Chronarch Ci4+ vs. Metanium MGL

[Big-Bass]

How do these two reels compare? One is basically half the price of the other according to U.S. prices at most retailers. The Chronarch got an Editor's Choice award on Tackle Tour and the original Metanium also did well. I am looking at adding one to my Poison Adrena 72M. Any/all detailed help would be helpful. Thank you!

[Fried Lemons]

I don't have the chronarch but I have a metanium and curado I can compare. For casting distance I found the curado to be just as good or better than the metanium. In terms of smoothness, both are smooth but with the metanium you can really feel the micro gears. It's a very smooth connected feel compared to the curado which feels smooth but disconnected in comparison.

As far as I know the chronarch doesn't have micro module gearing so this comparison probably applies to the chronarch as well.

[kickerfish1]

They Cuardo I and MGL aren't even in the same league. The MGL will blow the Curado clean out of the water in every category IMO. The external break dial on the Curado 200i offers very little change or input to the breaking profile while the MGL's external adjustment makes a much more noticeable difference. I can tame my MGL down by engaging 3 of the 4 internal brakes and it will still crush about every reel for casting distance especially into a wind and never a backlash on that setting.

The Curado 200i is a solid reel but the MGL has a redesigned infinity system that is better than what is on the Chronarch.

If I was deciding on a new Shimano reel it would be between the Curado 70 and the MGL.

[EllisJuan]

No comparison IMHO.  I can't think of anything the Metanium does not do better than the Chronarch. 

[Big-Bass]

I already have a Curado 70 and an Aldebaran on the way...as well as a discounted MGX...but am planning on buying a Metanium with the Cabela's credit I have.  This adds to the Morrum ZX I just got on discount.  This has been an expensive tackle month-and-a-half.

[fishballer06]

Ask anyone who is well versed in high end reels and most of them will tell you that the Metanium is the best overall reel in fishing right now. That's not to say that the Chronarch ci4 isn't a good reel, but the Metanium is just that outstanding. 

[offsidewing]

The Metanium MGL is a dream.  love it more than my Met 13.  The Curado is a great reel and use one on my cranking set up.  but everything on the Met MGL is effortless.

[bigfruits]

if you dont mind the slightly lower line capacity of the JDM version, you can get them for about $305 shipped. just buy a spare USDM spool because you need two anyway, right?

chronarch has brass gears. metanium is a bit lighter and magnesium and ive heard more than a couple people mention that they are more sensitive than aluminum reels- believe it or not. 

can anyone compare the MGL to the DC reel? 

 

[Last_Cast]

Anyone have a metanium dc7 for sale? (Lefty) 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

60% more cost for maybe 5% more performance for some its worth it others not so much

[Hulkster]

for what its worth, the ci4 chronarchs are on sale everywhere right now, as a new one is supposedly on the way. might be able to get a hell of a deal on one.

[RichF]

I have a couple Chronarch CI4s and love them.  Never tried a Met.  Would love to but I can't justify the price.  Have to agree with QUAKEnSHAKE.  I'm sure it's awesome but I highly doubt it's $230.00 better than the Chronarch.  If you have the cash to throw down on the MGL, I'd say go for it.  The Chronarch at $190 is a pretty awesome deal though. 

[DP82]

Chronarch has an mgl now.

[JDNKC]

On 12/21/2016 at 11:26 AM, RichF said:

I have a couple Chronarch CI4s and love them.  Never tried a Met.  Would love to but I can't justify the price.  Have to agree with QUAKEnSHAKE.  I'm sure it's awesome but I highly doubt it's $230.00 better than the Chronarch.  If you have the cash to throw down on the MGL, I'd say go for it.  The Chronarch at $190 is a pretty awesome deal though. 

 This.  I have the CI 4 and they are great reels.  I am sure the MGL is better, but you could have 2 CI4s for that price.  Your money, spend it on what you want.

[sgibby88]

I picked up a ci4 over the Christmas sale. Havent had the opportunity to compare it to my curado 201i yet but the warm weather is fastly approaching and I cant wait to compare the two. I do however plan on picking up the new chronarch mgl and a met by the summer time for sure

[offsidewing]

Just picked up a second brand new Metanium MGL from Japan Lure Shop for a hair under $300 with Express shipping.  It will get here faster from Japan than UPS ships from the West Coast.  A Chronarch Ci4+ for $199 is a good deal.  $280 for a Chronarch MGL from Cabelas or $290 for a JDM Metanium MGL - this is a no brainer..

[Stephen Selph]

Another Metanium MGL guy over here. I picked up the JDM version, and the new Antares DC within the last couple months. I paid $550 for the Antares DC, and around $300 for the MGL. Even when money isn't an option, I'm going to pick up another 2-3 MGLS. That should tell you something right there! I love my ci4, but there is no comparison between these two reels. My pick would be get yourself a JDM MGL on ebay for a little under $300. The smaller spool hasn't been an issue at all for me. This thing can cast just as far as my Antares DC, and is 95% as smooth! The Antares DC is fun, but the MGL is more of a really high end workhorse imo.

[DP82]

3 hours ago, offsidewing said:

Just picked up a second brand new Metanium MGL from Japan Lure Shop for a hair under $300 with Express shipping.  It will get here faster from Japan than UPS ships from the West Coast.  A Chronarch Ci4+ for $199 is a good deal.  $280 for a Chronarch MGL from Cabelas or $290 for a JDM Metanium MGL - this is a no brainer..

I've seen jdm for 325 shipped buy still your probably right. I love my MET Mgl. Newer ones have little bigger spool. Bomb light lures I may even crank with one. Thought maybe 3 chronarch mgl instead of 2 more METS. Sell what I have to offset the cost. Maybe next winter. I bet I can find a sale..lol