Magnetic vs Centrifugal vs Digital Braking System

[TheUltimateAngler777]

Out of all the braking systems, which do you prefer?

[fishnkamp]

Hands down I prefer Daiwas braking system. I have had many baitcasters over 40 years of fishing. Once i tried a Diawa Tatula I sold of 7 Shimanos, Lews and BPS. I own 1 Exceler, and around 8 Tatula originals, Tatulas Type Rs and CTs. All of the Tatulas and many of the other Daiwa reels use the same system called Mag Force and Mag Force Z.  The Tatulas use the Mag Force Z and I love it.  I have linked two video. One is Brent Ehrler talking about the Tatula SV TWS reel and how top adjust it properly. This is important they run differently than other reels. The second explains the brake systems Daiwas has used including the Mag Force Z.

 

 

[Yumeya]

The only brakes I have used has been shimano's centrifugal, but I will be getting the Ryoga when its available. 

[rippin-lips]

They all have their respective positive properties. The dc system is very unique. Daiwa air brake technology found on the sv spools is also unique. Daiwas mag force v is the best magnetic braking system out. centrifugal brakes work off centrifugal force and really aren’t too fancy. The Shimano system works well thoug. I’d say they work the best in that category. 

[Deleted account]

I like centrifugal best cause its what I'm used to. Daiwa's mag brakes are very good. I don't like a brake dial on the left plate cause It feels weird, and with some, they will move settings while casting and palming. Overall most reels do a good job with braking (or is it breaking) these days.

[shamanjp]

My first baitcasting reel had magnetic brakes, it was a $99 Lew's speed spool. I'm sure it was a good reel but I didn't know what I was doing and in frustration returned it and bought a Lews Tournament Pro for almost twice the price, this one has the centrifugal externally adjustable brakes. That is the reel that made me fall in love with baitcasting. Since then I've bought another of the same and some Shimano 71's because Lews doesn't make enough variety of gear ratio's for left hand retrieve.  Both centrifugal systems work great once dialed in, the Lew's are easier for me to dial in. Are magnetic brakes bad? I don't know. I suppose I should try them again sometime but I rarely backlash anymore unless I get ridiculous and wasting line has, for the most part, become a thing of the past. I tend to think it's more about learning to use the tools we have rather than which is better because we each have a different casting style and what works for one person may not work for the next.

[LxVE Bassin]

I hate centrifugal brakes! I can’t stand my REVO S because of it. 

[J Francho]

Doesn't matter to me, so long as they actually work.

[scaleface]

I use both and dont have a preference  . Back when I was using Amassaduers with replaceable leather centrifugal  brakes ,for demonstration  I would cast as far as i could , with the spool tension knob loose with play , lay the rod and reel on the ground and not backlash .

 

I dont know what digital is .

[NYWayfarer]

I like reels that have both centrifugal and magnetic.

 

From what I understand one braking system controls the spool rotation at the beginning of the cast and one at the end. Truly the best of both worlds.

[J Francho]

1 minute ago, NYWayfarer said:

From what I understand one braking system controls the spool rotation at the beginning of the cast and one at the end. Truly the best of both worlds.

Not always.  Every company's systems are somewhat unique.  Some less sophisticated magnetic braking systems are on through out the cast.

[NYWayfarer]

2 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Not always.  Every company's systems are somewhat unique.  Some less sophisticated magnetic braking systems are on through out the cast.

Thanks @J Francho I wonder if my Kastking reels are in that category. If so it would explain why they are so hard to backlash.

[the reel ess]

21 minutes ago, scaleface said:

I dont know what digital is .

Does that mean stopping the spool with your thumb? (A digit). 

 

To stay on topic, I like the ones that aren't worn out. Earlier in my married life, I couldn't afford good BC reels, so I'd buy them secondhand and they'd become worn out quickly. Then I'd need to have them worked on. By the time I had a decent reel, it was almost as expensive as a decent new reel and there were still old parts on it to wear out. I don't have one I'm using that's older than 3 years now. So they all work.

[J Francho]

The system on my Assassin is mag always, and the centrifugal at the start, slowly tapering as the spool slows down.  I don't really use the mags at all on it, the cents are plenty.

[NYWayfarer]

18 minutes ago, J Francho said:

The system on my Assassin is mag always, and the centrifugal at the start, slowly tapering as the spool slows down.  I don't really use the mags at all on it, the cents are plenty.

Makes perfect sense, as my Speed Demon is mag only and seems to be always on. I thought it had something to do with the magnet placement in the reel. Magnets in the Assassin are all in a row on one side ...... while the Speed Demon magnets have a space between each two and go around the whole plate .. .. ..

[Florida Cracker2]

I had a Daiwa with the mag-force which was the most forgiving on backlashes. I have two Bantams, one centrifugal and one mag and the centrifugal will cast much further, but is very unforgiving on backlashes. My cheapo tourney special with centrifugal works pretty well.