Super User new2BC4bass Posted January 7, 2019 Super User Posted January 7, 2019 1 hour ago, HazeRVA said: Well, I think I am going to pass on the Sierra sale. Even at that price I'm not comfortable buying a rod sight unseen. Wish I had somewhere local to be able to check it out. I'm sure with what I will be comparing this next rod to (currently using an $80 Abu Vendetta for frogs/jigs) any of these rods will be worlds better, but I'm just not comfortable spending that kind of money on something I haven't be able to feel. Did go to BPS yesterday and put the Tat SV on the Avid X, felt great in hand, but did notice that the balance point was pretty much at the hook keeper. I'm still so new to this that I probably won't notice this is actual use, but something to think about. Anxious to check out the Zolos in a couple weeks, which just so happens to be my birthday weekend! I wish I had your attitude. I'd only have 3 or 4 rods instead of way too many. 1 Quote
HazeRVA Posted January 7, 2019 Author Posted January 7, 2019 Haha @new2BC4bass this will be my 4th combo since June. But, have to be selective and not just jump at every good deal as I live in a smaller townhouse without much storage, only so many places to try to tuck rods away! Quote
Super User fishwizzard Posted January 7, 2019 Super User Posted January 7, 2019 2 hours ago, HazeRVA said: only so many places to try to tuck rods away! My “home office” door now does not open all the way due to having a rod rack stuck between it and the wall. I needed the space and having to squeeze through the door will be a good incentive to lose a little weight. 1 1 Quote
HazeRVA Posted January 21, 2019 Author Posted January 21, 2019 Just an update.....Met Alex from ALX at the Richmond Fishing Expo on Saturday. Spoke with him for at least 20 minutes. As soon as I introduced myself he knew exactly who I was and our email conversation. He seemed as excited as I was and had some great ideas. I think we are going with the Deputy, but with matte gunmetal accents (where it is normally blue) and gold thread wrap, possibly straight cork instead their split cork/EVA, and a cork foregrip. He's going to get some mockups done and I'll be back to share pics! Very excited! Quote
LionHeart Posted January 21, 2019 Posted January 21, 2019 On 1/4/2019 at 11:30 AM, HazeRVA said: Thanks @FryDog62! Think it is still between the Avid X and ALX Zolo, those are the only ones I have a real chance to handle before buying. 2 more weeks and I will see ALX in person, have already reached out about pricing on possibly getting the Deputy done up with gold accents instead of the normal blue to match the Tatula haha. I had ALX replace the silver on my Zolo Dragger with metallic gold. It looks fantastic with the original blue accent pieces. 1 Quote
Joshua van Wyk Posted January 21, 2019 Posted January 21, 2019 14 minutes ago, LionHeart said: I had ALX replace the silver on my Zolo Dragger with metallic gold. It looks fantastic with the original blue accent pieces. Can you upload a pic? 1 Quote
HazeRVA Posted January 21, 2019 Author Posted January 21, 2019 1 minute ago, Joshua van Wyk said: Can you upload a pic? X2 Quote
LionHeart Posted January 21, 2019 Posted January 21, 2019 Alex said he could change the decal colors as well but I honestly liked the blue. Also had them add a smidge of length to the handle. 1 Quote
HazeRVA Posted January 21, 2019 Author Posted January 21, 2019 Thanks! That is a good looking rod. Yeah, for mine we are going a matte ghost logo. Trying to match the gold on the Tat SV, which is more orange. Quote
LionHeart Posted January 21, 2019 Posted January 21, 2019 The toughest part is determining what the thread color will look like by looking at it online. It will always look a little different in real life. I agonized over it way more than I should have. 1 Quote
LionHeart Posted February 5, 2019 Posted February 5, 2019 On 1/21/2019 at 1:24 PM, HazeRVA said: That's definitely me right now! Did you wind up getting the Deputy? I'm seriously thinking about getting one a my plastics rod now. If so, what are your thoughts? Quote
HazeRVA Posted February 5, 2019 Author Posted February 5, 2019 Still discussing with Alex. But definitely the route I'm going. Once the order is actually placed it will be about 3 weeks. Will post as soon as I have pics or other updates. Quote
