What is the proper measure smoothness of a spinning reel?

[shimanoangler]

Should a brand new spinning reel out of the box spin freely when you turn the handle? By this I mean should you be able to crank the handle firmly and have the reel turn over multiple times, ie more than two or three? I just purchased a new Okuma RTX online and when I took it out of the box, the retrieve, when turning the handle, feels VERY stiff. When I "spin" the handle, it may revolve once, one and a half times max. Is that normal? My shimanos will turn 4 times easy when you crank the handle, with no stiff feeling what so ever.. I am not sure if this is the measure of a reel's smoothness or not.  The Okuma RTX (which I read has been compared to the Ci4) I just received feels so much stiffer than my other reels.  It is smooth with you turn the handle, ie no grinding, no gear mashing, no negative feedback other than just a firmer starting inertia than my other reels.  Just curious if I should send it back under the notion that there is something not right with the reel? I would appreciate any feedback on this topic.  Thank you.

[roadwarrior]

Fish it a couple of times and if you are not satisfied, exchange the reel.

 

[TnRiver46]

sometimes the drag is locked down so tight on a baitcaster that it puts tension on the reel handle. Not sure if this is possible with a spinning reel but try loosening and tightening the drag a few times and see if that helps. Also you can add oil/grease to help them out 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Spinning the handle or spool of a reel doesn't mean much of anything. All that matters is normal motions for the intended use. If it doesn't clunk or grind in your hand it should be fine. Later on a reel can be fine tuned to some degree. Some like a super free loose feel and others a more connected syrupy feel. These can often be achieved by careful choice and application of lubricants. 

[shimanoangler]

Thanks.  The mechanisms all work without any feeling or sensation from the gears.   In fact, from that standpoint, the hand turns without any hesitation and there is no slop or play in reeling forward or in reverse.   So, maybe I will do some maintenance work on the reel and apply some lubricant to see if that helps.  Its just that the difference in how easily the handle rotated between the Shimano and the Okuma was VERY noticeable and I wasn't sure if there was something going on with the Okuma since I have never owned one before. 

[Angry John]

Give it some time to break in.  The lube the factory uses lasts a long time but may be thicker than your used to.  Tight tolerances and fresh grease need a little time to work in.  JMO

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

4 hours ago, shimanoangler said:

Thanks.  The mechanisms all work without any feeling or sensation from the gears.   In fact, from that standpoint, the hand turns without any hesitation and there is no slop or play in reeling forward or in reverse.   So, maybe I will do some maintenance work on the reel and apply some lubricant to see if that helps.  Its just that the difference in how easily the handle rotated between the Shimano and the Okuma was VERY noticeable and I wasn't sure if there was something going on with the Okuma since I have never owned one before. 

Don't add oil or grease over top of old as a rule. Use newcreels hard out of the box then deep clean/lube them after a season. 

[kickerfish1]

Stella=good / Sedona =bad. Handle should spin like the eyes on that emoji! 

[WRB]

Spinning reels don't rely on free turning parts to cast, the line falls off the spool. The retreive is what's important and if the gear mechanism feels smooth and the bail is winding on line evenly, the reel is performing as deigned. Where the rubber meets the road with a spinning reel is how smooth does the drag perform under all fishing conditions? Drags must works smoothly under whatever tension set at without  jerking turning. Gear handle cranking must work smoothly under all weather and fishing conditions, no binding or roughness.

Simple design that relies on good components.

Tom

[craww]

That doesnt necessarily mean anything, in fact if a reel has a particularly heavy rotor it'll keep turning when you do that due to the inertia. I like my spinning reels to have a more "free" feel to them, and often tear it open when I get it and remove excess grease from the two gears and oscillating shaft (not sure formal term), and regrease lightly. It bugs me for it to take a bit more effort to move the handle. Fair warning the trade off is the reel will be a bit noisier, but I service them pretty regularly.

[Deleted account]

13 hours ago, kickerfish1 said:

Stella=good  

So Kate Upton is a 7?...