Aldebaran Mg

[Graham]

Anyone have this reel or used it before? I’m speaking of the older JDM Model. Does it palm as nicely as some of the newer reels? I recently picked up an older JDM Metanium Mg and was disappointed with how bulky it is. Any experience you could share with this particular reel would be helpful!

 

Thanks!

[JustJames]

It depends? The aldebaran is actually the same body as beloved 50e series.  A lot of ppl like it but some preferred 70 series with sit just a tad higher on reel seat. I never try newer aldebaran 50 so can't comment on those but this reel is also on my radar. 

Me 5'7 with small Asian hand, I like comfort of 50 better but I do have 2 of those (more coming) and 3 of 70 series.

The metanium MG should be the same size as chronarch 100d which is  a tad wider and obviously longer and sit higher than aldebaran mg, think 200i vs 70. I hope this help.

[Graham]

@JustJames Yeah that helps a lot. Sounds like it is more what I’m looking for. I have a Chronarch ci4 which I’m really enjoying and I believe that is a 150 size. Even my 200 size Curado I is more palmable than the Met mg (which I thought was a 150 size as well), so I wasn’t sure if it was just advancement in technology that has gotten the profiles of the reels smaller. May have to go ahead and get the Aldebaran. I’ll let you know how it feels if I do!

 

[Graham]

43 minutes ago, JustJames said:

Me 5'7 with small Asian hand

This made me laugh ? 

[roadwarrior]

The reel palms nicely, but the real claim to fame is it's weight.

I think you will be very impressed with the reel.

 

[JustJames]

I got to fish with Scorpion Antares a few day ago, this I believe same frame as  Met mg. This reel is tank and heavy but you know what in the course of me fishing from 3/8 chatterbait all the way to 3/32oz jighead with 2" swimbait, I don't feel heavy at all. The reel palm nice better than my steez. And man oh man this reel is d**n smooth and can cast a mile, I don't even have to change any setting with 3/32 jighead.

 

[Graham]

@JustJames The Met mg is definitley super smooth, and whoever sold it to me had it dialed in to my liking as I didn't have to change he brakes at all. I'm just disappointed in its overall size in comparison to some of my newer reels. Still a workhorse of a reel, I guess I'm just jaded with some of the more compact designs I'm so used to fishing. As for the Scorpion Antares, it appears to have the same frame as the Met mg. Just for clarification, the Aldebaran mg is a bit smaller than this right?

[JustJames]

Yes way smaller it is the same frame as curado 50e but a lot lighter. If you can wait until Sunday, I can take some pics for you to compare.

[Tywithay]

1 hour ago, Graham said:

@JustJames The Met mg is definitley super smooth, and whoever sold it to me had it dialed in to my liking as I didn't have to change he brakes at all. I'm just disappointed in its overall size in comparison to some of my newer reels. Still a workhorse of a reel, I guess I'm just jaded with some of the more compact designs I'm so used to fishing. As for the Scorpion Antares, it appears to have the same frame as the Met mg. Just for clarification, the Aldebaran mg is a bit smaller than this right?

The aldebaran mg is the jdm equivalent of the Core 50. It's still one of the smaller profile reels that shimano has ever produced.

[Graham]

That would be very nice ? 

[kickerfish1]

Can you clarify what model you have? Maybe I missed it but there are basically two frames that shimano used during that time. One was the 100 and the other was the 50 that would have had the Alde name associated it with it.

 

So if it was the 50 it would share the same exact frame as these US and JDM reels:

Scorpion 1000xt

Curado 50e

Chronarch 50e

Core 50 mg7

Alde 50 mg 5:8.1 and 7:1

 

It if was the 100 size it would be:

Chronarch 100 D5 and D7

Core 100mg 6:2 and 100mg7 7:1

Exscence DC

Alde 100 Mg 6:2 and 100mg7 7:1

Alde DC

 

IMO they all palm great. The frame of the 50 is going to be smaller and it will palm as small as about any smaller/finesse oriented caster on the market today. The 100 will sit a bit higher but it is not bad at all.

[Graham]

7 minutes ago, kickerfish1 said:

Can you clarify what model you have? Maybe I missed it but there are basically two frames that shimano used during that time. One was the 100 and the other was the 50 that would have had the Alde name associated it with it.

 

So if it was the 50 it would share the same exact frame as these US and JDM reels:

Scorpion 1000xt

Curado 50e

Chronarch 50e

Core 50 mg7

Alde 50 mg 5:8.1 and 7:1

 

It if was the 100 size it would be:

Chronarch 100 D5 and D7

Core 100mg 6:2 and 100mg7 7:1

Exscence DC

Alde 100 Mg 6:2 and 100mg7 7:1

Alde DC

 

IMO they all palm great. The frame of the 50 is going to be smaller and it will palm as small as about any smaller/finesse oriented caster on the market today. The 100 will sit a bit higher but it is not bad at all.

I haven’t got one I was comparing it to the Met mg. Looking to buy one but wanted some clarification first!

 

thanks

[kickerfish1]

Is this the reel you are referring to?

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanocore.html

 

[Graham]

1 minute ago, kickerfish1 said:

Is this the reel you are referring to?

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanocore.html

 

Yup, so the Aldebaran mg compared to that metanium.

[kickerfish1]

Gotcha. Sorry, I ain't all that bright sometimes.