michaelsrex Posted February 6, 2019 Posted February 6, 2019 On 1/4/2019 at 11:19 AM, FryDog62 said: Dobyns makes a good, well-balanced rod (far superior to the AvidX IMO) but I would not rate it as particularly sensitive. I think you would find the ALX Zolo or Kistler Helium3 to be much “crisper” and almost on par with my Orochi Braillist. Or, if out of your price range, take a look at the new Tatula rods at approx $150... I would rate their balance similar to the Dobyns but better in terms of overall sensitivity. Are you saying the zolo and kistler are on pat with the braillist? Just wondering because I've had my eye on a braillist but if it's not all cracked up to be I can go another route. Was thinking bottom contact, dark sleepers and jigs Quote
Super User FryDog62 Posted February 6, 2019 Super User Posted February 6, 2019 51 minutes ago, michaelsrex said: Are you saying the zolo and kistler are on pat with the braillist? Just wondering because I've had my eye on a braillist but if it's not all cracked up to be I can go another route. Was thinking bottom contact, dark sleepers and jigs Those 3 rods are very similar in terms of sensitivity. I use the Braillist for 1/2 and 3/4 oz Dark Sleepers and it’s great... can really feel the bottom extremely well. The Helium 3 and Zolo are excellent bottom contact rods too. The Braillist is a little longer, with a very sensitive XF tip and so slight edge there. If I needed to go up to a Heavy for 1 oz+ jigs Or heavier cover, I’d opt Kistler or Zolo. Quote
HazeRVA Posted March 24, 2019 Author Posted March 24, 2019 Just to bring some closure to this thread. I wanted to get an ALX Zolo Deputy and customize it, mainly trying to recreate the cork split grip and foregrip from the Avid X and adding gold accents. Well no matter how much we pared it down, it was more than I was comfortable spending. Yesterday, I bought an Avid X and absolutely love it. Huge upgrade over my Abu Vendetta. Thank you everyone for your input! 1 Quote
LionHeart Posted March 25, 2019 Posted March 25, 2019 Good looking rod dude. What $ was he asking? I don't think it would be considered confidential or uncouth to say, but if you don't feel comfortable posting, I totally get that too. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted March 25, 2019 Super User Posted March 25, 2019 Sooooooooooooo I don't know which Avid X you bought, but guessing it is one that sells for $230 at TW. The Deputy sells for $210 at TW so it would seem Alex is asking quite a bit for changing thread and logo colors. Quote
HazeRVA Posted March 25, 2019 Author Posted March 25, 2019 Yes, I paid $230 for the Avid X at BPS (was $210 when I started looking a couple months ago, of course). Apparently ALX is raising custom prices, they have been short changing themselves as far as labor goes. First go'round was $300 shipped! Then we started paring it down and the issue became not really getting what I was after so the cost was even less warranted. As an aside, the whole custom thing was a learning experience. The base price is the cost of the off the shelf rod ($220). Maybe I'm just being naive but that doesn't make any sense to me, none of the stock parts are being used so why am I paying for them? Why am I not paying for the blank plus custom parts? Sucked sending Alex that email cuz I really do genuinely feel bad and like I wasted his time. He has been great through the whole thing. Very patient with me and all my questions and has offered great ideas. But I can't justify spending that kind of money and not knowing for sure it's what I really want. Even the Avid X is more than double the cost of my next most expensive rod. Quote
RyneB Posted March 25, 2019 Posted March 25, 2019 Did you and Alex talk about customizing an Ikos? it would have saved you money and it is a great rod for the price. Quote
HazeRVA Posted March 25, 2019 Author Posted March 25, 2019 No, there was no mention of going with an Ikos rod. Man, Alex really is a good dude. I emailed last night telling him about going in a different direction and have been anxiously awaiting his response. "No harm or foul. Honestly I was really concerned about it myself. You keep going back to the more involved plan, so I know that's what you really want. On our end the biggest issue is the amount of labor involved in making these parts fit." So even after going completely stock but with the plain cork grips and a foregrip the price didn't really change. All of the cost was in creating the foregrip. I was trying to create a hybrid Avid X/Deputy. Wanted what I have read is more sensitivity in the Deputy but the handle/foregrip from the Avid X. In the end it just wasn't coming together. Added to the cost was the time involved. Even if I ordered today it would be a few weeks before I had it and I just didn't want to drag it out anymore (considering I first contacted ALX January 2nd). I will definitely be ordering an ALX rod in the future, though. Quote
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