Expensive reel question

[jr231]

Anybody care to try and answer why a tatula costs 200 and a steez is 450???  I mean it's the same company... now I understand Chevy makes the Cobalt and the Corvette .. but is this a correct comparison  for the tatula and steez?? I feel like the only reason it's that high is because some people want to pay that much!!! ( so that "regular" folks can't own one.. ) 

 

Please anybody. Try and justify 250 extra dollars. I could own 2 tatulas and spool them both for what it costs for one steez . What's so special ?? Truly that much better ?? Or are we just being ritzy... 

 

 

[jr231]

2 minutes ago, LowRange said:

Which Steez?  The Steez TWS is made from magnesium and is a very nice reel. A Tatula feels slopy and noisy by conparison.  Reels like the Steez exist for those who want the extra niceness it has over the Tatula.  I'd rather have a minty fresh used $200 last gen Steez to save a bit of cash and forego the T wing.

 

Personally I like my $500 reels to be round,made from machine aluminum and annodised.  

 

 

Sloppy isn't a very good adjective ... What makes it sloppy compared to this steez other than noise ?

 

Aye dude if you have the money for it more power to you.. I'm just trying to figure out why it's 250 dollars extra... A little more quiet doesn't justify it for me.. but it's a start. 

[pondbassin101]

All I can say is I can't afford either of them.

[Poolshark]

After a certain price point (given you want durability out of your reel) ... It comes down to a level of refinement that you might prefer, but isn't necessary. 

Tighter tolerances, lighter spools, retrieve feel, bells and whistles... 

Whatever floats your boat.  I've settled where I find I get the max durability/ performance ratio for the money and I've been happy there. I'd rather own two curado 70s than a one metanium. But that's me and I won't spend my valuable time convincing others to do the same. Your life, your money. Whatever makes one happy and helps one have fun on the water, 

[NHBull]

I often wonder why a corvette is so much more than a camaro?  In all seriousness, there is a distinct difference between the ci4 and mgl......it is all in the feel and if it is worth it for ya

[RoLo]

On 4/24/2017 at 7:40 PM, Yeajray231 said:

Anybody care to try and answer why a tatula costs 200 and a steez is 450???  I mean it's the same company... now I understand Chevy makes the Cobalt and the Corvette .. but is this a correct comparison  for the tatula and steez??

 

 

Good question Yearjray, and I wouldn't want to be the defending attorney.

 

I have the same question regarding the price difference between a Shimano Stradic ($230)

and a Shimano Stella ($800). As the owner of both reels, I wouldn't know which reel was in my hand

if I didn't look down and read the label   

 

Roger

 

 

[jr231]

26 minutes ago, RoLo said:

 

Good question Yearjray, and I wouldn't want to be the defending attorney.

 

I have the same question regarding the price difference between a Shimano Stradic ($230)

and a Shimano Stella ($800). As the owner of both reels, I wouldn't know which reel was in my hand

if I didn't look down and read the label   

 

Roger

 

 

Retired in Florida. 800 dollar reels. You made some good choices along the way didn't ya. 

 

I'm glad you said this though . ! I value your opinion. And although my view on this subject may be a little biased (because I'm on the outside looking in) , I'm not so sure I could be convinced otherwise ! 

 

 

[RoLo]

22 hours ago, Yeajray231 said:

Retired in Florida. 800 dollar reels. You made some good choices along the way didn't ya. 

I'm glad you said this though . ! I value your opinion. And although my view on this subject may be a little biased (because I'm on the outside looking in) , I'm not so sure I could be convinced otherwise !

 

   Not being on the Bait Monkey's payroll, I'm not motivated to recommend the esoteric    

[bigturtle]

If you think that money to performance is a linear thing. its not. you pay more and more money for less and less increase in performance. money to performance graph is not a straight line, its a curve. thats how business works.

[Angry John]

there is always smart money and i would take the blow out sv 103 for that money and have a better reel that the tat and be way less than the sv.  But wait there's more.  I own two steez reels and for the buying more reels i will pick a zillion every time now.  They are smooth heavy duty and just great all around.  Are you stuck on that t wing because i sure am not.