 

Alde - is a sweet little reel. At 5.5 ounces there really isn't much too them. Super well built and perfect for a wide array of apps despite the small size. I have the Core 50mg, Alde 50mg, Chronarch 50e, Chronarch 50e and a pair of Scorpion 1000xts. The differences are small but there are some. With the Alde you get the magnesium frame, non plastic drag star, better internal stock bearings, and maybe hair more smoothness over the Curado 50e for example.

 

Now the metanium you currently have is going to be touch heavier. Something like 6.1 ounces vs 5.5 for the alde. The frame will be a bit bigger and the spooler slightly deeper and heavier.

 

I love this era of reels. Easy to adjust, easy to maintain, good longevity, and comfortable and reliable to fish.

 

Good luck either way. If not an Alde you could look for a Core 50. The Alde was a JDM reel while the Core was a US reel. Really the only difference is the paint. You can source a used Alde for less than a used Core. Not sure why but that seems to be the case.

[Graham]

@kickerfish1 haha no worries it can be confusing talking about all these different reels. Sounds like it is more what I’m looking for. Sort of blindly ordered the Met thinking it would be a bit smaller, not that having a spare Metanium laying around is a bad problem to have! The Aldebaran seems more what I’m looking for, I’m a sucker for those super compact reels, plan to use it for cranking with the lower ratio. You are right about those cores, they almost have a cult following! I think the Aldebaran is a sharp little reel, not worth the extra to me for a red spool haha

[kickerfish1]

If you value something that is compact and light the Alde/Core will deliver there. Many parts among the 50 series of reels are interchangeable. Spools included plus the aftermarket options too.

 

What kind of cranking? Not sure about you but when resistance of lures in the water gets factored in I prefer aluminum framed reels(cranks, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, etc.... The aluminum frame seems to help dampen the vibration. I love the magnesium frame reels for bottom contact or something that requires a lot of effort to work like a jerkbait or topwater (think fatigue for the latter apps while thinking how keeping a combo as light as possible will help with transmitting vibrations and aid in sensitivity.

 

Not saying you couldn't or won't like it but if are looking at the Alde 50mg 5:8.1... unless I was throwing smaller cranks I would look elsewhere. Anything mid to deeper depth stuff will probably be pretty stressing on that reel and the internals.

 

Just to offer another suggestion you could consider:

 

1. Adding a Chronarch 100D 5 (5:1) gears and aluminum frame. It is a cranking machine and one of the smoothest and best cranking reels out for anything but the super deep cranks.

 

2. Buy the Alde 50 / Core 50 to use for bottom contact and sell your Metanium to help fund it.

 

Just a few thoughts... No right or wrong answer. Just a little personal preference from using said reels for a few years.

[Graham]

Yeah I typically throw kvd 150s (squarebill), and lipless. I don’t usually throw any deep divers. That’s interesting, with bottom contact I typically like to have a higher gear ratio, but I will take that into consideration. 

[kickerfish1]

I do as well. The Alde 50mg came in a 5:8 and 7:1 ratio. Should you only be able to find a 5:8 you can purchase a Core 50mg7 gear set to convert it to a 7:1. The Brenious gears also drop right in and they are 7:7.1. They are nearly impossible to find now.

[JustJames]

I agree with @kickerfish1here in some degree. I use my Chronarch 50e for everything from 1oz top water, jerkbait, chatterbait and Magnum Fluke, but I save my alde mg7 for 1/16oz Ned rig, wacky rig and small jerkbait. All other applications I have 3 of 70s to serve my need. 

The different is if I ever need new gear, I would get 6.4 ratio brass gear from cu50e instead of aluminum gear from core.

I plan to get rid of my other daiwa, alphas SV105(my Ned rig setup) and steez EX another reason I just ordered curado 200k.

[Graham]

Welp, looks like the Met mg is gonna be my cranking reel after all! Still have a perfect excuse to get the Alde, thanks for the advice fellas and happy fishing!

[bigfruits]

the Aldebaran Mg is the only low profile reel that stood the test of time in my collection. As mentioned, it is the old US Core reel. Same body as the old green Curado 50/51 I believe.

 

I have two of them and a Core. You have the option to put 7.7 Shimano Brenious brass gears in it or 8:1 aluminum gears in. The latter requires a cheap mod.

 

The reels cast great. No external brakes but thats not a problem. A little taller than a Curado 71 body but a small frame no doubt. 

[bigfruits]

lots of upgrades for them too if you get bored in the winter. shallow bfs spools, handles, etc. 

 

i find the stock handle a bit short, i ordered the Shimano Exsence DC for my Core which is a bit longer. That handle was a better value than the aftermarket ones of the same length that i put on the two 09 Aldes.

[bigfruits]

On 4/18/2018 at 10:13 PM, kickerfish1 said:

 The Brenious gears also drop right in and they are 7:7.1. They are nearly impossible to find now.

Ive ordered from these guys several times in the past with no problems. a bit pricey. a search of the good JDM sites might result in a better price. 

http://japantackle.com/tug0000083.html

 

 

[JustJames]

Finally home here some pics for you compare with scorpion 70 and curado 200K.

Note that even aldebaran mg7 look bigger than scorpion but overall shape is more comfortable for me to palm and handle is closer than scorpion which is important since I fish one hand a lot.