a flushed and relubed stock bearing will out distance an Abec 5 or 7 not to mention they are very quiet.

I have been more selective on upgraded bearings in my reels. Only replacing bad or damaged bearings or in cases where I am wanting a somewhat finesse oriented reel.

In some reels improved distance can be gained but in others there won't be. Seems like each reel varies in just how much it benefits from a bearing upgrade IMO.

Stock bearings are just that, as I'm sure you are aware lubeing ceramic bearings slow them down.  25  years ago when I was using an Abu Garcia 5500 I would agree, but over the last five years I've gained an appreciation on the improved performance ceramic bearings provide.  

 

 

 

[kickerfish1]

I have tried various Boca and HH Studios bearings and have used stock bearings on $100 Shimanos up to the $400 Shimanos and everything in between. Adding a drop of oil will quiet them down. The only downside is that the free spool test isn't as great. I also think bearing last longer lightly oiled than ran dry. To each his own...

[Tmmytomato]

I have over four dozen various Shimano reels so you can see where my allegiance lies. Anything from a Curado up through the Core (discontinued), Chronarch series, Metanium, Aldebaron and Calais - changing out bearings is a waste of money and time. Shimano is known for their bearings which really are second to none. If you have a slightly lower grade reel in their line you might notice a difference. The spinning reels I have are the Soros, Stradic, and Sustain, all of which I'm happy with.

As far as the Poison Adrena - I do not have one but do have some Exprides I have been very pleased with - extremely light and sensitive and many actions to choose from. I also have the GLoomis NRX rods, the IMX and the EX6 series, the Shimano Cumara and Crucial rods. They each have a place for a technique. And I certainly won't spend $500 on an NRX rod fro crankbaiting. Had I not had super pricing on a few of those I wouldn't have spent the money but they are a dream to fish with. I am very impressed with both the Shimano Exprides and the GLoomis E6X rods. 

[You_Only_Live_Once_Fishing]

I like quantum, their customer service is on point

[Kidflex]

I have both. Still use both. In my opinion they are in the same class. Both cast well, smooth cranking and good drags. Energy cast better & the  Curado I palms a little easier. Both will be fine. The energy can be had easy for $99 at Shelton's clothing. The quantums from the 90's and early 2000's did crap out prematurely. I don't think you'll have any issues with any newer quantums. I fish them hard and have no issues.