'

[kickerfish1]

Mainly what your are getting is the weight reduction from the magnesium frame. You are also getting likely better palming and a bit more compact profile with the Steez. Usually a few more clicking do-dads like a cast control cap. Sometime a lighter handle and better looking knobs. I would also venture to guess higher quality bearings. I am not sure If I would think the difference would be worth the extra $. Seems like you can find older Steez 103, 100s, and EX models for under $100. Could drop any type of spool even an SV in it and be all said and done for under $400. I have heard mixed reviews on the new Steez SV TW.

 

Once you start talking about reels that clear $400 retail I either want one of 3 things. Something pretty rare or collectible, something very light weight 5.5 ounces or less give or take, or superior distance casting either on the finesse side or with normal baits. I haven't heard anyone rave about the new Steez having any of these characteristics outside of the reel being sexy looking and light. I am sure it is a great reel but it will likely be a Daiwa SV reel that I skip.

 

Frankly I would but a SV 105 and either a SV 103 or Tat SV and have two really nice reels for the money. I have seen the SV 105s just a shade over $200 from Japan. The Tat SV is $200 but I bet you can find them for $180 or less. The SV 103s are around in places but pricing will vary and they are drying up fast.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

There's definitely a point of diminishing returns but prices can only be raised to what the market will tolerate. Whether it's cars, houses, wine, fishing tackle you name it, some people enjoy the finer things. Doesn't make th bad or others bad for choosing to be more frugal. On a strict cost / benefit basis IMO $250-$275 will get you all the reel you want. 

[DaveT63]

6 hours ago, kickerfish1 said:

 I am not sure If I would think the difference would be worth the extra $. Seems like you can find older Steez 103, 100s, and EX models for under $100. Could drop any type of spool even an SV in it and be all said and done for under $400. I have heard mixed reviews on the new Steez SV TW.

 

 

If you can find an older Steez 103 for under $100, let me know and I'll double your money.  But it has to be in decent shape and a lefty. 

Edited April 25, 2017 by DaveT63

[Sam]

Why does one reel cost more than others?

 

Is it the number of bearings?  The metal parts vs. plastic parts?  The tightness of the gears vs. looser gears?  Is the reel designed for casting farther?  Can the reel take the pressure of high test lines and big fish? Is the braking system more advanced?  Does the metal weigh less than a lower cost reel of its size?  And how much in research and development went into the design, creation and testing of a high level reel?

 

My friend who repairs reels tells me that the Shimano Curado was once top of the line based on his experience and the internal parts used.  Now, he likes the Lew's reels as he says they are built stronger and have better internal parts. Shimano products are in second place along with Abu Garcia. Would be nice to read what our friend at Delaware Tackle has to say about this.

 

What is puzzling is that the bass could care less if you are using a Zebco or a Steetz. I have caught big bass on Shimano baitcasters and spinning reels with different line test and presentations.

 

Your topic is excellent and I want to close with this bit of philosophy:  Confidence.  If you have confidence in your rods, reels, line, hooks and baits then that is all you need. Your question boils down to confidence. If you have more confidence in high end products then use them. If you are like me you will go with the lower cost equipment for daily fishing and keep the high end rods and reels for tournament fishing. Confidence.  Remember, confidence.

 

Good luck and now stop reading and to out and catch your new personal best with a Zebco using the Banjo Minnow!!!!!

[NHBull]

On a side note, fishing is like another hobby where equipment is required.

 

"you can't tell the cost of something until the accounting period is over"

 

I bet bet that is you purchased both at retail......

used them for 2 years, then sold.....I bet the cost wouldn't be to far off,and you you have had the use for 2 yrs.  Just thinking of my other hobbies....

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

On paper the Lews/ABU design is inferior in that the pionion gear is unsupported by any bearing. In use I don't see  that it hampers performance though. I don't care for the skimpy hardware Shimano and others are using. Only time will tell when it comes to longevity. Each brand and model has unique features and flaws. If you had the tooling to blend them all into an ultimate reel they'd all have something to offer. I don't think any one brand has a monopoly on quality across the board. 

[Deleted account]

12 hours ago, Yeajray231 said:

Anybody care to try and answer why a tatula costs 200 and a steez is 450???  I mean it's the same company... now I understand Chevy makes the Cobalt and the Corvette .. but is this a correct comparison  for the tatula and steez?? I feel like the only reason it's that high is because some people want to pay that much!!! ( so that "regular" folks can't own one.. ) 

 

Please anybody. Try and justify 250 extra dollars. I could own 2 tatulas and spool them both for what it costs for one steez . What's so special ?? Truly that much better ?? Or are we just being ritzy... 

 

 

 

There are several reasons. Sure there is the technical, objective difference of the added costs of more advanced materials, closer tolerances, etc. But the marketing realities are really the reason. The car analogy isn't a bad one. You create your flagship product to both appeal and sell to those who must have the "best" as well as to create a demand for product down the line. Stella sells Sustains, Sustains sell Stradics, Stradics sell the products down the line. An $800 reel makes a $400 reel seem like a bargain. 

[jr231]

@Sam I get where you're coming from.. and I agree about the confidence but no. Lol you did a good job explaining why higher end reels cost more than lower end... But you didn't really point out what the main difference was between the 2 reels I provided .. and justify the 250 dollar difference...

 

 

Here's what I got...  A little lighter/ more compact frame.. a lighter spool.. a little more quiet and possibly a tension knob cap... 

 

Pretty much have my answers. Some good replies. And I can easily tell who likes what and how they feel about this 

[robster80]

57 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

On paper the Lews/ABU design is inferior in that the pionion gear is unsupported by any bearing. In use I don't see  that it hampers performance though. I don't care for the skimpy hardware Shimano and others are using. Only time will tell when it comes to longevity. Each brand and model has unique features and flaws. If you had the tooling to blend them all into an ultimate reel they'd all have something to offer. I don't think any one brand has a monopoly on quality across the board. 

 

When u say skimpy hardware what parts r u referring to? And on some of Shimanos less expensive options or on the higher end stuff like the Met,etc?  Just curious. Ive always been under the impression the Lews/Abu stuff is nowhere near the build quality of shimano/daiwa

[Columbia Craw]

I wish I could afford extra niceness.

[kickerfish1]

2 hours ago, DaveT63 said:

If you can find an older Steez 103 for under $100, let me know and I'll double your money.  But it has to be in decent shape and a lefty. 

That was a typo. Should have been $300. 

[TX-Deluxe]

Could we say that the extra smoothness of the very high and reels equates to better sensitivity on your retrieves?

 

Hell F1 cars once used brake pads made by Lockheed Martin

[Esoxfreak]

Ok, I'll be the odd man out and try to justify it using your car analogy. The tatula weighs in at about the high end of 7 ounces, the steez around the low end of 5. That's the difference of about...let's see...what's a whopper plopper weight(I picked that cause I'm sure we've all seen or own one,lol)? 1 3/8oz??? If that ain't right, it's close. So the weight difference is kinda big. Now, a viper, or vettez06 will run around 200mph, but getting above 240mph is a completely different story. It requires so many more horsepower for every mph over 240, then gets exponential around 260. A few production cars can do that:2 in particular the Bugatti veyron and the Hennessey venom gt. So much research and technology goes into every mph for those cars. Special paint,engine configurations, components that are super strong but lightweight,and so on. You can get a veyron for about $2,000,000. On top of that, Volkswagen LOOSES a few million on every car but it's their flagship. You sell more passats and golfs when you have the wolds fastest production car(not any more thanks to the venom). 

So the steez is Diawas flagship. It says "look what our company is capable of." They made it that light without sacrificing quality. There are lighter reels on the market, but they seem to sacrifice components to shed weight.

 

the point is I'd love to have a steez the same way I'd love to have a veyron. Not for any reason other than it's a friggin veyron!

[J Francho]

A better analogy would be Camaro/Corvette.

[d-camarena]

I used to love my lews lfs. I thought it was the beezneez. Then i bought a custom speed spool and was amazed at the difference. Now i want to try a higher end one